Remember that emotional roller coaster I was talking about? Last week was a string of lows. Let’s just say everyone already knows me at the doctor’s office. But was I really expecting otherwise? According to my friend Anna, the pharmacist in Columbia still asks about me. For some people it’s a bar, for me it’s a medical building: Where everybody knows your name!
Today, however, was a high. When learning a language, extreme highs are necessary. They are often the only motivation to keep at it. I was on my way to visit some Iraqi friends when I walked passed the house of a family I know. I lived with this particular family the last time I was here. I had only been here two weeks when I moved into their spare room. I had no Arabic and they had no English whatsoever. It was interesting. Fortunately with kids language barriers matter very little. So today I see little five year old Fatuma sitting outside by herself. Last time I was here Fatuma would talk and talk but I never knew what she was saying and she never knew I couldn’t understand! Today we had our first conversation! It went like this:
Fatuma: Where are you going?
Me: I’m going to Um Kother’s house.
F:Ok
Me: Is your Mom at home?
F: No she’s at work.
Me: Who is at home with you?
F: Rami
Me: just Rami?
F: Haboush and Hanoush too
Me: Where is Hajura?
F: She’s sleeping.
You may not be very impressed, but trust me, this was a big accomplishment. Not only did I communicate everything I wanted to in the correct grammar, I also was able to have a conversation with someone whom I’d wanted to for a long time. Imagine developing a real affection for an incredibly cute little girl and finally being able to talk to her? The rest of the day I felt so confident. I can actually do this. There is a saying in Arabic: “Shway shway.” It means slowly slowly or, little by little. I tell myself this all the time, but it’s blessings like these
that remind me how the “slowly slowly” actually pays off.
The Bohemian Dispatch 