this is my third time coming to japan.  i think i should be writing more about my visits, during my stay here, since i got lots of time, and lots of ’sleepy moments’ to avoid.

so on with my point.  i used to have this enthusiasm for the japanese language.  i don’t want to brag but i was able to pass jlpt level 3 in like 10 months of studying.  though i passed that level by the margin with 6 lucky-guessed points, im still proud to say that i did pass considering my lack of study.

then, i was given the the chance for aots, a great opportunity for studying and learning more about the language.  in that 3-month stay, i was able to learn how to communicate with the locals, even if it meant talking like a preschool japanese child.  when i got back to cebu, i tried taking the test for level 2, without taking any formal lessons for that level.  it turned out to be… sleepy!  i just slept for most of the time since i couldn’t even read the questions.  it was too hard.  all i did was create patterns, and enjoyed the fun of shading the circles, creating art! hahahaha

fast forward, i surely enrolled myself to level 2 classes and aimed at taking another shot at the exams.  i was able to attend classes, at least for the first half of the year.  the lessons were easier, and my schedule was manageable.

there’s a phenomenon at work wherein, the work schedule of the engineers become crazy when the jlpt exams get nearer and nearer, preventing us from attending classes, and even doing self study.  that’s what happened to me too.  i did some cramming (it usually works for me) and took the exams with a little confidence.  this time, i wasn’t creating art anymore, but for sure, i had nosebleed trying to answer the questions.  results? i lacked 40 points to nail it.  that’s like 8 reading/grammar questions.  its ok, there’s always next time.

fast fast forward, im again in japan not to mention i just stayed here for 40 days 2 weeks ago.  yes, just two weeks ago.  im supposed to study! so that i’ll definitely pass the ‘next time’ i promised myself.  still, i can’t seem to “click” with the language.  its like im once again with zero japanese while listening to our boss every 8:30 am.  i don’t get what they’re saying.  its like i hear them but they talk gibberish.  i don’t understand a bit.  it’s suprising because 2 weeks ago, i even bully my seatmate – in japanese!

what’s worse is that i don’t have the littlest interest in studying at home.  very far from how cheerful i was with studying 2 years ago.  “ENOUGH!” my mind says…  im even close to having phobia of the language.

if there’s such thing as culture shock, is there language shock as well? im experiencing it right now!

やばい！　これぐらいだめだ！
けど、いま日本語もいいよ！

p.s.  i came across this blog, that wrote this funny quote…

Japanese (n): The devil’s own tongue designed to thwart the spread of Christianity.

source

my version:

Japanese (n): The devil’s own tongue designed
to thwart anyone who dare learn!