Last Day of classes

Hello y'all. Yes, today Monday 11/27/06 is the last day of classes of my first semester in Japan. It was a very hectic day. Me being the procrastination master put myself in a position in which I had to memorize a presentation for a poly sci class and a speech in Japanese. Oh, I had to write the speech as well. But, I have to say it was kind of fun. I guess I did it on purpose. Now before you write me off as some nut, let me explain. Obviously, I experienced a lot of pressure trying to get my work done. But I get an adrenaline rush I suppose from it all. One of the only other times I feel this way is before a Track or XC race. So you see, I miss the excitement and pressure of athletic competition and therefore this is my substitute.

Yea, did anyone buy that? Thought not. Yup, I'm just lazy...

Anyway. I did nothing this weekend. I actually spent a lot of time studying Japanese, which helped me a lot with doing my speech. Oh, I did go out a few times. Friday, I went to Thai restaurant and got pork that was quadrupled deep fried until it was rock hard. I seriously thought I was eating bones. A waiter told me it's supposed to be this way, as he laughed. Yea, not that tasty. But, I felt I did accomplish something when I helped my friend, a fellow beginner Japanese student, talk to the staff of the restaurant and get them to turn down the AC. In Japanese of course. Haha, yes we still use AC here in Japan on November 27. So much for the Kyoto Protocol...

Hmmm. What to write. Oh, I know. The Japanese language! I want to say that if I was God and wanted to create the perfect language, it would not be Japanese. For instance, having three different writing systems can be a bit confusing and well, non-nonsensical. And the Kanji, all the complicated little drawings, some have so many meanings it's ridiculous. It is not uncommon for a Japanese person to not be able to pronounce another persons name when it is written down. The person has to tell them how to read it because all the symbols could have so many different sounds that you couldn't figure it out on your own if you tried. You could have a very common name, but use some obscure Kanji that no one knows. Also, many sounds have dozens of Kanji, so writing a persons name without knowing their Kanji could be impossible. Some of you may have heard of engrish, which is messed up english that Japanese people speak because they can't emulate the sounds of native english speakers that well. Japanese has only a handful of simple sounds. English has more. A lot more. Let's just say that the best the Japanese can do with the word "McDonald's" is Makkudonarudo. Yea, say that ten times real fast. I find it funny that sometimes when Japanese people try to say english words I have no clue what they are saying. And there are a surprisingly good amount of english words that have been absorbed into Japanese. More on this next time, lol.