Early in my language-learning journey I started keeping a journal written in Chamoru. As soon as I could form a basic sentence, I was trying to write about my day. In the first month my entries were often only a few lines, usually describing very basic parts of my day. Sentences like Mamokkat yu’ para i halom tåno’ (I walked to the forest) or Hu fåhan i mannok gi tenda (I bought the chicken at the store) dominated my journal entries. I still use very basic Chamoru in my journal entries (and still make many mistakes) but I’m learning how to use my basic grammar and vocabulary to write more. One exercise I’ve been enjoying is writing down my memories in Chamoru, particularly my memories about my grandmother. This particular memory is about breakfast time.

Ti ya-hu amotsa, lao månnge’ i kamuti

Ma’pos na puengi hu li’e’ i nana-hu biha gi guinife-hu. Hu hasso i egga’an-måmi siha gi lahoben na ha’åni-hu siha. Kada ha’åni, nana-hu biha ha fa’tinas i na’-hu amotsa. Mata’chong yu’ gi lamasa ya mamå’tinas gue’ gi kusina. Gof a’gang i nana-hu biha kon plåtu siha gi kusina! Siña hu nginge’ i gimen-ña kafe yan gasetå-ña. Ai, mahålang yu’ nu ayu na ogga’an siha!

Nana-hu biha ha nå’i yu’ siriåles, tosta, pat oatmeal. Lao, ti ya-hu amotsa sa’ didide’ na malångu i tiyån-hu gi egga’an. Kada simåna, guaha nuebu na na’-hu amotsa sa’ ti-ya hu nengkånno’ gi egga’an. Ilek-ña i nana-hu biha, “Debidi un kånno i na’-mu amotsa. Amotsa i mas empottånte na sentåda gi ha’åni-mu!”

Ilek-hu, “Åhe’ grandma! Ti malago’ yu’ nu amotsa sa’ malångu i tiyån-hu gi egga’an!”

Ilek-ña i nana-hu biha, “Båsta enao. Kånno i na’-mu amotsa.”

Ti ya-hu amotsa, lao gof ya-hu kamuti. Lao ti mamå’tinas gue’ kamuti put na’-hu amotsa! Na’-ña amotsa i kamuti, ai adai. Lao, hu chule’ i na’-ña kamuti sa’ maolekña na amotsa gue’. Na’chalek este. På’go, kamuti i mas ya-hu na amotsa.