Head of the class

From the moment my husband and I decided we were actually moving to Japan, I knew I needed to hit the books.  But first I needed to pack.  Then, I needed to cope with the move.  Right after that came finding out house and moving again.  We spent a lot of time working on getting settled.  I had my son as my top priority and then a list of other things that needed my attention. 

I was full of excuses.  Since moving I have been so tired.  Living in a space where everything requires extra concentration and effort takes a lot out of a person.  Even days at the park aren't a breeze since I have a language barrier.  For many people the answer is to simply pick up a book and start to learn.  However, (and here's another excuse) I have a hard time concentrating when my son is begging me to play and by the end of the day, I'm just too exhausted to really learn.

No matter the excuses, today is a new day.  And today, I started Japanese school.  My husband helped me by getting me registered for a beginning Japanese course.  The school is just a few minutes from our house, making it super convenient. 

This morning, I rushed my son out the door in order to meet a friend who offered to watch him while I attended class.  He was excited to spend time at his friend's house and I was excited for my class.  The thought of being able to have a conversation without pantomiming has me eager for class to begin.  I arrived a few minutes before the class was supposed to start and got busy on the writing exercise at my desk.  The class began with a flurry of Japanese pronunciation exercises.  As we were practicing our vowel sounds, I realized that the class was being completely taught in Japanese because everyone in the room spoke different languages as their mother tongue.  It was at that moment that I decided that this class was going to really help me.  If I couldn't fall back on English, then I would be pressed even harder than I have ever been before. 

I enjoyed class.  It was full of exercises and reminded me of many things that I already knew.  It was a good review to brush up as we delve deep into the language.  It told me that I need to practice writing Japanese, and my reading is so-so.  I forgot a lot of the grammar and there is vast amount of vocabulary about to come my way.  But at this point, I feel like I am ready. 

I don't just want to learn, I need to.  And that gives me a certain amount of determination that has alluded me before.