It has been announced that Japan's Tourism Agency's plan to send 10,000 bloggers to Japan for free has been canceled. The budget was not approved. You can read about it here: http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/12/27/dream-over-for-free-flights-to-japan/
As I'm sure you would expect, I was definitely disappointed upon learning this news. But, only at first. After reading the news article, I realized that it really was way too generous of an offer from Japan, especially considering what they had just went through with the earthquake and tsunami. As was pointed out, they really should be spending their money on taking care of their country and their people. I am 100% all for that and in no way will this deter me from going to Japan in 2012! In fact, it just makes me want to go there even more, using my own money, to help support their country. Of course, it would have been nice to not have most of my money wasted on airfare that only the airlines benefit from (meaning lots more of my money actually being spent in Japan instead!) but...that is okay. Japan shouldn't have to waste their money either and I am more determined than ever to do what I can to get there!
Plus, it's not like I was actually expecting to be one of those 10,000 people chosen. It really was just a hope and a dream that I decided to try for. I still have a goal to get there, and now this just means I have to try extra extra hard to make my plan B into plan A!
With all of that said, I really don't need this blog anymore. This will probably be my last post. Who knows though, if I do make it to Japan I might just blog about my trip for Japan's sake anyway!
Let's hope I make it there and maybe next year you'll be reading all about it! =)
いってきます！さよならみなさん！！(I'm leaving! Good bye everyone!!)
About Me
- Nikoji
- はじめまして！わたしはアンバーです。(Greetings! I'm Amber). Follow me as I do my best to make it to Japan in 2012!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Learning Checkpoint
Studying and learning Japanese isn't as hard as it may seem. However, I have reached a point where I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I am at the spot where I'm learning how to use adjectives in a sentence. I have gone over this information before years ago, but now I am actually needing to put it into practice. The problem is, in Japanese, there are three different types of adjectives and each type is used differently in a sentence. What the heck?!
So far Japanese has been pretty easy for me to understand and comprehend. Maybe it's because I have been trying to learn for eleven years, I don't know - but to me the challenging part hasn't been the pronunciation, their writing system, or the fact that you have to talk like Yoda (the verb ALWAYS comes last in Japanese). In fact, learning Japanese makes me realize how stupid and difficult of a language English actually is.
I can even get used to the fact that the common practice in Japanese is to use as little words as possible when communicating. Basically, you can leave out every part of the sentence (if it's all understood by context) except for the verb. It's pretty much like speed talking - a challenge sure, since in English teachers would kill you for not using complete sentences, but it kinda feels nice being able to rebel and in a way makes speaking Japanese easier!
But...adjectives...who knew those little guys to describe nouns would be where the real challenge is?! So far, they have been the first thing to slightly weaken my resolve. Yes, the concept really is that difficult. Let me explain...
Like I said, in Japanese, there are three different types of adjectives that each get their own special rules of usage. There are:
1. True adjectives - work like they do in English (easy enough)
2. Fake adjectives - are adjectives that aren't really adjectives, they're actually nouns, so require a special sentence particle
3. Pseudo-adjectives - attaches to nouns, but require a different sentence particle from #2, like a noun buffer
...I repeat - what the heck?!
Why can't adjectives just be adjectives?! =/ *sigh*
Here is an example of a fake adjective. In English, we say "It's a purple plate". The adjective is "purple", it describes the noun, which is the plate. In Japanese, there are some true color adjectives that work just like that. However, the color purple is not one of those true adjectives. White is. So, if it were a white plate it could work just like that in Japanese - white > plate. But purple is not a true adjective. Purple in Japanese is a noun. So in order to say a purple plate in Japanese, you can't just say color > noun. You literally have to say this - "Purple's plate", which requires the possessive particle "no", so it would be " むらさきのさらです。" (murasaki no sara desu).
There are dozens of fake adjectives like that, as well as the pseudo-adjectives that require a completely different particle in order to attach to nouns. My job is to memorize all the true adjectives, fake adjectives, and pseudo-adjectives and then the three different types of sentence structures that correspond to them. If that doesn't sound difficult to you then so be it - maybe you're a genius. But for me, it does and has been my first true challenge yet!
Blah...
It's okay, I can do this! I love Japanese, and I love learning it, so I am still having fun! =)
いまにほんごをべんきょうします！(I'm studying Japanese now!) またね！(Later!)
So far Japanese has been pretty easy for me to understand and comprehend. Maybe it's because I have been trying to learn for eleven years, I don't know - but to me the challenging part hasn't been the pronunciation, their writing system, or the fact that you have to talk like Yoda (the verb ALWAYS comes last in Japanese). In fact, learning Japanese makes me realize how stupid and difficult of a language English actually is.
I can even get used to the fact that the common practice in Japanese is to use as little words as possible when communicating. Basically, you can leave out every part of the sentence (if it's all understood by context) except for the verb. It's pretty much like speed talking - a challenge sure, since in English teachers would kill you for not using complete sentences, but it kinda feels nice being able to rebel and in a way makes speaking Japanese easier!
But...adjectives...who knew those little guys to describe nouns would be where the real challenge is?! So far, they have been the first thing to slightly weaken my resolve. Yes, the concept really is that difficult. Let me explain...
Like I said, in Japanese, there are three different types of adjectives that each get their own special rules of usage. There are:
1. True adjectives - work like they do in English (easy enough)
2. Fake adjectives - are adjectives that aren't really adjectives, they're actually nouns, so require a special sentence particle
3. Pseudo-adjectives - attaches to nouns, but require a different sentence particle from #2, like a noun buffer
...I repeat - what the heck?!
Why can't adjectives just be adjectives?! =/ *sigh*
Here is an example of a fake adjective. In English, we say "It's a purple plate". The adjective is "purple", it describes the noun, which is the plate. In Japanese, there are some true color adjectives that work just like that. However, the color purple is not one of those true adjectives. White is. So, if it were a white plate it could work just like that in Japanese - white > plate. But purple is not a true adjective. Purple in Japanese is a noun. So in order to say a purple plate in Japanese, you can't just say color > noun. You literally have to say this - "Purple's plate", which requires the possessive particle "no", so it would be " むらさきのさらです。" (murasaki no sara desu).
There are dozens of fake adjectives like that, as well as the pseudo-adjectives that require a completely different particle in order to attach to nouns. My job is to memorize all the true adjectives, fake adjectives, and pseudo-adjectives and then the three different types of sentence structures that correspond to them. If that doesn't sound difficult to you then so be it - maybe you're a genius. But for me, it does and has been my first true challenge yet!
Blah...
It's okay, I can do this! I love Japanese, and I love learning it, so I am still having fun! =)
いまにほんごをべんきょうします！(I'm studying Japanese now!) またね！(Later!)
Friday, December 23, 2011
Subs vs. Dubs
That may seem like a silly battle to some - I mean, really...who in their right mind would rather watch anime dubbed? Unfortunately, there ARE people who are like that and I personally know two! In fact, maybe there is a person who is reading this/will read this and be one of those that say "dubs over subs". (Ah! I don't even like typing that statement...).
That is why I am writing this post - for all of those people out there that create that need for Subs vs. Dubs arguments. Let the battle begin!
Okay...technically this won't really be a battle since it will be one sided. If you didn't already guess, I am completely for subbed (subtitled) anime. Well, really, the best way would be to watch it in it's original raw Japanese form without subtitles too!! But, as you know, I am working on that =) For now, I must have the English subtitles. Here is why I think watching anime is better this way than with audio dubbing:
Anime is art. Plain and simple. Would you take a song that you love, and record over it with some random person's voice just so that you could hear the words in your own language? If you said yes, then why? You would be missing out on the actual Artist's voice and the way it's meant to be sung, with their passion and emotions. Same with a painting. Would you take the Mona Lisa and paint over it, just so you could try to understand it better? No! With art, you don't ALTER the original piece. If you don't understand it, you figure out a way to. You do research, translate, whatever the case may be, so that you can appreciate the nuances of it's originality without affecting the piece.
The same is true with anime. When audio dubbing in another language is added over the original piece, you are completely missing out on the Japanese art form of communicating and behaving and the hard work that the Japanese voice actors put in to make it sound awesome!
First of all, everyone has to admit that the Japanese people know how to make things cute. They are the masters of cuteness. If I didn't get to hear the cute Japanese audio when I watch anime, then I might as well just watch the entire thing on mute! It's practically the best part and I could never imagine anime without hearing the special way they say things.
Secondly, the way they talk and behave is just un-matchable. Nothing can mimic perfectly what they do, so why even try? The uniqueness is what makes anime so hilarious, or cute, or suave, or awesome, or sad, etc. Without their way of talking, any other language dub over would make the character's action's disingenuous and stupid. They would look ridiculous, and it wouldn't make sense. Because in America, we just don't do those things that they do in anime. So hearing English voice actors try to say words in English that are 'supposed' to match a Japanese behavior, would be like a right handed person trying to write perfectly with their left hand - it just doesn't feel natural, and it certainly won't come out looking good.
You may say - "but watching anime in my own language helps me connect with the characters" or "but I hate having to read subtitles when I just want to relax and watch a show. I don't want to read the whole time". For the first point, you are not actually connecting with the character if you are not watching the character in it's original form. You are watching a fake. You would be missing out on the character's nuances and so in essence wouldn't actually be connecting with anything. You probably wouldn't laugh where you are supposed to, or feel the proper emotions in the right places either - because I guarantee that what you hear in the audio dub isn't even HALF as emotional as what is portrayed in the Japanese audio.
For the second point, if you are too lazy to appreciate art - then don't watch it. I can't stand when people say "I watch anime dubbed because I'm too lazy to read subtitles". !!!! Don't watch it at all then!! Seriously? That has to be the dumbest excuse. That would be like saying "I'm going to take this incredible pot roast dinner that has been slow cooking for 8 hours, is absolutely perfect and delicious, and put it all in a blender then feed it to my system through a tube, because I am too lazy to eat it".
Yeah, maybe you'd get the gist of it - you'd get the nutrition and all that. But you would NOT enjoy it fully! You wouldn't be able to taste the rich savory flavors against the tender texture. It all adds up to an amazing meal that you would only benefit slightly from if you didn't actually sit down and take the time to scoop up each bite in your mouth, chew, and then swallow.
In fact - this is a whole other example I was going to point out. So many Chefs would probably agree with me when I say that altering their finished dish would be highly insulting. When a chef prepares food, they do so with the art of each ingredient complimenting the others, giving the result of a complete and balanced flavor that works wonders in your mouth.
That is exactly how anime is!
I have a dozen of examples like that - here is a little one my friend would enjoy: Would you take a perfectly crafted beer and mix it with a bottle of vinegar, or Pepsi, or anything completely foreign to it's original state? I certainly hope not!! That would be disgusting.
The point is - you just DON'T change what is already perfect. You don't alter what is complete and good.
So, that is why I am 100% for watching Japanese Anime in it's original art form - because it is JAPANESE!!! So that is how it should be watched! It shouldn't be changed to anything else! If you change it, then it's NOT anime and by golly why would you want to watch it then?
*ding ding ding* We have a winner!
SUBS IT IS!!!!!!
That is why I am writing this post - for all of those people out there that create that need for Subs vs. Dubs arguments. Let the battle begin!
Okay...technically this won't really be a battle since it will be one sided. If you didn't already guess, I am completely for subbed (subtitled) anime. Well, really, the best way would be to watch it in it's original raw Japanese form without subtitles too!! But, as you know, I am working on that =) For now, I must have the English subtitles. Here is why I think watching anime is better this way than with audio dubbing:
Anime is art. Plain and simple. Would you take a song that you love, and record over it with some random person's voice just so that you could hear the words in your own language? If you said yes, then why? You would be missing out on the actual Artist's voice and the way it's meant to be sung, with their passion and emotions. Same with a painting. Would you take the Mona Lisa and paint over it, just so you could try to understand it better? No! With art, you don't ALTER the original piece. If you don't understand it, you figure out a way to. You do research, translate, whatever the case may be, so that you can appreciate the nuances of it's originality without affecting the piece.
The same is true with anime. When audio dubbing in another language is added over the original piece, you are completely missing out on the Japanese art form of communicating and behaving and the hard work that the Japanese voice actors put in to make it sound awesome!
First of all, everyone has to admit that the Japanese people know how to make things cute. They are the masters of cuteness. If I didn't get to hear the cute Japanese audio when I watch anime, then I might as well just watch the entire thing on mute! It's practically the best part and I could never imagine anime without hearing the special way they say things.
Secondly, the way they talk and behave is just un-matchable. Nothing can mimic perfectly what they do, so why even try? The uniqueness is what makes anime so hilarious, or cute, or suave, or awesome, or sad, etc. Without their way of talking, any other language dub over would make the character's action's disingenuous and stupid. They would look ridiculous, and it wouldn't make sense. Because in America, we just don't do those things that they do in anime. So hearing English voice actors try to say words in English that are 'supposed' to match a Japanese behavior, would be like a right handed person trying to write perfectly with their left hand - it just doesn't feel natural, and it certainly won't come out looking good.
You may say - "but watching anime in my own language helps me connect with the characters" or "but I hate having to read subtitles when I just want to relax and watch a show. I don't want to read the whole time". For the first point, you are not actually connecting with the character if you are not watching the character in it's original form. You are watching a fake. You would be missing out on the character's nuances and so in essence wouldn't actually be connecting with anything. You probably wouldn't laugh where you are supposed to, or feel the proper emotions in the right places either - because I guarantee that what you hear in the audio dub isn't even HALF as emotional as what is portrayed in the Japanese audio.
For the second point, if you are too lazy to appreciate art - then don't watch it. I can't stand when people say "I watch anime dubbed because I'm too lazy to read subtitles". !!!! Don't watch it at all then!! Seriously? That has to be the dumbest excuse. That would be like saying "I'm going to take this incredible pot roast dinner that has been slow cooking for 8 hours, is absolutely perfect and delicious, and put it all in a blender then feed it to my system through a tube, because I am too lazy to eat it".
Yeah, maybe you'd get the gist of it - you'd get the nutrition and all that. But you would NOT enjoy it fully! You wouldn't be able to taste the rich savory flavors against the tender texture. It all adds up to an amazing meal that you would only benefit slightly from if you didn't actually sit down and take the time to scoop up each bite in your mouth, chew, and then swallow.
In fact - this is a whole other example I was going to point out. So many Chefs would probably agree with me when I say that altering their finished dish would be highly insulting. When a chef prepares food, they do so with the art of each ingredient complimenting the others, giving the result of a complete and balanced flavor that works wonders in your mouth.
That is exactly how anime is!
I have a dozen of examples like that - here is a little one my friend would enjoy: Would you take a perfectly crafted beer and mix it with a bottle of vinegar, or Pepsi, or anything completely foreign to it's original state? I certainly hope not!! That would be disgusting.
The point is - you just DON'T change what is already perfect. You don't alter what is complete and good.
So, that is why I am 100% for watching Japanese Anime in it's original art form - because it is JAPANESE!!! So that is how it should be watched! It shouldn't be changed to anything else! If you change it, then it's NOT anime and by golly why would you want to watch it then?
*ding ding ding* We have a winner!
SUBS IT IS!!!!!!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Thank you, Japan. どうもありがとうございます
Before I post a single thing more, I just want to take a moment and say Thank You Japan!
Thank you to all of the amazing manga artists and writers, anime artists and writers, to all of the absolutely wonderfully dedicated voice actors and musicians - without your devotion anime would never be half as good. To all the Japanese people involved in creating manga and anime, making it the way it is - Thank you. ありがとう. You make so many lives happier and better with every chapter, every episode, and every movie.
Thank you to all of the Japanese men that knowingly chose to sacrifice their lives for others during the horrible 福島 (Fukushima) catastrophe. With my heart broke and my eyes stung with tears, I never felt more proud of human beings than I did in that moment upon hearing about the men who walked to their deaths, just to try and do what they can to stop the meltdown. Without hesitation, they put their people, other people, and the planet before themselves and did anything and all they could - not even knowing for sure if it would make a difference - to save lives. Thank you. Thank you so very much! どうもありがとうございました!
Thank you Japan, for being the amazing culture that you are! Your number one priority is consideration and respect for others - something every other country needs to do more of. Thank you for appreciating art, and nature, and history...for giving meaning to even the simple things like the words in your language. Thank you for being incredibly smart and creating all of the mind-blowing technology and video games!
Thank you for the yummy food! My life would be horrible without
てりやき! (teriyaki).
Thank you for just being so dang cool! I hope with all my might that one day I will be able to step foot in your beautiful country and experience first hand all the wonderful things Japan has to offer!
THANK YOU JAPAN!! どうもありがとうございます日本！！
Thank you to all of the amazing manga artists and writers, anime artists and writers, to all of the absolutely wonderfully dedicated voice actors and musicians - without your devotion anime would never be half as good. To all the Japanese people involved in creating manga and anime, making it the way it is - Thank you. ありがとう. You make so many lives happier and better with every chapter, every episode, and every movie.
Thank you to all of the Japanese men that knowingly chose to sacrifice their lives for others during the horrible 福島 (Fukushima) catastrophe. With my heart broke and my eyes stung with tears, I never felt more proud of human beings than I did in that moment upon hearing about the men who walked to their deaths, just to try and do what they can to stop the meltdown. Without hesitation, they put their people, other people, and the planet before themselves and did anything and all they could - not even knowing for sure if it would make a difference - to save lives. Thank you. Thank you so very much! どうもありがとうございました!
Thank you Japan, for being the amazing culture that you are! Your number one priority is consideration and respect for others - something every other country needs to do more of. Thank you for appreciating art, and nature, and history...for giving meaning to even the simple things like the words in your language. Thank you for being incredibly smart and creating all of the mind-blowing technology and video games!
Thank you for the yummy food! My life would be horrible without
てりやき! (teriyaki).
Thank you for just being so dang cool! I hope with all my might that one day I will be able to step foot in your beautiful country and experience first hand all the wonderful things Japan has to offer!
THANK YOU JAPAN!! どうもありがとうございます日本！！
Saturday, December 17, 2011
My Japanese Curriculum
よみなさん! (Hi everyone!) -
*phew*...it is really tough stuff learning a new language. It requires a whole new thought process entirely. It's fun though and I love the feeling that comes with progressing. Curious about my study plan? Well here it is! This is what I do まいにち (everyday)...
1) Read my 100+ handwritten flashcard vocab words (all in Kana) from Japanese to English, and then all over again from English to Japanese, several times a day.
2) Read through past chapters in Human Japanese, then continue on with the next chapter or two
3) Any new vocab I am introduced to I immediately write out a flashcard for and add to my ever-growing pile to go through over and over again.
4) Listen to two lessons of Pimsleur
5) Practice writing in Kana
6) Watch Anime =)
So there you have it - that is how I study on a daily basis. In addition, I continuously go through Japanese words in my head, speak them to my dog and bunnies, and to anyone who will listen. Gotta keep em fresh in my mind! =)
わたしはにほんごがだいすきです！
(I love Japanese!)
またね！
(Later!)
*phew*...it is really tough stuff learning a new language. It requires a whole new thought process entirely. It's fun though and I love the feeling that comes with progressing. Curious about my study plan? Well here it is! This is what I do まいにち (everyday)...
1) Read my 100+ handwritten flashcard vocab words (all in Kana) from Japanese to English, and then all over again from English to Japanese, several times a day.
2) Read through past chapters in Human Japanese, then continue on with the next chapter or two
3) Any new vocab I am introduced to I immediately write out a flashcard for and add to my ever-growing pile to go through over and over again.
4) Listen to two lessons of Pimsleur
5) Practice writing in Kana
6) Watch Anime =)
So there you have it - that is how I study on a daily basis. In addition, I continuously go through Japanese words in my head, speak them to my dog and bunnies, and to anyone who will listen. Gotta keep em fresh in my mind! =)
わたしはにほんごがだいすきです！
(I love Japanese!)
またね！
(Later!)
Friday, December 16, 2011
Japanese-a-if-you-please-a - The Back Story
Hello みなさん! This is my very first blog and the purpose of it is to get me to Japan in 2012! My love for all things Japanese started eleven years ago, back when I was 14 years old. It was all because my best friend introduced me to a picture. Yes, that's right. A picture.
But was it really all just from a picture, you may ask? Well...kinda. To me, it was anything but just a picture! The moment I saw it, I was immediately inspired by its simple, but intricate beauty and the amount of emotion that it captured.
"What is this?" I had asked my friend. His reply was "It's from something called anime. It's Japanese."
That is the moment when I instantly fell in love with Japanese Art.
To me, it was the most beautiful art I had ever seen. He then later sent me a different picture, and right away, I grabbed my drawing pad (I had and still enjoy drawing) and immediately began drawing the art I fell in love with from first sight. I searched for other pictures like it online and when that wasn't enough, I learned that anime is actually short for Japanese Animation, which is serialized from Japanese Manga.
You mean, there is a whole industry just for anime and manga?! I had to find out more, and I had to see some anime for myself. I went to the local video rental store and picked out my very first anime! It was called "Ah! My Goddess" (on VHS of course - no anime on DVDs at this store back then). I chose this anime, because the picture my best friend sent to me was from that series.
Ahhh! It was great! I loved it - I had to have more and more. I constantly went back to the video store and would rent what I could. One particular anime movie that I kept targeting to rent was called "Ninja Scroll", however it was always out. I finally asked the employee when it will be returned, and to my great disappointment - the answer I got was never. Apparently, it was stolen =( Don't worry, I've seen it since then. =)
The selection at the video store was very very small, so I would try to buy what I could from stores that actually carried a good amount, such as Suncoast and F.Y.E. It wasn't cheap though, that is for sure. One time, I had begged and begged my mother to buy me the complete set of "Fushigi Yugi"...but...it was around $100, so of course her answer was no. It's okay mom, I have also seen this series since then ;)
Way before that incident though, when I bought my first anime on DVD (Kimagure Orange Road - Summer's Beginning) I discovered I could watch it in the original Japanese language unlike the VHS tapes which were only in English and - holy cow - what a freakin HUGE difference. What I already thought couldn't get more amazing, did by leaps and bounds. I have never, I repeat - never - watched anime in English (by choice) since. It is Japanese all the way for me and should be the ONLY way that anime should be watched. If you watch it dubbed (not subtitled) in another language, then you are seriously missing out.
So, this experience lead me to learn and speak Japanese. I was fascinated by the language, and the idea of not having to read the English subtitles. I tried to teach myself the language back then by cassette tapes and books. Wow, I certainly discovered how amazing Japan is and my love for Japanese art quickly turned to love for the Japanese culture itself. But, at the age of 16 when I got my first job, my time just didn't seem to allow the room for the devotion needed to learn a new language, and I unfortunately didn't keep up with it. My love for Japan never dwindled though!
I had picked up learning it again off and on through out the years since then, but last year I finally decided. I would learn Japanese. I learned how to write and read Kana shortly after, and even now I have never been more determined than ever to finish what I started eleven years ago - all in the hopes of going to Japan - my dream come true.
That is my back story, so please stick with me as I write about my journey as I continue my devotion to learning the Japanese language, and anything related to Japan, anime, or manga, and who knows - I might throw something in that has nothing to do with Japan if I find it interesting enough to share!
どうもありがとうござうます！！
But was it really all just from a picture, you may ask? Well...kinda. To me, it was anything but just a picture! The moment I saw it, I was immediately inspired by its simple, but intricate beauty and the amount of emotion that it captured.
"What is this?" I had asked my friend. His reply was "It's from something called anime. It's Japanese."
That is the moment when I instantly fell in love with Japanese Art.
To me, it was the most beautiful art I had ever seen. He then later sent me a different picture, and right away, I grabbed my drawing pad (I had and still enjoy drawing) and immediately began drawing the art I fell in love with from first sight. I searched for other pictures like it online and when that wasn't enough, I learned that anime is actually short for Japanese Animation, which is serialized from Japanese Manga.
You mean, there is a whole industry just for anime and manga?! I had to find out more, and I had to see some anime for myself. I went to the local video rental store and picked out my very first anime! It was called "Ah! My Goddess" (on VHS of course - no anime on DVDs at this store back then). I chose this anime, because the picture my best friend sent to me was from that series.
Ahhh! It was great! I loved it - I had to have more and more. I constantly went back to the video store and would rent what I could. One particular anime movie that I kept targeting to rent was called "Ninja Scroll", however it was always out. I finally asked the employee when it will be returned, and to my great disappointment - the answer I got was never. Apparently, it was stolen =( Don't worry, I've seen it since then. =)
The selection at the video store was very very small, so I would try to buy what I could from stores that actually carried a good amount, such as Suncoast and F.Y.E. It wasn't cheap though, that is for sure. One time, I had begged and begged my mother to buy me the complete set of "Fushigi Yugi"...but...it was around $100, so of course her answer was no. It's okay mom, I have also seen this series since then ;)
Way before that incident though, when I bought my first anime on DVD (Kimagure Orange Road - Summer's Beginning) I discovered I could watch it in the original Japanese language unlike the VHS tapes which were only in English and - holy cow - what a freakin HUGE difference. What I already thought couldn't get more amazing, did by leaps and bounds. I have never, I repeat - never - watched anime in English (by choice) since. It is Japanese all the way for me and should be the ONLY way that anime should be watched. If you watch it dubbed (not subtitled) in another language, then you are seriously missing out.
So, this experience lead me to learn and speak Japanese. I was fascinated by the language, and the idea of not having to read the English subtitles. I tried to teach myself the language back then by cassette tapes and books. Wow, I certainly discovered how amazing Japan is and my love for Japanese art quickly turned to love for the Japanese culture itself. But, at the age of 16 when I got my first job, my time just didn't seem to allow the room for the devotion needed to learn a new language, and I unfortunately didn't keep up with it. My love for Japan never dwindled though!
I had picked up learning it again off and on through out the years since then, but last year I finally decided. I would learn Japanese. I learned how to write and read Kana shortly after, and even now I have never been more determined than ever to finish what I started eleven years ago - all in the hopes of going to Japan - my dream come true.
That is my back story, so please stick with me as I write about my journey as I continue my devotion to learning the Japanese language, and anything related to Japan, anime, or manga, and who knows - I might throw something in that has nothing to do with Japan if I find it interesting enough to share!
どうもありがとうござうます！！
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