I used to obsess over my Japanese studies. I studied words everyday. Everyday - for hours. And I loved it because at that time, once I learned the word I'd hear it, I'd see it, I'd read it, I'd use it. I remember feeling as if, everyday, Japan was opening up and letting me in a little more because I could understand and hear her speaking to me.
Things have changed since my return to L.A. Though, I can still converse - I cringe at the thought of writing and Japan isn't with me nowadays providing the constant support I thrived on. But tonight as I was writing to a dear old neighbor in Japan, I was looking up the words for student teaching and once I found them, I was able to recognize the kanji immediately. What a great feeling! I read kyouiku jisshuu! JOY! What a great spark!
This winter quarter at UCLA is less hectic than the last. I have time to breathe. Time to run. Check! Time to study Japanese again. Check! And even - Cuban Salsa. All those things will be needed to temper the stress of student teaching. Which, I will no doubt, be writing about - it won't be easy I'm sure, to teach in middle school but I'm looking forward to the ups and the downs.
Happy New Year by the way! Will write more, more often.
1 comment:
Looking forward to more of your posts, and perhaps a session or two of nihongo no benkyo? I might try for the nikkyu, but that's what I resolve every year. . .
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