Whoo boy. Cleveland seems to have a LOT of sex offenders running around, and the only time I ever get groped is because someone thinks I'm some "loli" who's too scared to say anything.

Fuck THAT.

I make HUGE, large scale, high production scenes that rival The Exorcist in their intensity and volume. Yeah, it's overkill, but it's SO satisfying to watch 3 guys surround some pervert who needs to be kept off the streets anyways.

LMFAO!!! I love you! *wipes tears from eyes*

You don't know me, but I found your blog a while ago (I think you had some doujinshi scans up or something, I can't quite remember) and drop in from time to time to read your entries. They tend to be really funny.

I'm actually a senior in high school who was considering studying Japanese in college soas to one day go to Japan and teach. Though I'm terrified at the thought of moving overseas by myself, I figured I could give it a try.

Then I read this.

I don't think I'll be leaving America ever unless I'm heading to Australia (I went there during the summer. Lovely country). I won't be going to Japan to teach, certainly. I'm a skinny little white chick; how could I fend off a pervert and not make a fuss?! I'd scream like nobody's business.

Anyway, enough rambling. Thank you for writing this entry. It's really informative and helpful for someone like me. Thanks so much. ^_^

-Kantama

I painted a pretty grim picture, but that's because so many people tend to idolize Japan without seeing the big picture. I didn't mean to scare anyone! *laughs*

If I were you, I'd go anyway. If I had the means and time, I would! :) There are a lot of foreigners living in Japan that have no trouble with the law (other than getting stopped by police checking for stolen bikes and 'gaijin cards'). It's just a good idea to read as much as you can before you go, because things are very different over there. If you aren't stealing bikes, doing drugs, or causing trouble, I'm pretty sure you'll be just fine.

True, but at the same time I rather like being able to report things to the police with the knowledge that they will at least look into it, not over it. I'm a Law & Order junkie, if that tells you anything.

How difficult is it to learn Japanese, and moreso to be fluent in it? Especially if you're a born and bred Southerner who knows no one else who speaks any Japanese at all.

I love Alabama. --_-- Sooooo many rednecks...

-Kantama

Kantama~

It's hard, especially if you learn on your own (like me). I seriously lack in my listening and speaking skills, which probably wouldn't be the case if I was able to take formal classes. Reading is far easier for me. Still, I can watch a show (japanese) and pick up on what's going on from the words I know, and I can string together a semi coherant sentence. *laughs*

Kanji are tough, mainly because there are so many of the little buggers and so many different readings. Learn hiragana and katakana first. Avoid romanji; though it is necessary in the beginning, don't become reliant on it. Read lots of books (Kodansha has the best ones out there) and buy some listening tapes/cds to practice. Watch Japanese shows (anime is fun, but I suggest watching Variety shows and dramas).

Grammar isn't that bad, but remembering all the conjugations for verbs, ajectives, etc. can be a pain in the ass. Still, it's not really -that- difficult compared to other languages. I think the most daunting thing is the writing system and the slang terms. Also, Japanese is a very -vague- language. A lot of what is said is implied context, which makes it confusing for us English speakers (at least this is my theory).

It's not impossible to get a decent grasp of Japanese in the States, but for fluency you'd have to be around the language all the time--that's the best way to learn. Still, it's a fun language to study.

Give it a whirl! It's always a good thing to learn another language. Not only do you know how to speak something other than your native tongue, but you also gain some enlightenment into another culture. Very cool! :)

(tip: start out with simple books. Japanese for Young People might seem juvenile, but it'll help you with the basics. You can get it at Barns and Noble or Amazon. Then check out the stuff by Kodansha. They have great books on verbs, particles, and adverbs.)

I can speak a few words of Japanese, and can sing a few songs if I don't think about it (when I start thinking about what to sing I stumble). I have the accent down well enough, which is a blessing (you should hear my Spanish accent, or, more accurately, my lack thereof).

I practice slang terms that I read from a book called "Making Out In Japanese" (no joke!) that one of my teachers got for me. I can tell someone off in Japanese, but only after looking it up (my memory isn't very good).

I think I'm going to attend a college that offers a rudimentary Japanese course, just to see if I can handle it. If I can't, then oh well. If I can then I'll just transfer out to a college that has the full program.

What'cha think? Sound like a plan?