Aaaaaand...we're back, with "election."

This semester was very busy, and the first month of Summer was as well, as I was moving, leaving town every other week, working, and starting my internship.

So, this morning I woke up to see a Tweet (Oh, you can follow me on Twitter. twitter.com/iheartnpr.) from CNN. "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won country's election with 62 percent of vote, government says."

...what?

That simply CANNOT be right. I expected a run-off, or a very close win, at best. But, to get more than 12% of the required votes to win?! I refuse to believe it.

Refuse.

Why do we work so hard to install Democracy everywhere, when clearly it is so easily corrupted? It's disappointing, and insulting to me, as someone who loves his country and believe's in its process, to see it so perverted abroad.

Mir Hossein Moussavi, current President Ahmadinejad's main opponent in the elction, said Iran "belongs to the people and not cheaters." (CNN)

Amen, brother. If only it were ever to have been true.

So, today's word is "the election," (as in a municipal election) despite the fact that is should so clearly be "disappointment."

CNN Article

Français: les élections
Español: las elecciones
Italiano: l'elezione
Deutsch: die Wahl
日本語: 選挙 (せんきょ) [senkyo]

Cook

I'm taking a break from current events, and today I'm posting a simple word, "to cook". (Intransitive, as in "I am cooking," as opposed to "I am cooking the fish," which would be transitive.)

I made breakfast for my friends/roommates. Despite being a dish by Paula Dean, I'm alive and well, and will post the link to the recipe for French Toast Casserole.

Recipe for French Toast Casserole by the Food Network's Paula Dean

Français: cuisiner, faire la cuisine

Español: cocinar, guisar

Italiano: cucinare

Deutsch: kochen

日本語: 料理する (りょうりする) [ryōri suru], 調理する (ちょうりする) [chōri suru]

Spoiled

So, today's update is not realted to current events you see on CNN or NPR right now, but is definatley something that's continuing.

In the Congo, there are mercilous attacks on villagers by ruthless rebels. In Zimbabwe, Cholera and a mostly illegitimate, oppressive leader are giving citizens sentiments of unrest and marginilization.

My good friend Caroline is in South Africa right now attempting to help refugees from these places become integrated into a new place and helping society accept them. I, during my Winter Break, have been reading leisurely, playing Rock Band, and going home to D.C. to bar-hop, dine, and shop.

Although my plans for the future involve only helping others, my life now is pretentious, spoiled, and papmpered.

So, today's word is "spoiled," as in a person, not a food or perishable item.

Here are links to Caroline's blog about her daily experiences in South Africa this month, and some atricles about what's going on in Zimbabwe and the Congo.

Caroline's Blog

NPR Article about the Congo

NPR Audio about Zimbabwe

CNN Article about Cholera in Zimbabwe

CNN Article about Macsacres and Violence in the Congo

Français: gâté(e)(s)

Español: consentido(a)(s), mimado(a)(s), engreído(a)(s)

Italiano: visiato(i)(a)(e)

Deutsch: verwöhne(en)(er)(es)

日本語: 甘やかされた (あまやかされた) [amayakasareta)、 甘えん坊の [あまえんぼうの] (amaenbōno)、 甘ったれの (あまったれの) [amattareno)

Provoke

Israeli troops crossed into Hamas-controlled Gaza today in oder to continue protecting themselves from air attacks.

NPR Article*

Today's work is "to provoke".

Français: provoquer, suciter

Español: provocar

Italiano: provocare

Deutsch: provozieren, reizen

日本語: 引き起こす (ひきおこす) [hikiokosu], 怒らせる (おこらせる) [okoraseru], 挑発する (ちょうはつする) [chōhatsu suru]

*Starting today, I'll attach a link to an article about the event or news piece I reference.

Memory

It is the end of 2008, and I've noticed around me, in my life and the media, a lot of concentrating on the year we have passed, rather than the year ahead. I think it's because we're so uncertain as to what the future holds that we can only be sure of what has happened and feel as proud and comforted as we can.

Today's word is "[the] memory," as in the idea of remembering. Not a memory that you have.

Français: la mémoire

Español: la memoria

Italiano: la memoria

Deutsch: die Erinnerung

日本語: 記憶 (きおく) [kioku]

Border

Today's post is "about" the tragic events in Gaza. The border to Egypt needs to be re-opened to that supplies can get in and the wounded can get to hospitals outside of the strip. So, today's word is "[a] border".

Français: une frontière

Español: una frontera

Italiano: una frontiera

Deutsch: eine Grenze

日本語: 国境 (こっきょう) [kokkyō]

Pirate

Due to the surge of attacks on different nations ships this year and the sudden deployment of Chinese ships to counter these attacks, I have chosen, for today's word, "[the] pirate".

I should use words that are related to current events more often, as they tend to be less mushy and...revealing.

Français: le pirate

Español: el pirata

Italiano: il pirata

Deutsch: der Pirat

日本語: 海賊 (かいぞく) [kaizoku]

Love

So, it's cheezy, and my last post was just as bad, but I was walking around D.C. today and saw couples everywhere, and everyone kept smiling at me. Also, I miss, very much, some people back home that I cannot wait to see ASAP and am thinking about contantly. So, my word for today is "[the] love" [noun].

Français: l'amour

Español: el amor

Italiano: l'amore

Deutsch: die libe

日本語: 愛 (あい) [ai]

Joy

As the seasons holidays approach (the end of Hanukkah, Christmas Day, and Kwanza), I was tryign to think of something that connected each of them.

I chose "[the] joy" because it's what I hope everyone feels during this time before a new year approaches and we strive to improve our lives the those of others in the near and distant future.

Français: la joie

Español: la alegría

Italiano: la gioia

Deutsch: die Freude

日本語: 喜び (よろこび) [yorokobi], or 嬉しさ (うれしさ) [ureshisa]

I got it!

I know what I'll do!

I'll choose a word related to current events in the US/World and I'll post it in several languages! Interest + Accessability = Learning!

There have been a lot of flight delays lately du eto inclimate Winter weather, so today's word is "a blizzard".

Français: une tempête de neige

Español: una ventisca

Italiano: una tormenta

Deutsch: ein Schneesturm

日本語: 吹雪 (ふぶき) [fubuki]*, ブリザード (ぶりざあど) [burizādo]