NotW #89 - Zefanaya

[Zefanaya]

Who are you?

Spoiler

Tell us about yourself! Where are you coming from, what languages do you speak, what do you do, how old are you, tell us a few words about your family, work etc. This is the job interview part.

I'm from Tacoma WA, I speak English and Na'vi (though the latter could use some work), I work in media both freelance and for a church (stage manager), I am 18, my family that's an interesting question. My great grandmother and grandfather both hail from Ireland, and both are Celtic in heritage. My mother was born in Virginia, and has travled all over the country as her father was a US Marine. My father immigrated from Germany when he was bout 10 years old, and has had a rather interesting childhood to young adult-hood. We are your typical American family.

As for a little more about me, I hope to go to University of WA - Seattle and get my degree in Recording Art's and Audio Production.

Why are you here?

Spoiler

What brought you here to the Learn Na'vi forum in the first place? Did you fall in love with the language? With Pandora? With a character? Did someone invite you? Or did you stumble upon this site? Once here, why did you decide to stay? How much time do you spend here every day?

I came to LN after seeing Avatar for the first time. It changed my life. At first I was most obssed about finding words to the beautiful songs sung by the Na'vi. After about one google search, I found a thread here on LN and that was my first introduction to the language. I started learning the language, and found that I quite enjoyed threads about culture and the science of the movie. I spent countless hours in the Biology thread, and even more in the Custom's and Culture board. What ultimately made me stay, was the awesome people here.

Where do your alias and profile pic come from?

Spoiler

Do they have a special significance? Is you alias a translation of your real name, or just a bunch of random letters thrown together? Is that you on your profile pic?

My current alias is the Na'vi spelling of my birth name (Zephaniah). My previous alias was Tirey Hawnuyu, which meant life protector. In fact, I still go by Tirey (life), it is the name I sign on all of my art and commissions. As for my profile pic, I wish that was me on there

Srak nga tsun nìna'vi pivlltxe?

Spoiler

How well? Why did you start to learn it? What is your ultimate goal with the language? Do you have specific methods/tools you use in learning the language? How did your friends, family, or colleagues react to your interest in learning Na'vi? Have you told them at all? Have you converted any of them?

I do speak Na'vi, but I need more then a little work. It's simply a matter of finding ample time to learn and practice the language. Time is something that is not in abundance when you work in media though. I started to learn the language because it was like nothing I had ever heard before, it was absolutely beautiful. My friends and family thought it was strange and a waste of time. Though my close friends actually took a slight interest in the language, and I've managed to teach them a few words of the years.

What's you favorite Na'vi word? Did you incorporate it (or others) into your everyday vocab?

Skxawng. Honestly it's my favorite, especially because I work with a lot of them This word is used quite a lot by me every day.

In your opinion, what are the top three user-created content on the LN website?

Spoiler

Anything from the main site, the wiki, or the forum including language docs, threads, quotes, literary works, images, etc.

Lexicon/Dictionary, Fan art, fan fiction.

Have you made any contributions to the LN community that you're particularly proud of?

Spoiler

What made you make those? Do you plan on contributing (again) in the future? How?

I am very proud to have helped plan both the July 2011 Meetup in Seattle as well as helping plan Avatar Meet 2012. I've also wanted to make people happy and so I could see no better way to make this community happy then by helping form a place where we could all come together in person. I look forward to contributing my time and skills in any way possible in the future.

What is it that you liked/hated the most about Avatar ?

Spoiler

How many times have you seen it? How big of an Avatard are you? Prove it!

I've seen the movie in theatre about 37 times. Out of theatre about 20. I own all the releases on both DVD and Blu-ray. I really can't say I hated anything about the movie. Though I would have liked to learn more about the other clans, especially the Eastern Sea Ikran tribe/clan. What I liked most? Don't ask, because I can't pick what I like most about the movie. This movie touched me in way that word's in English nor Na'vi can ever describe.

Has Avatar  changed your life in any way?

Spoiler

Are you trying to become a Na'vi? How and to what extent? Do you live on a tree? Do you wear your hair in a long braid? Or are you just simply blue? Do you bond with animals? Is Gaia on your contact list? Did you have your photo 'shopped?

While I don't have Gaia in my contact list, I do feel a greater respect to nature and the land that we walk on. Avatar has made me shift a lot of my focus towards enviromental activism, the most of which is still centered on the Belo Monte Dam project.

If you could ask Frommer or Cameron three movie or language related questions what would they be?

Spoiler

You can make requests specific words/expressions too.

1) Cameron, can I intern during the filming of AVTR 2?
2) Frommer, will you tutor me
3) Cameron, why was their so much deviation from the original script?

What else do you do in you free time?

Play piano, read, hang out with friends, and play Battlefield 3.

Name your top three favorite Earth animals from most favorite to least. Why those? What's the animal you're most terrified of?

Fennec Fox: How could you not love them, they are so cute.
Wolf: I've always been transfixed by their beauty and power.
Maltese (dog): My mom had one while I was a kid, she still has one. They are loyale, fun, and like to sit on your lap and keep you warm.

Pirate, ninja, zombie, or robot?

Spoiler

Something else? Maybe a combo? Exactly what subtype? Why? (For those of you not so versed in trash tropes, this question basically amounts to asking "What superpowers would you like to have?")

Anything that would give me the power of telekinesis. How awesome would that be?

What three items would you take to a desert island and why?

Spoiler

Anything from books, movies, games, instruments, music, sporting equipment, etc. You'd be provided with means to fully utilize the chosen items – electricity, MP3 player, etc. –, but you couldn't use them for anything else. Escape is not possible.

Bushmaster MOE .308 (7.62 NATO) [AR-15] and a lot of rounds, mp3 player with 64gb of memory full of songs, survival kit.

If you could travel to anywhere in space and time (including fictional universes), where would you go and why?

Obvious answer is Pandora, and I would go. But if I have the power to go anywhere. I'd like to visit the reality played out in the SciFi TV series Stargate SG-1. Why? The SG-1 Universe is full of mythology, science, travel to other worlds. Everything I've ever wanted to see and explore is played out in that universe.

If you were granted one single wish what would it be?

Wisdom/Knowledge. Because with knowledge I can gain the other things I want.

What is a question you'd ask yourself? How would you answer it?

Why did you always used to take the easy way out? Because I didn't know the easy way out, was harder in the long run.

True or false?

Spoiler

Write three statements about yourself, the more extravagant the better. At least one of them must be true. At the end of the week, you'll have to tell which ones were truthful and which made up.

T/F I work in a recording studio
T/F I've always been amazing a sports
T/F I love romance novels.

What is the funniest, weirdest, or most embarrassing Na'vi or Avatar  related thing that has happened to you?

Spoiler

Something along the lines of a MLIA short.

I was working really hard on learning Na'vi. At the same time I was also writing a job resume. The resume was laced with Na'vi...I did not get the job

...

Spoiler

Asked by the previous NotW.

You are a Youth Minister at your Church.  Do you think this is leading you toward a more active role in your church in your adult life?  Such as possibly becoming a Minister in your adult life?

For those of you who don't know, I've been working media production for a church for about 4.5 years. I've also been a Jr Youth Leader and for a short period of time I was the Assistant Youth Pastor. Do I feel called to be a minister or a pastor? At this time no. The church I had served for 4.5 years closed due to financial trouble and I've since found a new church, where I hope to start serving in media production. They are very interested in me because the my years of experience.

[Toruk Makto]

Congrats Zef!  I guess Ng/Ng/Ts.

[Tirea Aean]

Grats! TTF

[Maria TunVrrtep]

Congratulations!  I think I picked well.

My guesses ...
True
False
True

[Zefanaya]

Irayo

[Human No More]

Congratulations

I understand with learning Na'vi

I'll guess... Ng/Ts/Ng

[Blue Elf]

Congratulation, Zenafaya
My guesses:
T/T/F

[Zefanaya]

I have to say, I greatly appreciate this and it is an honor to have been NotW.

True/False


1) False, I work media production as well as recording art's for a large church in Puyallup, WA. I do how ever, have an internship at a recording studio, but I do not actually work for them.

2) False, wish I was, but sadly I'm not.

3) True! If you meet me in person I will appear rather withdrawn and very serious as I don't like to show my emotions to people. How ever, if you get to know me, and I open up to you, you will learn a lot about me.

Eywa ngahu.