Today’s Dreams, Tomorrow’s Memories

Basking in spotlight as Linda Blue, the history in making of first Miss Deaf Oklahoma crowned Mary Rios, the last Miss Deaf Oklahoma in June 2011. 

As new adventures unraveled  in front of her...

Being an ambassador for state of Oklahoma shed a new light on my perspectives by juggling what does it meant to be a leader, role model, a voice for deaf community, and knowing who I am.

Journey begins as I made several trips throughout state of Oklahoma performing my talent of Charlie Chaplin at State Fair, Loving Hands Ranch, and church events. Not only performing my talent, I was honored to be able to make several appearances as a guest such as TSHA's a day camp, Souper  Sunday, Happy Hands' fundraiser event,  COADHI's annual spaghetti dinner and many surprise visits.

Hello Charlie! It's nice running into you, AGAIN!

A trip to Louisville in Kentucky for National of Association of the Deaf (NAD) and for competing for the crown at Miss Deaf America Ambassador Program (MDAAP). This trip was life-changing experience I will forever cherished in my heart. From day one of retreat to last day, I have developed a sisterhood with 14 beautiful diversity ladies representing their state.

Allow me to share some stories about my trip to NAD with pictures..

Meet my friend from Nepal!

My number story I love to share is about stepping out of my comfort zone to try to communicate with someone from other country. And, I was pleased to meet this person from Nepal. He was SO patient with me as I attempted to communicate back in gestures as he teach me some of his language from Nepal with International Sign Language. How do I fall in love with sign language even more!

Meeting the Princesses!

As Sophia, Miss Deaf Arizona and I were leaving the baseball game -- we were stopped by this little girl who she truly thought we were princesses. She was so shy, and you can see her eyes widen as she truly believes in us! First question she asked, "Are you a princess?!" We both looked at each other, smiled, and almost cried -- instantly we respond, YES! And secretly told her that she is ONE of the princess too. She smiled SO big! Second questions she asked, "Where is your Prince?!" This little girl forever stole my heart. I will never forget her. She, alone, made me realize the importance of my role as Miss Deaf Oklahoma. No matter where I go, people are always watching like this little girl. You have a power to influence someone life in ways that you cannot even imagine.

Batter up!

That's right! I get to touch Mickey Mantle's bat!
Way to represent Oklahoma!

One of the coolest place I had an opportunity to go visit Louisville Slugger Museum -- it was VERY cool! I suggests you to go visit if you ever stop in Louisville. Yes, this is original bat of Mickey Mantle. And, I was SO excited to take a picture with it. 

Hours of Rehearsal

During the first week of retreat with other ladies, we were thrown to do hours of rehearsal to perform several songs. It given me more appreciation to performers throughout the nation because it is exhausting! However, I love this picture because I was signing, America for song, "America the Beautiful". I was honored to signed the National Anthem among with these beautiful ladies at the baseball game. The National Anthem always make me teary eye and choke up  because of military background in my family. 

Kassie, my chaperone and me
Happy 4th of July!

Taking a moment to give a HUGE shootout to Kassie Jone, my chaperone -- I could not choose a better chaperone for my two weeks in Kentucky. She had made my trip worthwhile!   Without her, I probably would of back out competing for the crown. She pushed me, and believe in me! Of course, I can brag about her ability in make-up artist and hair stylist. She did a really GREAT job! Overall, I am blessed to have one of my close friend to give me every encouragements I need to hear, a person to vent when I was under stress, cry when I was overwhelm, and all. Most of all, she keep reminding me who I am during two weeks. She was amazing! There's no words I can say, but say thank you, Kassie!

 One of the humility experience I was able to bring home was voted by these ladies as Miss Congentaility. In my eyes, that was better than winning a crown for Miss Deaf America.

As the program, Miss Deaf Oklahoma Ambassador had imprinted in deaf community as it hold rich history that celebrated the identity of being as a deaf or hard-of-hearing person to the world. As I speak for myself, and former Miss Deaf Oklahoma- - this program had impacted on our lives in some ways that shaped us who we are today. As that chapter closed, and it becomes apart of a history.

"A Day Without Laughter is a Day Wasted"
Charlie Chaplin

End of a chapter begins a new beginning unfold a new history unravels in front of us. Here is to generation XYZ and onward.

See you later, 2011. Hello, 2012!

I did it! PAH!

On December 9, 2011, I graduated with Bachelor's degree with Education of Deaf on December 9, 2011 at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO). It was a beautiful way to finish off the year of 2011, and welcoming the year of 2012 with open arms. It was a LONG five years and half of college career. All the hard work paid off, and I can say it is worth every penny. Some of you may may ask:

"What are you doing now?"

"What are your plan for next few years?"

"Are you going to get a job?"

A question lead to another question...

My answer is - I don't know. Yes, I have an idea of what I want to do next. Right now, I want to enjoy my unproductive vacation from all the hard works of five years and half. Work hard, and play hard later. As I can tell you this -- next few months. I am going to focus on getting ready for the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) in July as I am representing the state of Oklahoma and deaf community. At the moment, I am making several things to attempt to raise money for my trip to NAD. Keep your eyes out of what I am going to sell! 

I will leave you to this thought:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

What is your cause?

Wounded Warrior Project.

Mission:

To honor and empower wounded warriors.

Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) exists to honor and empower wounded warriors who incurred service-connected injures on or after September 11, 2001. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers.

The tragic events of Sept. 11 are often the reason warriors say they felt a sense of duty to volunteer for the military. These individuals chose to defend our country, and that is why we honor them.

Sept. 11 also served as a catalyst for conflicts Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Operation Iraqi Freedom refers to military operations in Iraq that began March 19, 2003 and officially ended August 31, 2010. Operation Enduring Freedom refers to combat operations in Afghanistan and other regions in support of the Global War on Terror. 

With advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, an unprecedented percentage of service members are surviving severe wounds or injuries. For every U.S. soldier killed in World Wars I and II, there were 1.7 soldiers wounded. In Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, for every U.S. soldier killed, seven are wounded. Combined, there have been almost 42,000 injured in the two conflicts – nearly 32,000 injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and nearly 10,000 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

With the mission to honor and empower wounded warriors, WWP is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve new triumphs. Offering a variety of programs and services, WWP is equipped to serve warriors with every type of injury – from the physical to the invisible wounds of war.

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My heart goes out to every kind of organization relating to military, navy, marine, and air force. Military has been in my family for generations. My father has retired in 2000 from army. My twin brother has been in Ranger for three years, and he has been recently deployed to Afghanistan. Ever since, he has been joined the military. I always get goosebump or lump in the throat when I hear our country anthem plays or stories about army coming home changed. There are many reasons why I choose this cause. It is very special to me. I am proud to say I am one proud army sister. On the other hand, I am signing up for Tough Mudder, and I am hoping to create a team as we will do this event together. It is 10 miles run with 21 obstacles. All of the money will goes to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Let me know if you are interests. I believe it will be a great cause and experience!

What's your cause?

Where's Waldo?

In other words, what has Miss Deaf Oklahoma Ambassador  been up to?

     Since I have been crowned as Miss Deaf Oklahoma Ambassador, I have been honored to be apart of several events. First event, I was invited to God's Family Community Church in Lawton, Oklahoma to performed my talent and celebrated their 10th anniversary as a church. I enjoyed seeing old friends.
     During Deaf Pride week, I was invited to Larry White's church along with other churches to celebrate Deaf Pride week. Nick Jungheim shares God's word from the Book of Mark 7:31-37. It was a powerful message. It truly changed my perspective of what my purpose is  as a deaf person. I was able to share my testimony of how I have become who I am today. Next day, I was honored to performed at Oklahoma State Fair to celebrate Deaf Awareness Day. After my performance, I was invited, at the last minute to performed with other during their skit. I was truly honored and it was a very exciting experiences!
     Recently, I was invited to an annual COADHI's spaghetti dinner event. At this  event, I  felt it was my first actual event.  I give my first presentation in front of the crowds about what I have been doing, and shared about the cause I  support .  I was able to share how I am human just like them, and I believe it is a good reminder for them to feel safe, not to looking up to me like something other then a  role model, who is human just like them and makes mistakes.

There you have it. 

Keep your eye out for next events I am partaking. 

What is your deepest fear?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frighten us. Your playing does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Timo Cruz (Coach Carter)

One of the greatest movie I have ever seen! As this movie speak to the deepest part of my soul, I wanted to share with you, what is in my heart. It is funny how when were a child it was so easy to dream big and not have a care in the world. Our own imagination goes way beyond our wildest dreams. Then, someone come along says a hurtful word and crushes our dream, bruises our heart and build fear. It only happens because we choose to listen to those words and believe them.  It is amazing how we begin to build our own doubts so to prevent us from reaching our childhood's dream. I have done some soul searching. It was not comfortable to do, but it was worth it. I have finally come to the conclusion what my deepest fear is. I have a huge fear of failure. As soon as I am about to do something, I usually want to back out because I am afraid to experience something out of my comfort zone. I admit I almost back out running for MDO four times, and I am very glad I did not back out because if I did -- I would have regretted it. As Miss Deaf Oklahoma I vowed to myself and to you to stay real to who I am. I hope as I partake on this journey as MDO, you will not only look at me as a role model, but as someone who is real to herself, a lady who is not perfect, but making an attempt to face every wild fear she have to overcome to do greatest things to inspire you to chase  your dreams, and live your life to the fullest. So, what is your deepest fear?

Lose the Chains...

--"A father and his young son are at the circus. 

The son sees a huge elephant shackled with flimsy, rusted chains. 

Turning to his dad, the boy asks, "Isn't that elephant strong enough to break free from those chains?"

"Of course he is," his dad answers. 

"It's just that he's been chained like that since he was too small and weak to break free, 

and now he doesn't know the difference."

I hate to say it but, buddy, you are the elephant in this story.

You can leave the job you hate. 

You can leave the alcoholic spouse. 

You can go back to school. 

Want to know what's holding you back? 

Absolutely nothing but you. --

Quoted from 

Unlimited by Jillian Michaels

Bottom line: You can be whoever you want to be. Nothing is holding you back, but you. May this passage inspire you to take a step back and take a good look at your life to see what you truly want, and what will make you truly happy, and what is your childhood's dream. It is never too late. Dream big. Sky is the limited.

First Impression

     First impression is everything. This will be the first entry for me as Miss Deaf Oklahoma Ambassador (MDOA). I am very honored to be MDOA for 2011 to 2013. As I am very passionate in what I am going to do for state of Oklahoma and the deaf community. For next two years, I will need your feedbacks and huge supports as I taken upon this journey. May this be short and sweet as I leave you with this quote:

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are"

Rocky III (1982)