That's what dreams are made of.

[forever_wandering]

 I was born in New York and spent my teen years being raised in Puerto Rico. Before we moved to Puerto Rico, however, I lived on GOVERNORS ISLAND. Had the island not been closed in '95, I probably would have been raised there. The island was re-opened to the public in 2003, but being overseas, I wasn't able to go and re-visit. So, imagine my excitement when I mentioned the place to R-san, and he said he wanted to go ♥ It's only open Friday-Sunday. Hopefully, we'll be able to go the Sunday we arrive because it's the only chance I'll have to go unless I extend my trip. 

I'm just....aaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! (((o(゜∇゜*)o)))めっちゃめっちゃめっちゃワクワク★★★★

The other day I was complaining about M-san calling me every day. I said I wouldn't be able to miss him if he didn't stop. Well, I haven't talked to him since Wednesday and now I'm like "WHERE ARE YOU SIR?!"  Oh Zia, you're really too silly. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
I've decided to put my focus on preparing for this trip to NY instead on what M-san is up to. There are still two weeks left until I leave but I'm the type of person who can never decide what to take and end up packing, un-packing, then re-packing my bag about five times. I'm the type of person who needs to pack an entire house for a three day trip. I pack everything I might-possibly-could need. This time however, I want to travel light. I want to take only what's necessary. My plan is to take a single medium sized bag.  

Hopefully, on the way to New York, I'll be able to get some major reading in! I late March, decided to try and read 神様のカルテ. It's my first attempt at reading a full Japanese novel. Unfortunately, I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to read past page 28. I want to try and finish this novel by the end of the year.  If I can do this, I'll definitely tackle the JLPT 3級. My friends believe that I have the ability to pass that exam now, but I don't have confidence in my own abilities. 
I guess part of me still feels insecure since I've never taken a proper Japanese lesson. People always ask me how it's possible when I attended a Japanese university, but basically, I entered the university as an international exchange student. The classes my adviser chose for me according to my major were all taught in Japanese. But we weren't aware of this, since the class book we had received had been completely in English. 

Basically, I sat through classes taught in Japanese, recorded lessons, then spent hours with an electronic dictionary and heavy tutoring. I passed all my classes the first semester. I was then offered a spot as a 4-year student since the university was breaking the contract with my home university. I accepted the offer and continued to take courses in a foreign language. I learned Japanese by simply living there and doing course work, which is why I can understand some difficult kanji but often miss simple grammar points. I don't have a steady foundation. Even though this doesn't keep me from being independent, it does make me feel insecure. Getting through this book will help me over-come that insecurity. 

Comments

[ninchu.livejournal.com]

I totally understand what you say about "Not having a good foundation". I took lessons when I was... 15? but since then mostly everything has been self-taught. Sometimes I still build strange sentences, confusing myself.
I think if you can read a whole novel in Japanese, you could easily do N3. Maybe get yourself some drill book (I like Alc's (link)) to see what's required. Always keep in mind you only need 60% to pass, and it's all multiple choice ;)

[kurikuribebi]

Aha, everyone always tells me that...but I don't want to pass by pure memorization.I want to pass because I know the language enough to actually use it. I had a roommate once that was throwing it in my face that she had passed N5-N3 and that I hadn't taken any. However, she couldn't even order food for herself. I don't want to be like that.

I have quite a few text books right now, but I work through them and it all feels so easy. I guess I know a lot already but because I don't have that foundation, I can't..I guess use it?

[ninchu.livejournal.com]

But you do talk to people in Japanese all the time, right? I'm sure you can use it. What part are you worried about the most? Grammar?

I once had someone online tell me, when I said that Japanese wasn't that hard (I was referring to the talking part) "Just wait until you have to take JLPT2, learn 1000 Kanji and blablabla, you will want to give up!" "Dude, I have N1." In the end, I know there are people who even take N1 but can't write a proper message. Still, in Japan they love certificates.

[kurikuribebi]

That's the one thing I can't stand. I don't want to pass this test because I memorized it all but then walk around not being able to do things because I forgot everything I memorized. I don't expect people to remember everything they studied for the test. I know that's impossible. But I do expect people to remember a lot of it and be able to use it. You said you passed the N1 for example. If you tell me that, then ask me to...I dunno...make reservations at a hot spring because you don't know how to do it in Japanese, I'd smack you.

Yeah. Grammar is part of it. I talk to a lot of my friends in Japanese because a lot of them don't speak English. That makes my Japanese pretty casual. There are no problems there. But when I have to do things like go to the bank. do presentations, make reservations, speak with police or doctors...I have mini panic attacks because I'm doubtful of what I'm saying.

I was using lang-8 for a while in an attempt to fix that, but it only made it worse.

[starling27.livejournal.com]

Aww i'm a terrible packer two, i pack for any possible wheather and occasion. I do try to pack light, but it never works out that :/

Not to mention when i come back, i could back with the double the amount i left with :/ bad bad jacy!!

[kurikuribebi]

LOL. This is what happens to me. When it's time to go home I'm like "What's going on? It all fit in here before!"

It's a shame. I don't use half the things I take, and I know I most likely won't use them...but I can't help it!

[starling27.livejournal.com]

Same, but then if you don't take something and you really need it, it really sucks lol. So its catch 22 really

[kurikuribebi]

It is! My friends don't seem to get that. I wish it was possible to just...I don't know...detach rooms from houses so that every time I traveled, I could just take the whole thing. Ha.

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

I totally respect how you went to a Japanese University and took classes in Japanese without having ever taken a formal class in the japanese language.

I'm almost done with my 2nd year in taking formal Japanese classes at my university, and thinking about ever going to Japan and taking classes taught in Japanese - I feel rather insecure about it. and really nervous about it, too.

I think you should probably take the N3. I think it's worth the try :)

[kurikuribebi]

Let me tell you, it was seriously a lot of hard work. Aside from my boyfriend coming over, I had no social life that first semester.
What saved me was that the majority of the classes at my university were lecture courses. I didn't really have to speak aside from the occasional 'hai' during attendance and for a presentation here and there. This is probably why my comprehension is so strong while I lack confidence in my formal speaking.

If you don't think you're ready for a full year in Japan, try taking one of those summer two week courses! Most schools with Japanese programs in the US have those, right?

I might take the N3. Maybe =) If I can finish this book. But I need tiiiime!

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

I dont know if my university has that, I don't think it does though >.> I'll have to see.

I was thinking of taking one semester, and if that worked, i'd go for another semester. The university I go to has an exchange student program thing with a university in Japan called Hakuoh University, north of Tokyo. And if I go there, they'd cover my tuition, boarding, & meals. I'll I'd have to really buy myself are the tickets to go there

[kurikuribebi]

+ Spending money, no? The most important part!

Oh, you can do that on exchange programs? I thought the period of time had to be decided before you left.

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

lol maybe you're right. I only know the general info, not the specifics. It may be that I would have to decide before hand.

[kurikuribebi]

You should definitely look in to it!

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

Yup, I plan to :)

[xbleedingheartx.livejournal.com]

Damn! Haha, careful what you wish for aye? I'm sure he'll call any day now. He's probably just teasing you and I bet he is missing you too.

I am so jealous that you can read Kanji, like no joke. I only know some Hiragana and Katakana. I have all the faith in the world that you'll be able to finish that book.

Yay for New York! I hope you get to visit the island as well. Take lots of photos while you are there, especially of the sexy men in leather. ;)

[kurikuribebi]

Well, apparently, the days he hasn't called me, he's been too busy teaching some chick Japanese via FB. I haven't checked myself, but this is what other friends told me. *Shrug* If that's his way of teasing, he's an ass.

It takes time to get there, but you'll get there too! =D

Ahaha. Yeah, I plan to! Hopefully I don't get arrested. I think my random stalking and picture snapping might make people uncomfortable. Haha.

[sillysoul.livejournal.com]

Good luck with your reading, I'm sure you can do it and pass the exam with flying colors!! :-)

I think that using the language you're learning is much better than sitting in class. --> that's why I sucked in French and still do! As an example my English started to get more fluent once I got English-speaking friends in middle school... and the way I see it now taking English lessons was just extra compared to using the language on a regular basis with my friends :-)

[kurikuribebi]

I think it's important to have a little bit of both. I mean I'm really glad that I can speak with my friends in natural Japanese. I'm often told that I sound native. I don't like having a panic attack though any time I need to do something more formal. For instance, I'm fully capable of say...opening a bank account on my own, without a problem. If you were to ask me how to do it right now, I could explain it in Japanese in a snap.

Now, take me to the bank and tell me to ask the banker a question, and I die inside simply because I'm thinking "Ok ok ok ok how would I do this in polite Japanese?"