Resolutions and wrap-ups

A new year inevitably marks a new beginning, prompting us to reflect on another year that flew by and make resolutions we probably won't keep.  I wish I could promise to blog every week, but that might be too ambitious...

Looking back....

This past year was more of an adventure than I could have expected.  I am not where I thought I would be, but that's not a bad thing.  In the past year, I passed the NIC, dove into the freelance interpreting world full-time,  served on the PCRID conference committee, joined the VRID board, started a blog, quit graduate school...the list could go on.  On a personal note, my husband and I had to make the difficult decision to put down our dog, Mary, as she battled cancer.  By the year's end, we welcomed a puppy, Sadie, into our home and celebrated his promotion and our three year anniversary.

2010 was certainly a year of lessons learned.  Most significantly, throughout this year, I was reminded of how important it is to take care of yourself.  Too much of my year was spent stressed and burn-out, making the conscious decision to take care of myself and giving myself permission to say "NO" was the best thing I did for myself.

As you may have gathered from previous postings, the PCRID conference was a tremendous learning.  I learned about the conference planning conference and about myself- mostly that the Support Staff Coordinator position needs someone a little more Type A than me.  On the final day of the conference (Day 3), I attended Marc Holmes's "Carpe Prepum," which was a good reminder of the importance of preparation.  My resolution last January was to improve and increase my preparation for interpreting assignments, an area which I continually try to hold myself accountable.

And looking ahead...

I am honestly looking forward to the new year.  2010 was a challenge, while I hope 2011 will be challenging.  Work is going well- I started guaranteed hours with an area agency this week (I get to maintain my freelance status, but receive guaranteed work a few days a week).  Additionally, I am enjoying my work with VRID and am very excited with all the events in the works for this year.

I want to continue to grow as an individual and an interpreter.  We are never done and there is always something new to learn.  At the end of the day, I am thankful to have not only a job that I love, but family and friends that I love as well.

PCRID Conference: Day 2

One of my favorite part of the conferences and workshops is the conversations that you can have with other interpreters.  Tonight's dialogues have run the gamut from pros/cons of freelancing/ staff positions; D.C. interpreting licensing laws (a hot topic which is currently being discussed); the dynamics of and misconceptions about hearing-Deaf interpreting teams; the gap between ITP training, real world experience, and obtaining certification;  and the 10,000 hour rule, from Malcom Gladwell's Outliers: Story of Success (the 10,00 hour rule which is referred to in this blog is definitely another topic of another day).

While these spontaneous discussions concluded my day (well maybe dinner conversations were not quite so spontaneous), the rest of the day was fantastic as well.  It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of the conference.  In addition the the business meeting, I had the opportunity to attend two workshops- theater tech for interpreters and back translation (and this is where I get to brag about my friend, Jennifer Cranston who presented her back translation workshop for the first time and did an amazing job.  She will also be presenting for VRID District I this spring.  Stay tuned for more information!).  We had a great day and I am working with a great team- both the conference committee and support staff.  Tomorrow will be another full (and great) day!

PCRID Conference: Day 1

It has been a long, but great first day at the PCRID conference.  As always, there were a a few minor hiccups, but this continues to be a fantastic learning experience.  I have enjoyed seeing friends and colleagues as well as meeting  new people.

The highlight of my day was having the privilege of introducing Dennis Cokely at his workshop.  Dr. Cokely presented a six hour workshop entitled, "Cars, Dogs, and Cows: Culturally Rich Realities," during which we examined what defines our schema and our we can co-construct a shared schema with those around us.  Function is what defines the "car-ness,""dog-ness," and "cow-ness" in our lives.  As interpreters, we must evaluate how explict and implict meaning will affect our work.

This day has been a blur and I am sure the weekend will go by just as quickly. On that note, I am off to bed since morning will come all too soon.