Secondly, I have a few more questions for you, this time involving Japanizing my environment:

- I live in the DC area of the USA and have no idea where to get a zataku. How high are they generally? I have a table that I currently use for my computer desk that has hollow metal legs, I think I can cut them to proper height, which I read is about 10-14 inches, is this correct?

- Are Japanese bookcases and dressers any lower than typical American ones? I have two bookcases that practically stretch to my ceiling and one fairly tall dresser, do I need to get smaller ones?

- I own many statues of dragons that were quite expensive, should I get rid of these for the sake of my Japanese environment?

- I also have a few Chinese goods that I can easily part with, get rid of these as well?

- I have some old trophies and autographed stuff, should I part with these? By autographed stuff, I mean signed by bands and football players.

- I’m just starting out kanji and I think that I’m using SRS incorrectly: it never asks me about older kanji, just the ones that I haven’t repped yet, help?

Thanks for all of your help! I’m sorry if I’m being a bother, I know you’re a busy person.

I think, maybe an additional benefit to having phrases in places where they take place would be good for the inner monologue, too. I don’t know about you, but, I do think to myself things like: “I need to change my socks.” Maybe?

Now, just to figure out a way to build Misaki into my little phrase notes. ^^;

And, you certainly make a point with eating cake with chopsticks. Mmhm, cake.

I think this is genius! The idea of labeling nouns has been around for a long time, but labelling the actions that go on in a place using those nouns — i.e. putting up short phrases — that’s news to me! This is a huge improvement on an already dope idea: after all, knowing a noun without the verbs that go with it is just annoying…

And I don’t think the chopsticks action is too extreme by any means…I’ve been eating cake exclusively with ’sticks for like 6 years now; it just tastes better. No cold metal interruption of my moist, rich, chocolate 祭り…

Caaaaaaaaake…

One thing that I’ve made an effort to change is my walls. I’ve been taking notebook paper and using a sharpie to write out nice and big, the Kanji. Having them on my walls may sound like cheating, but, there’s really no cheating when you’re trying to learn something, right? I just don’t look. It’s too much effort to look up anyways.

So far, music/radio, walls, TV/Movies all taken care of. Oh, and I almost don’t notice it anymore, but my browser is installed under Japanese, as are any other programs. All my folders are renamed to Japanese names. (I don’t have the money for a Japanese OS at the moment, so I’m making due). All my bookmarks (even for English sites (yes, I know BAD!) have been renamed in Japanese). I try to name most of my files in Japanese too. The only English site I actually visit anymore is this one, and it’s typically because I’m just craving to read something motivational. I especially like the posts about life in Japan. But, I digress.

The inner monologue thing is difficult with me since I don’t actually have much vocabulary (still in the Kanji phase). So instead of thinking of the words in Japanese I think about what Kanji best fits he thoughts I’m having. For instance, if I and thinking: “I want to read this.” I think of the Kanji I’ve learned for those meanings. “I” and “read” are two Kanji that I know already know, so, those pop in my head. Once I start on my sentence phase, I’ll definitely make more of an effort in changing any monologue thoughts to Japanese. (I have a paper dictionary that will have to do, for now). I also do this Kanji-think (<– official term now) when I am reading something for class, I’ll fill-in the appropriate Kanji for as many words as I can. I find this is good practice since, as mentioned, being in the Kanji phase. What are your thoughts on this?

With food, I’m fortunate to know of this Japanese food store. The whole place in Japanese (go figure!). I enjoy walking in and being greeted with いらっしゃいませ！
Anyways, I like to spend huge sums of time in there just reading as much as I can. I’m planning on making a trip there again soon, and buying ingredients to make things that I’m learning to cook online. I think cooking in Japanese is a good way to learn the names of foods and utensils used.

As for living style. I still use my bed for now. My dorm room has a concrete, cold, uncomfortable floor. And, I’m lacking in the comforter department. But, I’m tempted to just go all the way and sleep on the floor regardless. I hear it’s good for your back, anyways.

So, now that you have an idea on how I’m making my own immersion, I’m curious what you think about some ideas I have in regard to furthering it, and maybe, if you want, you can add to these and help me make my life even more Japanese?

I was thinking about looking up the words for every single item in my dorm room and taking my roll of masking tape and sketch paper, and going to town with my sharpie marker on labeling everything. Bed, floor, wall, windows, printer, computer, TV, and roommates..

More on the labeling thing; I was thinking about making out an activity list too to post in miscellaneous places. For instance, just like the object labeling, put sticky note above my towel with something like “dry-off” and one by my dresser that says “get dressed” or “change clothes.” Anyways, you get the idea.

I’m fortunate with the whole chopsticks spiel, in that, my friend has gone to Japan before and he bought me a pair. So, I have a nice pair of 100円 chopsticks to use. I’ve eaten just about everything with them. I remember when I would use them for things like chips and cereal too. (Too extreme?)

Getting textbooks in Japanese for school might serve as a problem right now. Since I can only get store credit for selling my books back to the school store. I don’t even read them, so I don’t think it’s such a major problem.

Anyways, I apologize for the *extremely* lengthy comment. If it bores you too much, you don’t have to read it.. Guess it’s too late for that.

PS: Maybe I’m weird, but my entire stream of thought is in words. I think only in words, unless I’m thinking of a specific image/event. I’d need a pretty big dictionary.

>it takes an average Japanese or Chinese person several years to learn them…
their current methods suck
Perhaps one might more accurately say: it takes an[yone]…several years to learn them, using sucky methods.

Thanks
Tony