During the placement test, we were told that if we felt like we scored above a 50% on the last grammar section, we should ask to set up an interview time. Before the test I felt confident enough, but afterwards didn't think there was any way I could qualify (I barely even answered half of the questions). But nonetheless, I received a notice in my mailbox to come see the people in charge for an interview. During the interview, conducted entirely in Japanese except when I didn't understand a word, which was often, I was asked if I liked speaking more than reading/writing. I answered that I liked them both the same, but I guess it's true that I'm better at speaking. So, my speaking class is one level higher than my reading/writing.
I really like my speaking class, and I think I've figured out how to succeed. The real trick is that I have to be able to explain vocabulary definitions and general concepts in Japanese, not using their English equivalent. Obviously, that's very hard, and I definitely feel like I'm a little behind in that respect. But I think if I prepare for class every day, I'll be able to keep up, and I'll definitely get better.
My reading/writing class, however, is not as exciting. It only meets 3 times a week as opposed to speaking's 5, so maybe I just haven't had enough time to bond with the class yet. But so far, it feels like I'm back in 4th grade learning how to introduce a topic, use transitions, and write in an organized fashion. Doing this kind of thing in Japanese sort of terrifies me.
My other two classes are lectures conducted in English, and honestly by the time I get to them in the afternoon, I am beyond relieved to be in my native language again. They are Sexuality and Culture in Japan: Desire, Power, and Social Order and Peace, Development, and Democratization: The Asia Challenge. PDD, as I call it, is intense. Being at Oberlin has made me more aware of what I need to do to keep myself informed about the world, and I think that so far I've done a pretty poor job of that. So, this class will probably kick my butt. But hey, I need those social science credits...
Sexuality looks to be fun, yesterday we watched a scene from Woody Allen's Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid To Ask (which, in typical fashion, emphasized men's fear of sexual incompetence). I'm hoping to learn some deep, meaningful things about Japan's sexuality. Ha.
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Today I'm going to meet Jess in 伏見稲荷 Fushimi Inari for a festival. What festival, I have no idea (my host mom seemed to know the song that goes with it; my host dad had no idea what it could be). I am now wielding the all-important 携帯 (keitai, cell phone), so that makes these kind of rendezvous feasable. So, that means, if you'd like you can send me mail at siena00@softbank.ne.jp and it will go right to my cell phone, like a text message. This is one of the many reasons why Japan is awesome. My cell phone isn't the most exciting Japanese cell phone ever (far from it), but I guess 外人 can't be choosers.
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