My time at CCD

Church of Christ for the Deaf in Council Bluffs is where I have been attending whenever am in Nebraska since 2010. I was introduced to this church trough my best friend Amanda back in January 2010, then week later I met Brian and been attend there ever since!

This church's sermon is in American Sign Language and voice interpreted. The sermons lately has been so fascinate that I cannot be distracted! Which is so good because I felt was loosing my relationship with God, since I do not really read the bible, I admit! I love to listen to sermons and read bible when I can! But at this church, I felt MUCH closer with God because their sermon most of the time matches my daily life what I am struggling or am seeking for. So far, Chad, Dave, Jose, Alex and Linsey has been doing GREAT job sermon God's message to us!

One thing about this church that changed me with my daily habit, is praying. Before I would forget to pray before eating or bed. Before the sermon begins we would stand in circle and go around everyone there and say a prayer. It's very NEAT to see how they pray and how they communicate with God. It's just amazing how they do it, at the same time it DOES teach me how to communicate with God better every-time I step up and say a prayer. It's a great feeling afterwards!

I still attend Open Door Baptist Church here in Rochester, this church is where I was baptized and grew to be alike Christ. However, CCD will always be in my heart and attend whenever am back in Omaha.

It be AWESOME if CCD videos their sermon just our church at ODBC does but no close caption or catch the interpreter.. pretty insane cuz we have large number of Deaf Member attend this church!


God just been wonderful by providing a church for me to attend wherever I go!

My Best Friend's Wedding...

(David surprised her by singing to her!)

This was the most fun and invigorating wedding I've been involved with! I was her personal assist, my duty was to help her get ready before the wedding. Also help get buncha of stuff ready before the big day. I've enjoyed helping her out since we are very close and want her to have as much fun she could instead of stressing out! (Smiles) Overall, the wedding was wonderful and amazing. They got tons of comments on how beautiful and unquie this wedding was! I personal was overwhelmed because there were TONS of people that I haven't seen for ages and didn't have much time to chat since I was on the move. I only could sit still for 10 minutes at least to eat! haha but it was fun to see old deaf and hearing buddies!

They had wonderful time in Orlando for their honeymoon! Ofc I got lucky and see her a few days after she arrived and told me buncha about it! :-)

Again Congrats and Good Luck to you David and Mandie! Love ya buncha...

Flood of 2011 (Omaha)

Here are Photos of what I've taken from the above the flood when flying into Omaha and at the Gavin Point (Dam) where they control the Missouri River up in Yankton, SD and boarder of Nebraska.

Here is the The Monument to Labor stature which keeps showing the rising water.Before I arrived....

....After I arrived *It's under water now*

Right now it's going down just few feet from 38.7 to 34 feet ( I believe)...

Flood Photos

More to come...

*Remember God has reason for this and keep praying for those who are impacted*

Flying my future Kids

Check this out... Delta Sky Zone: An Improved Travel Experience for Your Kids

This would make me more comfortable to fly my kids to Nebraska or anywhere their grandparents or closest cousins lives to visit them without us. I do believe it is ok for my own kids to fly alone, since I've experienced this program twice and it went smoothly. In addition, I believe this would help my kids to learn more about being independence and experience more things themselves. Also will teach them self-delevop how to manage things out in the real world by fly themselves and make sure they are with an escort then they arrive at their connection. I've heard some negative or terrible stories about this, but we will have faith that they will arrive safe. Of course we will provide them some kind of device that can communicate with us to be able to know where exactly where they are and if their escort didn't show up, we can call the airline to take care of the problem. That way we can get an refund or some kind of voucher! Gotta love that stuff too.

Thanks to Delta Airline to make this opportunity for children that fly alone and to make it more safer and enjoyable for them. Also this is my airline that I use the most, so will continue use their services.

What are your thoughts about this?

Back in O!

Now my time has arrived after I posted about Summer Plan ard O!- super excited! My flights went well especially had one hour delay in Chicago, that explains why I totally want to avoid O'Hera Airport. My 2nd flight to Omaha was melancholy for two reasons.

First, I sat next to a blind women and am deaf myself. It hit me when she tried to talk with me and I couldn't reply back because I do not want her to be confused when I speak since I am not sure if I am loud enough for her to understand when i say "I am Deaf". It kinda made me think what I should of done. However, the flight attendant did talk with me and is awareness I am deaf. It was just sad that I couldn't communicate with a hearing blind person who doesn't know the deaf-blind method of communicating.

Second, North of Omaha has been impacted with 8 ft flood lately and even more are coming as what we heard. I have seen pictures but saw from the above with my own eyes is totally different! Also uncle showed me all the sandbags near the airport to be prepared and picture of Riverfront stature has been covered with water. Will post picture and video soon.

I thank the Lord for bring me to Nebraska safety! <><

New name for work purpose...

I mentioned in previous post that I work as an CSR... right now my name Alissa shows up and customers can see it. However, some of them said pretty name, it does makes me smile! At the same time, I have been thinking about changing that for my safety and for fun too. There are few names that I came up with but cannot make up my mind on what to choose... maybe you can help me out a little bit and vote!

Top 5 names:

1. Aqua

2. Valley

3. Ali

4. Elfa (given by one co-worker lol)

5. Kia

Goodbye are Never Easy!

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!
~Author Unknown

Just had the last gastroenterology appointment with Dr. Valley Dreisbach, who had end her residency at URMC this week. I have had her for almost 2 half years, she was the one who helped me through my insane stomach issues, even enough to diagnose me with IBS, dyspepsia, and much more. However, since the Day one I worked with her I've made a huge improvement with my digestive system, till today she was smiling big because I am 90% better! I still have few episodes of bowel pains, it's part of having IBS but she had found the right medicine to be able to help control the spasms.

Not only just that she's unique is because she is very Deaf Friendly, like I mentioned in this blog Paper & Pen will do! and communicate with me though emails (very well with replying!) Also she always smiles when she see me that helped me stay positive with my issue. For instance, I had to do colonscopy, I was scared to death and emailed her ahead of time to give her a head-up that I was scared and brings some flashbacks. Valley was there 100% from the beginning to end of my procedure, even when I had my endoscopy. I was alone in the room those times, I felt safe and knowing I'll be ok having her on my bedside checking on me.

I felt so blessed to have a positive and supportive doctor like her, how many doctors are like her out there?!

At the appt, it was very nice, we were able to chat a little bit, discussed what going on with my stomach at this moment, and try to figure out who I want to replace her for my next appt. I told her nobody can replace you! She smiled and was touched! We were able to spare a picture together, finally showed her name sign, and end with a good hug. I walked out with watery eyes, because I was happy I had her as my doctor and how wonderful she is.
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~Theodor Seuss Geisel

From now on, what I can do is pray for her on her next chapter in Providence, Rhode Island and see her again! <><
Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again. ~William Shakespeare

No more abusing the Mac!

Finally had the chance to purchase a Cranberry hardshell cover for my Mac, since it already have a little tiny dent on top of it from being dropped on or something!! GRR... Now I feel lot better with this cover not being worried by having another dent or starch on it. Also got keyboard cover to prevent from getting dirty, it helps i can just take it off and wash then put back on! Got pictures, it's neat addition to my toy! :)Love this stuff! <><

Summer Plan ard O!

I cannot wait to be back to the O! (Omaha) on June 30th! I pretty much already have so much things planned out what to do around O! and back at my parent's!

• Cupcakes and Concerts at Aksarben Village
  
• Hang out with the sister and cousins
• Omaha Farmers Market at Old Market (downtown)
• Hang out with Christian friends
• Mini Road trip with friends to Adventure Land Park
• Omaha Storm Chasers Baseball game and fireworks
• Bike rides around Lake Zorinsky or Regency Park
• Boating & wakeboarding with Friends
• Prepare for Mandie's Wedding
  
  
  
  (Cannot wait to walk around Downtown in this weather!!)
  
  
  and importantly visit my parents and family in northeast of Nebraska. Also hope to spare one weekend to make a quick visit to Kansas City to see my lovely friend Angie!
  
  

Hello How May I help You??...

It has been three months since I've been working as customer service representative (CSR), it has been very interesting experiences for me. This job is different from other CSR that talks on the regular phone or automatically menu system for options. As for my company, it's deaf friendly we use video phone, which means we speaks with our customers face to face.

Let me ask you a couples of questions. Have you ever called an customer service for certain question about product that you are having trouble with? While you are on the phone with an CSR, what are you doing?... picking on your nose, smoking, in bed, guys being topless or ladies being braless, having tissue up your nose, children bothering you, texting, talking to someone else, or fixing up your hair and do make ups? Or felt stressed, felt so angry and yelled, even being impatient? Believe it or not, have been through all of that face to face! I would think it be easier for hearing person talking on the phone less emotional or visual while helping customers than being face to face because I can see what they are doing while talking to me.

However, as I say this is very interesting job because it help me grow my skills how to help vary of people all over the nation even other countries. Also it helps me learn how to cope with angry, impatient, or annoying customers for my future work as public health counselor.

Am still loving every minute of this job and have wonderful supportive co-workers! <><