While high school does not generally encourage students to explore new aspects of life, college sets the stage for that exploration. I myself went through this _ 41 _ process and found something that has changed my _ 42 _ at college for the better: I discovered ASL—-American Sign Language (美式手语).

I never felt an urge to _ 43 _ any sign language before. My entire family is hearing, and so are all my friends. The _ 44 _ languages were enough in all my interactions (交往). Little did I know that I would discover my _ 45 _ for ASL.

The _ 46 _ began during my first week at college. I watched as the ASL Club _ 47 _ their translation of a song. Both the hand movements and the very _ 48 _ of communicating without speaking _ 49 _ me. What I saw was completely unlike anything I had experienced in the _ 50 _ . This newness just left me _ 51 _ more.

After that, feeling the need to _ 52 _ further, I decided to drop in on one of ASL club’s meetings. I only learned how to _ 53 _ the alphabet that day. Yet instead of being discouraged by my _ 54 _ progress, I was excited. I then made it a point to _ 55 _ those meetings and learn all I could.

The following term, I _ 56 _ an ASL class. The professor was deaf and any talking was _ 57 _ . I soon realized that the silence was not unpleasant. _ 58 _ , if there had been any talking, it would have _ 59 _ us to learn less. Now, I appreciate the silence and the _ 60 _ way of communication it opens.