Thursday, March 30, 2006

Words we learned yesterday



Yousuf's vocabulary is increasing exponentially these days. My father calls him a "parrot". Things you don't think he'll remember, even words he overhears you saying, will inevitably stick. Of course, being in Gaza, a 2-year old's vocabularly includes words that you may not otherwise expect.

Salta3one: Crab (A Gaza delicacy, which Yousuf attempted to eat by himself-I guess you have to learn the hard way sometimes).

Fijil: Raddish

Hamas: Hamas. As in, "Hih! Shoof! Hamas!" (look-its Hamas) after seeing celebratory rallies and music and a wave of green flags pass by our house after the new cabinet was voted in.

Thi2ib: Wolf (in Little red riding hood, in Arabic -Laila wal thi2ib)

Qassif: Shelling. As in "Yamma! Qasif! Ma3lish-matkhafeesh!" (Oh mommy! Shelling! Its ok-don't be afraid!) after a night of earth-pounding shelling.

9 Comments:

Blogger أبو سنان said...

Masha'Allah. Ketkoot. Little Sinan is still with the baby babble, but being 9 months old, that is okay.

2:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

May god keep him for you! (I don't know how to spell it out in arabic). I find it sad that he knows what a "Qassif" is at his early age. I hope someday he never has to experience a shelling again

H

5:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who's the hottie in the picture, she's TOTALLY checking your son out!

(They're NEVER too young :P)

6:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

he's really too cute :)
and now I know how to say wolf in Arabic.

6:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Laila,

Such beautiful children!

My prayer is that these two and the thousands of other Israeli and Palestinian children - as well as children the world over - will cease being taught hatred and will be taught to sincerely care for one another as human beings with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in a way that does not include the denial of the same to one another.

Things CAN change, but not with violence begetting violence whether it's with words or with actions.

Where will the change start? With me. With you. One person at a time. Then each one influencing another with love, acceptance and forgiveness.

May the beautiful children in your life grow up to know love, acceptance, forgiveness....and the peace that will follow. Otherwise I'm afraid it will continue to be death and sorrow for all.

K

6:44 PM  
Blogger Laila said...

haha...the "hottie" is my cousin's daughter (i guess that makes her his second cousin or something?). She is visiting from the UK, and Yousuf is completely enamoured with her...:)

11:10 PM  
Blogger newc said...

The only thing I can pray for you is peace and a healthy family and a brighter future. That is self determined and I so worry for your children. Bless your hearts.

8:41 AM  
Blogger bent abdelwahab said...

MashaAllah, what a vocabulary! I think he will grow up to be as articulate as his mom! It's sad about "Qassif" though, but hardships will inshaAllah make you all stronger. Hearing the news again and again kind of makes people numb to it, but you put a human face on the news and that puts things back in perspective.

10:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

helloo
what a lucky little boy to have such a great mother who is raisng him and making the world a better place
He is gorgeous..drawing beaautiful girls already
as a grandmother my heart aches to hear him talk about the shellings
you and your people.... all are in my prayers

5:50 AM  

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