6 months since I came to Japan past a few weeks ago. Its hard to believe that If I wasnt recontracting half of my time in Japan would be over. In honor of that halfway point I will re-analyze my Japan bucket list and cross some things off/edit them as needed.
JAPAN BUCKET LIST
I would consider this accomplished. I didn't see the sunrise from the summit of mount Fuji but from about 700 meters from the top. pretty dang close. ACCOMPLISHED!
1. Climb to the summit of Mount Fuji and watch the sunrise from the top.
I haven't honestly been studying a ton of Japanese. I more just pick things up from students and coworkers. my listening ability has improved a lot, but my speaking is still very poor. This goal was way too lofty and ridiculous. I'm going to edit it to something achievable. IN PROGRESS
2. Understand 50% of the Japanese spoken around me by the end of my year long contract. (this is ambitious... but I will do my best!)
- 2. Pass the JLPT Level 5 in June and the JLPT level 4 in December! (JLPT=Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
I live in Onsen Town. I have been to about 5-6 different Onsen now. I thoroughly enjoy it. ACCOMPLISHED!
3. Go to an Onsen (Hot Spring Bath)
I have signed up for a Japanese cooking class later this month! Look for a post about it soon! IN PROGRESS!
- 4. Learn to make sushi
Haven't made any attempts at this yet... Will look into it soon! IN PROGRESS
- 5. Learn Calligraphy
I need to work on making art before I can start worrying about showing art! I have been to a ton of museums and seen some incredible artwork though! IN PROGRESS!
- 6. Show artwork in a gallery in Japan.
Will look into it soon! IN PROGRESS!
- 7. Try Kyudo (Japanese archery)
Not yet! Seems like I still have quite a bit of traveling to do! IN PROGRESS!
- 8. Travel to Japan's 4 major islands.
Not even close sadly. I probably know about 15-20 student's names. The Japanese names are difficult because I'm not accustomed to them. I also dont teach any second year students. pretty impossible to learn their names. The goal will be changed to knowing all of my students in MY classes. IN PROGRESS!
9. Know all 800 student's names in my high school.
- 9. Know all of the students names that I teach in my own classes!
Does English Speaking Society Count? Yes? Good. ACCOMPLISHED.
10. Join an after school club activity.
Well, I've learned to snowboard kinda but I definitely need practice in order to call myself a boss. I'm wincing as I type this from sore muscles actually... ACCO-IN PROGRESS.
- 11.
Learnto be a bosson a snowboard and/or ski's
More traveling! I think this will have to wait until next year! I wont have time this winter! IN PROGRESS!
- 12. Visit the snow monkeys!
Nope. This will be tough, but I think its doable. Maybe next year after I can speak more Japanese (since I will pass the JLPT level 4!) IN PROGRESS!
- 13. Start a new organization or club of some kind in my community
Hahaa, I got my cowboy boots shipped to me! Thats a start, right? IN PROGRESS!
- 14. Wear a kimono with cowboy boots. (International exchange! Oh, that isn't what you had in mind?)
I can sing the song if its super slow and has furigana. I dont think that counts though. IN PROGRESS!
- 15. Learn to sing karaoke in Japanese.
SUMMER FEST NEXT YEARRRRR!! I Will be there!! IN PROGRESS!
- 16. Go to a Japanese musician's concert.
Accomplished 3 and a half out of 16. not looking great. I better get busy! I'll post the revised list in the next post with some additional goals. There should be quite a few posts coming in the coming weeks. look for them soon!
-Erin
No comments:
Post a Comment