Today's story is about my Seedo, my dear mother's father and my late grandpa, and how his passing marked the end of my summers in Palestine.

At the end of this episode, I am sharing a snippet of "Ya Thalaam al sijn" sung by Macadi Nahhas.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) :https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page:https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

m5aTTaTlo- planned for it مْخَطَّطْلُه

qimmet- at the height/ peak of قِمِّة

tamarrudi- my rebellion/ revolt تَمَرُّدي

ghaDabi- my anger/ wrath غَضَبي

byikbit- it suppresses بْيِكْبِت

ta3beeri 3an nafsi- my self expression تَعْبيري عَن نَفْسي

el 5aTT- the line الْخَط

a3lanat- she announced أعْلَنَت

Daayillo- remaining for him ضايِلُّه

eySa77eeni- he wakes me up يْصَحِّيني

el fajer- Dawn الْفَجِر

el naafoora- the fountain النَّافورَة

3akkaazto- his crutch/ cane عَكَّازْتُه

eyshajji3- he encourages يْشَجِّع

yistanshiq- he inhales يِسْتَنْشِق

yitZawwaq- he tastes/ savors يِتْذَوَّق

ma7room- deprived مَحْروم

3afawiyya- spontaneous عَفَوِيَّة

dukkaano- small shop/ store دُكَّانُه

booZa- ice cream بوظَة

mintihi taaree5ha- expired مِنْتِهي تاريخْها

el 3ilba- the can الْعِلْبَة

el tallaaja- the fridge الثَلاَّجَة

itshahhi- mouth watering تْشَهِّي

yista2bilna- he welcomes us يِسْتَقْبِلْنا

mad5al- entrance مَدْخَل

Saa7i- awake صاحي

mSaddi2- believing مْصَدِّق

a3Daa2 jismo- his body organs أعْضاء جِسْمُه

tifshal- it fails تِفْشَل

ma7ZooZeen- lucky مَحْظوظين

m7awwaT- surrounded مْحَوَّط

ajyaal- generations أجْيال

a7faado- his grandchildren أحْفادُه

mu2athir- moving مُؤَثِّر

waSSalatni- delivered me وَصَّلَتْني

Dallili- remained for me ضَلِّلِي

laabis- wearing لابِس

raakiz- leaning on راكِز

Today I let you in on the education system in Abu Dhabi and my experience at the Catholic school where I studied from seventh grade until I graduated its high school.

At the end of this episode and in honor of my angry and rebellious teenage years spent listening to punk rock music, I share a snippet from an Arabic rock song by the Syrian group, Tanjaret Daghet.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) :https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page:https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

ibtidaa2iyya- primary إبْتِدائِيّة

ahli- my parents أهْلي

at5arraj- I graduate أتْخَرَّج

min7a- scholarship مِنْحَة

kaamla- full/ complete كامْلَة

thaanawiyya- high school ثانَوِيَّة

deen- religion دين

astakshif- I explore أسْتَكْشِف

maghmoora- overwhelmed مَغْمورَة

jadwali- my schedule جَدْوَلي

nista3eer- we borrow نِسْتَعير

nistabdilha- we exchange it نِسْتَبْدِلْها

kaneesa- church كَنيسَة

muslimaat- muslims (pf) مُسْلِمات

masee7iyyaat- Christians (pf) مَسيحِيَّات

a3abbir 3an nafsi- I express myself أعَبِّر عَن نَفْسي

3alamaati- my grades/ marks عَلاماتي

astaS3ib- I find it difficult أسْتَصْعِب

lafZi- my pronounciation لَفْظي

mushrifaat- supervisers (pf) مُشْرِفات

raahibaat- nuns راهِبات

tyaab- clothes تْياب

Tawaa2i- caps طَواقي

Saleeb- cross صَليب

Sdoorhum- their chests صْدورْهُم

innaadeelhum- we call out to them إنْناديلْهُم

ni5taar- we choose نِخْتار

fere3- section فِرِع

3ilmi- scientific عِلْمي

adabi- literary أدَبي

adab- literature أدَب

Sa7aafa- journalisim صَحافَة

jaam3a- university جامْعَة

3aalya- high عالْيَة

fizya- physics فيزْيا

kimya- chemistry كيمْيا

a7yaa2- biology أحْياء

geolojia- geology جيولوجْيا

jaber- algebra جَبِر

mawaad- subjects مَواد

ta7addi- challenge تَحَدِّي

a7ill- I solve أحِل

mu3addal- an average (final grade) مُعَدَّل

Our story today is about childhood friends, primary schools and horror films that shall never be watched again.

with a snippet of "ana wala 3aaref" by Tamer Hosny at the end.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

Sadeeq/ Saa7ib- friend صَديق/ صاحِب

nit5aana2- we fight نِتْخانَق

i5wa- siblings إخْوَة

tanaffus- breathing (noun) تَنَفُّس

araaqibha- I keep watch/ monitor her أراقِبْها

7aDaana- kindergarten حَضانَة

Saff- class صَف

5aayfa- scared خايْفَة

maSer- Egypt مَصِر

a3azz- best/ dearest أعَز

madrasa ibtidaa2iyya- primary school مَدْرَسَة إبْتِدائِيَّة

saades- sixth سادِس

mu5talaTa- mixed مُخْتَلَطَة

3azamatni- she invited me عَزَمَتْني

atrajja- I beg and plead أتْرَجَّى

yisma7ooli- they allow me يِسْمَحولي

waafa2u- they agreed وافَقو

mu7ibba- loving (adj) مُحِبَّة

Taba5atilna- she cooked for us طَبَخَتِلْنا

7alawiyyaat- dessert حَلَوِيَّات

filim ro3ob- horror film فيلِم رُعُب

el mara el mu5eefa- the scary woman الْمَرَة الْمُخيفَة

be2er el mayy- water well بِئِر الْمَي

tarjama- subtitles/ translation تَرْجَمَة

mghaTya- covering (adj) مْغَطْيَة

3yooni- my eyes عْيوني

niftiri2- we separate/ part ways نِفْتِرِق

baraa2et-the innocence of بَراءِة

Tufoolitna-our childhood طُفولِتْنا

So7bitna-our friendship صُحْبِتْنا

Today's episode is about a repeating dream that I had three times so far. In it, I am always walking on the same vibrant and lively street in the same beautiful city.

At the end of the story, I am sharing a snippet of "lil waTan" by Mashrou3 Leila.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

wayn ma- wherever وين ما

7elem- dream حِلِم

ma2loofa- familiar مَألوفَة

i7tilaal- occupation إحْتِلال

Sahyooni- zionist صَهْيوني

bamurr- I pass by بَمُر

ar2oS- I dance أرْقُص

m3abbaya- filled up مْعَبَّيَة

7awatni- contained me حَوَتْني

daafe3- motivation دافِع

ilhaam- inspiration إلْهام

istaDaafatni- she hosted me إسْتَضافَتْني

asidha- I settle or pay her off أسِدْها

karam- generousity كَرَم

waffaratli- provided for me وَفَّرَتْلي

baTabqo- I apply it بَطَبْقُه

waD3i- my situation وَضْعي

musaa3ada- help مُساعَدَة

saddeet- I settled/ paid off سَدِّيت

bastaghrib-I wonder/ find it strange بَسْتَغْرِب

bastarji3- I recall / reminisce بَسْتَرْجِع

zikrayaat- memories ذِكْرَيات

bil zaat- in particular بِالذَّات

Today's episode is dedicated to my friends, Serkan and Asli. It's the story of how they came into my life and the story of how they met.

At the end of the episode I am sharing a snippet of one of their favorite Arabic songs, "Ohkom" by Alaa Sallam

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

da5alet- i entered دَخَلِت

mawqe3ha- it’s location مَوْقِعْها

3a 2addi- it fits me عَقَدِّي

ajaarha- it’s rent أجارْها

munaasib- suitable مُناسِب

el mas2ool 3an- responsible for الْمَسْؤول عَن

ittafa2na- we had an agreement إتَّفَقْنا

el suwed- Sweden السُّويد

insajamna- we got along إنْسَجَمْنا

b ma innu- since it was بِما إنُّه

mane3 tajawwul- curfew مَنِع تَجَوُّل

shadda- playing cards شَدَّة

Taawla- backgammon طاوْلَة

5aff- was lifted / got lighter خَفّ

bey2oom- he gets up بِيْقوم

beynaadeeha- he calls out to her بِيْناديها

tinDammilna- she joins us تِنْضَمِّلْنا

bitwaddi3- she says goodbye بِتْوَدِّع

ra2ee2a- affectionate / gentle رَقيقَة

aSliyya- authentic / original أصْلِيَّة

mubdi3a- creative مُبْدِعَة

ibtisaamitha- her smile إبْتِسامِتْها

mushriqa- bright مُشْرِقَة

ingharamu b ba3aD- they fell in love إنْغَرَمو بِبَعَض

naZra- sight نَظْرَة

byitbannu- they adopt بْيِتْبَنُّو

jaar- neighbor جار

humma el itnain / itnainaathum- both of them هُمَّ الْإتْنين /إتْنيناتْهُم

babaTTil- I quit / stop بَبَطِّل

bil marra- at all بِالْمَرَّة

kul fatra ou fatra- every now and then كُل فَتْرَة و فَتْرَة

naadiran ma- rarely نادِراً ما

miDyaafa- hospitable مِضْيافَة

daraja- degree دَرَجَة

junooniyya- crazy جُنونِيَّة

tihtam b- she takes care of تِهْتَم بِ

raa7et el jamee3- Everyone’s comfort راحِة الْجَميع

nujoom- stars نُجوم

el roo7aaniyyaat- Spirituality الرُّوحانِيَّات

ma3loomaat- information مَعْلومات

mufeeda- useful مُفيدَة

mnijtimi3- we gather مِنِجْتِمِع

zowj- couple زَوْج

mithaali- perfect / exemplary مِثالي

mitwaazin- balanced مِتْوازِن

fa5er- pride فَخِر

mawjooda- there (existing) مَوْجودَة

shahadet- i witnessed شَهَدِت

si7riyya- magical سِحْرِيَّة

jama3athum- it gathered them جَمَعَتْهُم

sha2i- naughty شَقي

raa2i3- great رائِع

mitwansa- feeling delighted مِتْوَنْسَة

So7bithom- their companionship صُحْبِتْهُم

bahdi- I gift / dedicate بَهْدي

Today's episode is about a very special cat that kept me company at the hostel in Beirut for years. Her name was Teresa.

At the end of this episode I will be sharing a full song, "Mahjoor" by Bitter mouthfeel. A Syrian Canadian artist that so kindly gave me permission to share his song here.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

Awwal ma- as soon as أوَّل ما

2iTTa- cat قِطَّة

Zboona- costumer زْبونَة

laa2at- she found لاقَت

shaare3- street شارِع

jaabatha- she brought her جابَتْها

3a isimha- after her name عَإسِمْها

Istiqbaal- reception إسْتِقْبال

Zabaayin- costumers زَبايِن

tra77ib feehum- she welcomes them تْرَحِّب فيهُم

7orra- free حُرَّة

Emta ma bidha- whenever she wanted إيمْتَة ما بِدْها

tiTla3- she gets out تِطْلَع

til3ab- she plays تِلْعَب

feeraan- mice فيران

7aamil- pregnant حامِل

mit5abya- hiding (adj) مِتْخَبْيَة

Kaan shakilha- she looked (her look was) كان شَكِلْها

doktoor el 7ayawanaat- the vet دُكْتور الْحَيَوانات

aTfaalha- her babies أطْفالْها

maatu- died ماتو

ra7emha- her womb رَحِمْها

yista2Sel- he removes/excises يِسْتَأصِل

itsammamat- she got poisoned إتْسَمَّمَت

ghurfet el 3amaliyyaat- the operation room غُرْفِة الْعَمَلِيَّات

najat- she survived نَجَت

la muddet- for the periodof لَمُدِّة

rajja3etha- I returned her رَجَّعِتْها

infijaar el mina- the harbor explosion إنْفِجار الْمينا

dammar- it detroyed دَمَّر

shawaare3- streets شَوارِع

bil rughum min- despite بِالرُّغُم مِن

ma btintasa- she’s unforgettable ما بْتِنْتَسى

Ba3D el naas- some people بَعْض النَّاس

bish3a- ugly بِشْعَة

2iTaT- cats قِطَط

Our episode today is dedicated to my mentor/ friend, Majd. Always grateful for the week we spent during the Pandemic in Beirut, for the inspiring knowledge he shared with me, for believing in me, encouraging me and for opening this door for me. Thank you.

At the end of this episode I am sharing a snippet of, Mamnoun, (grateful), by Bu Kolthoum.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

nitsalla- we have fun نِتْسَلَّى

yin2ol- he moves يِنْقُل

mu7taram- respectful مُحْتَرَم

mutheer lal ihtimaam- interesting مُثير لَلْإهْتِمام

manhaj- curriculum مَنْهَج

ta3leem- teaching تَعْليم

shaami- Levantine شامي

ajaanib- foreigners أجانِب

m3allim/a- teacher مْعَلِّم

3araD 3alay- offered me عَرَض عَلَي

aktar min marra- more than once أكْتَر مِن مَرَّة

anDam- to join أنْضَم

miqtin3a- convinced مِقْتِنْعَة

mas2ooliyya- responsibility مَسْؤولِيَّة

aqna3ni- he convinced me أقْنَعْني

dawra- a course دَوْرَة

majjaaniyya- free مَجَّانِيَّة

osloobo- his method أسْلوبُه

shaarakni- he shared with me شارَكْني

naZariyto- his theory نَظَرِيْتُه

najaa7- success نَجاح

manZooro- his perception/ outlook مَنْظورُه

inlahamet- I was inspired إنْلَهَمِت

2aaman- he believed in آمِن

qudriti- my ability قُدْرِتي

aSaddi2- I believe (a truth/lie) أصَدِّق

ad5ol- I enter أدْخُل

adarris/ a3allim- I teach أدَرِّس / أعَلِّم

Taaliba- student طالِبَة

maktoobli- written for me مَكْتوبْلي

it7assanat- it improved إتْحَسَّنَت

atma33an- I contemplate أتْمَعَّن

b shakil ma- in some way بِشَكِل ما

saaham b- contributed to ساهَم بِ

taghyeer- changing تَغْيِير

afDal- better أفْضَل

faDlak 3alay- your favor on me فَضْلَك عَلَي