In spite of the heat, I absolutely LOVE summertime! I love the sunshine, flowers, glorious sunsets, camping, outdoor entertainment, picnics, nature walks, family vacations, fresh fruit and vegetables and most of all; enjoying time with my family and friends. I hope this season has also brought all of you plenty to smile about. Fall classes now open As much as I love summer, I am getting super excited for all the new students I am about to meet in my fall classes! We have two new beginning level classes starting in Meridian. These are 6 week courses, one will be on Tuesday evenings from 6-7pm starting August 8th, and the other will be on Thursday evenings from 6-7pm starting August 17th. The August 17th class is full, but we still have a couple of openings in our Tuesday class starting August 8th. We hope to start another beginning level class in September as well, if you would like to be kept in the loop when that one opens up, please shoot me an email. For more information or to reserve a spot, please check out our website or email us at: aslexpressions@yahoo.com www.aslexpressions.com Homeschool teen course We are excited to announce that we have opened up a new homeschool teen course starting Wednesday, September 6th from 2-3pm. If you or anyone you know might be interested in this class, please contact us for more information. ASL river float trip I am so thankful to my river rafting students for coordinating an ASL float trip! The trip will be held on Sunday, August 13th. We will be floating the Cabarton. If you are interested in joining us, or would like more information about this activity, please contact us. ![]() Tara’s soapbox As many of you know, I lost my hearing gradually over the years until eventually my deafness was profound. Two and a half years ago, I got my first cochlear implant, then this past December I received my second cochlear implant. Being reintroduced to the world of sound has been both overwhelming and invigorating. The sounds of papers crinkling, toilets flushing and children screaming still makes me cringe, but the sound of music, birds chirping, people laughing and water trickling still brings me to my knees in awe. I am very thankful for the journey I have been able to take, but I am also incredibly thankful to have sign language in my life. No matter how much more I am able to hear, I will never have “normal” hearing. I am so thankful that I have so many people around me that I can communicate with in a language and culture that I can fully access and participate in. I am incredibly thankful to all those who have made an effort to cross the communication bridge and reach out to those of us who may seem unreachable. I hope that sign language will enhance and bless your lives as it has mine. “Deafness need not be isolating, for isolation is deafening” -Tara Adams |