My art and poetry were recently published at Ubwali Literary Magazine in the Oct 24th Zambian Independence Day, 5th issue. It’s worth a deep read or at least a browse through—a high quality Zambian literary magazine. There’s poetry, fiction, essays, and visual art—a platform for Zambian authors and artists like no other in the past. … Continue reading Where Are You From?
Tag: French
At Tesco, Ullapool (The Scottish Highlands)
This August we resumed our yearly weeklong summer holiday in the Scottish highlands. It’s a place one might consider as being “in the middle of nowhere,” that is of course if you are not from there. If however, you are from there, it’s quite likely the center of the world. We fall into the category … Continue reading At Tesco, Ullapool (The Scottish Highlands)
Hezbollah, the Cumin-timer, and the Box
At the Singapore airport last Sunday. We had South-Indian food for lunch, and North-Indian for dinner. I also got four Rasgulla, a Bengali paneer (home-made cottage cheese) based dessert. Me: Do you want to try this Leila? It's called Rasgulla. I used to eat a lot of this when I was little. Really yummy. Leila: … Continue reading Hezbollah, the Cumin-timer, and the Box
Frenglish
"We speak Frenglish," Rahul and Leila say as they squeal with laughter at the discovery of this new "word". They often use both French and English words in their sentences. Although we are a OPOL (One Person One Language) family, and are pretty consistent with it, the kids are now mixing up both French and … Continue reading Frenglish
Papa speaks Francais
Early one morning a couple of weeks ago. Leila: Where's papa? Me: He's on a plane, going to Houston, in America. Rahul: Like the pilgrims? Me: Yah, to America like the pilgrims. But he's on a plane, not a boat, so he'll be there by tomorrow. Leila: Can you be papa? Me: What do you … Continue reading Papa speaks Francais
Translating Bullshit into Bullshit
Rahul and Leila chopping play dough vegetables. Maher: Qu'est ce que tu cuisine Leila? Leila: Uhhh, I'm cooking mothika. Maher: Ah bon. C'est quoi "mothika"? Leila: Papa, ummm, en francais c'est lita.
Wemember Me
First day back in Chengdu after a month. Leila hesitates before descending a slope. Leila: Mum. [Re] Member me, I fall down here? Me: How the hell did you remember that? I remember Leila! A few months ago, you fell down this steep slope. Leila: I cry mummy. Me: You're bigger now. You can do … Continue reading Wemember Me
Leila Baby
Maher: Qu'est-ce que tu fais mon petit bebe Rahul? Rahul: Rahul grand, papa. Maher: C'est vrai, tu est mon grand garcon, et Leila c'est ma grande fille. Rahul peeking at Leila from the corner of his eyes: Leila petit bebe, Rahul grand! Leila: NON! Leila non petit bebe, Leila grande.
Oh Boy!
“Rahul is a sweetheart! He let Leila have the train,” I declare proudly as he hands back her toy upon request. “Thanks Rahul.” I continue. “Afu BOY,” he quickly corrects me, worried. (He calls himself Afu; the Sichuanese version of his Chinese name.) “Yes. Afu boy.” I confirm, without going into how he can also … Continue reading Oh Boy!
Competitive Advantage: A Guest Post by Desi of Valentine 4
As Part of the series: A Monday Morning Guest Post in Multicultural Mothering. Desi posted this on her blog yesterday; it's the second time she has written about the controversial book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother", by Amy Chua, a book I have heard a lot about and . Check out her post for … Continue reading Competitive Advantage: A Guest Post by Desi of Valentine 4
Natasha Devalia 