It all began.......

.........with Hana Yori Dango....I think I may have owed my desire to learn Nihonggo to the ever popular F4. I enjoyed this show so much, that through my search for other shows to watch, I was introduced to the world of JDrama and JMusic. As I do not speak Nihongo, I was dependent on watching shows with subtitles. I jokingly said, what if I started to learn Japanese so that I can watch anything I want and actually understand the music that I'm listening to, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?

It may have started with HYD or the F4, but my interest to learn Japanese was getting stronger to the point that I was getting excited just thinking about. It wasn't just about watching dramas or listening to music anymore. I was interested in learning more about Japan. I researched schools - and finally decided to enroll at AITAS Japanese Language School.

Level 1 Course was a 2 hour 20 minute class each week for 8 weeks. Instruction was in Japanese - and I mean NO English - our notes were also in Japanese. Prior to the course, I didn't really know what to expect, my knowledge of Japanese were limited to sushi and sashimi - fine, I also know yakisoba and udon.....anyway, you get the point. I am happy to say that I survived the eight weeks and actually now have some Nihonggo stored in my pocket. I'm proud to say that I had written a diary and an essay during the course - though a Native Japanese speaker would probably think it was written by a kindergarten, not that a Kindergartener would normally do the things written in the diary - you know like drinking coffee on the way to work and stuff like that - what are you thinking!

I have this thirst to learn that I have this habit now that whenever I go T&T Supermarket - for those who don't know - it's a huge Asian grocery - to read the labels of goods with "Product of Japan" - you'd think that I am obsessed about the Nutrition Information - actually I am trying to decipher the "words". I could make out the Kana - but these critters called Kanji kept on coming between them.

A new objective - learn Kanji. I have researched books on learning Kanji for Beginners, gone to bookstores - what an overwhelming selection they have. Each book would contain different Kanji to learn - so which one should I choose for my level? I finally decided to buy "Read Japanese Today" by Len Walsh. The title of the book appealed to me - it is exactly what I want: to be able to read Japanese! The reviews for this book were great which also helped me in my decision to go with this book - true to the reviews - this book is great! I had just started reading it and never once was I bored - it made my learning Kanji interesting. I just finished Section 1 and looking forward to the rest of the book.

My wish.....one day - soon =) I will actually be able to read a Japanese magazine or newspaper =) not to mention converse properly in Japanese.

My next course starts in January 2010....join me in my journey to learning Nihongo........