Snippets (The First)

Why Tutu? This is how they address me within the family. The name Tutu conveys sunshine for the soul and a source of warmth and comfort for the family circle. Those who call me Tutu outside the family are embraced by me and welcomed in the bottom of my heart. And, my love springs forth to them. 'Tutu' became a token of love when my granddaughter, Andromeda--she was about two years old at the time--uttered, out of the blue, this magical word. She can't pronounce Lola Marichu and so Tutu became my signature name.





In Hawaiian, Tutu means "wise and wonderful woman" and "a source of unconditional acceptance". Also a form of calling your grandparents or elders or a name of a plant (above). How coincidentally it coincided with my spot in the child's life. And, imagine that it was just Andromeda's childish alliteration of "Lola Marichu".

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Some strange language invented by my grandchildren at the age when their tongues were just starting to untwist:

By Niki:
"I case you" -- Excuse me (We adults still mimic this when we ask to be excused.)
"Alticol" -- alcohol
(Now on her second year nursing course.)

By Andromeda:
"Kelly" -- Carry
"Kilot" -- Kirot (Filipino for pain)
"Tutu" -- Lola Marichu
"Oted" -- Lolo Ted
(Andromeda is now in her Junior year and deeply involved in her novel writing.)

By Voughnn:
"In Age Utant Inja Ererls" -- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
"Hah Birdie!" -- Happy Birthday!
"loko-loko-dile" -- crocodile
"Tenchu" -- Thank you
(Voughnn is now in Grade One.)

By Tristan:
"refidelatorl" -- (with a silent/blurred 'r') refrigerator
(TJ is now on his last year in Grade school.)

By Francine:
"cocratch" -- cockroach
"crokrodayl" -- crocodile
"cocratsidoyl" -- When Andromeda tried to get Francine to say "cockroach" and "crocodile" properly, she started with the cocratch first. Then, when it was the crokrodayl's, this word came out. The combined words of cocratch and crokrodayl.
(Francine is graduating from elementary school this year [2008]. )

By Alyanna:
"Pee-Pan" -- electric fan
"Pindot" -- the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
(Alyanna is now in kindergarten.)