Random Japanese Musings...
I figured it was about time that I mentioned this class, since it's where I'm spending the majority of my time this summer.
I've made a couple good friends, Tang and James. I don't know Tang San's first name, which Shawnti says means we're not actually friends, but psh. We ride the bus together in the afternoon's to Capitol Hill and talk constantly during class. We're friends. James and I get along because we're both drama addicts. He spends every spare moment in class either playing video games, or watching dramas. He also wants to study Korean, like me, and Chinese (which I'm slowly wanting to study as well--shit--seriously. Don't let me start another language until I finish one).
Tang and I had our first cultural barrier today. She's Chinese, living by herself in America. She's fluent in Mandarin (derr), English, and can understand Taiwanese (although she swears she can't speak it). Tang is very useful when I can't remember how to write a kanji. I couldn't remember how to write, "jyouzu (good)", but knew the kanji literally translated to "up hand." She screamed yes! and produced the correct characters. Overall, she's a riot.
Today we were practicing using transitive and intransitive verbs, disscussing our future plans. Two of the questions were, "10 years from now, do you want (think) you'll be married?" and, "Do you want children 10 years from now?" Tang immediately said yes to both questions; she didn't consider either one. I said to both, "I don't know...probably not." Tang was so confused by my answers (as I hers). Not knowing much about Chinese culture, I can really only assume, but in Japan it's kind of bad to not be married by the time you're 30; you get looked down upon. In America it's perfectly fine. Neither of us were bothered by the others answer, but it was still strange. She doesn't quite understand the idea of feminism, and I can't quite get a grasp on traditionalism in modern Chinese culture.
Everyone else in my class is terribly kind as well. We can all talk comfortably to each other, and frequently do so (much to the annoyance of our Sensei's). Lee, a boy, from Taiwan is adorable. James discovered he was sitting in a left-handed desk this morning, and was going to give it to me but I was already in one. Lee stood up and declared he wanted the desk. We gave it to him, and Rian asked if he was left-handed. He said, "No...but my mom is." We started giggling hysterically and he added, "I love my mom." He has just the right mix of foreignness and innocence that makes for hilarity in class. He's a good sport about it as well.
Almost everyone is taking third year in the fall. I really hope were in the same quiz section....I do like these people. A lot.
I've made a couple good friends, Tang and James. I don't know Tang San's first name, which Shawnti says means we're not actually friends, but psh. We ride the bus together in the afternoon's to Capitol Hill and talk constantly during class. We're friends. James and I get along because we're both drama addicts. He spends every spare moment in class either playing video games, or watching dramas. He also wants to study Korean, like me, and Chinese (which I'm slowly wanting to study as well--shit--seriously. Don't let me start another language until I finish one).
Tang and I had our first cultural barrier today. She's Chinese, living by herself in America. She's fluent in Mandarin (derr), English, and can understand Taiwanese (although she swears she can't speak it). Tang is very useful when I can't remember how to write a kanji. I couldn't remember how to write, "jyouzu (good)", but knew the kanji literally translated to "up hand." She screamed yes! and produced the correct characters. Overall, she's a riot.
Today we were practicing using transitive and intransitive verbs, disscussing our future plans. Two of the questions were, "10 years from now, do you want (think) you'll be married?" and, "Do you want children 10 years from now?" Tang immediately said yes to both questions; she didn't consider either one. I said to both, "I don't know...probably not." Tang was so confused by my answers (as I hers). Not knowing much about Chinese culture, I can really only assume, but in Japan it's kind of bad to not be married by the time you're 30; you get looked down upon. In America it's perfectly fine. Neither of us were bothered by the others answer, but it was still strange. She doesn't quite understand the idea of feminism, and I can't quite get a grasp on traditionalism in modern Chinese culture.
Everyone else in my class is terribly kind as well. We can all talk comfortably to each other, and frequently do so (much to the annoyance of our Sensei's). Lee, a boy, from Taiwan is adorable. James discovered he was sitting in a left-handed desk this morning, and was going to give it to me but I was already in one. Lee stood up and declared he wanted the desk. We gave it to him, and Rian asked if he was left-handed. He said, "No...but my mom is." We started giggling hysterically and he added, "I love my mom." He has just the right mix of foreignness and innocence that makes for hilarity in class. He's a good sport about it as well.
Almost everyone is taking third year in the fall. I really hope were in the same quiz section....I do like these people. A lot.