I was asked to write about one Carrie Hooper.   Father Liolin has asked me to call one very unusual individual.  She knows 8 languages, is a professor of German and Italian, and has taught herself Albanian.  Enter James Wm. Pandeli - telephone call.  What i discovered was what appears to be a very lovely young woman, well spoken and ready to converse with someone of the Albanian heritage through a phone call.  After a few pleasantries we proceeded with the discussion.  Rather than speak Albanian, we spoke in English as I was more comfortable since  I only spoke Albanian  from ages one to six.   I am 65 years now and spent too much time on very difficult research projects in other fields so hadn't the time or opportunity to speak Albanian except on age six level.  She agreed that had I been proficient in the Albanian language I might not have been as comfortable playing with ideas as I have when reading Hesiod's 'Genesis of the Gods' (c.700) and concepts in the pre-historic or ancient world comparing Albanian words with meaning and possible connection with perceptions in nature.  This had been simple enough, having interesting fragments in history that in many instances came together as a puzzle displaying a very new picture - while not violating reason in attempts to introduce a new Albanianism of old!  And at the same time different Albanian words made this process not as difficult as it may appear.

Miss Hooper, I sensed from her comments and she being well versed in languages, was excited about my mention of Zacharie Mayani' s work 'The Etruscans Begin to Speak' and how it compares well with Albanian, the oldest living language in Europe.  She understood that Italian was based on Latin and in some respects Etruscan had an influence on Latin.  For her that had to be very interesting on reflection since she reached all her education without this Albanian perspective as I understood it to be.

So here we were, and it was getting late on Sunday still talking though the time was short and she had worked all day.  She mentioned that she could review my essays with some device that translates in braille.   I was happy about that because my essays can provide an interesting perspective on many aspects of Albanian heritage for a very well educated person that seems to have the interest.  I would love to speak with her again, but I suggested she read the essays first and I promised not to talk so much next time and that she excuse my affliction caused by a stroke - i tend to talk too much.  This happens to be a special time in my life with the Albanian translation of my book ready for print.  I am very glad to have survived the stroke to witness this event.  I am also happy for the introduction, through Father Liolin, to have met "an unusual individual".  I might add that she appeared to be a very lovely individual.  It was a wonderful experience and great satisfaction for me to speak with Miss Carrie Hooper to share those moments.  Thank you Carrie Hooper!

James Pandeli