Introducting Stardust!

Here's my new, very first dog, Stardust! :-)
This should have been posted a month ago. I got no excuses.

I got Stardust from Lied Animal Shelter, which is in part of Humane Society. It's one of the best shelters I ever have been to. I wished it was a little bit better for the cats though. The dog runs smelled good and very clean (aside from those who had 'accidents'). The cats were in cages, but the whole area reeked. I refuse to "buy" any animals, I only adopt.

It was a LONG hard month looking for the right dog. For those who adopt animals know sometimes it's hard to find the "right" animal until you feel the connection. Roy felt the connection with Blackjack.

Two days prior to adopting, I came close. There was a dog that was recommended by my teacher because the dog was trained for the deaf. I jumped to conclusion thinking that I would take this dog home. However, when I saw him at a different shelter (this dog had to be given up as the owner died), he was way too big for me to handle, and was not exactly trained as a well trained dog don't really jump on people. This was a 110 pound Lab mix that was jumping on me. I felt disappointed. Two days later, Roy wanted to go check out Lied Animal Shelter again. Two dog rows later, I saw this little white bundle. She came up to me, and was meek and a little shy. We held her in our arms, and I told Roy, "She is the one." She was 4 months old. At first we didn't want to get a puppy, but I felt in love with her. I knew there was training that was going to be needed, but we both were ready as we're home for the majority of the time. If we were both working outside of the home, we would have gotten an adult dog. It was just the right timing for us to have a puppy.

We picked the name Stardust because of its Vegas connection. If it was a boy, we would have named it Keno. :-)

We don't know the breed. She "looks" medium sized, but she's actually small. She's 10 pounds and about 1 feet tall. The first couple days, she was very shy, and wouldn't come out her crate. Over time, she warmed up quickly and started to play...a.l.o.t! We did have a set back with the housebreaking issues. Mainly due to the fact that she's so quiet and doesn't "tell" us that she needs to go. After figuring out her behavior (she doesn't go around sniffing the ground. She just stands by the door hoping it would magically open) and taking her out every couple hours with a piece of chicken, finally she "got it". It has been a little over a week since her last accident. Thank goodness that we held off on replacing the carpets!

I've taken her to a dog park at least 3 times a week and every single time I go, I hear, "What breed is she?" I have no idea! She looks like she's a border collie and she has some sort of herding instincts, but she's too small to be a BC. She does has some Fox Terrier look to her, but the tail doesn't match (she has a long fluffy curly tail with long fur, while a Fox Terrier has a bit of a docked tail and stands straight up). Terriers are known to be high strung. Stardust is not like that, only when she's excited or when it's Playtime. So who knows. At the same time, it helps me to talk to various people with my CI. Occasionally I have a hard time understanding. Other times, it's just great to be able to understand people. I can tell that I need a new map due to male voices. It sounds just weird....that has to be put on hold as I have insurance issues (whole other story!).

Stardust is such a sweet dog. She LOVES to go up to everyone to say hello, and every dog just to say hi. She knows how to Sit, come, stay, leave it, Gogitit!, Go Potty (about time!). She will be taking Obedience class starting next week. Here we go, hope my CI works! Roy will be with me, so if I have any issues, he can help me out. I want her to get certified for CGC, and tested to see if she will do well in agility. She loves to run, easy to train, and very good jumper, so I'm wondering if she'll do good.

I could go on and on about Stardust. :-) She's just a perfect dog for both of us. Mind you, although she is perfect for us, she still does some things that drives us a bit batty. She likes to chase my cats (herding stuff!), but the cats just go up to a higher place and hide. She likes to take some of the treats and hide them under the cushions, for later perhaps?

CI moments with Stardust: She whines like a bird...seriously. It sounds like pitiful chirping. I can hear her give off a small growl when other dogs go near our property (she's a little bit territorial). I can hear her tags hitting against each other. She has the cutest little bark. :-)

I will be talking about the event with Cochlear next week.

Finally!

About time that this little cyborg gets her ass moving and type up info in her blog.

Blackjack has peacefully gone over the Rainbow Bridge. Roy and I have cried for days prior, but we both felt peace the days after. Hobbes have consoled us as he was to his usual funny self. Then Roy said to me that I didn't think he would say so soon afterwards...."Can we get a dog?" We actually have been planning on getting a dog after we got Blackjack, but because Blackjack has become a bit of an expensive cat, he decided to put it on hold. Thus..this became our long journey. We do not have a dog yet, but we've been looking hard. Las Vegas has a lot of shelters, and more than half of the dogs we saw were Pit Bulls. I know from experience that Pits can be WONDERFUL dogs, but they may view the cats as prey AND we have no experience with Pits. Pits are much better in a home that is experienced with the breed. On top of that, Roy wants to get more cats. He feels bad for the much older cats that sits there and try to be cute as a kitten, and knowing they may never get adopted. So...first the dog, then more cats. Oy vey! It's already becoming an animal house.

I finally got a new MAP and it's about time too because everything sounded a bit muddy and not clear. I went through the beeping test. I didn't have the HINT or anything done (I should have asked, but maybe next time). My audiologist found that I'm highly sensitive to the higher frequencies, so she did another beep test of whether it's too loud or too soft for each electrode...which was a feat. As soon as she hit one of the higher frequencies, it was LOUD! She has lowered everything, and increased the low frequencies. She has done this for both ears and increased the DR in my right from 30 to 34 (I think?). The right ear at the moment sound a little loud, but I knew over time that I would get used to it. I'm finding it inspirational that every time (yes EVERY TIME), that I can hear a word without looking at TV or person, or radio. Since the new MAP, I've been hearing clearly in full sentences, so that's just so wonderful. I even have been using my headset for my XBox 360 to hear the other players...and I catch a few words here and there, even swear words. If I'm laughing, I hear, "Why are you laughing at me??" I had to say, "Oh nothing, my cat did something funny."...little did they know that they have a deafie on the other end that's just thrilled to death at what she can hear.

I'm enjoying my new MAP, but I already feel the left one is a little too quiet. Could have adjusted to it that fast?! AC doesn't bother me as much anymore (yes, AC at school...it's in the 70's now, so it's getting warm!), higher pitch voices doesn't bother me. I can hear music much better especially the singers from American Idol...damn they're picking terrible songs!

I'm happy to hear that Abbie is going bilateral on Monday...it's about time!

Even though I have all the postive things about my CI and stuff, I still have a small issue. Depending on the day, my magnet hurts my skin at times, and sometimes I have to adjust it. In the mornings, it is fine, but then as it goes through to the afternoon, or so, it's too strong that I have to adjust it. It can be a bit annoying at times. I don't know why suddenly I'm having a bit of an issue with the magnets. I *think* it's because I am a side sleeper, so when I sleep, I have to take off my CI, but my implant area is right on the spot that I'm sleeping on, so it's probably getting irritated. Maybe I should bring a softer pillow in the living room. I didn't have an issue with this before!

I've been itching to go to the Cochlear Corp Expo in California, but it's just the wrong time for me, and I would hate to go by myself. They said the next time it will happen in the West is in 2012. I can always go East next year if I want to.

However, they're having a special Cochlear gathering in April in Las Vegas, so I definitely will go there. I'm one of the few bilateral adults here. Maybe I can rub some shoulders with them and see if I can be a Speaker on bilaterals at the next Cochlear's Celebration.

Hope everyone is doing well....and hope my next entry will be on my new dog!

Hold for now...

I know my 1 year anniversary for Activation day has passed over Sunday...yay, Super Bowl and Activation day!

However, it has to be put on hold until I'm emotionally and mentally better. My cat, Blackjack, who I have mentioned previously, has acquired FIP. FIP is the one disease that I do not ever want to hear from a cat. It just sucks. Wikipedia has more information about it. Basically he develops fluids in his belly. It is 100% fatal. Unfortunately, the problem is the "when". Sometimes they can get sick very quick, others can live for 2 years. It all depends on the cat and their bodies can handle.

Again, unfortuntely, Blackjack's body cannot handle it. We just found out about 3 weeks ago, and we have been on a emotional rollar coaster for the last week because he suddenly stopped eating. Since then, he has progressively gotten worse. We have made the decision to ease his pain and end the suffering in two days or three. This is the toughest decision that any pet owner has to experience. It was even more tough because we only had Blackjack for 5 months and he developed a nasal disease.

I'll admit that after owning 12 different cats, Blackjack is my number one. He would just go up to ANYONE and start making muffins on the person's neck and just lay down on the chest or lap. None of my other cats do that. Hobbes is very shy, but is very sweet once he gets used to you. Mocha is a bit of a prissy bitch. It's her way or else.

Roy and I will forever remember Blackjack, he will be sorely missed. Meanwhile, I will put my 1 year review on hold for now. Maybe when I get my map...I had to put THAT on hold, and I seriously need one because now everything sounds a little bit imbalanced.

Hug all your animals for me.

Long time no see eh?

So, I've been neglecting my blog. It was inevitable that it was going to happen. :-)

What have I been up to lately? Well, I finished my semester with a bang. I have enjoyed all my classes. One of my classes I basically argued with a fellow group mate about how the project is supposed to happen. I did okay with understanding her, but I needed a new map. Thanks to Jennifer's recent exciting mapping session, I decided that it's time for me to get my butt up and moving for a new map. It's not terrible, but I'm just missing a little bit of the lows, and the clarity in my left.

It DID snow in Las Vegas a month ago. A record since 30 years ago. We had measly 3 inches. It was funny to see people freaking out, airport closing, school closing, and Las Vegas was on a lockdown. No one could get in or out of Vegas. A California friend of mine stayed overnight at my house because he didn't know how to drive in the snow. The same night, my house lost power for 3 hours. Ahh...this is when the fireplace saved us! :-)

I spent 10 days during Christmas in New Jersey. Kinda weird going from a warm place to a VERY cold place. I spent NYE's at Joy's and Andrea's new apartment. It was AWESOME! Of course, I was up for more than 24 hours. I got back to my parents' at 4am and had to leave at 5am for my flight back to Vegas. Made it as one of the last people to board the plane. Never again. Roy did some little repairs and fixing up while I was gone.

I'm enjoying my mini break before starting school on January 12th. I've been throwing out a bunch of crap laying around the house and getting rid of the security crap that's on the windows. It seem to be a very old version of security. It's like a strip of silver "stuff" sticking on all the windows and wired to a box. If the window breaks for whatever reason, the security is tripped. The security box is gone, so it doesn't work. We may eventually get a wireless system like my mom's house.

I got Left 4 Dead Xbox 360 game. I usually listen through my PACs. When I heal my character, I hear bone creaking. I think that's a little creepy to be able to hear that so clearly. Killing hoards of Zombies is awesome. :-D

It's almost one year anniversery with my left surgery and activation day...will talk more about it later.

Hope everyone's holidays went well.

Donation time...

On Saturday, it was time to chop off my long locks. I've been talking about cutting my hair for weeks. My friend seem to get a bit annoyed by it so she set up an appointment for me to get it cut. I originally was going just cut about 3 to 5 inches, then layer the rest of it. Of course it didn't turn out that way. I decided to get it even shorter, that way I can donate my locks. The last time I donated 14 inches was 7 years ago. The hairdresser just kept on cutting and cutting and I was nearly freaking out that I would be bald or it would be cut TOO short. The end result turned out to be great! Now I have to learn how to "tuck" my hair behind my ears without disrupting my CI cords.

I donated 12 inches of hair! I'll have to wait another 7 years to do this again! :-)

CI moments on the streets...

A year ago, I would have never hear an Ambulance or a Police siren until they're right close to me while I'm driving. Now, I can hear it coming from a mile away. I give myself a nice little chuckle when I hear them. Las Vegas is a busy city, so there's almost always sirens going off.

The interesting CI moments that I have had for months is hearing people argue at the bus stops. I would drive by a busy street for a couple miles to go to school, so naturally, there is quite a few bus stops. Almost every week, there was at least one argument going on. I would crack open the window, and I could hear them as clear as glass. Ironically, it's the swear words that I hear much clearer.

I have started to listen to Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone audiobook. I love audiobooks, but I find that it's not exactly helpful because I can follow the words very clearly. It's without looking at the book was the issue. So, I knew I needed more practice with understanding words without visual clues, I thought why not at least try it through my car. I was actually pretty surprised on what I could hear. I'm not perfect and I don't hear every single word, but I can catch quite a bit. "Dumbledore" is a word I hear pretty often. Regardless of not having the book in front of me, I can at least have some sort of practice.

For my Speech class, I have to give a persuasive type of speech. So, I've decided to talk about NOT using Cellphones and iPods/Mp3s in classrooms or any type of settings. I just find it SO rude to see people texting on the phones or listening to music while the teacher is talking, another student is talking or even when you're having a converstation with a friend and the pager/phone goes off suddenly you're not important. 10 years ago we lived without cellphones and iPods...now we can't? Please, you can turn OFF the phone and iPod for 4 hours. Nothing is more annoying than listening to the teacher and hearing the clicky clack of the cell phone keys...well, maybe except the A.C. coming on and off. :-)

October gone, November begins

Wow, I can't believe how fast October went! I just found out from a few people that it had snowed a little bit in NJ and snowed a foot in the Poconos. I couldn't believe it. Here, it's still in the low 80's, so sometimes it still feels like the end of Summer.

For Anonymous, you know who you are, but I don't. :-) You asked for more Reba pictures. I put them up on my Flickr account.

A couple days ago, my CI buddy, Paul and I decided that it was time to start practicing listening on the phone with the CI. He had his CI for over a year (I believe), and wanted someone to practice. I've been delaying my CI practice for a little while. I definitely needed to practice with SOMEONE! So, I was so glad to hear that Paul decided to do therapy as well. We set up a time. Now, it was time to listen on the phone. Since I have bilateral, it was kind of tough to really just listen to one, so I did try using my PACs, in both ears and attaching them to the phone. I could hear Paul, but he couldn't hear me. The plug only works for microphone/headphone combo. Sitting here, I just realized that I could use my Xbox 360 Mic/Headphone combo. Hmm..I'll have to try that next time!

Anyways, I was trying to ignore the buzzing as it is not exactly compatible with the CI's T-Coil. Paul started talking. I knew his voice well. I like male voices better because they sound more clearer. I was just so surprised on how well I could understand him. This was the VERY FIRST time I've used the phone with the CI. I did use the phone for a very short time, but that was just very early CI, so I don't count that. Paul and I repeated some sentences and words. We both did very well! I'm looking forward for more practice. The ironic thing is I used the phone in my left ear. I have NEVER used the phone in my left. I've always used my right! Hopefully this time, our VPs (video phones) will work.

School is going really well. Days has gone pretty fast. I got a nice little mini-break on Friday, October 31st as it was Nevada Day. Pretty much all the schools have the day off. It was the day that Nevada became a state. Now, why couldn't they have that for NJ?

I've been keeping myself busy by playing some of my Xbox 360 games, such as Far Cry 2 and The Orange Box (which I'm *almost* done with). Roy started to play games again. He's very old school and prefers to play with just a controller and one button. I was just kind of surprised to see him bashing buttons to kill guys on Rainbow Six: Vegas. (Hmm...gee, I wonder why!)
He got to meet Henry Hill, a former mobster. That was cool. We both FINALLY got to visit Belliago's convservatory. We've been meaning to go there since we moved! So, we made a plan that we'll visit one place in Vegas once a week.

That's pretty much it. I probably def need to call in to get a little bit more tweaking on my maps. I know I've said it a couple times before, I'm just lazy. I find that sometimes some of the lower frequencies in my right sounds a little too soft. I do need the ability to adjust the sensitivity back on my right. I find it a little bit annoying when I'm hearing the A.C. on and off at school. I would not have heard it that much if I had the sensitivity lowered.

I'm going to *try* again at my hand in novel writing in honor of NaNoWriMo. This time, I decided to write an autobiography. At least this time, i won't run out of stories. :-)
We'll see how it goes.