Holizz versus the Web

I went through my JLPT level 1 flash cards. There were only 8 I didn’t recognise. So I learnt those. Now I know the 80 kanji in the JLPT level 1 exam, and I know plenty more on top of that.

I remember thinking at some point that the flash cards weren’t much use to me at whichever moment I thought that, but this past week or two I’ve been studying kanji on almost a daily basis and I’m getting to the point where I can read lots of things I couldn’t before.

I’ve been reading previews of comics on Kodansha’s English site, Azuma Kiyohiko’s weblog, text in anime, and pretty much anything I come across.

In an effort to improve my reading skills I have ordered a lot of untranslated manga from Japan.

• あずまんが大王(Azumanga Daioh)〜1から4まで (all of it) - I bought the ADV translation because I liked the series, but ADV did a terrible job of it, so I decided to get the original when I could read it, and I think I’m well on my way to being able to.
• 蟲沛(Mushishi)〜1と2 - I love the TV series, and I read a sample on Koudansha’s English site (amusingly, the mouseover-to-show-English feature didn’t work in Firefox).
• よつばと！(Yotsuba&!)〜1と2 - It’s by the same author as Azumanga Daioh (Azuma Kiyohiko); I couldn’t resist.

Meme stolen from Neil.

I’ll answer bilingually. Because I can.

When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was behind you?

おてあらい。

The toilet.

How much cash did you spend yesterday?

195GBPです。でも、今日は日本から日本語でコミックを買いました。10,844円です。

I paid 195GBP for rent. But today I spent 10,844円 (about 55GBP) on manga. In Japanese. From Japan.

What’s a word that rhymes with mist?

フィスト。

Fist.

Favorite planet, which you would live on, if you could?

土。

Earth.

Who is the LAST person you kissed?

おかさんかな。

My mum, probably.

What is your favorite ring on your phone?

さあ…

I put Paint it Black on ages ago back when it was Davina’s (about a week). It’s not really my favourite, rather it’s the only one that isn’t stupid.

What is the last band shirt you wore?

一つあります。ピクシーズ。

I only have one. Pixes.

What do you think of yourself?

おたく、ね？

I’m an otaku, don’t you think?

Name the brand of your shoes you’re currently wearing?

赤い花緒のじょじょ。

Akai hanao no jojo.

Night light or pitch black?

黒。

Pitch black.

What do you think about the (previous) person who took this?

いい人。

Nice person.

What were you doing at midnight last night?

ねむましたが読みましたかな。

Sleeping, or maybe reading.

What did your last text message say that you received?

そかな。

Just for that poor attempt at using the English language I shall refuse to answer.

Where is the nearest Valero?

バレロが何ですか。

What’s one of those when it’s at home?

What’s something that you say a lot?

そかって。

そか.

Who told you they loved you last?

おかさん。

Davina.

Last furry thing you touched?

さあ…

I don’t know.

How many drugs have you done in the past 3 days?

何もしません

None.

Favourite age you have been so far?

え？

What?

Your worst enemy?

アメリカ王。

King of America.

What is your current desktop picture?

黒です。

It’s plain black.

What was the last thing you said to someone?

えっとえっと…あ、分かりません。

I forgot.

How do you like your eggs?

好きではありません。

I don’t like them.

Do you like someone?

人が好きですかな。

Maybe I like somebody.

The last song you listened to?

分かりませんがあゆからでした。

I don’t know, but it was by Ayu.

きのう、9じはんから10じはんまでCASS2にいきました。おもしろいですからたのしいです。

CASS2のあとでCASS2のしごとをしました。そしてひるごはんをたべましたが、おねがいチーチャーをみました。

そしてにほんごがべんきょうをしました。

水曜日からまいにちトンファーをします。すきです！あしたこぶどでトンファーがべんきょうをします。

All those そして, it’s like I’m five again; beginning every sentence with and then.

Translation (as absolutely literal as possible, because I’m like that):

From 9.30 till 10.30 I went to CASS2. It was interesting, therefore it was enjoyable.

After CASS2 I did CASS2’s (course)work. Then I ate lunch and watched Onegai Teacher.

Then I studied Japanese.

Everyday since Wednesday I practice with my tonfa. I love them. Tomorrow I will study them with kobudo.

やった！

(I did it!)

今はこうしょくのおびをあります！

(Now I have a yellow belt!)

Technically I just have the certificate. I’ll get the belt on Wednesday (水曜日にあります).

今日のアーチェリがファンです。BUSAですから四人をいました。

(Today’s archery was fun. BUSA is on, so there were four people there.)