So I talked to my mom last night and she told me it was A-OK to buy Pokemon Heartgold online. Thanks for making me feel worse about doing it, Mom. The biggest problem is that it goes over my $50 budget. It may have free shipping to Korea, but that doesn't justify paying $60 for a game I could get for $35 in English. But the other problem is that I don't want it in English. I've played the game years ago in English, and this time I really want to play the game in Japanese. But my biggest concern is my family's lack of money. My mom says it's okay and I can just pay her back later, but I'd feel bad draining her credit card when my dad's not working. My bank account does have my mom's name on the pass book, so I'm hoping that she can just withdraw money herself from my account. That would make me feel infinitely better. But I need to talk to Omi first before I even think about hitting the purchase button....

So my mom's thinking about going back to school to get her master's, which has prompted me to think about my future again. My mom suggests I go back to school and get my master's, but in what? I was looking at Purdue's Master's program and there wasn't anything that I really wanted. I took the opportunity to look at Valpo's list too. I couldn't find any master's classes there, but I did get hit smack in the face with Japanese again. I couldn't originally take any classes there because they interfered with my work and class schedule, and then in my senior year I just didn't have any time, but I'm kind of tempted. If I study very hard, especially on kanji, I could probably test into intermediate Japanese, at the very least. The program also allows you to get a chance to go to Oosaka, which would be really cool. Oosaka's not exactly where I want to go since I don't know much about the kansai dialect, but I'd love to go to Japan and study. After Korea it might be refreshing since I know at least some Japanese.

But I don't know. The more I play Japanese games and the more I'm in Korea the more I want my Japanese to improve, but I'm not sure if going to Valpo and taking classes would reap any benefits long term. I could get a minor in Japanese and take the JLPT, but would that help me get a job involving Japanese? Could I do it without a master's in the language? I don't know... that'll be something to look into. But at the same time, isn't it okay to do something you like like that, even if it doesn't reap rewards? Is there something wrong with finally pursuing something I like even if it gives me nothing but satisfaction in return? That's also something to think about.

So, my wonderful f-list, what do you all think?

So today's the last official day of Japanese for me. Next week is nothing but exams, and I won't be here on Thursday thanks to the ELP end of semester party. I'm kind of depressed, actually. There were many days when I didn't really want to drive all the way out to school for Japanese, but when it came down to it, I liked Japanese a lot. I had a lot of fun in it.

As a parting gift, as well as graduation gift, my teacher actually gave me $30 in Sanseido Books gift cards. O_O
I already have plans for the money. *feels guilty about that for some reason* Next time I go to Mitsuwa with Fawn I'm going to pick up a nice bumpo book. I'm thinking either level 3 or level 2, since I should probably be okay with everyone in Bumpo's level 4 book.

Today (Wednesday) was also the last day of ELP. We mostly had a fun time today. We looked over our papers and then played a word game. I was surprised with a bouquet of flowers and a card. I waited to open the card after class. I think that might have been bad since most Americans like it when you open the cards in front of them, but I'm really not used to that anymore. XD Anyway, inside was a cute card along with a Border's Gift card. X_X

How do you say "spoiled" in Japanese? Cuz that's how I really feel right now... People keep buying me things and it's great, but I honestly don't feel like I deserve them. ^^;; But all I can do is humbly accept them and give my thanks.

Totally off topic, but here's the final vid. We won't be doing any more after this, which is kinda sad.


Hope you enjoy!

So yesterday two of Sensei's friends came to school to talk to us. One was named Asami, the other Miki. I knew Asami-san from last year, but I had never met Miki-san before. The two of them seemed pretty nice, but they did occasionally laugh at our butchered Japanese. X_X

Trying to hold conversations completely in Japanese really reminds you how incompetent your language skills are. Even though I knew what I wanted to say and the right word structure, the minute I opened my mouth I found myself stuttering and making amateur mistakes. It was sooo frustrating. I guess my nerves got the better of me... Most of the level 101 spoke English, which Fawn-san and I had to translate into Japanese. That wasn't SO bad. I did notice I picked up a lot more on what she was saying this time though. That was nice. Some of the stuff I didn't know just because I wasn't familiar with the subject (certain band names, etc) or the slang, but I understand a great majority of what she had to say. That kind of made me happy.

Ah...PSP spazz. I've been spazzing about this all night and I still haven't come to a conclusion. The PSP 3000 has come out. I have decided after reading reviews that I don't really want it. Sure, the screen is improved, but the jaggies are worse and the screen sometimes gets lines through it. So I'm going to get the 2000. But how long with the 2000s be on the shelves before they are replaced completely by 3000s? 分からない。

All to be honest, I feel really guilty about picking up a PSP. Really guilty. It's like...I feel like I should be spending the money on different things, or on nothing at all. I've never spent so much of my own money before since I get most of my larger purchases for Christmas, so it's a little scary to just slap down 200+.

Other that the $20 I owe on kor, I am not allowed to buy anything except for Xmas presents!!! I need to engrave that into my palm. XD

Kind of a long post...congrats to anyone who actually gets through it all. ^^;;

So I was thinking about some stuff. I only have to take one or two classes next semester, though I'm figuring on taking three online classes so I can get a certificate in Computer Writing. Anyway, I'm wanting to further my Japanese education somewhere else besides where I go, since I've already completed all of the courses involved with Japanese and still don't feel like I'm particularly good at the language (before anyone yells at me, I'm not saying I'm BAD at it; I just don't think I'm getting enough experience to get much better).
So I'm thinking I might take some courses at a different school to further my Japanese education. I'd love to minor in it somewhere else, but I doubt I would be able to do that.

However, there is also a summer program I'm thinking of applying to this summer. The program is a month long and you live in Japan and go to classes everyday. If I can complete level 4 of the JLPT I might even be rewarded with a scholarship.

The other is going to Valpo and taking Japanese courses there. I'm not sure how well that'd work out though. I'm not sure if they have some sort of way to test my fluency to decide what level to put me at, or if I'd have to just guess. I'd like to be put in 201, but I'm not sure if I wouldn't be more suited for 301. I guess I could always sign up for 301 and drop down to 201 if it becomes too challenging. But, of course, I don't know much about Valpo's Japanese program; if they even have a level 3.

Anyway, my question to you is what should I do? Should I apply for the Japanese program overseas, or should I just go to Valpo and take more Japanese courses? I'd love to do both, but I don't know if my bank account could handle it, and I don't know if my folks would be willing to help out since I've had to pay school off myself for all this time.

I'm kind of leaning more toward the summer thing since I'd actually be in Japan, something I've always wanted to do. But if that's the case, then what am I going to do next semester when I only have three courses, all of them being online? Try to find a full time job, I guess...
--

I've had to read a lot of essays for my ISIS Mentoring class. The three essays I read today were by foreign students: two from Bulgaria and one from India. Some might find these articles boring, but to me they were intriguing. They mostly focused on the students' experiences in studying abroad in the US at Dartmouth.

Most of the students were a little negative toward America, though they admit that they had misconceptions about the country, and also that America was a different country from theirs. The Bulgarian students wrestled with the freedom and laziness that the American students seemed to be built up on. They didn't value things like books, movies, or music- all things that were of great value to Bulgaria since they were regulated there. One student lamented that he read an article that gave advice on how to read three books a year in the states. He was surprised; in Bulgaria, he said, they read entire books in a day.

It's not that the was trying to poke fun of America, but rather emphasizing the differences between Bulgaria and the States. In Bulgaria, books were passed around from hand to hand as a rare good; but in the US books were available everywhere. This made students take for granted the material in front of them.

Anyway two quotes that really stuck out to me were:

"What is the point of diversity if all people do is say, 'Wow, Bulgaria!' when they meet me, and then walk away?"

and

"People pretend to value diversity, but they are afraid of it."

Working with my foreign students and my own feelings prior to the class, I really can see the truth in these statements. I was always interested in the foreign students before the class, but I never felt comfortable talking with them. And hearing my students' frustration that "foreigners" (aka Americans) won't talk to them makes me realize that I am not alone with that feeling. Of course, I'd assumed that since hardly anyone made the effort to talk to them.

In a sense, I think it's both of our faults- the Americans' and the foreign students'. The Americans don't make the effort to go up and talk to them, yes, but the foreign students don't help either. Often when we see them they are all huddled together in their own sort of cliche, speaking their own language. It makes us feel like we're intruding when we try to go up and talk to them, so often times we just won't bother. Even now, working with the students, it feels like I'm intruding on them when I try to talk to them at times, but I realize that my job is to get past that feeling and try to communicate in English with my students.

Anyway, those are just some of the thoughts I came up with while reading the essays. I've rambled long enough, so now it's time to get back to work writing those papers. >_

Please let me know if this set up is too confusing. Thanks
(Sorry for the romaji. X_X)

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So I finally decided I'm going to attempt the JLPT tests this year. I haven't told my parents yet, but I've looked at jobs that involve Japanese and they all have said I need to pass the level 3 JLPT test. I've borrowed a JLPT training booklet from one of my Japanese classmates who's attempting to take the level 2 test and so far it seems like I should be able to pass level 4 no problem. Level 3 should give a few problems since I don't know some of the kanji or vocab in the workbook. Level 3 is also more difficult because you not only have to identify kanji, you also have to make sure you know the kanji line for line. Some of the kanji look exactly the same but have a line or two missing or added. You need to be able to distinguish which one has the correct line in the correct place. It's really irritating.

So I guess I'll be taking the level 4 test but studying mostly for the level 3 this summer. みんなさん、「がんばって！」と言ってくださいませんか。
--

Kotaku's Take on ToS:KoR

Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is set two years after the original tales of Symphonia. A new game mechanic has been introduced that will allow players to capture over 200 monsters and raise them to help out in battle. The real time battle system is back allowing you to switch your attacking character on the fly, even in the middle of battle. The graphics have received an upgrade for the Wii as well with new character and background designs. While there are quite a few changes, onlookers observed that it is still very similar to the original.

....that's what I thought too, Kotaku, until I read IGN's latest. -_-

今晩はみんなさん。練習（れんしゅう）をしなければならないから今日のこのポストは日本語だけ書くことにしました。
漢字があまり分らないから本当におこっている。でも私のせいだけです。じつはあまり勉強していないし。。。
きょうかいのあとすべての家族は私の家に行った。なんかパーティじゃなかったけど昼ごはんだけだった。

とにかくスーパーマリオとソニックをしました。
さいきんはゼルダのでんせつをしている。TPのあとOoTをしようと思う。そのあとでLink to the Pastをする。どうと思うの？

家族は行った時たいくつになってスクりンカップをつくったんです。ゼルダのでんせつTPからです。
さあ、ここでポストをします。おたのしみ！（コメントは英語で書く）

hiragana version:
こんばんは、みんなさん。　れんしゅうをしなければならないからきょうのポストはにほんごだけかくことにしました。
かんじがあまりわからないからほんとうにおこっている。でもわたしのせいです。じつはあまりべんきょうしていない。。。

きょうかいのあとすべてのかぞくはわたしのうちにいった。パーティじゃなかったけどひるごはだけだった。
とにかくスーパーマリオとソニックをしました。

さいきんはゼルダのでんせつをしている。ＴＰのあとＯＯＴをしようとおもう。そのあとでＬｉｎｋ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　Ｐａｓｔをする。どうとおもうの？

かぞくはいったときたいくつになってスクリンカップをつくったんです。ぜるだのでんせつＴＰからです。
さあ、ここでポストをします。おたのしみ！　（コメントはえいごでかく）

英語で
Good evening, everyone. I really need to practice my Japanese so this post will be entirely in Japanese. I'm really mad since I don't really know kanji that well, but that's my fault. Truth is, I haven't really been studying...

My entire family came over after church. It wasn't a party or anything though. They just came for lunch. anyway, we played super mario and Sonic.

Lately I've been playing Zelda. Aｆter I beat Twilight Princess I think I'm going to play Ocarina of Time. And after that I'll play Link to the Past. What do you think?

After my family left, I got really bored so I made screencaps. They're from Zelda: TP. I'll post them here. Please enjoy them! (the comments will be in English)


-Link looks so happy! But not for long (mwhahahaha)


-Link as a wolf


-Link getting his master sword.


-mostly for Ikasu's sake. This is what the Boss looked like in the water temple....his head at least. He had a big eyeball (what is with Zelda and eyeballs?) on the back of his head that you were supposed to slash. O_o


-riding Epona across Eldin Bridge.


-fighting on Eldin Bridge. Actually, the monster on top of the boar is scarier since I've actually ridden the boar.


-Link and the Ordon hawk. (this is from a 2005 trailer)

That's all for now. ^^

ところでだれがふりがなを書くことが出来ないの？ほうほうがしりたいんだけど先生でも知らない。