Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Konnichi wa!
I spent a majority of the day learning some Japanese. Obviously that is an easy one I already knew, but how in the heck am I supposed to start an entry with something like 'Thank you' or ' I'm sorry?' If you haven't watched Japanese Cartoon #2 yet (see links on the right), then this won't make sense, but shoyu is Japanese for soy sauce. I can also say mushiatsui, which means 'hot and humid.' That's what it is here. Just like Atlanta. Leave it to me to get a vacation exactly like home. Well, I guess I can actually read and talk to virtually anyone at home, but who needs those luxuries?
Apparently bank ATMs here only have systems linked to Japanese card services. You know, how the card has funky symbols on the back that let you use some other banks ATM? Apparently, there are tons compatible with mine in Japan, just not in Tsukuba. I found from the web that the post office may have a suitable ATM. If I have time after this, I may bike up to the nearest one. Yes, I have to bike while it is mushiatsui. Not cool! Literally.
I got to observe some teaching this morning. Went to chemistry, physics, biology, and geology. The only things I understood were chemical formulas, a picture of a test tube over a bunsen burner, and the Kreb's cycle diagram in biology. I guess I should take into consideration that they are reviewing for next weeks exams, but I am definitely handicapped over here. Maybe it can get me a special parking spot somewhere.
<'Seinfeld> What's the deal with kanji? I mean, is it a letter or is it a phonic or is it just some dead Japanese dude's scribblings after he had a bit too much sake? <'/Seinfeld> I got my first lesson in hiragana today. Basically the Japanese written language is made up of three, not one, character sets: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. If you think that's wack, how about the fact that the sentence 'I study at the library' when said in Japanese becomes the equivalent of 'Library at study?' And ji shin means 'self-confidence' in one set of kanji and 'earthquake' with some different characters. But it is said the exact same way! I think the reason Japanese are typically better at studying is that it was so hard for them to even learn to talk and write to one another.
I know I may seem negative sometimes, but realize that this is really my only chance to vent. I am having a great time, really. It sure as hell beats PlayStation 2, plus I'm bank after my regular teacher paycheck and my research stipend.
I spent a majority of the day learning some Japanese. Obviously that is an easy one I already knew, but how in the heck am I supposed to start an entry with something like 'Thank you' or ' I'm sorry?' If you haven't watched Japanese Cartoon #2 yet (see links on the right), then this won't make sense, but shoyu is Japanese for soy sauce. I can also say mushiatsui, which means 'hot and humid.' That's what it is here. Just like Atlanta. Leave it to me to get a vacation exactly like home. Well, I guess I can actually read and talk to virtually anyone at home, but who needs those luxuries?
Apparently bank ATMs here only have systems linked to Japanese card services. You know, how the card has funky symbols on the back that let you use some other banks ATM? Apparently, there are tons compatible with mine in Japan, just not in Tsukuba. I found from the web that the post office may have a suitable ATM. If I have time after this, I may bike up to the nearest one. Yes, I have to bike while it is mushiatsui. Not cool! Literally.
I got to observe some teaching this morning. Went to chemistry, physics, biology, and geology. The only things I understood were chemical formulas, a picture of a test tube over a bunsen burner, and the Kreb's cycle diagram in biology. I guess I should take into consideration that they are reviewing for next weeks exams, but I am definitely handicapped over here. Maybe it can get me a special parking spot somewhere.
<'Seinfeld> What's the deal with kanji? I mean, is it a letter or is it a phonic or is it just some dead Japanese dude's scribblings after he had a bit too much sake? <'/Seinfeld> I got my first lesson in hiragana today. Basically the Japanese written language is made up of three, not one, character sets: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. If you think that's wack, how about the fact that the sentence 'I study at the library' when said in Japanese becomes the equivalent of 'Library at study?' And ji shin means 'self-confidence' in one set of kanji and 'earthquake' with some different characters. But it is said the exact same way! I think the reason Japanese are typically better at studying is that it was so hard for them to even learn to talk and write to one another.
I know I may seem negative sometimes, but realize that this is really my only chance to vent. I am having a great time, really. It sure as hell beats PlayStation 2, plus I'm bank after my regular teacher paycheck and my research stipend.
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