Japanese Studies are fun!

So, I've decided to continue my studies again, on my own. The goal is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2. There are 4 levels, and Level 1 is the best. My plan is to take Level 2 in Copenhagen, and then take Level 1 in Japan. If I go to Japan via school exchange, or on my own remains to be seen.

But how does one study Japanese on one's own? Well, right now I'm reviewing the grammar and exercises from all my course books. And then I'm going to order books that prepare you for the knowledge you need for the different levels. And then you also need to "infuse" yourself with Japanese, that is to say that you just need to hear and read Japanese and don't care about the grammar and word-by-word meaning.

And I do that by watching anime, listening to Japanese artists/groups, and reading Manga-books! And that is so much fun. To actually be able to read fun Japanese comics on the original language and to get the original jokes, and the original style. Right now I'm reading the first book of the Naruto series. I've been reading D. Grey-man on and off since I returned from Japan, and I really like that series. But this time I got an urge to read about ninjas. Ninjas are cool! ^_^ Problem is that I only have the first four of the series in Japanese. When I get that far I'll might have to order some more from Japan, or read something else until I can go there! ^_^ Might just read D. Grey-man again from the start, to catch up with the story, and to hopefully understand more this time around.

I recently got told that I have a intuitive talent for narration, and I was really happy to hear that, since my plan is to work with languages and to use speech-skills. Would like to work with everything from International Relation, Diplomat, Interpreter, etc. And I really love Japanese and English. It's two very exciting languages, and incidentally two languages with simple grammar on a beginners level, but which gets more complex as one raises in level! ^_^ Coincidence? I think not!

Well... time to go to bed, and study Japanese! ^_^ Might sound crazy out of context, but those who know me know that when it comes to Japanese, I am not well! ^_^ And you learn really well just before you're about to go to sleep.

Talk to you later!

/pH

Happy Midsummer!

In Sweden we have Midsummer now. An event we celebrate with specially seasoned herring, fresh new potatoes, schnapps. And as dessert we eat strawberries with cream (not whipped), and sugar. Yum! ^_^ And of course, traditional dances around the Midsummer-pole while singing children's songs.

To the left you can see a Midsummer-pole. It's an old symbol for fertility, and the celebration of midsummer is an old pagan ritual to make the crops grow large and bountiful.

So Happy Midsummer! ハッピー真夏祭！ Glad Midsommar!

/pH

Japanese Word of the Day

Today's word:

再生

(さい・せい)

playback, regeneration, resuscitation

Yesterday's word of the day was

上書き

(うわ・がき)

to write over

^_

Friday night thoughts

It's late Friday night and time to write some rambling thoughts for you all to read! ^_^

Malin is in USA since this last Monday with a friend. I hope they enjoy themselves, and have a great time. I have received two text messages telling me they had arrived, and are alright.

As for me: I've been relaxing since last weekends hard trial. ^_^ And since the rain have been pouring down almost all week (if it didn't rain, it was cold!), I haven't had the chance to practice Taido on my own since last weekend. And this Sunday is the District Championships. It'll be alright, since I'm not going with the hopes to win, at all, just to meet some other Taidokas (Taidoka = person who practice Taido) from the rest of Skåne. This will be the first event where I can use my new Belt! Happyness! ^_^

As it seems I can't find any work for the summer, I spend my days either studying Japanese, or playing games. This last week I have been playing Dead Space from the start, with the purpose of getting some more Trophies. So far so good, 'cause I'm up ca. 5 trophies. ^_^ Also, I've completed Xi on Playstation Home, together with some friends from the English Message Boards. Many thanks to all of them for being nice people, and for teaching me what a Gary is! ^_^ There are some games i would like to buy now, but they will have to wait until I have some more money in my "Games Fund". ^_^

This has been a very tired and incoherent post, and I think I shall have to read it all tomorrow and do some corrections... For now: Good night. And good bye! ^_^

P.S. For any of you out there who might be interested in Japanese, or are studying Japanese, here comes the word of the day (more like the word of the post): 上書き

Without using dictionaries, write your guesses in the comments. D.S.

The Monday when everything happens

Good morning everyone!

Well, it's here. The Monday. Today it's time again to go back home to the parents to see them before they go to England, and I'm taking care of the house. It's been a weekend of travelling; first I went to Eslöv for a graduation, then home to the parents, so they could take me to Höganäs where I tried for the next belt. After that it were of to Lund, to repack the bag, and then of to Trelleborg, to see Malin before her trip to the U.S.A. And today it's time to pack again for home. ^_^

And early this morning, Malin and her friend Maria went to Copenhagen airport to go to America for two weeks. I really hope they have a great time, and enjoy their trip. And if you two should be reading this: don't shop too much! You have a limit on how much to carry on the flight! ^_^

As for my little trip to Höganäs, to try for the next belt: it was super. A big experience, theory-wise, technique-wise, and life experience-wise! And Micke who manages Höganäs Taido Club is a great guy, just as most of the people with a higher degree in Taido.

Well, it's time for me to eat breakfast, and to start packing! ^_^ Hope you all enjoyed my morning rants.

May the force be with you all! Always. ^_^

The day before the day

Now I've studied for yet another day. Getting rather tired of this, I must say. But tomorrow is the big day: the exam! ^_^

As I sit here in school, at the end of the day, I still worry if I know everything I should. I have done and gone through a summary of all the lecture notes. And I have practice transcribing words in the phonetic script for three days. And every time I test myself, I know the answer. But still, there is a little voice of doubt.

You can only study everything there is to know, and then you can't study anymore, they say. But I always feel that I have to study a bit more, in case there is something I've forgotten. Because when I finally sit there at the exam, and get a question about something I didn't even study, I will kick myself. So my biggest worry is not if I know it by the time for the exam, but rather if I know everything I should, or if I've forgotten anything.

But tonight I will get my mind on other things: Taido practise. The weather is lovely; the sun is out, and it's warm outside. Perfect conditions for outdoor practise. And on Wednesday it's time to get the next belt! So I really need today's practise, and the final organised one on Friday.

If you want to know more about what's happening in the Taido Club, just follow this link: reimeikan.blogspot.com

Now home to get changed, and then to prepare for tomorrow!

Live long and prosper!

/pH