2nd Stepping Stone to Fuji

Ohayo Gozaimasu! Konnichiwa! Konbanwa! 

It's my 3rd day with Japanese and I have many things to share. Yesterday I memorized (again) the Ka group of the Hiragana (ka, ki, ku, ke, ko)

 

Something I recommend, and everyone else seems to as well, is to MEMORIZE the Kana's (Japanese characters). If you memorize them early on it will be so much easier. And if you need an incentive then let me ask you this, how awesome would it be for you to be able to go to a Japanese restaurant or a place that has signs with multiple languages (one being Japanese) and you're able to read it instantly without a problem? I'd think that would be amazing, and even though I've only memorized about five of the hiragana groups it is incredible how much I can read without the other Kanas.

Cool apps

So I'm pretty sure the majority of the people reading this have smartphones, or one of those downloadable software that can allow phone apps on the computer.

Well I bring this up because something that has kept me active and motivated with Japanese (even while I was on hiatus) were smartphone apps. I personally use a Droid phone, but I AM SURE there are apps for apple phones and other phone developers. Here are some of my favorite:

1)AnkiDroid! = This app is INCREDIBLE x infinity. 

2)Aedict= this is very good for when you start improving a lot and looking up words you do not know.

3)Q2 Keyboard = awesome app that allows you to write using japanese Kana.

4)Japanese Hiragana Free = is another fun and interactive app for learning hiragana

Check these out and have fun.

Mr. Raf and his random, yet important notes 

Hello class, today I found out what has happened to your previous teacher, Mr. Ando. Unfortunately Mr. Ando was arrested after having attacked a man who was destroying a forest in order to develop a new building. He will be in prison for life.

Anyways today I shall tell you some useful information. The first, and possibly the most important piece of information of this entire document, is that Romaji is useless. Learn to hate it.

2nd, watch a LOT of anime with Japanese dub and subtitles that you can read and understand. The more Japanese pronunciation you hear the more chances you have of properly pronouncing words.

If you don't like Anime then watch some regular television from Japan online.

3rd, Have fun! Repeat some words you find hilarious, an example being Pero (click on the word to see what I mean). Repeating "funny" words or words you find interesting will make you want to find more words like that and make you feel like you already know some Japanese :). Try it out.....Pero, Pero, Pero............peroooooo!