Question:any tips for japanese language learning?

I gave a basic outline of how I study here.

But just like anything, the more time you spend doing it, the better you will get. Even if you are just watching Japanese TV mindlessly It still helps IMO. These days I just talk to my GF, watch Anime, read comics, and I also read ero blogs on the net. You can download a firefox plugin called 'rikaichan' so when your cursor hovers over a Kanji character the english translation pops up. It's awesome.

Sometimes I practice writing by copying out sentences from an SRS like ANKI and I use a book by Heisig for Kanji. I also use my ipod touch for a vocab application 'Japanese flip'. I also download anime onto my ipod and watch it on the go. I also use my ipod for my dictionary. I used to listen to free Japanese podcasts but they stopped doing them for free so I gave that up. Plus I couldn't stand the guys voice. His voice made me angry. But ipod rocks.

Keep your headphones on, try to make the input Japanese as much as possible. Listen to a song you like then check the net for the lyrics, then try to sing the song. When you buy Japanese products try to read the label. Get input from as many different sources and mediums as you possibly can. If you're using materials that are of genuine interest to you, you will want to understand the meaning and that will motivate you to continue.

Then if the material itself doesn't motivate you, walking the streets and seeing girls like this looking at you and smiling, and then realizing that you can't speak to them, will make you want to learn. That's if you're a guy....d^0^b

I want to be The Greatest

So busy with work and study these days. The rainy weather makes my time with my GF mostly indoors. Drinking plumb wine, eating cheese, taking warm baths and talking about everything and nothing while dreaming about becoming the greatest.

I want to be a funky funk cat

So I tried to get my GF to funk dance with me. I thought some old school shit would get her into it. No such luck. I had to up the funk levels!

Funkas

This shit is the FUNK. She still wouldn't dance with me though :(

I will break her down slowly. Get her drunk, then get the funk.

alcomohol

When I was a teenager/early 20's I never drank. I drank a little, but very sporadically. This is the time of life when people are supposed to go wild and drink a lot. I didn't so much. I was very strict and uptight. Totally focused on my study and on my health.

These days, I drink more than I used to. Tonight I had 5 cans of beer and some umeshu (plumb wine) with my GF. Yesterday I went to a BBQ and drank a ton. Two days before that I randomly invited some girls that were in the same elevator as me after work to go drinking with me and a co worker at a random street side vendor. When that finished I was on my way home and bumped into a guy that lives in the same building as me. I happened to get a bottle of champagne that day from a student so we decided to crack it open and drink it.

He was with his girlfriend and the three of us sat outside on the stairs drinking champagne, talking boisterously. The rain started to fall lightly making the air fresh, and we got happily drunk. It was a nice moment.

I just think about how much drinking I do, and how it is more than what it used to be. I think it's because I don't drive anymore, and I don't have any overbearing parents trying to moderate my lifestyle. Sometimes I hear stories about people who lived in Japan and come back with alcoholism and it kinda worries me. I also know about how my family has a history of alcoholics. I don't think I drink large amounts, but I drink pretty often. Almost everyday. But only one or two drinks. Then on days when I go out- its 3-5+ drinks. Not that much really. It's just that I go out often.

I think that Japanese lifestyle results in an increase in alcohol consumption.

My GF this, My GF that...

Ever hung out with one of those people that talk non stop about their new relationship and try to wedge the topic in on every conversation? Then 6-12 months later when it isn't so new anymore they just roll their eyes when they talk abour the same person?

That guy, is me.

Yeah. I suck. HAHA!

Can I leave my stuff at your place?

My GF asked if she could leave a bag of her stuff at my place. It's cool with me, since we are pretty established now. It feels kinda strange when it happens too soon though. Like when a girl takes over my tiny bathroom with her stuff on day2.

I was looking around my place and I still have various remnants from ex- hookups, GFs, one nights stands.

I have a fake lip-ring from a one night stand punk chick. I have an ear stud from a slightly B-kei one night stand.

Random hair brush. I don't know.


Ex-GF's and Fuck buddy's; Bath salt, facial scrubs, soaps, lotions, massage oil- other things I don't know what their purpose is for....

I think it's time to either use them, or lose them. My skin is a little dry around the eyes. Perhaps a nice bath with a revitalizing facial is in order....?