Brand New Vocabulary

Now that I am officially done with teaching classes until January 19, I'd like to take time and recap some new words I have learned from my classes. That's right--I have a brand spankin' new (but limited) Albanian vocabulary. Get ready for a random list. :)

1. ulu (pr. OO-loo) = sit down
This comes in very handy. I had no idea how useful this word would be when I first learned it.

2. një minutë (pr. NEE mee-NUTE) = one moment, in a minute
I say this all the time because students really like to interrupt me while I'm helping another student. lol Sound familiar to anyone else?

3. pritje (pr. PREET) = wait
No other word is as useful as this. Hands down, it is the best word I have learned yet!

4. patatina (pr. pah-tah-TEEN-ah) = potato chips
I really don't have any use for this word, but I learned it when one of my groups had "potato chips" as one of their vocabulary words. It is my favorite Albanian word because it's just so fun to say. :) Patatina!

5. gezuar krishtlindjet (pr. geh-ZOO-are kreesht-LEEN-deeyet) = Merry Christmas
You had to know I was going to learn this one, right?

6. gezuar ditëlindjen (pr. geh-ZOO-are deet-LEEN-dyen) = Happy Birthday
This was a must-learn as well, but I'm sure you suspected as much. ;)

7. dasmë (pr. DAZ-may) = wedding
You didn't see that one coming! Haha! Again, it was a vocabulary word. I know all sorts of wedding words. Here's a few more:

8. nuse (pr. NOO-seh) = bride
Vocabulary word.

9. dhëndër (thain-DARE) = groom
Vocabulary.

10. fustan (foo-STAHN) = gown, wedding dress
Thank you, wedding lesson.

11. kostum dasme (KOS-tume, DAZ-may) = tuxedo
Ok, enough with the wedding words. But thanks to the yellow and green groups for helping me learn them.

12. mesatare (pr. mess-ah-TAR-eh) = average
I learned this one in a lesson I taught about sports and the future tense.

13. papritur (pr. pah-PREE-tur) = suddenly
Don't remember how or when I learned this one, but I know it was with my blue group.

14. albitër (pr. al-BEE-tare) = umpire, referee
Another sports word, obviously. Hmmm, what are the chances I'll use this in every day conversations? lol

15. vesh (pr. VEHSH) = to wear
This was a popular vocabulary word in all of my classes. Our books like to talk about fashion.

That list doesn't include all the words I've learned, it's just a sampling of what I can remember off the top of my head. You know--the ones that just stick in my brain. I also know the days of the week, months of the year, numbers, and other daily words (Hello, goodbye, thank you, see you later, please, you're welcome, etc., etc.).

As my classes ended, I held off on the little speech about cheating and copying. I figured I should end on a positive note and add some consequences of those actions to my list of rules which I will review at the start of the next session of classes.

On another positive note, I got all the cookies baked for my classes, I'm ready for Christmas practice and activity night tomorrow, and am looking forward to the Christmas Service on Saturday. Plus, Emily and I had time to go see a movie tonight. Nights of Rodanthe was cute. We liked it. :) One step closer to vacation and all's well. Except the never-ending rain. lol But that will change eventually.

For now, natën e mirë! (pr. NAH-ten eh MEER) "Good night!"