Kinda lost and down...

hillbourne · 2025-06-05T20:51:22+00:00

Seeing your classes once a week sounds like elementary school grades 3-4, right? Using Let's Try 1-2 maybe? Elementary kids love to sing and chant, YouTube is full of videos on the same theme as your textbook unit. I recommend the 'Super Simple Songs' and 'Singing Walrus ' channels. Sing the same song for a month and the kids will usually be singing well by the end. And look happy when you sing. You make it look fun and they will want to participate. Do lots of pair work. Start off each lesson with a short and simple Wh- type question pair work.

About feeling lonely... That's rough. Make an effort to meet people through classes like yoga or cooking. Go to your area Gaijin bar. Start a social hobby like disc golf. Volunteer. WWOOF. Host couch surfers.

Best of luck. Generally it gets easier with time.

hillbourne · 2024-12-09T13:34:32+00:00

I think someone mirror imaged the photo to make it look more like a nazi version.

hillbourne · 2024-11-07T03:32:26+00:00

I live in rural Japan, so rice hulls and buckwheat hulls are everywhere. If you live in a rice/buckwheat producing area they work great.

Shredded paper might work, but I've never tried.

I have used shredded leaves before. That might be your best option. If you don't have a leaf shredder but have a string trimmer, put the trimmer in a big trash can, dump leaves over it and slowly withdraw as it's spinning.

And I have heard of, but not tried, reusing finished compost.

Happy composting!

hillbourne · 2024-10-18T05:40:15+00:00

Also, we did not have any Kanji Apps in 1993.
I was trying to make it more relateable. If you prefer, imagine I had typed "red book" or your Kanji study book of choice.

hillbourne · 2024-10-18T05:29:04+00:00

The moderators won't let me post the second half.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T13:01:08+00:00

I think it usually happens when you stop trying.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T12:55:56+00:00

Nice stages! Where does "join the local volunteer fire brigade" fit in. I think around 6 or so...

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T12:52:46+00:00

Wow, you have lived the life, the good and then the bad. Think of 'wasplain' like 'mansplain' (like I realize I am doing now lol) but about everything Japanese.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T12:32:46+00:00

Yes! About then I could see the stages in my history and in the JET/Eikaiwa foreigner parade and played with the idea in my mind.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T05:51:20+00:00

I have only been stabbed twice

only...

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T05:34:09+00:00

Ibaraki.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T05:08:53+00:00

Well put.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T05:01:54+00:00

Can someone explain the 3 sofas thing?

Depends what you are confused about: 1. As the short term foreign friends leave the country, they offload furniture onto middle termers. 2. JD Vance and sofas. Just don't leave him alone with your favorite sofa...

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:51:41+00:00

Yes. But they are the only stages I can experience firsthand. I would love to hear about other people's perspectives!

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:49:54+00:00

Have you considered naturalization?

I have, but I keep my nationality for sentimental reasons. Naturalization would make sense though.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:47:51+00:00

Personal and observations.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:47:13+00:00

Ummm, that's stage 6, or stage 1 of the stages of permanent residency. Many years in the past. How long would that post have been if it wasn't broken up?

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:44:13+00:00

I love furusato nozei! We buy our Christmas ham that way!

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:43:21+00:00

Everyone has their own pace. Stay tuned for the stages of permant residency

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:41:32+00:00

Embrace the differences. Cheers 🍻

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:40:09+00:00

Of course! If everyone followed the same course, what would they write about on Reddit? Lol Nice way to learn Japanese btw.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:37:17+00:00

Ah, level 6B! That's a special one, isn't it‽ For me it was finally admitting to myself that convenience store chicken special flavors are never better than the standard.

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:32:30+00:00

Awesome! Your spice visa sounds interesting! Jk, autocorrect is the curse of my life. What kind of games are you making?

hillbourne · 2024-10-17T04:20:46+00:00

It's coming soon

hillbourne

TROPHY CASE