Haven’t felt much like blogging lately.  I’ve been on a real study kick, trying to squeeze a bunch of new kanji and vocab into my brain.  I’ve taken to tackling lists of things I think I should know – government ministries, planets, major organs.  I’m discovering some neat things while I’m at it.  Example: I’ve always associated Venus with love and pretty goddesses, but in Japanese the word is 金星 or “gold/money planet”.  Now I picture the goddesses’ pockets overflowing with cash.

Another cool word – appendix (the one in your gut) is 盲腸 or “blind intestine”.  Fitting as long as you don’t think about it too hard.

I’m not only studying lists, of course.  I’m working my way through a novel and some test prep books as well as watching a bunch of tv… even getting into anime for the first time in years.  The first show I’m watching is called 君に届け or “Reaching You” and is a high school love story.  Exactly my sort of thing.

The second is just weird.  Six hot guys are physical manifestations of stations on Tokyo’s Ooedo subway line that ride around on a “miracle train” and solve people’s problems.  To see the Japanese definition of hot guys watch the intro:

The show itself is littered with facts a train nut would love.  Did you know that Roppongi’s Ooedo station is the deepest in Japan at 42.3 meters (138 feet) underground?  The train trivia even leaks into the characters.  Shinjuku is the most visited station on the line, so Mr. Shinjuku is the most popular guy in the group.  Shiodome station was the last to be completed so he’s played by what looks like a 14 year old.  And so on.

I think part of me is just thrilled that I can understand most of what’s being said.  It’s brain candy.  Sweet, romance-soaked brain candy.

Nom.

The most beautiful sky is after a typhoon barrels through.  All of the smog is blown away and all that’s left is the sunset and Mt. Fuji.  Wow.

I’m getting a little better at the bento thing.  Here’s what I’ve been taking to school recently:

Roughly clockwise from left: salmon, rice, broccoli, two kinds of pickles, persimmon, garnished with a lettuce leaf.

One day when I opened this some of the sixth graders actually clapped.  But others soon chimed in – the bento box is too small, I need more rice, aren’t there too many veggies in there?  Tough crowd.