Introduction to Me

Well, here it goes again. I have tried to do a blog before, but I didn't have much to write about and it basically fell apart. Now, however, I am starting this blog with the intent of recording my progress, problems, and anecdotes about learning the wonderful language of Japanese. To start, let me introduce myself. I just finished my second year of college. I started studying Japanese to fulfill general requirements, but I loved learning a language so much that I have declared Japanese as my major. After an internship at an international school last summer, I decided to minor in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (hereafter referred to as TESOL). As a combination of these interests, I am going to be living in Sakai, Japan for the next three months while I teach English classes every day and study Japanese. I have to work really hard at Japanese, but usually I can do ok if I try my best. My attitude for Japanese is to try my best and learn the material and progress in the language will naturally result. It takes more time than cramming the material in all at once, but I think I remember the material longer.

Right now it is the night before I leave for Japan. I am both excited and nervous for the challenge of living in a foreign country. I know that there are a lot of great experiences waiting for me, and I will get to meet lots of people and try new things. On the other hand, I am uncertain about my ability to communicate in Japanese to the people around me and a little nervous to teach a class by myself for the first time. I think the hardest thing at this point is that I really have no idea what to expect.

Let's see...I guess I should mention my travel plans. I am leaving my house tomorrow between 5:30 and 6:00 and heading up to the Salt Lake Airport. From there I will make a connection in Seattle with a few hours for a lay-over (and lunch). I will also meet up with Taylor, another intern going to the Osaka area. We will be taking the same flight to Osaka, where we will be picked up by his host family.

I hope that I will be able to keep this blog updated on a regular basis, but I am not sure yet whether my host family has internet, so I might end up posting everything for the week all at once. I guess I will just have to see.