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.