[Yuuji]

Originally Posted by katelynisspecial

Haha, but practicing English is no fun! Haha.
It reminds me of some of my penpals want me to help them learn English better, and I don't know how to teach someone English who already knows a lot, and I don't speak their native language(s). The only way I can see would be to correct them, but I think that would be rude. Hmm.

True, true....and until I took college-level language, did I truly learn some of the grammar rules of English (like knowing what the definite article is).

On the other hand, there are plenty that wish to practice 'conversational' English. No culture that I know of speaks the same way as they write. For example: Do you truly speak in sentences? Or usually one long run-on? Grammatical or not, that's what it takes to speak the language, and its not really found in any book.

Just tell them that is what you will try to do (you yourself can be a good judge of 'how' someone speaks something, rather then having to know the rules for writing (let someone else take care of that)).

Oh, and don't forget to tell them it's how North East Americans speak......they don't speak the same way down south, or out west. Close...but, well', y'all know what'cha mean, yo?

I'll have to keep thinking about the money thing, I bet it's something Intrax could have suggestions for. Since I wouldnt want to carry around that much in cash!

Intrax?

And yeah, the money could be a problem (especially be prepared that a) Their bills are larger then our bills, so you might need to buy a cheap Japanese wallet. Our wallet's won't hold them.
And b) Their first paper bill starts at 1000 yen ($10). Thus $5, and $1 are in coins. So plan to carry a coin purse of some kind!).

Traveler's checks are one option.
But I still found the best option was the Credit Card. We paid 70% of our bills that way.
This is the good side of having more then a year to plan.

Yes, I definitely understand about not cramming things in on vacation. I'm good at spacing it out, whenever I go somewhere I always need time to just relax and not always be doing something or I get really worn out and frustrated.

*laughs*
Well I am certainly not!
This was something I learned the hard way, and I still haven't gotten it right yet!
So if you are blessed with that kind of control/patience - then your vacations must be a lot more fun then mine!

So please pardon me if I repeat that piece of advice. It cost a lot to learn, so its still fresh in my mind. I'll just have to remember that you don't have the same weakness.

I'm not sure about days completely to ourselves. I know on the weekdays after lessons we normally have a lot of free time, maybe just one activity in the afternoon. I really hope they don't have us on too tight of a leash, I want the chance to explore. But I think this is a good way to go see a little bit of everything.

*nodnods*
It's definitely someone you'll need to inquire about.

And then after that, take the time to study up on the railroad system surrounding your area.
I believe there are a couple of sites on the web somewhere, where amateurs lead you through using one of the automated railroad machines. To use the tickets, just watch anime. It's basically the same (remember the beginning of Aoi Yori Aoshi? Where Aoi tried to use the ticket? It's practically the same thing)
Also, 4 times out of 5, there is a booth nearby with a person in it to help. Usually in uniform. They treated us as politely as any Japanese, so I appreciated that. Unfortunately, hardly any could speak English (which wasn't a problem as I had my translator with me at all times), but might it might be something you run into a problem with.

'Course, some of these problems might be moot if (by good luck) you meet a friend over there in the next year, who could come and visit you and show you the sites.
(Preferably female friend....yeah, I worry)

Well everything seems to be alright with the car thing, my dad wasn't too upset, and I don't have to pay for it. My mom made me pull in again the next day and it went fine, haha. I just found out the 6 classroom lessons for part of my driver's ed total 24 hours O_O

*phew*
Glad they were forgiving.
Just don't forget the lesson --- face it, breath, and next time you'll avoid the next time, or at least lessen it.
As you can guess, that's also advice I had to learn the hard way. Took til my fifth problem until I got comfortable with 'the car isn't doing what it should!'.
Course most of those problems featured bad weather and ice.

Er, what do you mean: 6 classroom lessons/driver ed/24 hours?

I didn't need driver's ed to get my permit, I took it for the insurance reduction (cost). It was simply a class, like any other.
Therefore, I do not understand your references.

And yes, the 10th!

Alright!, I still can do math!

I say this that in the last 6 months (probably due to stress) I've started to go grey (blah!). I don't even have signs of any wrinkles yet...but this grey hair......(only in front). *sigh*
Makes me hate people like John Edwards, y'know? (He was the last person to drop out of the Democratic race - he's over 50, but his hair is perfect. Probably colored, but his roots surely don't show)