bemba for days

We are down to the wire. I have 1.5 weeks left here at training. These last few weeks are killer. Let me tell you. They are jam packed with teaching assessments, many other assessments and the big final language test.

Here is the deal... I know I will pass the test. There is no question about that. I want to be the best I can be and learn as much Bemba as possible before I leave to my village.

I study for an hour every night and morning. I will get tested by all sorts of teachers and here is the thing... some days I feel like I have improved so much and other days I am slightly suicidal.

I guess that is the beauty of learning a new language. I always go in confident and coming out, things sometimes take a turn.

I know I will learn most of my Bemba in the village the next two years. My goal is to hit the road running. Is there any shame in that?

This is how I describe myself and families in Bemba:

Ishina lyandi nine Megan Emily Butler. Nafuma ku Amelika mu musumba wa California wa San Jose. Ndeikala mu Chipembi mu mushi wa Chikonkoto. Ndemusambi ici Bemba panuma nkalafunda pa Mikunku Basic sukulu. Ku Amelika, nalefunda abaana abanono pa Oak Elementary sukulu.

Ku Amelika, badaata niba David Butler. Bamaayo niba Moana Butler. Ba David niba shimakewbo bwa ng'anda. Ba Moana tababomba lelo ba kaipela pa EDS. Nshakwata bandume. Nakwata bankashi bane. Bankashi niba Kerianna, Ba Kaleigh, Ba Erina na Ba Taleah. Ba Kerianna balupwa. Abalume niba Jacob. Ba Kerianna tababomba lelo Ba Jacob niba shimakewbo bwa ama computers. Ba Kaleigh niba kafundisha abaana abanono pa YMCA. Ba Erina bakwata imiyaka 12 na Ba Taleah bakwata imiyaka ikumi. Ba Erina na Ba Taleah niba sambi pa EDS.

Mu Zambia, Bamaayo niba Terry Mwape. Badaata niba Fred Mwape. Ba Fred balimi. Ba Terry tababomba. Nakwata bandume bamo. Bandume niba Peter. Ba Peter bakwata imiyaka basano. Ba Peter balitemwa ng'ombe sana sana. Nakwata bankashi bamo. Bankashi niba Gertrude. Ba Gertrude bakwata imiyaka ikumi. Ba Gertrude balitemwa ukubelenga The Magic Tree House.

Chopwa. (Finished)