Every year, I read about twenty-four books. That is two a month, on average. I want to read more, but I have many things to do. This year, my plan was to read one English book, then one Japanese book, then one English book, then one Japanese book, and so on. This hasn’t happened. So far, I have read seventeen English books and only three Japanese books.

I think one reason is that I have an English Kindle. It is so easy to buy English books. I just click a button, and I have the book. I don’t have a Japanese kindle, so if I want to buy a book, I have to go to the bookstore or wait for the books to arrive by post. Now I’m thinking of getting a Japanese kindle. Maybe that will help me to read more Japanese books.

Another reason is that I read Japanese all day when I work. I translate from Japanese to English, so at night, when I am tired, I want to read something easy and light. And I want to read in English. Reading in English is important. I translate into English, so I have to keep my English writing level high. To do this, I need to read, write and use English.

I enjoy reading in both languages, but I think I should try to read more Japanese books next year. Actually, I should try to read more English books too.

 

By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press

 

I am busy at work every day, and sometimes it seems like I have no time to study. I want to pass level 3 on the HSK Chinese test early next year, so I must study.

Every evening, I write a “to-do list” for the next day. I write each task and also when I am going to do that task – am, pm, or night. I have started to add my study to my to-do list. So, I make study part of my working day.

At first, I felt bad about this. I thought, “I should be working, why am I using the time to study?” But now, I think, “Studying a language is an investment in myself.” Language learning is important because knowing another language opens new doors.

After I passed the highest level on the Japanese proficiency test, many doors opened. I hope this will happen when I pass the Chinese test. Of course, I don’t want to stop at level 3. I want to pass level 6, which is the highest grade. So, I have to study every day.

I had to change my way of thinking. Of course, studying languages is fun, and it is my hobby, but it is also work. Now, I don’t feel bad about putting it on my to-do list every day.

 

By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press

During summer, I participated in #vana11. This is “virtual summer holiday homework”. On Twitter, the people participating in it set study goals for the summer holiday, and posted their progress each day.

My goals were

1. Finish my Chinese language textbook (50 units)
2. Finish my Chinese workbook (50 units)
3. Read two novels in Japanese

Then I added daily Duolingo, Chinese grammar wiki, or daily Chinese listening to my goals.

I reached goal number 3. I read two novels by Matsumoto Seicho, my favourite Japanese author. They were really exciting.

I didn’t reach my goal of finishing by Chinese textbook, but I went from unit 21 to unit 44. I was pleased with this progress. With my workbook, it only arrived halfway through my studies, but I reached unit 19. I decided to finish my textbook first, and then use the workbook for reviewing the language in my textbook.

I managed to do Duolingo, Chinese grammar wiki, or Chinese listening every day.

I’m glad I participated in the virtual summer homework event. Every day, I saw other people’s study reports and it motivated me. It is also motivating to post your own study reports. I think I will continue doing this now that the summer homework has finished.

 

by Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press

It seems like summer was short this year. We had a long rainy season in June and July, and then about three weeks of sunny and hot weather. In mid-August, we had a typhoon. Since then it has been cool and rainy.

Some parts of Japan had torrential (torrential = very heavy) rain, and there was flooding and mudslides. Luckily, the area where I live didn’t have any disasters.

Apart from the disasters, I am glad that summer was short. Recently, summers have been getting hotter and hotter in Japan. When I came to Japan 19 years ago, summers were pleasant. I used to ride my bicycle to the beach in summer. Now, it is too hot and humid to go outside in summer. I stay inside, with my air conditioner on.

My parents visited Japan nine years ago. They visited in September. That year, it was still very hot and they struggled with the heat and humidity. I think this September is going to be autumn-like and cool. I hope so. Autumn is my favourite season. I love drinking coffee and reading a good book on a cool autumn day.

 

by Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press

We joined Instagram the other day. (Our name user name is italkyoutalk.) We haven’t posted much yet. I spend a lot of time in my office, so I feel like I don’t have any interesting photographs to post.

For a long time, I have thought that I need to get out of the office more, and spend more time outside. Maybe Instagram will give me an extra reason to do this. I live in a beautiful place in Japan, so there are many scenic spots. However, I never visit them. I have a new phone, which takes very nice, high quality photographs. I’d like to share pictures of the beautiful place I live with other people. I think Instagram will be a good place to do this.

Now it is the rainy season, and nice flowers are blooming. I’ll try to get out and take some shots of them while they are still in bloom!

By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press

 

I wanted to go running today. So, I got ready, drove to my usual running spot and started to run. Then, my knee started to hurt. I don’t know why. I tried to continue running for a few hundred metres, but eventually I gave up. I went home and rode my exercise bike and did some stretching.

I was looking forward to running outside. It is getting hotter and more humid, so it won’t be comfortable to run outside soon. I wanted to make the most of the cool weather while I can.

I wonder what is wrong with my knee. I hope it is nothing serious. I will try running again in a few days. If the pain persists, I might go and see a doctor. Maybe I am just getting old…