春休みチャレンジ: Progress 1

Today was so sunny and beautiful!
While others tend to feel more distracted and want to go outside,
I get the opposite affect. It makes me feel focused and want to get stuff done.
Besides, I noted that being out in the sun, even just sitting around, tends to zap my energy. 


I still feel a bit flustered on how to go about studying my kanji. 
Why? Because:
1. I have way to many resources that I can't decide on the best tools.

• YouTube Videos
• Books
• Games
• Blogs

2. I always feel I should learn to write the kanji as I'm learning the reading.
3. I know radicals are important but none of my resources teach it.


Today I decided on using my Kanji textbook that goes with the Genki series as my main tool. I wanted to start making kun-yomi and on-yomi decks. Before I did though I stumbled upon Tofugu's blog post on twitter. A guide on Kanji stroke order. Most of it was review but it reminded me that learning radicals first is the most important thing for writing and understanding the meaning of the kanji. My book only teaches 14! 


I checked on Anki to see if there were any already made radical decks. I found two: Textfugu Kanji radicals and one just called Japanese radicals. I went through the textfugu one and I like it, but there's no hiragana to show how to pronounce the radical. The other deck does. So I will try to use the fugu one for meaning, and the other for reading. 


After I did this it hit me. Why am I trying to learn to read and write at the same time? Those are two different skills. One always learns how to read a word first before writing it, right? And this is a reading challenge not writing challenge. 


So, as hard as it is for me to stop the urge to write them out, I will only read them. I need to separate the two in my head. It will be hard but it will save time. It will also make better use of my time during my challenge. After this challenge I'll worry about writing. 


I hope I don't change my mind tomorrow.  

The Rewards of Japanese Study: Friendship

During spring break I met up with レイチェルちゃん from http://isitpossible.posterous.com for lunch in the city.
We live pretty far from each other and so the city is midway for us. We're both small town girls so 
it is slightly intimidating for me to travel to the city. Did I say slightly? I mean VERY intimidating. It was my first time taking public transportation to and from the city.


It'd be my third time seeing her.


We met back in 2010 when we both took the JLPT. Of all the places to make a friend! 
I remember the day well. I was so nervous about the exam. I went to the waiting area and the place
was full of Japanese language students. I had never met other language learners before, and being 
immersion self-student I was quite intimidated.  The place was packed and I looked for a place to sit. Of everyone in the room I saw レイチェルちゃん and she looked like a nice person. I asked if I could take a sit and she let me.


At first I didn't know if I should stay silent or if that'd be rude. I don't remember how but we stroke up a conversation and we hit it off. We see eye-to-eye in a lot of things, and we share the same faith. Which is a big and important part in my life. I remember as we talked I thought she was older than me, because she was so thoughtful in her words and so mature. I'm embarrassed to think I'm the older one. ^///^


I was so excited that I finally had a study buddy. (sort of speak) Someone who understands the interesting aspect of studying languages. Thanks to the internet we've been in touch ever since. Not until January of this year did we meet again. She's grown so much and I love our conversations. 


We went to a Japanese lunch place an we tried the ramen place this time. (We had gone to the yummy curry place in Jan) I spoke some Japanese when I ordered but I was shy of trying to use Japanese counters. I explained to Rachel that I have the hardest time with numbers in Japanese and Portuguese. I can't stand them. It's something that I should know with out  a problem at my level. 


Rachel agreed that things that are learnt at beginner level might not stick for self-studyers. It's not drilled like in school. So review and use is so important. 


I hope that I'll become brave enough to speak more Japanese to her. 

春休みチャレンジ: Extended deadline

I just wanted to write up a quick post.
I'm going to extend my challenge until the 29th.
I ended up being sick all of my vacation so it wasn't productive.
I don't want to give up on my challenge simply because I'm back in school.
It will be harder but I'll do my best!

春休みチャレンジ

Spring vacation felt like it was never gonna come!

Even though it is only a week I still think it would be a good time

to do a self-challenge.

In my first challenge I focused on speaking.

Even though it is still my weakest point, 

I want to focus on something else.

This time I want to focus on my second weak point: Kanji

When I first started studying Japanese I learned Kanji pronunciation when 
it is written as a word. I never learned on-yomi or kun-yomi readings.
Learning the readings is important so I want to go back to square one.
I hope that by doing this I can figure out how to pronounce a word when I see it.
I also hope to learn more of the radicals.
I want to be able to enjoy more of written Japanese.


What I plan to do:


I will use the script and manga section of Erin's Challenge for readings, and
to see how well I can follow the audio speed.


I will create a kanji deck on anki to review the kanji I've studied. 
I will be making sure to write an entry in my journal everyday. No matter how short.
I will focus on reading from one book or article for this challenge. 
I will use Genki Kanji book as my main resource.


I might add and remove material as I go along.


I haven't found the best method for me to study so this will be a good opportunity for me. 


Are you doing a spring break challenge?
Do share!

J-drama: Thoughts on １リットルの涙 (1 Liter of Tears)

The past two weeks I was watching １リットルの涙 (1 Liter of Tears).
It's my third J-drama I've seen. I always wanted to watch it because everyone raves about it,
but also people say how utterly sad it is and that always deterred me from watching it. 
I finally sat down to watch it and oh my were they all right!
I balled so much in the first episode. 
Once I got to episode four I had to take a break from it. 
When I picked it up again I went through two tissue boxes.
By the end of the series I couldn't help but keep reflecting on the show.


I finished it today, but I will watch the special tomorrow.
I also plan to watch the movie.
The drama touched me so much that I plan to order the English version of the book.
I'll buy the Japanese version afterward but right now I know I can't read it.
The quotes they showed were beautiful use of language.
I want to compare and contrast what was real and what was fictional from the book and drama.


The show has made me aware of our ability to be so mobile but we don't think about it.
The simplest things like typing these words you are reading are so difficult for some.
Every morning when I get out of bed I am aware of the ability to get up.
Before I was too busy thinking on other things as I got up, and never noticed the movement of getting out of bed. I have come to really appreciate every motion I make. 


Also that we all, no matter what disability, can plan our futures.


I think it touched me greatly, of course it's touched many, because I saw what my life might have been like.
When I was a baby I had meningitis. It looked grave. The doctor told my mother that if I pulled through I would most likely loose ability to walk. And would loose either hearing, sight, or ability to speak. Thank God I survived and didn't loose any of these abilities. I was always thankful, but now I am even more thankful. 


I love my ability to sing and communicate verbally in beautiful languages.
I love seeing what others create and God's creation and miracles.
I love hearing music and the sound of different languages. 
I love feeling the fresh air as I walk with my dog.
I am happy I can be independent and do things on my own and help others.


The drama also reminded me just how much I miss written communication.
When I lived in Poland I didn't enjoy reading or writing because I didn't understand.
When I came to the United States I was over joyed that people understood me.
I wrote in my journal everyday. I wrote stories, poems, and lyrics.
I read so many books.
That all ended when I got into high school. (It seems as teens we forget to be great-full)


I want to enjoy all these things again.
This sparked in me today when I was doing my Japanese homework.
It is a complete different experience/feeling when you write on paper instead of on screen. 
I want to enjoy writing in Japanese as much as I do in English,
and I also want to enjoy many many books too.


If you haven't had the chance to watch the drama I highly recommend it.
The Japanese ranking level is 2 by Adshap on Drama Guide.
(Read Ultimate Drama Guide Intro first if you haven't yet)


Have any of you read the Japanese or English version of the book?
Thoughts?
Do share!

日本人のパーティ

On Saturday I went to a pot-luck party with my 先生.
I was really nervous about going.
And actually almost chickened out.
I feel my Japanese speaking is still very weak.
I've had a few Japanese gatherings that I've been to that didn't go so well.
I also very much dislike 建前 at such gatherings.
Yes, this exists in every culture, but I am not used to the intensity of it in Japanese culture.
The feeling and doubts kept repeating in my head on my way there.

There was a lot more people there than I thought there'd be.
Apparently there is a small community close to where I live.
Which makes me very happy because most Japanese live near/in Boston.
It is also driving distance for me.

Going in we passed a few people but I was very shy and stayed close to my 先生.
It's funny, when entering Asian culture you would think that the aspect of bowing would
feel strange or hard to get back into the habit of. Thankfully it is so natural that I don't need to
think about when to do it. Though I need to be more aware about how low I should bow.
Everyone there was older though so I always bowed low.

An acquaintance of mine, みさん whom I met at a 飲み会 a couple of months ago, was there.
I was very happy to see her. It's very easy to strike up a conversation with her, and she is patient
with me. Even with my broken Japanese she understands me. I tried my best to talk in Japanese.
I remember saying something like, 「みさんの髪が綺麗です。顔はきらきらです。」
I wasn't sure if I used the word きらきら in the right way. I really want to add more onomatopoeia into my speaking abilities. I think there a lot of fun to use.
みさん is very fashionable and pretty and I really think she sparkles when shes in a room.I swear she looks like she popped out of a magazine. She was very nice to introduce me to some of the people she knew.

Then everyone had to gather round in a big circle and introduce themselves. I almost hid behind my teacher when we did this. At the same time though, its easier to make friends when people don't know each other. I had been standing on one side of the room and went over to my teacher. I thought they would have been going around the other way so I wanted to be the last one.
To my horror I was the second person!
I stepped up and took in a deep breath. Thankfully, a introduction speech is something I have practiced many many many many times during my commutes. Cause I know I will most likely blank out and loose my voice. So I basically didn't have to think about it, but I don't remember what I said. I do remember that I need a better way to close and need to elaborate.
If I did it right, I must have said, 「始めまして。ジセリとします。二十二歳です。大学生で専門はコミュニケーションです。日本語を勉強しています。よろしくお願いします。」
And then bowed. Then it was my teachers turn. I was thankful she elaborated for me and explained I was her student. So we went around and I sadly understood very little. A sir kindly asked if I wanted a translation but I declined. I wanted to try my best at listening. (But I kinda zoned out through most of it). One thing I noted was when it was a family talking, it was always the man who spoke. Is it a cultural subconscious thing to do?

After all the introductions we ate our dinner. Many spoke to me and tried to strike up conversation in English, but I would reply in Japanese. I wanted to have the basics of conversation at least in Japanese and then the more complex things in English. I had the pleasure of meeting ひさん at the party.  Another pretty acquaintance. (>< Every Japanese woman I meet is just gorgeous) We hit it off really well and talked about our language learning backgrounds, schooling, etc. She and みさん impress me so much with how diligent they are with learning English. I hope I can be as studious as them. ひさん also lives a few towns near by. So I hope to see her soon.

By the end of the party I hung out with ジョンさん (from my ぶろぐ７video) and 2 little girls. It was funny because the youngest kept challenging him to a Kanji contest. When he asked her is she knew the kanji she replied, "Uh ya, of course I do I'm Japanese duh." I couldn't help but laugh and I have heard this line more than once before. Being Japanese doesn't automatically mean you can read Kanji haha.

Before leaving I had the chance to strike up conversation with the sir from earlier. He is a translator and manly does it by phone. I wanted to hear more but we had to go. I always feel that being a translator could be a backup career for me and I do enjoy doing it. (Have had a few experiences doing it).
All in all the party boosted my confidence and I got to meet interesting people. I really hope I can keep in touch with みさんとひさん and make my Japanese speaking ability grow.

Tomorrow I get to go to Boston to meet up with レイチェルちゃん, the blogger of http://isitpossible.posterous.com/, and hopefully I remember my Japanese. Look forward to that entry.

冬休みがチャレンジ: Results

January felt like 2 months instead of 1 for me.
A long, tiring month.
School started and that meant getting used to a new schedule.
I was pretty excited for this semester because I only have class 3 times a week.
I planned out how I would study but I wasn't ready for physical health being low.
Second week of classes I was pretty sick and missed one of my classes.
Behind on schoolwork.
Third week I had insomnia every night.
Behind on schoolwork.
Last week and up till today have been trying to catch up on rest.
One of the worst feelings is not having the strength to get through the day.
Plus my work schedule hasn't been constant so it has been throwing me off.
I'm the type of person that has to have a set routine to be in the swing of things.
And boy has it been hard to set down a routine.

I finally feel better and want to make up for lost time.
Even though I couldn't study Japanese (as in sit down with my textbook),
I've been working out new methods and tools for my studies.
I've been using them for a week now and I'm loving it.
I will share these tools and tips in separate posts.
I don't want to have a long winded post.
And I will be posting a new challenge.

Anyways, on to the topic of this post.

In my challenge I planned to do the following:

• private vlogs everyday
• vlog once a week on YouTube
• Write in my journal everyday
• Build a phrase deck

My goal was:

• To be able to vlog without cutting
• Speak comfortably to my teacher and friends

I didn't record many private vlogs because I felt too self conscious. I did start talking to myself out loud. (Especially in the shower ^^;;) I always try to think in Japanese, but I feel saying it exercises the tongue. This habit result on a good experience which I will share soon.

If you're a subby to my YouTube channel (Thank you!) you will notice I didn't record any vlogs for my challenge. I felt I had nothing to talk about, but I did end up vlogging in Japanese in public. I feel this was a big step for me. I spoke in Japanese in front of my friends which I NEVER do. (except the usual words in Japanese when my friend  Bo-ya is driving haha). This was also in front of my new friend that speaks fluently. I was very intimidated but I figured just go for it. I was glad I did cause it ended up being the funniest part of my video.♪

I wrote more journal entries and I really enjoy doing that. My friend ののちゃん corrects them for me. (Which I'm very grateful. Especially since now she is back in Japan and busy) She has noted improvements in my Japanese that I haven't realized. This has boosted my confidence and I try to express more things in my writing. I also keep notes of her corrections so I can look over next time I write. 

I might post my entries here or just post them on mixi. Not sure.

I didn't build a phrase deck but I did write a lot of phrases down on paper. I just haven't gotten around to putting them on Anki. I have been putting stuff on my iAnki, but I will talk more about that later. 

Did I achieve my goal?

I wouldn't say the vlog part, but I will say I feel more comfortable speaking with my teacher.

I'm not that bashful around her anymore so that makes me really happy.

I will get more in depth about this though in my next post. ^^

SUCCESS! 

Did you succeed in your challenge?

Check out レイチェルちゃん's results.