Audiologist in Training?

A number of you who follow me on Facebook might recall that I had a special day trip to Vancouver with my oldest, Rachel. It was such a special experience for both of us as she'll be heading to Kindergarten this Fall! I thought to take her along with me to my annual Cochlear Implant Checkup so she would have a better understanding of how I hear.

Heather, my audiologist (or audie as many call it for short) was delighted to have my 4 year old join us! 

Rachel 'assisting' my audie Heather!

Let me paint for you a picture what an audiology check up looks like for me. First, my electrodes (inside my head) are tested for low and high frequencies, ensuring that all is working correctly. Next is fine tuning my three CI programs. I actually have them set to what my day is looking like. I usually go from Program 2 to 3 and then to 1. You'll see why:

Llama Llama Red Mama

My 4 year old's preschool class recently had a field trip to a miniature Llama farm, about 15 minutes away from the school.

It was the BEST. This was our second time there as they did it the previous year.

I used to have a University Professor (you know who you are) that was obsessed with Llamas. I didn't get it until after I attended this farm, and learning more about them.

Llamas are "freaky looking" - as quoted by another parent who was in attendance, but they are also pretty darn cool.

Posers :P

Lavinia, one of the owners of Millstream Miniature Llamas (the farm we went to) was wonderful in explaining to the preschool group where Llamas come from, what they normally eat, and how they behave in social situations. Even my 2 year old tagged along and kept pointing at the Llamas saying "oooh! Llama!"

#hardofhearingmommyproblems

Something really funny happened tonight.

And I just have to share.

We are sitting down, eating a nice dinner - chicken cordon bleu, I might add. Then, my near 2 year old has this 'lift-off' body movement.

I have no idea if this video will work - but it's pretty much summarized in this post

My husband, who sits next to her, is in a fit of laughter.

I look at him, and ask - what's so funny? I don't get it!

C: You didn't see that?

Me: See what?

C: That 'lift-off' movement from Sarah? 

M: Yeah sure, I did. But what gives?

C: You didn't hear that?

50 Years in Canada

April 14, 1968 - my father and his family set foot for the first time in Canada. 

Today marks the 50th anniversary. I am forever grateful to my Papa and Grandma Betty for taking that leap of faith to move their family of six to a country they had never set foot in. 

I only know my dad's version of their move - I am sure my uncles would have more to say!

My Papa and Grandma Betty with their 4 sons. L-R: Uncle Michael, Uncle Patrick, my Dad (in the pink shirt), and Uncle Robert

As I understand, they moved from Hong Kong as they were unsure what their hometown would be like once the Communists arrived (takeover took place in 1997). They chose Vancouver as it would be closest to my Grandmother's sisters, in nearby Seattle.  It was also a close decision as they could have moved to Australia, where most of my Papa's family was.

Mops and Hearing Loss

Do you know what my biggest pet peeve is about my vacuum cleaner?

It is LOUD!!!

Okay, okay. I probably shouldn't complain about actually being able to hear - hard of hearing mommy here. Arguably, from mother to mother, naptimes/bedtimes are the PRIME time to get anything done/clean/accomplished.  

My attempt at a selfie with my newest friend

JUST a mommy

At Sunday school a couple of weeks ago, my daughter Rachel was sitting with her peers.

After doing their "thankful' prayers to Jesus, somehow the topic of what their parents do came up. Some of the kids had parents who were professionals, others did blue collar jobs, etc. Most of them had mothers that worked.

Then my daughter says, quite loudly, "My mommy is JUST a mommy!". No mention of anything else.

Brändi Dog

In 2010, my then boyfriend (now husband) Curtis and I had an amazing opportunity to go to Fiesch, Switzerland for a two week Hard of Hearing Summercamp. We arrived at the Jugehorig (the Swiss member for the International Federation for Hard of Hearing Young People) Summercamp as strangers, and left the camp with 40 plus new friends. 

The whole group on top of Mt. Eggishorn at Sunrise

It was such a great experience that I'd recommend it to any hard of hearing person interested in it! Whether it's your first time meeting others who have a hearing loss, or simply reconnecting with old friends, the summercamp brings people from all over the world to hike, play games, and learn about each others' cultures.

Many nights, Curtis would be found playing this popular board game called Brändi Dog (or Dog as we call it). I was often fast asleep by 9pm in my dorm after a very long day! I actually didn't get a chance to play the game until 2015, when two of our friends from Switzerland came to stay with us for a week and brought the game for us at Curtis' request.  (Thank you a million times over Laura and Claudio!)

Hearing Aids aren't like Glasses

Each day I wake up, put on my trusty hearing aid in my left ear and my trusty Cochlear implant in my right ear.

Then I go about my day.

I'll usually get stares from people who don't know me (because, mom bun), and I'll often catch them looking one of my hearing assistive devices.

Once in a blue moon, someone will ask me: "so hey I guess you can hear me Ok then?"

"No, not really" I reply. Then go on to say, "my hearing aids aren't like glasses. They don't cure hearing loss." Then I leave the conversation there, in hopes that they'd ask more questions. Most of the time, I get a shrug and we part ways.

Travel Post Part 2: Disney World

This story picks up from our departure from a 10,000 person ship to... the Magical land of Disney World!


This is where the exhausting part began. I think in some ways it took me close to two weeks to actually recover from this leg of the trip. Sometimes, by noon my pedometer would be reading 25,000 steps already taken!

At Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - a very expensive date!

We stayed at a gorgeous VRBO in Kissimmee, Florida - a mere 15 minute drive from the Magic Kingdom, which is the furthest of all the parks at Disney World. I legit just clicked on the link there and the property is 99% fully booked for the next three months!

Our home for 10 days - we loved it! Can you see my daughter dressed as Merida?

Travel Post: Our trip to the Caribbean (Part 1)

Better late than never, that's what I tell myself with each blog post I do. Sometimes I get all gung-ho and do multiple blog posts in a few weeks, and then there are times when you get caught up in life and the blog takes a backseat.

That's perfectly OK in my book. Be prepared for a flurry of blog posts for the next short while!

To recap, my parents celebrated their 40th anniversary this past September, and to celebrate, they took us on a 1-week cruise to the Caribbean and a 10 day stint in Florida, where we had the opportunity to do Disney World!


To date this was probably the most exhausting trip I've ever taken, with the 5800km road trip we completed earlier in March (read the blog posts on that here) coming in second place.

Exhausting as in: 
-My feet are so sore and yet, I keep plugging along.
-My days started at 630am and didn't end until 10pm...
-I fell asleep each night with no issues (if you know me, it can sometimes take me a LONG time to fall asleep!)
-Teething, fevers, colds = WHY do they have to happen during a holiday!?
-Flying with kids. Yikes.

However exhausting it was, it was all absolutely worth it. Here's an overview.