I've had several people recently ask me if my Japanese is better now that I've been here for three months. Actually, I guess some people here don't even know I understand any Japanese because I'm shy about speaking. But anyone who spends even a bit of time with me starts to pick up the fact that I can hear and understand a lot of what is being spoken. Depending on the topic, of course. Sometimes I can even understand whole conversations, but when it comes to speaking, I still have a hard time. I think it's because forming full sentences (especially long ones) is really difficult. Sentence structure in Japanese & English is very different, and even though I understand the differences, it still can be hard to work out how to say something. Plus, I already have a hard time saying things in English on the spot, so to have to think of what to say and then translate it can be difficult.
One thing that's kinda cool is that I now sometimes will listen to someone speak in Japanese, understand it and translate it in my mind, and then later relay it to someone in English. The person later will sometimes ask me if I heard it in English and I'll realize no, it was Japanese. So I guess my brain is picking up on Japanese faster, more like an instinct, than before. And I certainly have become better at reflexive Japanese, such as "good morning", "hello", "excuse me", "that's okay", "thank you", "see you later", etc.
On another note, today I had to visit the other junior high in my town. It's quite a trek to get there and the forecast said a lot of rain, so I decided to just spend the money to take a taxi. At first the driver didn't say anything, but then he asked me a few questions, like why I was going to the school, where I am from, etc. He was really nice and I tried to answer him as best I could. :) Then, after I got done at the school, I started to walk back and was stopped by a lady in a car who was coming from the school. She asked where I was going and insisted she give me a ride! I was never so grateful to anyone (at least not recently, lol)!!! It had just started raining, too. Anyway, it turns out she has a son at my school (who I don't know too well, he's a second grader). We talked a bit and looking back, I think that might have been my first real conversation with a Japanese stranger without someone to translate. O_O I'm just happy I understood most of what she asked me! Yay!! :D I asked her where she's from and she said Kyushu (the southernmost of Japan's four main islands). She said she came to Shimosuwa when she got married. I asked her if she likes Shimosuwa and she said "maamaa" which means so-so. XP I guess it's more fun in Kyushu, haha. Anyway, wow, I'm so happy with myself for carrying on a conversation all in Japanese. Even though there were a few things I couldn't understand, I'm just proud of myself for replying and asking questions! :) Gotta take baby steps I guess.
In two days I have to go to Tokyo for training. I've been very, very busy lately with work-related events and such, but thankfully summer vacation is almost here!! Have to get through a few more weeks of school, though. -_-
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