Rekindling Language

It so happened that when I was low on inspiration and fuel, I had time to write. But once my energy and inspiration soared, I found that the time to write on Plum Tree was hard to make. So here I am, and now with a new month in store. February has a nice feeling to it. There are naturally many holidays in it, and chocolate and red seem to be the theme.

3 years ago today, I recorded my first ever video of myself (with my sister's help) of me speaking Chinese. I was only 3 weeks into studying the language, but the challenge and the somewhat horror of speaking to a camera in a foreign language that was still foreign to me was a bit scary and fun at the same time. Last night, I recorded a video about the Arabic language. I am taking an elementary Arabic class to help me with my progress and to keep me motivated, it's also something different than my usual routine of college classes. But I wouldn't say it's an easy A or even a recreational class, there is actually a lot of work and learning being done. I guess you could say that I am putting more work into my schedule, but that doesn't mean it's not more fun. For me, learning is fun and enjoyable, especially when it comes to languages. :)

As for Chinese, it still excites me and realizing that there is still so much I don't know, yet also realizing that there is still a good amount I do know. I still want to have goals for this language, and to keep up my learning and practice. My Chinese teacher informed me about a oral proficiency test that is coming up. I will need to brush up on my speaking skills and dust off my language materials. I don't have a lot of time for this test, but I think I have enough for me to relearn and remember!

Happy Chinese New Year, and Happy February- and happy language learning:)

Favorite Foreign Words

I've been meaning to pick and write about my favorite words in the languages that I have learned. I would call myself someone who likes to and quickly jumps around from various languages, desiring and seeking inspiration along the way. I will go in order from the language that I've been studying the longest to the one that is the most recent.

The language that I've been studying the longest is Chinese (Mandarin). Winter reminds me of studying this language interest of mine, since I started learning in Winter of 2014. The often cold and dreariness of the Winter weather can get me in the mood to study something inspiring such as a language, and Chinese has been that for me. A word in Chinese which I have easily remembered since the start of learning is 东莞周大 which means California State University East Bay. I've always remembered this, and maybe also because it has to do with how personal my school has become for me. I like to say this word, I think it gives me comfort and I'm proud to say it, knowing that it belongs to me. 

After a year of studying Chinese, I dived into Russian. I liked the sound of it and still do. I think it's a beautiful language, one of the top spoken slavic languages. Unlike Chinese, Russian has an alphabet, yet some look like English letters and others sound like them, and still others look and sound nothing like English. This excited me, and I thought the letters of the alphabet looked cool and exotic. It's been a while since I've studied this language thoroughly and diligently but I know there's still an interest hidden somewhere, and will come out every now and then. The word that I really like to say, and like it's meaning is пожалуйста. This word simply means please or you're welcome. This is one of the words in Russian that I have remembered. It is a very useful phrase but also I really like the way it sounds, it's almost as if it rolls off of the tongue, so gently and elegantly. 

About a year ago, my interest for Arabic took off. I soon became interested in this part of the world and this almost scary and daunting looking language. Almost all of the letters connect, and it looks so fluid and flowy. It took some time to get used to writing from write to left, and knowing all of these letters and how to write them. There are a lot of gutteral and airy sounds in this difficult language but it makes the challenge even more present. One of my favorite words in Arabic is صباح الخير, which means good morning. It's such a simple word but this could be the first word you say to somebody and yet it's so important. I like this word becasue of that, and also because of the way it sounds, rolling off the tongue, and with the back of your throat also having a role. 

The most recent language that I've been studying is Hindi, as of early Fall. I enjoy learning this language, it's so different but I find myself immersed in it every time I study it. I want to create goals for myself with this language, since there are so many things to learn and to keep learning and challenging myself is always something good. The word that I really like in Hindi is कोई बात नहीं, which means it's alright or no problem. I feel that I say this word a lot in English anyway and it's a useful word. Soon I will make flashcards for Hindi and will need to start memoriszing more words and phrases. Happy language studies!

Making Kafta For A Not So Formal Goodbye

I've finally made time to make a recipe from one of the nice and invititng cookbooks from the library. The cookbooks section is one of my favorites, so many ideas and inspiration that it makes me excited looking at all of the options. This time I picked a recipe from a Middle Eastern Cookbook.

This cookbook is interesting to look at and seeing all of the possibilities. I decided to make a similar dish to what I made before, Kafta but a different version than before. I wanted to make a nice dish for my sister's last night, since she moved out today with her husband to a place not too faraway, which is good. :) It will be a good deal different without her here everyday, I've gained so much and we've had so much amazing and enjoyable times these past 5 years especially. Life is truly a journey, and I would say an unpredictable one, so many twists and turns, times where it feels like a big, long tunnel and others when it feels like it's a sunny day all day. I've seen all of these avenues, and although have expereinced them from time to time, not as powerful as my sister has. Those 5 years have been mighty, meaningful and full of discovery. I had my close sister by my side, while she was figuring everything out while I was by her. Our best support system that didn't stop, but only grew and grew made our friendship and bond stronger and closer than ever. I realized more and more that sisters are a blessing but the ones who become really good friends are an extra blessing. What a blessing she has been in my life- in my young adult expereince, college days and in creating new ideas and hobbies. 

So many memories that at times feel like a blur, yet at other times  I can remember every word, occurence and detail in a given moment, I think that's what can make it hard, remembering almost everything and focusing too much on the past. I look at the past more than looking forward to the future, but I think that it's important to do both. These days wont be easy, nor these months but it's going to make me stronger. I know I am ready for this, but sometimes saying a not so formal goodbye until later can be difficult and emotional just as much as a formal one. But as soul sisters, I don't think many things will change, and I need to keep looking toward the future even though it can feel  foreign to me, but it's also exciting!

Now for the recipe...

This recipe is fun to make, you get to use your hands and mash all of the ingredients together- it's easier that way. The aroma is pretty stronger with the spices involved, but people will compliment you and you will shortly have their mouth watering. It's an overall easy recipe, it just takes sometime to put all together and cook- that takes the longest. I didn't put potatos in my dish, since it probvably would have taken twice as long, but I'm sure it would have tasted nice with the addition of them. I will keep this one in my cookbook archives since it will be a keeper! Until next time...

Pumpkin Cheesecake & New Things

Today I made my first cheesecake. I have been meaning to bake, since I have been feeling more and more comfortable with cooking. I have been accumalting recipes for about a year now, and only a few of them are desserts, but I decided to give it a go. White Chococlate Pumpkin Cheesecake. Perfect for the Autumn season, and a mix of flavors. I've heard that cheesecake is difficult to make, since most people buy theirs. I understand that more now since baking a dessert like a cheescake requires a good amount of time and money- there's a lot of ingredients! Overall, it was a good challenge and a learning expereince. Learning how much salt to put in (I unfortunately put in too much), as well as burnt the chcocolate chips the first time around in the microwave making the microwave smoke so heavily, it looked like a thick fog. But somethings you'll never fully learn or remember something until you make a mistake. As a quote I like says, "There is no failure. Either you win or you learn, either is okay."

I think this is my favorite time of Fall, in the middle of October before Halloween and before the onset of the holiday rush. The newness of Autumn is still in the air. The weather is overall nice, with the crisp air and crunchy red-orange leaves; the sun is still shining brightly. This is also the time of year when I soon think about the end of the year, and start looking back on the year as whole. So many exciting things, yet how fast time can truly go!

Went to a new restaurant with sisters, Yalla Meditterean. Liked the inside decour!

I thought it was an interesting place, Middle Eastern style restaurant, although I wouldn't say it's a restaurant. Just think Chipotle style mixed with Arabic food. I ordered Kefta with the Jerusalem style wrap. A lot of different flavors all wrapped in one, including french fires inside! I thought it was a cool place, and especially since I've gotten my feet wet with the Arabic language and tried some food- as well as made some food (Moroccan Kefta), so I felt connected in some way. It was also really nice to enjoy some quality time with my sisters, doesn't always happen too often. 

This month of October has flown by. I figured out what I'm going to be for Halloween...coming soon! And in one week is my sister and brother-in-law's wedding reception. The Maid of Honor has an important role to play, and I think I've lived up to it pretty well. Weddings these days are so commercialized and watered down, and the wedding party along with it. But I see myself as a different Maid of Honor, one without the drama and only room for support and love for my dearest sister and friend. It's not all about catching the boquet (which I have done at my other sister's wedding 3 years back :)), or outdoing the other brides maids, those things don't matter to me. The only thing that I'm worried about is my Toast. It seems so simple and straightforward, but when you're talking about your best friend, sometimes you don't want to leave anything out, or maybe I just put a lot of pressure on myself? Either way, it will be an exciting day- to see new and familar faces all celebrating the marriage of two very important and special people in my life. 

An Ongoing Dilemna...Arabic

Is your mind ever filled with dilemnas? Thoughts, ponderings, doubts, interests, uninterests..thoughts, Thoughts, THOUGHTS!! I think everyone has a dilemna once in a while, but somehow things in your mind seem to become a bigger deal than they actually are. Or, they continue to consume some of your every day thoughts and stay for a while. Maybe too long. In my case, it's the dilemna of continuing to study Arabic or not. Yes, the Arabic language that seems to look more like made up doodles and dots than an actual language. And to answer one of your first questions, yes, it's hard. Hard isn't the right word actually, maybe daunting, intriguing, exhausting and exotic are better adjectives to describe such a language.

Sometimes I feel that I have enough, or should I say plenty of room to embrace and invest time and energy into another language. Once you get down the rhythm of studying a language you feel like you can do so much more, like conquer Arabic! Hmm, not so sure since that can be a fleeting feeling, But at the same time, my mind and my heart pull towards the culture and language of the Middle East region. From taking a class emphasizing this region and culture, and soon another one, I find my eyes and fingers drift towards books and recipes in the aisles of the library that will inspire me even more. I'm a sucker when it comes to inspiration. I also like a good challenge in my court, and I know that I'm free to swing the ball right back into the next if I need a break from that particular challenge. Kinda of like Arabic.

My Arabic notebook. Isn't it just so inspiring looking at it?:)

Arabic restaurant in Rio that I loved!! Went there a couple of times:)

Even if I do or do not stick with learning Arabic, I know I will still find inspiration somewhere, I love the Syrian meatballs recipe, that I want to recreate again sometime soon! And dipping my toes in the water when it feels like the right time, and then coming back a while later is how I feel with Arabic. Of course, the reasons for becoming interested in Arabic go beyond the fact that it's intriuguing and exotic for me, Teaching and helping others wth the English language is a passion of mine, and Arabic happens to be one of the top ten languages in the world, so knowing even a little bit is helpful!

Daunting, but beautiful!

Developing your hobbies and interests and progressing your knowledge in certain areas is always beneficial to yourself, as well as meeing and connectng with different types of people. The way I see it is the more interests you have, the more interesting peron you will become! Language also goes hand in hand with culture, it's like a stepping stone into the culture once you've gotten to learn some of the language.

A book that I want to read!

And lastly, I'm interested in learning how to cook recipes from Arab countires, it's one of my goals! Food and cooking is very important in Middle Eastern culture, in many cultures actually, and I know that there are many flavors and spices that are specific to this region in the world.


I think that summarizes my interests and reasons for the Arabic language. I would love to know your thoughts, and suggestions. What language or culture are you interested in learning about?

A note from a friend.