Caw blimey gov I’ve got another part time job! Totally flexible, in that I can work pretty much whatever hours I want, pay not that bad, but most importantly, in a nice environment and for a good cause: in the Oxfam Japan Office, helping with the preparation for the 100km Trailwalker hike!
This is jolly good news, as money has been somewhat problematic of late. Although, having said that, I sold a book on Amazon today for £60! Mind you, it is a fantastic book, and currently out of print, so not all that surprising. And I provide excellent service, what with international delivery guaranteed within 7 days of the order being placed. Certainly beats the 3-6 weeks Amazon offer.
I note that someone in Sheffield has put their copy of Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji Vol 1 on Amazon for £70. A month ago I would have said they wouldn’t have a chance, but having seen several books by that author being sold for astronomical prices of late I wouldn’t be all that surprised.
We’re getting a food processor tomorrow. I’ve missed having one, used to use it a lot in Sheffield. Very handy for soup, and cakes – I can now make light banana cakes, not just ones that have lead weights embedded in them.
I made the silly mistake of leaning my head forward in the Oxfam office tonight (post one-day Oxfam shop meeting) – out came the fluid! There was me thinking I’d drained the lot. Most embarrassing.
*Twinkle* made a serious decision at the weekend. Today she’s acted on it. I am nervously awaiting the results. No messages, no phone calls. No news is good news?
Anyway, we’re about to arrive at my station now, so I’d best be off.
xxx
There’s no escaping the bastards. Tesco Jam in my local supermarket.
Hi Joseph, I actually wanted to comment on your next piece about your Japanese study but it seems comments for that post are disabled.
Anyway, I wanted to encourage you in your Japanese studies. It’s interesting that your path is following that of many Japanese people who study English. That is, your passive skills are very good (listening, reading, etc.) but your active ones not quite on the same level. I think that’s because most of your intense study have been in English (up until your return to Japan). I think people who learn to speak in Japan as part of living here have quite the reverse situation to yours. Rest assured though that, if you come back here to live on a semi-permanent basis, your active (speaking) skills will perk right up.
Good luck! I’m sure you can do it though.
Shari,
Thank you for your encouragement, it’s much appreciated (and I’ve now enabled the comments – not quite sure why I disabled them – kanji-induced poor eyesight could have been the cause)!
I remember being quite startled when I first noticed that a gap was developing between my active and passive skills. I can’t remember what it was that triggered this realisation, but I can recall going to see my sensei, with considerable concern, asking what could be done.
Her response was pretty much the same as yours, ‘give it time’. Study can get me so far, but it’s only through use that my active skills will really improve. Generally I’m pretty good at not caring about making mistakes in speech, but there are times when it holds me back, and this is one area I’m grappling with!