Yes. very embarrassing right now .. but I will be adding to it over time. I will try to build categories as to how I am grouping them when I study. And yes .. with some words, it might be better not to ask where I learned them.

Kana (Romaji) — English
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おはよう (ohayo) — good morning
こんにちは (konnichiwa) — good afternoon
こんばんは (konbanwa) — good evening

いま (ima) — now
きのう (kinou) — yesterday
きょう (kyou) — today
あした (ashita) — tomorrow

でんしゃ (densha) — train
えき (eki) — station
うち(uchi) — home

なに(nani) — what?
いつ(itsu) — when?
なぜ(naze) — why?
だれ(dare) — who?
どうして(dooshite) — how?
いくら(ikura) — how much?
どの(dono) — which?
どれ(dore) — which one?

This section definitely isn’t a course or tutorial on “How to learn Japanese” .. I am in no way qualified in language studies and I still stuggle on asking where the bathroom is .. but rather a look into the process which I am attempting to learn the language. In the end, I may be the only one appreciating this section .. but who knows .. for all those who have endured the trials and pains of learning another language .. this may at least serve as some comic relief.

Who really has the time to take a bath? There is barely enough time to grab a bagel from Bob’s on the corner of 86th and York .. forget filling up a tub and soaking with mineral salts. After living in NYC, I have grown to appreciate time to be as valuable as money. Every little bit is precious. Spend it wisely. Yet the Japanese seem to find the time … is life in Tokyo more relaxed and carefree?

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Happy New Year. New Year’s in Japan carries traditions and customs very different than those of the United States. As with most of the Japanese culture, these traditions and customs are always carefully crafted and beautifully designed .. everything from the ceremonial rituals at the temple/shrines to the presentation of the food.

どようび　じゅうにがつ　にじゅうよっか. (Saturday Dec 24th) … Right by Tokyo Station in Tokyo …. there is a display of “gate-like” light installations that bridges the width of the street as a large Christmas decoration to celebrate the holiday and welcome the new year. I had seen the installations during the day before the official lighting, and they were elegant in shape but I never imagined the beauty they would display with the colors and light in the evening. Check the link below for more photos of the event.

The installation will be up from December 24, 2005 until January 1, 2006. Check the official web site below for more details.

official_website: http://www.nifty.com/millenario/flash