Archive for the ‘Japanese’ Category

With work, and all the changes going on in my life, I simply didn’t have the time to really concerntrate on Japanese studies. It is indeed unfortunate. It is just one of those times when I wish that we have more than 24 hours a day and 3 times more energy. Japanese books in the drawers waiting patiently for me to take them out for review and study.

But what to do? Work and saving money for rainy days is much more important at the moment. Money for living everyday life, money for savings, money for pension and soon perhaps money for senior life insurance if need to work in old age even.  Nothing left in the end for Japanese classes. Well, for now at least. However, once many things are settled and work has become a lot like routine and stable, perhaps I can start back doing the things I really like – studying Japanese language.

I am so glad that I finally figured out how to upload .pdf files onto my Ipod. Using the iBook app that is. There are a few pdf books that I’ve been wanting to read but just didn’t because I don’t like reading books from my computer screen since I cannot lie down and read.

I got my Genki books with audio files on it too. So while using the book I could listen to the audio that comes with it anytime anywhere. I got it mainly for the Japanese language dictionary and videos. But since it can do even more than that, I am indeed very happy.

My ipod is getting chock-full of things in it I must admit – Japanese videos, books, music, dictionary apps, guitar app, steel drum app, garden app, and loads more. I used to joke about the only thing you can’t do with an iphone/ipod is make coffee. I spoke to soon, since there is an app that makes coffee. But not the one that you can drink though. Well, at least you can tell people it does everything including making coffee.

For the past one week I’ve been watching one anime after another. I guess most probably because it has been rather stressful for me the past week. Even my eczema flared up. I needed something to take my mind off the things that are bothering me for a bit. Anime seems to be a good way for me. Not only because they are fun, but I practice listening to Japanese as well.

Honestly, I don’t think I’d ever get tired of anime. Not even when I have agespots and wrinkles all over. ( Well, not that so much likely with all the age spot and wrinkle treatments these days ) Further, it makes me real happy when I understood some words without reading the subtitles. Hopefully I can ditch the subtitles all together after sometime.

I got my ipod few weeks ago and I got the KOTOBA dictionary and a few other Japanese learning Applications as well as a few other Hungarian language learning applications. I can say goodbye to all those bulky dictionaries. Is it worth it? Yes. Compared to getting an electronic dictionary, it is so much worth it to get an ipod/iphone and get these great apps. Just by getting them won’t get me smarter, I know, but it makes life easier.

The camera is just a big plus. The pictures don’t turn out as good as those that what digital cameras would come up with, but I can take decent enough pictures for blogging and twitter. What more can one ask for right?

I even drafted  study plans for my Japanese and Hungarian lessons on it. With this I sure save a lot of paper and time spent searching for words from the paperback dictionaries.

Sent the little one off to kindergarten earlier today so we could do our shopping early and go back home early too. While standing at

the cashier, eyeing one item after another going through the barcode scanner, I thought about how I would spend my day today besides doing the normal household chores.

It has been ages since I last watched an anime. Months actually. I saw only one Japanese drama couple of weeks ago. It is essential that I watch some Japanese programmes just to sharpen my listening skills as a Japanese language student. I still don’t understand a lot, but once I managed to pick up some words I’d feel pretty happy that I learnt something at least in class.

So it is settled then. After lunch and doing the household chores and cleaning, I’d make myself comfy and watch some animes.

My search for the best priced Ipod has begun. I’m looking forward to own my first Apple product that I’ve even downloaded the itunes software on my computer. Now is the time I really need something like one of those insurance quote websites. Best priced offer all on one website.

As opposed to what I have decided earlier,I won’t be getting the 4th generation one, but I may be getting the 3rd generation instead. Why? Because I don’t think I need the extra features like facetime and HD camera. I have my Lumix for video and picture taking, and I don’t know anyone else who owns an iphone or ipod with facetime. After all, the first important reason why I wanted one is because of the Japanese dictionary application.

We just came back from  the weekend house. No internet, no computers, no television. Other than enjoying the outdoors, the only thing I could do was study. We’ve finally approached the last lesson in the Genki I book. So I revised back all that we’ve learnt so far. I even made myself write the kanji characters over and over. I’ve learnt 100 over kanjis so far, but the only ones that I can remember well are only about 101. That’s an achievement I think, for someone who is having a hard time learning them.

Kanji is pretty intersting to learn. And I believe, the more characters you learn, you will realize that some characters are just a combination of 2 or more of other kanji characters. The more you see them often the more easier to remember. (Just like most things.)

Other than writing over and over on paper, I also have the “Tadashii Kanji Kaki to Rikun” for NDS. It is a DS game application that is targeted for the Japanese students who are learning to write. There are hiragana, katakana and kanji writing drills. At first it was a little bit difficult to navigate through since it is only in Japanese. But once you get the hang of it, this game can be a real good tool for learning Japanese writings.

Well, 101 kanjis down 2000 over more to go. Learning a language can be an uphill journey, but with the right motivation, and proper tools, the climb would be a lot easier. Hopefully, in less than 10 years, I will have my own custom business cards as a private Japanese language teacher. :p Well, that’s my ‘dream’. Now, I’m still on the journey to achieving that dream.

It’s like going nowhere. I mean my Japanese studies. 1 class a week, with studies less than an hour a day. I know that I should do more than this. When I read about people going to Japan to study the language and yet came back doing only slightly better than before Japan, I’d think about what are the chances for me. Someone who never been to Japan even. Sometimes I do wonder whether I should try living in Japan. Well, not in this lifetime I suppose. Getting diamonds is a lot more feasible to me than moving to Japan.

How does one create a Japanese immersion environment?

We did this little exercise in my Japanese class a week ago, asking each other about our future plans. What we’d do with our Japanese when we can speak the language one day. Interestingly, I haven’t thought about it thoroughly. I’ve no serious thought yet on what I’d do with my Japanese. (If I manage to speak it yet) Well, it be interesting to be a translator or perhaps a teacher also. 

It is nice to know that no matter at what stange in life you are in, you still can re-invent yourself. There are so many people going back to medical assistant school to become health care assistants, language schools to increase job opportunities, get a phd for a promotion etc. As for me, I’m learning Japanese for….. Hmm. Need to have a clear set of goal. For now it is between a translator and a teacher.

Hopefully, I will be able to figure it out in the near future.

I have been in a formal Japanese class for about four to five months now. With only one class a week, we are only going to finish the first Genki book on our next one or two classes. Then we’d go to the second book.  Though the sensei told us that our pace of learning is pretty good despite our one class a week, I still feel as if we aren’t going as fast.  But considering that it is difficult to find a Japanese class conducted in English along with a class mate, I’m grateful for the class.

Besides that there is also one site that I found recently to help me with my Japanese studies when I’m at home.  Especially for my Kanji. Check out japanese-language.aiyori.org. Aren’t you glad that you are a language learner living in the internet age? I know that I am in a better position learning Japanese compared to my father who had only the short wave radio to tune in to NHK radio for Japanese lessons. Heh, the net really does open the borders all over the world. I can read about Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina plans even when I’m not even living in North Carolina. Learning Japanese without going into classrooms is easier too.

Check out the website! I highly recommend it.