Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Two Weeks Notice
Yes, two. Fourteen days. Sorry I couldn't post last night, Blogger was totally unresponsive when I tried to access the site. It's OK though, I didn't finish writing what I was working on until today anyway.
As classes end and with my departure looming larger than ever, I've been reflecting on my visit as a whole and wanted to share a few thoughts with you. So I wrote two lists outlining things I'll miss when I go home as well as things in Japan that annoy the hell out of me. Some pictures have been included for the sake of entertainment. Those of you who have been to Japan (or maybe are still here), please share your thoughts on my lists. Did I leave something important out? Did I hate on something you enjoy? Go ahead, sound off in the comments section!
In Japanese language class today we actually re-took the listening comprehension portion of the placement exam I first took last August. At the time, the test made me feel absolutely retarded and I almost cried. I'm happy to report that today's exam was not nearly as emotional as before. I had a decent handle on much of the dialogue and actually managed to offer an answer to about half the questions. However, I was a little irked that the test still seemed way too hard. I guess progress is progress though. In a way, I guess it's good that it still seemed hard, because that means that the test is always hard, even for experienced Japanese students. Personally, I think a placement test should be a little kinder (would it kill them to play the recordings twice?) since everyone taking the exam is a new arrival and is still struggling to adjust to a lot of things, but I don't get a vote in that department.
Anyway, I've got ten pages to write by Friday and an oral exam tomorrow. Guess I should prepare for at least one tonight. Oh, and let me wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a old friend who turns 30 today. We're still young just as sure as light bulbs are not everywhere, although that was twenty years ago. Perhaps they've found their way into the jungle by now...
As classes end and with my departure looming larger than ever, I've been reflecting on my visit as a whole and wanted to share a few thoughts with you. So I wrote two lists outlining things I'll miss when I go home as well as things in Japan that annoy the hell out of me. Some pictures have been included for the sake of entertainment. Those of you who have been to Japan (or maybe are still here), please share your thoughts on my lists. Did I leave something important out? Did I hate on something you enjoy? Go ahead, sound off in the comments section!
In Japanese language class today we actually re-took the listening comprehension portion of the placement exam I first took last August. At the time, the test made me feel absolutely retarded and I almost cried. I'm happy to report that today's exam was not nearly as emotional as before. I had a decent handle on much of the dialogue and actually managed to offer an answer to about half the questions. However, I was a little irked that the test still seemed way too hard. I guess progress is progress though. In a way, I guess it's good that it still seemed hard, because that means that the test is always hard, even for experienced Japanese students. Personally, I think a placement test should be a little kinder (would it kill them to play the recordings twice?) since everyone taking the exam is a new arrival and is still struggling to adjust to a lot of things, but I don't get a vote in that department.
Anyway, I've got ten pages to write by Friday and an oral exam tomorrow. Guess I should prepare for at least one tonight. Oh, and let me wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a old friend who turns 30 today. We're still young just as sure as light bulbs are not everywhere, although that was twenty years ago. Perhaps they've found their way into the jungle by now...
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Dan,
I am flattered that you remembered my birthday. However, I think that now that I am 30, senility has finnally set it. I do recall something about lightbulbs in the jungle, but can't remember where that is from? It doesn't have to do with Banana Bubbly pop does it?
I am flattered that you remembered my birthday. However, I think that now that I am 30, senility has finnally set it. I do recall something about lightbulbs in the jungle, but can't remember where that is from? It doesn't have to do with Banana Bubbly pop does it?
HA...no, but that was another good gag. The light bulb thing was in fourth grade and a multiple choice question suggested that "light bulbs were everywhere." You contested that on the grounds that light bulbs were most certainly NOT everywhere, giving several examples such as the jungle (you may have even said "darkest Peru") and inside your bookbag.
I had no idea you blogged! One link, coming up!
I had no idea you blogged! One link, coming up!
Good lists.
You missed summer insects, people asking 'aren't you cold??' and blatant praise for doing the possible.
You missed summer insects, people asking 'aren't you cold??' and blatant praise for doing the possible.
# posted by 
: 10 May, 2006 23:53
: 10 May, 2006 23:53
Eight: Yeah, the condescension thing is weird but sometimes it actually makes me feel good. In time I can see it driving me crazy though. Now that you mention it, Mako asks me "aren't you cold?" a lot! Guess I attributed it to her and not the nation.
Which bugs do you mean? Those really noisy ones?
Hyde: Thank you!
Which bugs do you mean? Those really noisy ones?
Hyde: Thank you!
Jeez, man, that list sucks. Almost everything seems to be from a ME ME ME perspective, you want Japan to fit YOUR NEEDS, as if Japan should change to fit your ideas and convenience needs. It is typical of someone who has just spent a few months in Japan and has no idea what Japan is really all about and all he can think about is: why isn't Japan more like Kansas, or in your case, New York. It seems, sorry to say, that you, whoever you are, completely missed the boat, you spent 9 months in Japan shagging a local lass and never even began even remotely understand the country, as it is, not as you WANT it to be, so that list sucks bigtime and it shows that you really learned NOTHING there. Come back here someday for ten years and live here among the locals, like I do, and then screw you stupid list. Typical of a ego-driven me me me Westerner who does not even understand one iota about what Japan tick. You will probably love New York again, when you get back there, away from this heathen screwed up country that is Japan. You really missed your last train, boy! Get thee to a nunnery!
# posted by : 13 May, 2006 15:48
: 13 May, 2006 15:48
Anon: What the hell is your problem? I love Japan and wrote these lists for fun. Of course they're written from my perspective, I wrote them. You lose for resorting to personal insults BTW.
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