:(

I can't explain the loss I feel. It seems all the people who I love dearly are so far from me. My sister and her family left for Jordan this week and I am missing them terribly. I wish they could live here where I could be around to watch my nieces and nephews grow up and where I can pick up the phone at any moment to talk to my sister (without worrying what time it is there). Although I am missing out on those things and I feel this tremendous loss once again...I am also reminded that I have had many opportunities to travel and experience new things because of it.

I want to win the lottery so I can visit them often...I guess I can't win without playing...I better get moving on that! :)

Job Title

I am a Sign Language Interpreter...I've been called a signer....a deaf interpreter...and today for the first time I was called a hand linguist. I think I like that one the best...it sounds classy ;)

Row 31

I was on line...ready to board the plane, I took note of my seat number and made my way to 31A. As I was getting closer to my seat I realized that I was going to be in the last row, which was a first for me. I was also going to be in a window seat which is not my preference, but I was unable to switch it to an aisle seat at the kiosk earlier in the day. I convinced myself that it was a short flight and I could hold my bladder, so being stuck in a window seat was no big deal. EXCEPT...the last row doesn't have a flippin' window. I watched as everyone hurried to their seats and came to the realization that the flight was packed and there was no way I would be able to switch my seat (plus who would want to switch with me...that's the worst seat ever?!?)
I read my book and tried to ignore the fact that I am super claustrophobic. I felt out of breath...I kept trying to keep calm and did everything I could to not flip out. Finally we were in the air. The guy in front of me was getting comfy and reclined his seat back...as if it wasn't bad enough, now I was even more closed in with no window to see the outside world (and I was not able to recline my own seat because last row seats obviously don't recline). I thought maybe there is a vacant seat...I frantically waved down the flight attendant and asked him if I there was anyway I could sit somewhere else...I didn't realize how freaked out I was until I noticed that my voice was cracking and tears were welling up in my eyes. I could tell the flight attendant felt bad for me but there was nothing he could do. I felt like I was going to hyperventilate at any moment and was shuffling through the seat pocket in front of me for the barf bag. The good news is I made it in one piece...but never will I ever sit in 31A again.