In April of 2008, I did probably the most adventurous thing of my life. I went to Japan. My brother and his wife had been asking me to come visit for years. Even though I really wanted to, I always had some excuse not to. I didn't have enough money, couldn't speak the language, had responsibilities at home, etc. After meeting my super supportive boyfriend, James, I realized that Japan was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I needed to overcome the boundaries keeping me from achieving my lifelong dream of visiting a foreign country and immersing myself in its culture. I'm so glad I took that leap, because everything about Japan was amazing.
One of the things I was surprised to fall in love with was the language. My crash course helped me just enough to find a restroom in an art museum by doing the pee dance and saying to a security guard "Sumimasen....toire???" In fact, "sumimasen" became my favorite word to use in Japan. It basically is the polite "excuse me" of Japan. When I use it, however, it comes out "I'm sorry. I'm a stupid Gaijin, but I really love your culture. So, if you don't mind, could you please help me out. I'm so lost and understand my inferiority in your country." As a result, almost everyone there thought I was kawaii (cute). For an American, I did quite well learning some useful phrases and not completely screwing them up. Still, upon leaving the country, I wished I learned more of this beautiful and straightforward language. Leaving Japan honestly felt like leaving home. Even after only ten days there. So, I fully intend to go back one day. I have even been thinking of going there for a few years, once my children are grown, and teaching English as many of my friends have done.
Which brings me to the purpose of my newest blogging endeavor. A week ago, I wandered a Barnes & Noble with my good friend Larissa. I had no intention of even looking at any of the books. I was really only there for iced coffee and conversation. Still, Japanese In 10 Minutes A Day caught my eye. The first page presented me with a challenge. Can you say "Nan desu ka?", "Osake desu", and "Osake o kudasai" correctly. Why, yes I could! Did you have any idea what it meant? Why, yes, I sort of did! Then, I too can be one of those few Americans that speaks Japanese. I snatched that book up with a renewed purpose. I truly believe that this book will give me a solid foundation in the language I most desire to learn.
This was going to be a completely private project, until I saw "Julie & Julia" last week. I'm witty and self-defacing. I can blog. Why can't I do for learning the Japanese language via a book and CD what Julie did for learning to cook via a huge honking recipe book? Sure, there's probably not as many people interested in Japanese as are interested in food, but I'm sure I'm going to have lots of funny stories and tidbits to share along the way. Also, my readers will be able to impress their friends with random samplings of the Japanese language. So, it is set, my first blog in my language learning project. I hope I don't do this alone. I hope anyone reading this will continue to read on.
One of the things I was surprised to fall in love with was the language. My crash course helped me just enough to find a restroom in an art museum by doing the pee dance and saying to a security guard "Sumimasen....toire???" In fact, "sumimasen" became my favorite word to use in Japan. It basically is the polite "excuse me" of Japan. When I use it, however, it comes out "I'm sorry. I'm a stupid Gaijin, but I really love your culture. So, if you don't mind, could you please help me out. I'm so lost and understand my inferiority in your country." As a result, almost everyone there thought I was kawaii (cute). For an American, I did quite well learning some useful phrases and not completely screwing them up. Still, upon leaving the country, I wished I learned more of this beautiful and straightforward language. Leaving Japan honestly felt like leaving home. Even after only ten days there. So, I fully intend to go back one day. I have even been thinking of going there for a few years, once my children are grown, and teaching English as many of my friends have done.
Which brings me to the purpose of my newest blogging endeavor. A week ago, I wandered a Barnes & Noble with my good friend Larissa. I had no intention of even looking at any of the books. I was really only there for iced coffee and conversation. Still, Japanese In 10 Minutes A Day caught my eye. The first page presented me with a challenge. Can you say "Nan desu ka?", "Osake desu", and "Osake o kudasai" correctly. Why, yes I could! Did you have any idea what it meant? Why, yes, I sort of did! Then, I too can be one of those few Americans that speaks Japanese. I snatched that book up with a renewed purpose. I truly believe that this book will give me a solid foundation in the language I most desire to learn.
This was going to be a completely private project, until I saw "Julie & Julia" last week. I'm witty and self-defacing. I can blog. Why can't I do for learning the Japanese language via a book and CD what Julie did for learning to cook via a huge honking recipe book? Sure, there's probably not as many people interested in Japanese as are interested in food, but I'm sure I'm going to have lots of funny stories and tidbits to share along the way. Also, my readers will be able to impress their friends with random samplings of the Japanese language. So, it is set, my first blog in my language learning project. I hope I don't do this alone. I hope anyone reading this will continue to read on.
This is cool. My family and I also love the Japanese culture. Wished we too made a trip there, but heard is expensive.
ReplyDeleteMy favarite languages to learn are: Italian, Tagalog, and Japanese. I'm currently taking a few tid-bit lessons via Italki site. I think you'll find others to practice Japanese there. Check it out when you get a chance.
Cool! I'll check out Italki. I have some good tips on saving $ on a Japan trip. Think I'll use that in my next blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been fascinated by Japan since 6th grade when we had a paper house in our classroom the entire year - a fragile icon of an aluring culture. Your red hair in that pic is so Konnichiwa Anne -
ReplyDeleteDon't touch my moustache -