Since Raz is getting quite busy with marriage preparations, I've found a new tutor. A supplementary tutor, if you will, so if Raz cancels I still get my weekly Kurdish fix. His name is Sarmad, and we're meeting twice a week to have conversation classes. Strictly speaking, it's not proper for an unrelated or unmarried … Continue reading Kurdish: Studying & Dating
dengedenge (pronounced deng-uh-deng-uh) dengedeng: noise dengedenge: it's noisy Because what does noise sound like? "dengedengedengedengedenge..." It's like a bunch of bells ringing.
After a month of cancelled meetings, I finally had another Kurdish lesson with Raz. The first thing she did after I got to her house was show me her engagement photos. Remember when I wrote that photos were a big part of the wedding process? Well, I had no idea. Photos: There was a huge … Continue reading More on Marriage
I'm getting a Jili Kurdi!! I went shopping with my friend Kanar to get fabric. I'm going to a tailor later this week. I bought shiny silver fabric for my shalwar (pants & camisole), light blue fabric for my long-sleeved dress (which goes over the shalwar), and a blue-and-brown pattern fabric for my long vest … Continue reading Jili Kurdi
I found a pretty good map of the Kurdistan region! It's a bit exaggerated, I believe. I think it's where Kurds have traditionally lived, but not the borders which are actually observed now - for instance, in Iraq, Kirkuk is in Iraqi territory. But it does a pretty good job of showing cities which have … Continue reading Kurdistan (Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria)
I have a throat infection from speaking so much. yep.
Recent teaching developments: I've started teaching "y" as "ee," and "w" as "oo." When Kurdish is written in Latin script, "ee" is always conveyed as "y," and where I'd expect a "u" to go, there's always a "w." For instance, the word "short" is written as "Kwrt," but pronounced "Koort." . The kids were (are) … Continue reading Linguistics
My Kurdish tutor is getting MARRIED! I was shocked when I found out today - it was extremely sudden (it usually is). Raz was so focused on her studies, and just a few weeks ago she swore to my friend Betsy that she wasn't ready to marry. She's 24, so she's definitely "getting on" in … Continue reading Marriage
I was told today that I need to tell the admins whether I'm re-upping my contract by February 7th. Why I want to stay: Get better at Kurdish money money money I've spent so much time settling in... I DON'T want to start looking for jobs again, and I DON'T really want to start from … Continue reading Deadline: February 7th
I'm worried that living here is making me hate men. Young, old, short, tall, rich, poor, any color - I am not discriminating in my revulsion toward men. You can't understand what the men are like here. They just stare at you like you're some sweet they'd like to eat. They stare at you like … Continue reading I Live in Menistan
In Mutual Weirdness 