?

Exactly 34 minutes from now I'm outta here! Each second that ticks feels like an hour. System has been erratic....up and down, getting me all excited when it's up, though my brain seem to be on diesel mode today - takes time to get warmed up and do action. Ahhh I feel sluggish - sooo ready for the weekend, even my sentences don't make sense.

29 minutes to go................

今日お父さんのたんじょうびです。

It's been two years..........

I miss you.

Ummmm............

So does being in the parcel delivery business immune one from getting a parking ticket? NO. Even if you're trying hard to deliver the world on time? NO.

The guy in blue says find proper parking just like everybody else.

UPS, FedEx......it's common to see parking tickets wedged between wiper and windshield on their trucks. They must budget for these things. Reimbursable expense? As long as they deliver on time? Who knows....they might be able to submit these expenses online. Well, just speculating.

That being said, I don't recall ever seeing a Canada Post truck with a parking ticket.

Not that I'm implying anything.....it's just an observation.

I could be wrong, so in future, if I ever see a Canada Post truck with a parking ticket, I'll be sure to take a photo.

So what was the point of this whole entry? Ummmm, I've got time to kill!

For lack of a better title.......

Yesterday, I was walking along Queen St during my lunch break, there was a lone guy stuck to a tree. Fine, you see all sorts along Queen St, leave them be......and as I was finally passing by, he unstuck himself from the tree and sure enough, on the tree were these words painted on them: "HUG ME" in big colourful letters. Then he casually goes along his own way.

So anyway.....after a loooong while I'm back! I had acute bronchitis, speaking of being stuck, no wonder my cough just wouldn't let go of me. I've lost my voice and everything, still I dismissed it as some kind of common cough (like a common cold ) Well, one night I suddenly started wheezing not not good so I went to see a doctor - he gave me some antibiotics to be taken for five days and a puffer for two weeks. My first time to use a puffer - it wasn't so easy it took me some time to get used to the rhythm, however, I may be doing it right cause no more but wheezing still coughing here and there - comes in handy especially when you need space during the subway ride - a cough is like a magic sound that drives people away from you - okay so it's not funny - just remembering the days when SARS broke out here in TO, that was scary.

So getting back.....I was on a roll, November was going to be the month that I was really really going to be diligent in my running (I recently picked this up as a hobby ) and then this nasty virus came - so down and out for about almost two weeks!!!!! Oh well just pick up where I left off!

Speaking of November, brrrr starting to get cold outside, as expected this is Canada afterall. It's once again time for my brown sugar to freeze! I can never figure out why it hardens everytime! It bugs the heck out of me! I suspect it must be moisture or as simple as I should change my sugar container into a better one! So you might think how many years have I had my sugar container - well it isn't really broken so I've never really thought to replace it.

Anyway.....it's Saturday, no more classes 日本語クラスは終わりました。今はクリスマスの休みです。１月又はじまります。

You wouldn't believe it but my Saturdays are booked with activities until January! It's going to be a busy season でも、楽しみます!

走りましょう！

さいきん私は走るをはじめました。さいしょにつかれさせる。でも、走った後にきもちは元気です。それはきもちがさいこうです！一週間に二回目は走ろうとする。外で走ります。今天気はいいですから。でも、冬の時外でとても寒いです。そして、じめんにゆきがあります。あぶない！何をどうしますか。よかった、たいいくかんに入りました。冬の時走るをつづけたい。ところで、私はｉＲｕｎ買いました。でも、ｉＰｏｄはいつもいつもやみました！よくない！とにかく。。。。今５ｋｍが走れます。べいきんの時は３３分です。三月後３０分できたい！たぶん、走るをあがらなければなりません。一週間に三回目走ろうと思っています。元気だったら、四回目走ろう？たぶん。来夏に１０ｋｍを走ることができたい！

がんばります！

Ｈａｐｐｙ Ｈａｌｌｏｗｅｅｎ

Ｈａｐｐｙ　Ｈａｌｌｏｗｅｅｎ！

今くもりです。今晩雨がふりませんだといいです。ＴｒｉｃｋｏｒＴｒｅａｔ行くですから。でも、今晩は寒いと思っています。寒いでも、行きます。子どもたちは楽しみですから。一年に１日だけ。たぶん、コーヒを飲みながら歩きます。じゃ。。。。楽しいと思っています。私も楽しみ（＾０＾）。

Tokyo Kitchen

I have finally eaten at Tokyo Kitchen here in Toronto.  I always hear about this place, the folks from meet-up group usually comes here for dinner after the meet-up even my sensei has said that it is おいしい。 I had to try it - well I finally did, the place itself was nothing fancy but if you came for the food I have no complaints - very good!  Though, I wouldn't go here if you were in a hurry because the service isn't fast food.  I think they may be preparing everything from scratch as you order which is fine by me because the food that arrived was well worth the wait.  For sure I'm going back, there's so much more on the menu that I want to try.

Now that's ticked off my list.....few more restaurants to go!  Now that's I've got every other Fridays off there's more time to explore (^-^)。

私のたんじょうびです！

今日は私のたんじょうびです！私の一番日。お父さんとお母さん、本当にありがとうのぜんぶ。かぞくも本当にあらがとう。

今日は私が元気です！今日はいいです！

レベル五 ２０１０年０９月１８日

昨日レベル五日本語クラスははじまった。私たちはレベル四のじゅぎょうがふくしゅうした。よかった！じゅぎょうは忘れた　「少しだけ」　( ;^^)。　夏休みの五週間から。でも、新しいぶんぽうもならった。さいしょのしゅくだいみじかい。作文じゃない。先生は「ｗａｒｍｉｎｇ　ｕｐ」と言いました。レベル五がむずかしいと思います。たくさん覚える。毎日勉強しなければなりません。それでも、楽しみます。

じゃあ。。。おやすみ。明日しごと行く。はやくおきる！

Back to School......soon.

Next Saturday is back to school once again for me.  Had a summer break for five weeks - it flew by.  From today, I have to seriously review past lessons.  Level 5...I'm looking forward to it, I'm sure it's going to be quite a challenge - more verb conjugations!  むずかしいとおぼえづらい！　がんばります！　

Summer's Last Hurrah?

It's the last weekend before Labour Day, of course, it just has to have crummy weather!!!  No matter, I am determined to enjoy it.  I'm off to an early start, got the day off tomorrow - yay - long weekend here I come.  So how do I enjoy this?  Come to think of it, having absolutely nothing that you have to do is precious in itself.

Well, we shall see.......

ラブシャッフル

I have just finished watching Love Shuffle, been putting it aside for sometime now.  Somehow I just couldn't make myself start to watch it because I wasn't sure how to take the story - "Love Shuffle".  I thought that it was going to be one of those shallow stories about changing partners and well......use your imagination.

I was surprised.  It wasn't what I expected it to be.  It got me hooked the first few minutes.  The show had a good mix of comedy that was witty, drama that wasn't overly so, and mystery that always made me look forward to the next episode.

Enjoyable!

My Cool Little Contraption

For a while now, I have been using my Nike for running and have been trying to figure out how to run with my iRun using my New Balance shoes.  I have even gone so far as searching the forums for ideas, however, most suggestions involve certain capabilities in the arts and crafts area and I am somewhat "sewing challenged", that's just not my cup of tea.  So when I found this perfect little contraption - by chance - I wanted to yell "Eureka!"  It's a pouch that seals with velcro, the perfect size for my sensor made of neoprene that you secure through your laces.  These little thing made me excited - this means freedom!  I can now run with any pair of shoes I want!

。。。。。

私は嵐のビデオを見た。今は午前二時だ。じゃあ。。。時間ねむる。明日はしごとへいかなければなりません。おやすみなさい！

Soup of the Day

I am feeling somewhat under the weather today and felt like having soup for lunch.  Just something light and did not make much effort to eat.  So I went down to the food court, ordered a small soup, went to the cashier and she says, "$7.35 please".  Seriously?!  A small soup - like a cup small!  I could have just as well ordered a heavier meal for that price.  So fine, the deed has been done.  I go back to my desk determined to enjoy every bite (or should I say slurp) of my $7.35 soup.

Admittedly it was good, still it could have been $4.00 cheaper.

もし。。。

昨日はさいごレベル四クラスでした。これはさいごレベル四のしゅくだい。０８月０６日私は作文を書きました。ぶんぽうはかんぺきじゃない、すみません。

今日はたからくじを買いました。今晩かったら、明日はすばらしいですね！

もし。。。五十百万かったら、私はぜったいたいしょくします。いくら、うちでも買いません。さいしょに私は旅行したいです。一年間日本にすみたい、そして、日本語を勉強しつづける。それで、北海度から沖縄までかんこうりょこうします。ところで、嵐のコンサートは見たい！ところはたくさん行きたい。かんこくも、タイも、ギリシャも、オーストラリヤも、フィジも。いそがしくて、つかれさせるになります。でも、楽しい!

私はうちを買わなければなりませんと思います。きゅうけいしなければなりませんですから。三大うちがほしいです。夏のカナダにいます。冬のハワイにいます。どこで一番うちと思います。大きいうちはほしいです。私のしんせきと友だちはいつでもきることができます。

でも、月曜日のしごとでみたら、私はかたなかった。まあいいけど、夢はむりょうでしょう。私の夢に何でもすることができます。

The Classics

I just finished watching "The Seven Samurai" by Akira Kurosawa.  A 1954 film, about three hours long,  I actually managed to watch it from beginning to end.  Now I feel like having to write my report as if I was in high school when we had to watch a classic film and write a report.  Not that anyone has forced me to watch this film.

This samurai film is definitely different from the new samurai movies these days, for one thing the whole movie is in black and white with no flashy costumes, all the same, it was good. 

Speaking of Akira Kurosawa, I have seen one other film of his tiltled "Dreams", though I am quite confused with the release date of 1990 cause I swear I have seen this film when I was in grade school and I definitely was not  a grade schooler in 1990.

。。。。じゃあ。。。。 it's time to say good night。。。。おやすみなさい！

どこですか？

これはしんじゅくですか？　いいえ、　ＮＹＣです！　

On my way to the Apple store on 5th Ave, I was surprised to find this sculpture.  Wiki tells me that this sculpture has actually been around since 1970 and is now on display all over the world.

One of these days, I will have my picture taken beside the one in Shinjuku!

明日ＮＹＣへ行きます!

でも、スーシクースをにづくりすることができません。　今、しゅくだいをおわったところです。　今ねむい！　たぶん、はやいおきる。　にづくりをしなければなりません。　そして、日本語クラスへいく。　

クラスの後楽しみりょこうです！

To those who get it.....

I found this shirt that said:

"To save time, let's just assume I know everything."

LOL

Happy Canada Day!!!

The True North Strong and Free

The Monday After......

It was definitely an eventful past four days here in Toronto; earthquake, vandalism, lockdowns......loss of common sense from some people (if they've had any to begin with).

The Monday after.....it's back to work for most people in the downtown core, though, things were not quite back to normal as yet.  My office building was still operating on enhanced security.  We were advised to come to work wearing casual clothes.  We were advised to have our G20 registration pass, work badge, and a government photo ID with us at all times.  As it turns out, it was good to have had these precautions.  I was on my way home from work, a protest was once again starting.  You never know what will happen during these things.

A lot has been said these past four days - anybody watching the media coverage should take the reporting with a grain of salt.

I, for one, support the police.  It was not an easy job keeping their cool while being taunted.  Professionalism must be maintained, safety of the public is foremost in mind.  It was an extremely difficult situation they were in.

I hope that they do not get demoralized by hearing all the detracting comments addressed to them.  Your hard work is very much appreciated.

Keep Safe!

Chaos in TO

The G20 wasn't supposed to be this way, unfortunately, violence has erupted in the city of Toronto.  I was able to witness some of it.  Was peacefully, having a slice at Pizza Pizza on Yonge and Elm when suddenly the windows were smashed in by black clad persons, as groups of protesters and maybe onlookers walked past and amazingly were calmly taking pictures while all these were happening.  The sound of breaking glass was frightening.  All of us patrons inside rushed back to the kitchen.  It was quite a tense moment as we were all watching these black clad persons finish up the whole front windows.  Unbelievably, not three minutes has passed after these black clad persons were gone, a customer comes into the shop with all it's broken windows and patrons huddled in the back kitchen and orders a slice of pizza.  Are Canadians cool or what?

Front St during the G20

A normally busy Front St days before the G20 within the orange zone.

えええ。。。。。じしん？

So where exactly was I when the earthquake hit?  I have not felt even the slightest tremor. I went out for lunch, walked around the PATH with my iPod plugged into my ears, lost in my music, did a little shopping along the way.  I came back to the office.....everyone has been ordered to go home. 

どうして？  Apparently an earthquake has hit Toronto that had windows rattling and desks shaking.  How could I miss something like that?  Seriously! 

At Work

It's Wednesday and definitely feels like a Saturday here at work.  It's dress down these past three days (so we blend in with the protesters, just in case.....for real).  It's quiiieeeeet!  Nobody around.  I am the only one on my end of the floor.  I have to keep moving around, otherwise the lights would go off on me.   I have my music turned up more than usual.  Emails are rare, my phone has rang about twice since I came in today.  Hmmmmm.....what to do?  Maybe this is as good a time as any to do my homework (-_o).

The Tuesday Before......

My workplace is located right smack in the middle of it all....yes, I am talking about the G20.  Heavy police presence in our office building.  Police (and horses) in riot gear in the surrounding area.  Perimeter fence right outside our doors.  Security personnel positioned at every entrance and exit.  Badge and other identification always at the ready.  Everyone has been expecting disruption to their daily comings and goings, surprisingly, there were none at all - none that I have experienced firsthand anyway.  I was able to come to work without any hassle.  Some feel very uncomfortable of the heavy police presence.  I actually feel that my workplace in these few days is the safest place on earth.

レベル４

今日はレベル四クラスのはじまる。

楽しみ！

.....can't think of a title

I must have a "talk to me" sign hanging above my head today. Everyone just seems to be in a really talkative mood. This guy however, tops my list. As I was leaving from the office, there was somebody by the elevator banks who at first seemed lost, he said "hi" in the most enthusiastic voice, so I said "hi, can I help you?". "Oh no, he says, I'm just saying hi." Okay....but then he goes on "It's Friday after all".....uhmm, what if it wasn't a Friday?! He gets on the same elevator as me and still goes on about his plans for the weekend...okay, now I know his big plans - since it's going to be a longer weekend for him, rather than just cleaning the floors of his apartment, he is gonna go all out and clean the bathroom as well - all these in a span of 80 seconds from the 21st floor to the ground floor. Thank the heavens the elevator doors opened as he has just asked me what my plans were for the weekend - I wasn't about to let him know that it isn't as exciting as cleaning house.

がんばります！

Yesterday, the trainer at the gym gave me a new program. It was short but intense, I was shaking at the end of the session, and man am I feeling it today. However, I do aim to be able to do them without huffing and puffing and with good form at the end of six weeks.

がんばります！

Luminato 2010 Toronto....Light on Your Feet

Dropped by Yonge-Dundas Square tonight to check out the J-Pop night of the Light on Your Feet performance of the Luminato 2010 Festival....was able to catch De De Mouse (デデマウス）, his music was catchy and bouncy - sort of.  Only stayed for his first performance though as it was getting quite chilly outside, grabbed a not-so-Japanese dinner then on home sweet home.  Checked out his other performances on YouTube - pretty good, the sort of thing that you would move with while holding a bottle of beer - I would anyway.

Manga....

I haven't really been reading mangas until now as I really wanted to read it in Japanese - however, as that seems to be a long way coming, I decided to read an English version, of course, of all the luck, I happened to innocently pick one that still does not have an ending.  The manga is ongoing, and has been for the last six years, which means that I'd have to wait for months in order to find out the "what happens next?".  However, at this point in the story, it's more like "okay I just want to know how it ends" as it has become too melodramatic for me.  It started out as fun, but there's bound to be lots of complications as it has been going on for the last six years. 

That is why I don't like watching soap operas - I just do not have the patience of having to watch problems being dragged on for the whole week and then it becomes Friday....Saturday and Sunday drives you nuts, wondering what the heck is wrong with the girl, why doesn't she say something! anything! wallowing in misery - argh, anyway....I digress, back to my manga - it drive me nuts to wait two whole days to find out "what happens next" imagine having to wait two whole months?!

I'm moving on.......I hope they all have a happy life.  If by any chance in the future I happen to come across the manga again, I hope it has a proper ending that I can read.

Morning Prayer

"Dear God,

So far today, I've done all right,
I haven't gossiped, lost my temper,
been greedy or grumpy, been nasty,
selfish or overindulgent.  I'm thankful for that.

But, in a few minutes, God,
I'm going to get out of bed.
And from then on, I'm probably
going to need a lot more help.

Amen."

Kare Kano.......

I have just finished watching the anime "Kareshi Kanojo no JiJou" or Kare Kano for short.  I happened to come across it when I was searching for something watch.  The synopsis seemed interesting so I made a go for it.  By the way, I am not doing a review here....just what I thought of the show. 

In general, the show was good but it was weird during some episodes.  One episode showed all the characters in stick figures, you could literally see the drawings on paper stuck to lollipop sticks moving about the screen.  There were a lot of recaps and I mean a lot of them.  Most each episode would have a recap so imagine going through the story and by the time you get to about episode 20 - how long would that recap be right?  There was even one episode dedicated to just recaps.  I've learned the this was due to budget constraints so they have to make do with whatever I guess. 

Prior to actually finishing the anime, I've read a lot of reviews about how the ending did not have a closure at all and that you should read the manga.  At that point I was having second thoughts about finishing the show, however, the story in itself was good if you overlook the lollipop sticks and the multi-recaps.  I gave it a chance...I read the manga ending for which I was satisfied with considering they were still together after sixteen years with three kids.  The anime ending with the manga ending - I am satisfied with the whole show.  I am not so much a manga reader so therefore, it does not bother me if I don't know what's happened between the time the anime ended and the manga ended.  I've read bits and pieces out of curiousity, there were a lot of ups and downs, dark episodes and such - that's okay I don't need to know all that.  For me what's important is that they've made it through all that - I'm sure there's going to be more ups and downs ahead but such is life. 

Why I liked this show was because it did not have these love triangles and typical complications of a romantic story, but rather focused on the relationship developing between the two characters and how they've grown together. 

Garbage Cans.......どこ？

As Toronto gears up for the G20 Summit coming up in the next couple of weeks, garbage cans along Front and Wellington have all disappeared, instead you will see large plastic bags tied on the posts - clear for litter and blue for recyclables.  I've never really paid attention to these until I needed to throw away something and couldn't find a garbage can anywhere.

Unless Toronto is trying to revamp the looks of its garbage cans my only conclusion is that these things are a safety issue for the G20.

Writer's Block - Cleared!

I'm happy to say - actually more like relieved - that I was able to come up with something for my essay.  All I needed was a good night's sleep.  Though, the good night's sleep wasn't intentional, I literally fell asleep while "relaxing" trying to come up with something, so I woke up before the roosters this morning and there you go.

I went to last night's Conversation Club armed with 4 questions.  I decided to just go with the flow, and of course, my questions were gone the first five minutes.  However, the conversation was going really well, before we knew it, a whole hour has gone by.  Looking forward to the next Conversation Club.

Writer's Block?

I am absolutely stuck!  I had a break for two weeks being the Victoria Day long weekend.  It is now Friday - two weeks after - back to school tomorrow and I still cannot come up with anything to write on my essay.  The topic is not so easy, something along the lines of "。。。。なければなりません".  If I were to write in English, my pen would be flying by now.....how do I say it in Japanese?  I don't have the energy to rack my brain - battery drained.

As well, tonight, I am going to the Conversation Club, which means that I have to come up with questions to make the "conversation going smoothly", however, it never really goes according to the script.  Maybe I should just write down my standard questions and use it everytime, though, I think that would really defeat the purpose of the whole thing as we are expected to have more "sophisticated" sentences as we progress.  Honestly, I am far from there.

I think I need a coffee right about now.

２０１０年０５月２３日

Lately, I find myself watching a lot of Korean shows.  I think I hear some words in Korean that are similar to Japanese and they sort of mean the same thing - maybe the origin of the word is the same?  Anyway, in most of these shows they have this sort of rice dish wherein they mix rice and all sorts of things in one big bowl and eat.  It looked really good, however, I have noticed that in most every show, the character would usually be depressed or have some sort of problem when they are eating this....is this the Korean version of a comfort food?  In any case, after watching all that, I suddenly had a craving for bibimbap - yum!

2010年05月05日

It's been awhile....what have I been up to.....well, I've been to one Conversation Club and two meet-ups since last post.  I'm trying to practice as much as I can.  Writing is hard enough but it gives me time to check and double check my sentences plus look up words in the dictionary, while speaking is so much harder cause you have to have the words right off your head.  Anyway, がんばります！

I have also started Kanji class last Friday - it goes for an hour and a half.  Though it's a good class, I think I still have to do some studying on my own to learn as much Kanji as I can.  I do not aim to master Kanji - though that would really be nice (^_^) but I'd like to learn enough to be able to enjoy the magazines while waiting at my hairdressers - yes, it's in Japanese.

I downloaded an App for iPhone called iKanji.  I really like this App, it teaches you the Kanji meanings, compounds and stroke order and you get to test yourself.  It is also classified by JLPT Level and by Grade.  Since I have it on my iPhone, it's very handy.  I play with it while killing time.  I used to play Chuzzles while waiting in line - now iKanji is my game.

２０１０年０４月１７日

It's another Saturday.  It felt like this week went by pretty fast.  It couldn't have been the weather as it was crappy most of the time.  You get weather forecasts telling you that it's going to be a nice 18 degree weather outside, so you dress up for it, only to find out that they might have made a typo on the 8 there. 

Today, I hand in my essay.  I had been mulling it over since last Saturday - what to write, what to write?  Days are ticking away.  I had finally decided to write about my trip to New York.  So with my currently ;-) limited Japanese, I wrote my essay.  I wanted to write so much more, however, at this point I still do not how to write more complex sentences, so I had to settle on writing about things that I knew how to write.    Anyway, I do notice some improvement now from Level 1 and I'm happy with it.

I was going to go for a morning run - but brrrr cold - so here I am sipping my morning coffee - warm and cozy, waiting to get ready for class.

Hi-ho Hi-ho! It's Off to School I Go!

First day back to class Level 3 yay!  This is exciting!  If I were this enthusiastic in those days of school, my Dad and Mom would probably have pinned more medals on me (^-^).

Actually what I said above isn't true - I was enthusiastic too, I wasn't a slacker,  I just thought differently.  What made me realize that?  It wasn't any sudden revelation, rather, when I realize that some of my reactions and decisions now to certain situations, wouldn't necessarily be the same as my reactions and decisions back then, I think to myself - oh I've grown up!

Though my Dad and Mom did not get to pin numerous medals on me - I think I turned out with a good head on my shoulders and I'd like to think that they are proud of me (^-^).

Home Sweet Home

Finally back in Toronto last night.  The trip back wasn't as long as the trip going to New York - it was two hours shorter, so it still took about 13 hours.  Though the train ride was long, it was a relief not to have to look for parking and move the car every night.  Looking for parking in Manhattan is a nightmare!

It was a good short vacation - did not do much shopping this time but rather went around the city a lot.  Went uptown and walked not-quite-in-Central Park. Went to the Apple store which is always crazy full of people - they were going to launch the new iPad the next day - gotta check that out - when all the hoopla dies down.  This was the first time that I actually walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.  It was a good 20 minute walk, lots of people on the bridge.  On that one day been to the three boroughs - Manhattan - homebase, Brooklyn - walked Brooklyn Heights for the first time too - and incidentaly saw someone with an iPad - he must been one of the first to own one as it was only launched the day before; and Queens - had a late lunch at a Thai place.  Took the subway majority of the time - the New York subway makes me claustrophobic everytime, especially when I look down and realize its multi-levels and think how far below I am.  And oh yeah, when in New York I never miss to have dimsum at Golden Unicorn in Chinatown.

After my New York "getaway" which I was spoiled with, with great weather.....here I am back in Toronto with not so great weather - it is 10 degrees colder! reminding me I'm back in Canada.  As I was on the train ride back - I can feel bad colds starting to creep into my system and - voila! - I wake up this morning with a major headache that Tylenol couldn't get rid off and yes - bad colds finally made its way into my system.

Home Sweet Home.

２０１０年０４月０３日

Thanks to アレックスさん　who has so far been patient in helping me with my Japanese writing skills.  Even during my break I still get to practice.  Speaking skills still to be tested.

So I am into my second week of break from classes (which means classes start again soon!) and have decided to spend Holy Week - or Easter Weekend - in New York City.  I took the train for which next time I am going to think twice before doing - the whole trip took 15 hours!!!!  When I booked, I was promised with wifi connection all throughout the trip, but since it was a crossborder trip I was actually taking an Amtrak train rather than a Viarail train - somewhat like codeshare flights - so no wifi!  We spent two hours at the US-Canadian border when we had to turn off all electronics which means my cellphone and laptop was of no use.  When we finally moved it crawled at a snail's pace (I think definitely not a しんかんせん） I mean really no exaggeration there, we also had to stop several times - in between stops mind you - because the temperature was becoming too hot - whatever - I couldn't really pay attention to all the announcements anymore - as long as I was on the train and it was headed to NYC, that was all I cared about.

At times like these, rather than get stressed out about it - it is my philosophy to make the best of the situation - so I planned in advance, I loaded my laptop with shows that I could watch on the trip - yes, Japanese dramas, and I brought my workbook along, and lots of paper for my scribbles.  Of course, never leave home without it - my dictionary - which just happens to be on my iPhone - so all is good (^_^).

Here I am in New York finally, the long trip was well worth it - we have really great weather this whole weekend!  I have two more days til I have to endure that train ride back.  Really if I were on a plane I'd be in Tokyo by now.

２０１０年０３月２４日

I just came back from a full day town hall.  Let me tell you, the first thing that you do after the town hall is to take off your name tag.  It's a good thing I had my coat on, otherwise people from downtown all the way uptown would have known my name.

So anyway, I have a two week break from 日本語 class before Level 3 starts again in April.  Every level goes on for eight weeks so I kinda have a routine going every Saturday for those eight weeks.  Hmmm......the next two Saturdays....ひま、どうしますか。。。(^_^) 来週　私は　NYC へ　行きます(^_^)。

２０１０年０３月２０日

Today, was the last day of my Level 2 class....I'm on my way to Level 3 すごい！  What can I say so far?  Level 2 definitely wasn't easy, however, the way the class was conducted was interesting, therefore, rather than feel frustrated, I didn't much feel how difficult it was.  I come out discovering something new after each class, this is especially true when I am writing my にき or when I am watching a show.....ah so that's how it is.  

The most common question I get asked is: 　どうして　日本語を 　べんきょうしていますか。　Why are you studying Japanese?

どうして。。。。　Just because.....I want to, I like it and I am interested.  I think that is the strongest motivation....and not because I have to.  Hmmm.....I think that's going to be my official answer from now on (^_^).

I have also attended my second Conversation Club last Friday which was fun as usual.

Tonight, I went to a Language Exchange meet-up....wanted to try something outside of school just to see how it was.  It was pretty interesting.  I ended up having a one on one with a native Japanese speaker who is studying English here in Toronto.

So how do they compare?  They are different.....but I think both are good opportunities to practice my　
日本語。

Choya Umeshu

I finally found umeshu at the LCBO, I was looking all over the store but couldn't find it, good thing I have my trusty iPhone, showed the LCBO guy the Choya from their website - of course, he says, we have Choya and directed me towards the "New Zealand" shelves....ummm....there was no way I could have found Japanese Plum Wine under New Zealand - I wouldn't even think about it - they aren't even neighbors are they?  Anyways, it was actually on a shelf behind "New Zealand".  So these things are not cheap.  It was $31.50 for this bottle.....but as I have been looking for it - I had this kind of obsession that I had to have it.  I couldn't very well not buy it when I finally found it.  And by the way, it isn't plum wine - it's Ume Liqueur.  Ahhhh.....now I get it:  Ume = Plum,  Shu = alcoholic drink.

(^_^)  Looking forward to enjoying this stuff (^_^)

2010年 03月 07日

Yay!  Spring is really just around the corner, such a nice day outside が　such a headache I have!!!  I think I would be an embarrassment to my college drinking buddies if they knew that after a pint and two bottles I'd be having a headache the next day - not a hangover mind you, just a headache - not too bad considering I'm out of practice - not counting those nights when I sneak a bottle while watching my favourite shows - yeah yeah maybe not something to be proud of......so anyways!!!

Yesterday, after　日本語クラス　my classmates and I went over to the Japan Foundation on Bloor St to see the photo exhibition and check out their library.  The library had LOTS of manga (in English and Japanese), it is a regular library where you can get a library card and borrow stuff - meaning I can borrow the manga for free が　at this point though if I cannot read the manga in Japanese, I really see no point in borrowing them as it defeats my purpose of reading the manga.

それから　we walked to Guu Izakaya on Church and a little south of College, we were in line to get in at around 4:40pm - the place opens at 5:00pm.  Too excited to get in?  Weeeeell.......we were actually glad we came that early as 10 minutes after we got there the line just kept on growing.  This is a new place in Toronto - I think just about a few months old so not sure if it was the novelty of it being new that the line-ups are quite long, however, the concept of the place is supposedly like a Japanese bar wherein the staff would yell out the orders - pretty much a loud and lively place.  There is a two hour limit by the way - which was okay as the place was quite pricey and the servings were small (but beautifully presented).  We shared our orders so we got to try different kinds of stuff - one of my favourites:  Maguro Tataki.  I as well discovered Ume-Shu (Japanese Plum Wine) - gotta look for this at the LCBO (^-^).

After we dispersed (as we had the two hour limit).....I was on to my second party - a birthday party - you gotta be proud of me - I was nowhere near the microphone!  That could also have contributed to my headache - I was exercising self control not to sing the whole night!!!

So here I am today, nursing a headache - though I am not about the waste such a great day outside - so what's on for today......I shall see.......

Congratulations Team Canada!!!

Hockey Gold!  

Is Winter Over Yet?

私は　あたたかい　どこに　行きたいです。　トロントは　冬に　さむいです。　ハワイ　へ　行きたいです、　それから　かいがんに　さんぽしたいです、そして　つめたい　こうちゃ　を　のみたいです、そして　いちぼつ　を　見たいです、　が　ここに　トロントです。　うみ　では　ありません、　そして　とても　さむい　です。

I want to go to a warm place. Winter in Toronto is cold.  I want to go to Hawaii and walk along the beach, drink iced tea and watch the sunset, however, here I am in Toronto where there is no ocean and totally cold.

２０１０年０２月２０日

Last night I had to cram writing my journal plus my homework.  I had to gather all my thoughts for the past five days and put them down on paper, not such an easy task to do last night as I was coming from a two day workshop which had tons of brainstorming sessions - at least in English (^_^).  At the end of each day I had huge headaches that all I wanted was blessed silence and total darkness.  Last night I had to force myself to write - at least I finished it.

So anyway, the workshop itself was interesting.  It was about finding out your workstyle preferences.  Each of us have four colours in us, your dominant colour would be your most preferred workstyle.  My dominant colour is Blue - I am a Cool Blue.  We were all given our profiles based on the questionnaire that we had to complete prior to the workshop.  I won't go into detail.....anyway, as per my profile, some of the barriers of communicating with me, DO NOT: Stand or sit close to me:  I swear it was written on it, I think I am going to put a sign up on my workstation:  "She Bites!"  Taken literally I found it quite amusing, however, when I thought about it - it does ring some truth.  This was a really cool workshop, I mean, I do know myself but actually having it put to words and reading it was somehow a revelation:  "Ah so that's how it is!" 

Five Days Off!

今日はから　水曜日間で　私の　休み　です。　五日　私は　しごと　行きません。　が　いそかしい
です。　私は　サーミーの　あたらしい　学校　で　行きます。　ろれから　サーミの　プレズント　を　
かきます。　それから　サーミは　ともだちに　あげる　プレズント　を　かきます。　ろれから　ケーキー　を　かきます。　サーミの　０２月１７日　たんじょうび　です。

I am off from today to Wednesday.  I do not have to go to work for five days, however, I will be busy.  I am going to Samantha's new school, after that, I will buy Samantha's present, give-aways, and cake.  It is Samantha's birthday on February 17.

 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　へ　　へ
 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　の　　の
                                                               　　　　　　　　　も
 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ノ

Orange Days

私は　はじめて　オランジデイズ　を　見ました。　ドラマ　に　つまぶきさとし　と　しばさきこう　です。　今まで　ものがたり　は　おもしろい　です。　私　好き　ハッピエンド　です。　ものがたり　は　ハッピエンド　ですか？

I have just started watching Orange Days.  The drama stars Tsumabuki Satoshi and Shibasaki Kou.  So far, the story is interesting.  I like happy endings.  Will this story have a happy ending?

......about this entry......

Learning Japanese is fun.  Watching animes can be called part of my education (^_^).....I have not quite made it to reading mangas as yet.  Watching Japanese dramas are quite entertaining too - when would I be able to say that watching "teleseryes" is educational (^_^). 

I have been putting off watching this show - Orange Days, the storyline seemed too much of a drama to me, however, there are a lot of good reviews of this show that I said - ok  ok I'll give it a try. The first episode got me into the story right away.  It is a drama about a girl who used to play the violin but gradually began to lose her hearing, then she met the boy.....and so on and so forth....so anyway, by this time I actually only have two more episodes left til the end of story - so is it going to be a happy ending?  We shall see........

Raw Chicken Sushi - Tori Sushi

私は　とりすし　を　インタネト　で　けんさく　しました。ふつう　の　では　ありません。　とりすし　を　
たべません　でした　みらいに　たべません。　なまの　とりすし　を　きみよう　たべます．　私は　
とりにく　を　すき　つくます。

What I mean to say above is.....

I searched the internet  about tori sushi.  It is not common.  I have not eaten tori sushi nor am I going to eat it in the future.  Eating raw chicken is strange.  I prefer my chicken meat cooked.

.......yeah yeah my sentences are choppy - still as I say - what the heck this is my blog (^_^)

How this entry came about.....

When I heard about tori sushi, it made me curious because even our sensei hasn't tried it.  So I searched the net....wouldn't you know it some people have actually tried it - all I can say is - ewww.  I've always been one to say that before you say ewwww - give it a try first - if you don't like it fine, if you do then good.  But the very idea of eating raw chicken just makes my stomach queasy.  I will eat raw seafood - but to me any animal that lives on land should be cooked before eaten.  However, I do eat raw eggs - given time they would eventually become chickens - so does that mean I've tried raw chicken?

２０１０年０２月１１日

I am going to start writing my にき here, first in Japanese and then what I mean to say in English and after that - ALL of the things that I really want to say but am unable to form sentences for....ah really, it is so frustrating when I am unable to express myself and just settle on having to say it in simpler terms.  The message doesn't come across in the same way obviously - but I am challenged everyday.  Everyday I would think of something to talk about, mull over it, how do I say this, what do I want to say - though I could go on and on about it in English - a four line paragraph would be it in Japanese - maybe a four line paragraph is even taking it too far (^_^).  It would take me a whole day to "perfect" my entry.  Always with a notepad and my iPhone - the best investment by far on my iPhone apps - Oxford Beginner's English-Japanese dictionary which enables me to search in English and Kana.  I would jot down thoughts randomly and arrange it at the end of the day.  In my mind, I try to translate my everyday activities in Japanese - so if you see me lost in thought - well, I probably am lost inside the word search.

Nothing sophisticated in my entries as yet - I'm only currently at Beginner Level 2, though as I progress in my learning it will be interesting to read back my "where-I-was-and-where-I-am-now".

So anyway, I'm going to start writing the entries on my next post.

２０１０年０２月０６日

What shall I call these tidbits that I learn in class..... apparently the Japanese are fond of drinking especially after a hard day's work.  It is such the normal practice that after 10:00pm the first car is dedicated as a "Women Only" car - get it? (~ _^)  We were humourously discussing some of the differences - mind you these are light hearted conversations and is in no way meant to offend anyone.  Canadians would normally trod to the fitness centre after a hard day's work (as if they weren't already working themselves hard enough during the day) however Japanese would go drinking - yay way to go!  It is okay for Canadians to refuse a drink however a Japanese refusing a drink is "unbelievable!" and get poured a drink anyway - morale of the story just drink and be merry (^_^).

Hmmmm......so am I really learning Japanese in class....はいはい, since there's no class next Saturday, that means we have to write 2 weeks worth in our journals PLUS a てがみ for sensei.

がんばって！

My First Conversation Club Meet

I was looking forward to attending the conversation club, wondering how it was going to be for one whole hour of NO ENGLISH, considering I can put all my knowledge of Japanese in my pockets - but since it's winter time - my jacket pockets included =)  Armed with my written down questions plus my mini electronic dictionary there I bravely went.  There were four of my classmates plus two native Japanese speakers seated at our table and we actually had a pretty good conversation going.  As the conversation was going there were times that I totally forget to use correct grammar as long as I can convey what I mean and this means gestures - yeah like charades - and pretty much broken Japanese:  "Hanami sakura ichiban doko desu ka?"  - that's just an example.  It was muzukashii however really fun and challenging.  I would definitely do this again!

すしをください

In class today I learned the proper way of eating sushi (^_^) おいし!  One is not supposed to mix and stir the wasabi into the soy sauce, just put a little bit of wasabi onto the sushi, and then dip the sushi  A LITTLE BIT into the soy sauce and remember NOT TO DIP the rice part of the sushi onto the soy sauce.  When eating in a sushi restaurant, if you sit at the sushi bar, you eat the sushi using your hands, therefore, pick up the sushi and pop into your mouth, if you are seated using the tables you can eat using chopsticks.

Homework today: workbook plus writing our journals - what to write what to write. 

Til next time gotta write my 日本語にき。

Back to School

It's back to school tomorrow! Yay! 

I'm off to bed sooooo sleepy, I need toothpicks to prop up my eyelids.

おやすみ　なさい！

Untitled

Just because I couldn't think of a title......

I finally finished the book "Read Japanese Today", well actually I finished it a week or so ago.  The book was interesting, I can now recognize some Kanji, more than what I used to know anyway. This book however does not have stroke orders for the Kanji.  I prefer to learn the Kanji along with the proper stroke order.  The summary at the end is helpful, but I find that I am able to remember the Kanji more if I practice writing it while remembering what it means.  The summary is a good reference if you already know how to write the Kanji, therefore, I am on to my next search for my next Kanji book - with stroke orders preferably.

Voltes V

I just finished downloading Voltes V - yes, the cartoon from way back when. Am looking forward to watching it - brings back childhood memories.  I remember this was shown every Friday afternoon therefore, I would make sure to be home from school in time for Voltes V, however, it was dubbbed in English back then, now I am actually attempting to watch it in Japanese.....ummmm.....I lie......it has English subtitles =)  Anyhow....soon (I hope) I won't have to rely on subtitles =)

Today, I got my textbooks for my Level 2 course, just browsing through it - it looked intimidating, definitely looks different from my Level 1 textbook.  I was told by my sensei though that when classes start we will be able to decipher the puzzle that is in the textbook.....looking forward to that - two more weeks til classes start.

Haven't started Section 2 of my Kanji book, am not going to make any excuses.....I just have to get back to it!

Happy 2010!

2009 was a good year and I am looking forward to filling my calendar with activities this 2010!