Category Archives: The Languages We Don’t Speak So Well
Docile Whale
Here’s one of those little things that amuses me far more than it should: my wife gave me this notebook to use at work. She said, “It’s friendly. The children will like it.” And it is and they do. But … Continue reading
Test Day
Well, the test is done with for another year or four. I think I did ok, but I don’t know if I actually passed or not and won’t find out until February. The first section of the test kicked my … Continue reading
Studying
Had a nice group study session after a piece of work today that went very nicely. The job was fun and paid well, and after, to be able to sit with friends who are taking the same test, was incredibly … Continue reading
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Impractical Linguistics
It’s no secret that I love languages. It’s also no secret that I think learning languages is a royal pain in the fundament. My students know that I study Japanese and Spanish, although I freely admit that I usually only … Continue reading
Brain Fried
This morning I woke up early, again, and got straight to work again. Did the dishes, picked up the debris stewn around the living room, cleaned and repaired M’s bicycle, washed and vacuumed the inside of both our cars, paid … Continue reading
Learned
Have you ever tried to learn a foreign language through a foreign language? I ask because that was my afternoon. On Tuesdays, between afternoon and evening classes, I usually go to the pool and get my swim on. Today, however, … Continue reading
Simplicity
Traditional Japanese art and culture celebrates simplicity and form. In Ukiyo-e, wood block printing, white, or blank elements are left on the canvas to emphasize the pureness of the forms depicted. In Ikebana, flower arrangement, single colors are chosen to … Continue reading
Blogging from Work
At my job, I have free reign to use the guest cubicles as a place to log on to the internet for a bit of e-mail and newsreading. While I appreciate the facilities being placed at my disposal, they have … Continue reading
From a Student Today
Me: Hi, (name) what’s new? 55 Year Old Grandmother Student: My son bought present for me. He bought washlet. Me: Like the toilet? Student: Yes! It is wonderful! It has hot seating and very comfort! It has two bidets…for two … Continue reading
Last Kyoto Notes
Saturday night, heading back to our hotel from the Gion area, the cab driver took us to the wrong hotel. We had piled into the cab and I spoke to the cab driver in Japanese, telling him the name of … Continue reading
Tourist Talk
Kyoto is a beautiful city. There are hundreds, literally, of shrines, temples, gardens, and historic places to visit. There are also some fantastic restaurants and shops tucked into the back alleys and side streets. I have now visited Kyoto four … Continue reading
Couldn't Make It Up If I Tried
There’s this TV show that M and I love. It’s called “Trivia” and features little stories about true, well, trivia. There are several commentators on the show, each with their own little buzzer that generates a “hey” sound, the phrase … Continue reading
CSS
I’m thinking about building my own website again, just so I can have a little more control (yes, it’s all about control) over the layout and design. However, to do this, I need to learn CSS and Javascript. That’s a … Continue reading
Hotel Kitchen Late Night
Ezio opened the door, a scowl on his weathered face. He pointed to the sign on the door that said the hotel closed and locked the front doors at 11 pm. Even for students. I shrugged and said “per favore?” … Continue reading
So Self-Concious
One of the hardest things for most Westerners to overcome while living in Japan is their own body conciousness. Traditionally, the Japanese are much less physically shy than we might suppose. However, a long history of public bathing has reduced … Continue reading
Rail Pass
Rail Pass Originally uploaded by SunToad. During June of 1994, I was lucky enough to be part of a student exchange program to Italy to study the Italian language and environmental practices. The trip was sponsored through St. Thomas university … Continue reading
Cheat Sheet #1
Right. Back into studying. Reviewing level 3 before getting serious stuck into level 2. Got 82% on tonight’s quiz which is ok, but not great. Anyway, here’s the first cheat sheet. For these grammar points, drop the 〜ます at the … Continue reading
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