Day 252 Progress Update

皆さんこんばんは。

Hi everyone! Since my last post on May 11, I've reached a couple of landmark dates. On May 21 it was the eight month mark since beginning to learn Japanese. It was my 250th day on May 27. I like numbers and dates if you can't tell. ;) It helps keep me motivated when I measure things that way.

I haven't increased my vocabulary much the past few weeks. I've just been working on the words I already know, so my total is around 5600 words that I do my best to remember and recognize. This last month has brought a lot of physical challenges for me and someone else close to me, so many days it's all I can do to review my flashcards while laying in bed. That sounds weird, but it gives me something to do when I'm trying to get enough energy to get out of bed. 

I continue to utilize JapanesePod101's lessons, and I review the meanings of kanji in addition to using some other apps here and there. However, if I'm not feeling well at all one day, I do my review flashcards for the day and call it good. I have made some progress in Genki and definitely find that to be the best use of my time when I'm up for it. Hopefully I'll feel a little better in these coming weeks, and I'll be able to make some more progress. If not, then I hope to at least retain what I've learned so far. 'Tis the challenge of learning languages when you are chronically ill. 

Working on Japanese, Spanish, Cantonese, and Korean in varying degrees gives me positive and interesting things to do each day. I feel like my brain starts turning to mush without some brain food, so languages are my brain food right now. It's easy to get very down when you can't do much physically. Studying gives me something to look forward to and make progress in even when doing very poor physically. It's either this or watch a lot of tv or play games. Which in excess feels like brain junk food when consumed in high amounts. ;)

I have always loved languages. Even though I'm not very well physically, learning about some of the languages and cultures that have always fascinated me is definitely fulfilling. I look forward to seeing where I am on my next update! 

If you're interested, I have posted my first blog post today on cantoneseiscool.blogspot.com. I'll be posting updates on my journey and progress of learning Cantonese. It's exciting so far!

じゃね。