Currently Watching :: Ouran

In preparation for our next podcast I have decided to start watching jdramas/doramas this month..While I must admit its been tough since I already miss my beloved kdramas friends keep telling me that I'm going to get hooked... we'll see bout that...

First thoughts

While the anime wasn't exactly mind blowing it was still enjoyable. Its pretty amazing that the same things I loved about the anime, the fun over the top characters have translated very well into this real life version. I can't begin to tell you how much it irks me when characters you love from an anime or manga are totally reimagined and become something completely different. Like seriously, don't mess with a good thing. (the biggest fail for me was Miwako from the live action Paradise Kiss -- thats another story tho)

Yamamoto Yusuke as Suou Tamak

The drama is currently on the same level as the anime was for me. Its cute. The actors are fun. You still totally love Tamaki despite his self centered ways. Its nice.


Then again I'm only on episode 3. lol.


Stay tuned.

Motivation

Japanese Studies

So shortly after I started this blog I decided I would try to learn Japanese, anyways a lot has happened in my life since then (we've moved, and had another baby!) and that goal has somewhat fallen by the wayside...however now that fall is approaching soon and everyone is getting back into their routine I want to achieve that goal. Before I started slacking I was able to master Hiragana, and started studying Katakana.


So to jump start my studying I ordered Let's Learn Hiragana from Amazon since I have already forgotten a few hiragana and was never able to write them very well.

I must admit though my language studies faltered, I have learned so much about Japan and about Japanese culture.  I am thankful for all I have learned and the new friends I have made. Thank you all my blog friends and readers. You all have allowed me to learn something new everyday!

JFDI

I think this video was made for me... ::hangs head low::

Katakana is evil

Katakana is evil. Plain and Simple.



It tricks you. Simple to write. But causes a brain melt down memorizing it.

Okay its not that bad, but I've hit a wall. =\

Otaku Encyclopedia

So today when I was making my normal rounds checking out the various Japanese Culture Blogs etc... I noticed that DannyChoo had some really good visuals of the Otaku Encyclopedia..



I have been eyeing this book for awhile now, since apparently -- if your "into" Japan -- this book is a must have, and I was so happy when I saw DannyChoo's website had so many pictures of it!! (pictures of a book? oh hush and just check it out, you soooo kno you want too!)

This book give you the ins and outs of just about everything dealing with Japan, and from most of the reviews I have read about it online it seems to be really well written & entertaining.

If you have this book let me know what you think.. otherwise I think I just might be going to Barnes and Noble tonight after class =)

Textfuguean

::textfugu::

its official.  i’m in. for life… i made a promise to myself that if i studied japanese everyday for a month i would go ahead and take the plunge and buy textfugu.  well i have studied and so its time to take my japanese learning to the next step.

 textfugu has seemed like the most realistic tool that i could use to learn japanese.  i have looked at a few others but i get bored super quick… so without further ado …

my journey has just made it passed my first, and im sure it will not be my last, road block

Smart.Fm Update

Almost there…99%.  I haven’t done it everyday though.  I get burnt out easily and use other methods….and I definately do not want to lose my motivation..

 

After all.. the turtle does win the race in the end of that story….

Traditional Sake for Trendy Girls

 

Apparently not a lot of young women in Japan drink much sake…Takahashi Shyzou hopes to change this…

with this …

Three Sheets

 

So after I got rejected from Smart.Fm the other day I was in need of some more motivation… soooo I searched for Videos! Originally I was looking for something like Bizarre Foods.. instead what I found was THREE SHEETS!

Basically this guy Zane? has a show were he travels to different places each episode and talks about their alcohol and other adult beverages.  Seems like every college boy’s dream job and how this guy snagged the job I have no clue!  Its great though, and after watching the one where he visits Japan I ended up watching a few more.

Not your average travel show, but thats a good thing.

SmartFm

So I decided to be productive and do some studying.. and then!...once I got on a roll i see this...

da dum dummmmmm!!



Apparently you can only be studious in a given amount of time...

Happy Hour Japan

::::Okay so trying to figure out a  good font to use that isn't too hard to read.  We shall see how this works out::::

~~~~~~~~~

Soooo.. on my path to learn Japanese i have been listening to a few different podcasts – one of my favorite is Happy Hour Japan.  I have yet to watch all their videos but most their videos are bout 10 minutes long and offer a great range of insight into life in Japan.  While this is not straight “lets learn Japanese” it provides good background and motivation that helps keep me interested in Japanese and Japanese Culture.

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Check them out =) I’m sure you’ll love them!

goal number 3298471329480129843, Japanese

So I have decided to note my journey of learning Japanese on here... I know if I keep it to myself I'll be lazy and slack off and learning Japanese will be another 3874324 thing that I have just attempted and forgot about... NO MAS! Soooo...


Yay, Tofugu.
http://www.textfugu.com/