Signing Her Way Across the High Seas…

When I was introduced to Pilar a couple of years ago, I knew right away she was going to add a tremendous amount of personality and passion to CareVacations' sign language interpreter program. After her first assignment with CareVacations, Pilar became a permanent fixture on our roster and continues to work our cruise assignments on a regular basis.

Pilar resides in California, but after getting to know her, I have no doubt her heart is with the sea. When I asked Pilar how many cruises she's taken, she couldn't even remember! "Is that sad?", she asked after responding. Not at all, Pilar!

In addition to cruising, Pilar does some freelance work in a variety of settings, although she did indicate to me, she would love nothing more than to just interpret for cruises. Sounds like someone who loves the high seas to me! If it's true what they say about a picture saying a thousand words, I think Pilar's picture says it all!

Pilar has been interpreting professionally for over a decade after accidentally falling in to the career. As a college student, Pilar found herself interpreting for a fellow student during times when the official interpreter was delayed or absent. After inquiring about the importance of punctuality and attendance of an interpreter, Pilar was offered the opportunity to get certified in her skills as a sign language interpreter and become a paid interpreter for students.

Interpreting cruises gives Pilar profound gratification in being able to help facilitate making a complete stranger's travel dream come true and is an easy for for this adventurous interpreter; her passion for exploration and love of laughter and fun makes her a perfect candidate for this work.

In addition to cruising, Pilar's interests include anything that embodies cultural diversity; she loves to travel, read, dance, and she loves live music. Pilar is especially passionate about the theater... another reason why she makes a great addition to any cruise.

I asked Pilar to describe what her perfect 24 hours would be like and she painted this picture for me: "I like life with a bit of spontaneity, and I would make sure to have the following: the best cup of coffee, the finest, freshest salad, daylight of leisure with a novel upon a sailboat, and an evening of wine, music, and friends."

How would I describe Pilar in just one word? I wouldn't... it's just not possible. So I will take the liberty of using several words: PASSIONATE, DEDICATED, SPIRITED, PROFESSIONAL, LIVELY, CONFIDENT, DELIGHTFUL, ADVENTUROUS... and on, and on.

So CHEERS to Pilar and all that she brings to CareVacations' program and all that she adds to the experiences of the countless passengers who have had the privilege and honor of having her as their interpreter!

Thanks, Pilar, for everything you do!

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A Deaf Man Walked in to a Bar...

No, this isn't the start of a joke, but it was the start to Melanie M.'s interpreting career. As a bartender in southern Illinois, Melanie realized her calling as a sign language interpreter when a customer came in to her bar, signing with a companion. Using the little sign language she knew, Melanie asked the customer what he wanted to drink. After seeing the overjoyed look on her customer’s face for her ability to communicate with him, Melanie knew what she wanted to do, and she had to do it quick! Thanks to her ability to communicate with sign language, and no doubt a little promotion by the signing customer, Melanie’s bar was flooded with Deaf and hard of hearing customers on the nights she worked!

As a child, Melanie recalls seeing her mother sign with relatives; over time, Melanie and her sister learned some of the basics of signing from their mother. She tells the story, “My mom says she taught me sign language because it was a different language, and it was her way of exposing me to different experiences. I think she taught me sign language so she could “yell” at me while she played piano from the church stage when my sister and I were causing mischief in the pews!”

A single mother of two, Mason (5) and Laiken (3), Melanie knows a thing or two about teaching kids to sign. Her son Mason is a great signer and loves to sign secrets to her. When Melanie signs to her daughter, Laiken likes to respond with, “Mommy, I can’t hear you!” Sounds a little bit like a young Melanie sitting in the church pews! ;-)

Now in her ninth year as an interpreter, Melanie currently works as a Video Interpreter and is also a freelance interpreter. Before moving to North Carolina in 2009, Melanie established her own business in Chicago, signing for theatrical performances. Theatrical interpretation is Melanie’s true passion, which makes her a great fit for interpreting on cruises. The wide range of skills required to interpret on a cruise are a perfect fit for Melanie’s tremendous talent and skill set, and she really enjoys meeting the cruise staffs and passengers.

Working with Melanie has been a pleasure for me and CareVacations is very lucky to have her as a part of our team.

THANK YOU, MELANIE, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!!!

Someone has Sent Me a Sign

You have all been patiently waiting since my last blog post, and I thank you.

Needless to say, after I finished posting about how busy CareVacations has been with our interpreter program, things seemingly exploded, and I've been working my toosh off, booking interpreters on 13... yes, that's ONE-THREE, more sailings for 2010! WHEW... it's kept my busy, and I had to push back my interpreter bios just a bit. Was my last post a SIGN of things to come? YOU BE'CHA!

Now that I'm nearly caught up, today is the day that I start to introduce all my incredible interpreters to the world!

Check out my next blog post for your first introduction!