Jul 13 2007
things that are awesome, part 2
1. This morning on my way to class I was waiting to cross the street when this SUV drove by, and as it was going past, this girl stuck her head out of the passenger window and yelled “DO YOU KNOW WHERE A BAGEL STORE IS AROUND HERE?” Without missing a beat, I pointed to my left (for indeed, there was a bagel store to my left). She yelled “THANK YOU!” and waved. I waved back and continued on my way to class. After I crossed the street I noticed the SUV driving back by, this time headed toward the bagel store. Good deed done for the day. Go me.
2. Yesterday, a friend of mine from Arabic Camp asked me if I wanted to go over to her place to watch Snakes on a Plane, because she had a copy with Arabic subtitles, which — let’s face it — is awesome. I of course said “Hells to the yes, nephew.” Except not in so many words. (I actually did invent that phrase, “Hells to the yes, nephew, after hearing Snoop Dogg say “I feel you, nephew” to Jason Alexander one year at the Grammys when the two of them were inexplicably paired together to introduce a performance. Snoop Dogg was wearing a green cape. I will never forget it as long as I live, because it was sort of a religious experience. Anyway, I think it is time to bring that phrase back. So, next time, instead of answering a question with a plain old vanilla “yes” try “Hells to the yes, nephew.” It’s ZESTY!) Anyway, so I went over to her place to watch Snakes on a Plane with Arabic subtitles, and though the subtitles moved too quickly for me to figure out how to say “motherfucker” in Arabic, we were both really proud of ourselves when we were able to catch words we recognized. “Hey, that just said ﮪﻨﺍﻚ… something something. Awesome!” Or, “Uh, okay, Snakes on a… oooh, ﻄﺍﺌﺭﺓ!” Even so, I still don’t know the Arabic word for “snakes.” Oh well.
3. Even though I haven’t used this language in years, and therefore my skills are most likely incredibly rusty, there was a time in my life when I was fluent in Spanish. For some reason now when I’m in class I have to catch myself to keep from answering questions in Spanish. I guess studying the one language has brought the other language back, even though they’re not really similar. Yeah, that’s not so much awesome as it is weird, but I thought I’d mention it anyway. Because I can.
4. My day tomorrow is going to involve barbecue and beer. I’m so excited I could burst into a spontaneous round of applause.
5. The end.
that is awesome!
i remember my first transition into Israel. i entered the Old City of Jerusalem and heard Arabic and Hebrew everywhere and when someone spoke to me in one of those languages, i answered in French. (French, something which Canadians study all their educated lives as a Second Language, but something which i’d entirely forgotten the moment i realized that Quebec French was nothing like the French French we’d been taught)
next! Yay, you! For the fast paced bagel exchange.
the Hell’s nephew phrase is good. Better in Arabic, i’m sure.
Being fast enough to pick out words from the sub-titles is a heady experience - i can also relate. Suddenly there’s a kind of inner esteem built on the ability to discern a word or two - and soon, (beware of spoiler) there’ll be 3 words till you get the whole sentence one day.
Great going. Enjoy the barbecue.
Zesty! har har, love that reference, that needs to be in my vocabularly more often.
Barbeque! Beer! Bears, beets, battlestar galatica!
Jamelah-
I would love to TRY tossing “Hells to the yeah, nephew” out in everyday conversation, but I fear I lack the necessary flava to do so. Advice, please.
Love,
Meg
I actually said “Hells to the yes” yeterday. Well, texted it. Flava, while it probably enhances the process, is not required.
And hells to the yes, nephew, it felt good.
I have the same problem with Arabic and Spanish. I don’t know why French doesn’t pop up, but it doesn’t.