lioness in japan

I thought that a weekday update is long overdue. I tend to blog about my weekend adventures so perhaps let’s touch on what goes on in the shoebox in between.

Right now, I’m watching a language program — a Russian lesson in Japanese. Mind-boggling. I think if there’s a more difficult language than nihongo, it’s got to be Russian. There are two Russians who speak perfect Japanese and they are chatting with a Japanese lady who yammers flawlessly in Russian (well, not that I would know but she sounds like the Russians). Such language programs are very popular here. I heard that there are Italian, French, Spanish and English lessons on TV. In fact, I’ve seen computer instruction lessons and mathematics lessons, too. This is a country that loves to learn.

I don’t say that with any sarcasm because I realised, through my students, that many Japanese feel very isolated from the rest of the world. I assumed that the Japanese were happy the way they were but they actually feel left out and want to be involved with what’s going on out there.

As the clock ticked to 11pm, I returned from my last lesson in Roppongi. Mondays and Tuesdays are my most hardcore days where I start teaching at 2pm and finish at 10pm. I actually felt really hungry after and just hoovered some pizza and ice-cream. It’s after midnight and my resolve to jog everyday till my Nagano road trip on Saturday is strengthening every time I look at my satisfied tummy. :`(

Today, I just received my certificate for passing Level Three, or Pre-Intermediate Level, for Japanese. I felt a glow of pride — I made it. Nine months of daily lessons, four hours a day, Mondays to Fridays. I can understand 50 per cent of what’s on TV. Sometimes I even tune into Desperate Housewives in Japanese. Daily life is a breeze, though of course, I’ve my moments when I flub a little. For example, at Ebisu’s Bagel & Bagel, I asked for ice in my juice when she asked me if I wanted it for here or to go. Sometimes they speak so fast, I just rely on the “routine” or “order” of questions service staff ask. Okay, that’s cheating, but on peppy days, I make them say it again. Sometimes twice. Until they crack and speak to me in English but I’d stubbornly answer them in Japanese.

Had a great day as I think all my lessons fired away on time, on target and everyone enjoyed themselves methinks. Cheers to more of such days. On bad days, I get embarrassed for not knowing how to explain a word or phrase (for example, how do you explain a house cannot be equipped with a bus?), or my students would look at me with a perpetual quizzical look, or it feels hard to keep the conversation going. I have to think on my feet constantly and sometimes I longingly look at the time to make it go faster. Hopefully, it’ll get much easier.

I started with one student in February, three in March and now I have 23 students. It sounds like a lot but a handful always cancels so in any given week I have 16-20 classes which is an average of four a day, since I give myself a five-day week.

So that’s what’s going on in my life. I write freelance on the side, too, so busy days, indeed. I look forward to next week when I can just teach and recharge my batteries.

Related posts:

1. It’s been a frantic week
2. Speechless
3. Teaching frustrations

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