Well, I’m super excited to finally become a member here on Textfugu. I’ve been wanting to do it for a couple years now, and I finally can! (Why I could not is another story for another time.) So YAY! I’ve been a freelancer japanese student, taking lessons through my online school for about a year, and then I started taking lessons from my friend who moved here from Japan about 7 years ago, and who also teaches. I’m not super amazing at speaking japanese, and most of my lessons with her just involved talking about the culture in Japan. (Things like how to make onigiri, and how to greet people, how watermelon and milk is super expensive in Japan and why; the humbler things.)
But, I finally am accomplishing my dream to go to Japan! I originally wanted to go for a year, but now it has been reduced down to 3 weeks. I’m staying with a family on the outskirts of Sapporo this November! But, I am not very confident with speaking, or understanding what they are saying. (>.<) I can read japanese picture books and such, but I still need help even with those! So, I figured with this experience in Japan and learning on Textfugu, I might be able to get a step closer to my dream of understanding the Japanese day to day life better! (I even get to attend school for a week!)
The main things I wish to learn are what rural, and everyday life is like in Japan. What the family does on a daily basis, and also lots of fun recipes! (I'm also quite curious how they would react to someone who looks like me.) Eventually, I want to stay for a longer period of time, but I feel like this trip will be a great way to be introduced to Japan.
Anyway thank you so much, for having this site! I am so excited to learn more, and can't wait to get started! (^o^)