Ask Kate

[Yuuji]

Originally Posted by katelynisspecial

Yuuji --

Yeah, your letter made it! I have to write back =)

Oh, excellent.

And I just had my last day at KI this past Sunday, now I have to work on finding a new job.

Still, congrats on the first job.

Meaning, you did it, and it's complete. So many times we don't take the time to acknowledge the accomplishment.
And it was the first official job you ever had.

Have fun reflecting back right before you had it - when you weren't sure of what to expect.

Also, I had my homecoming Saturday, which was fun. But I can't post pictures because they're all with my one friend, and she doesn't think she looks good, so I'm not allowed to show them >_>

My homecoming is this weekend. Not sure how much I plan to be involved though.

And yeah...I know what you mean. I have several family members who were like that, and it kinda sucked.

I don't know what else to say, nothing much has happened xDD

All things considered, that sounds like a good thing.


Now I still have to think of a question.
*thinks*

Oh, here is one from out of left field:

Sneak King.

Ever get a chance to play that video game?

[Yuuji]

*looks at his watch*

Everything Ok? Or just very, very busy?

[katelynisspecial]

Whoa, I keep forgetting to reply! I read, and then never say anything. Sorry =P

Yeah, I did get the chance to play Sneak King, it was really fun, haha!

Well, this weekend I'm in Richmond, VA for my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary party. So we're spending time with family, etc. I met my new cousin who was born in June, she's adorable!

I've started horseback riding lessons, and in November I'll do taekwondo. I'm having my Japanese class on Tuesdays now, it's really fun! I'm working on learning hiragana and katakana, I can remember all of the words, but for some reason the symbols are proving harder to memorize!

[TheUnforgiven1]

Shall we plot a conspiracy against Zelor??? Mwuaahhhhaahhhaaahhhaaa =)

[Yuuji]

Originally Posted by katelynisspecial

Whoa, I keep forgetting to reply! I read, and then never say anything. Sorry =P

*chuckles*

Just glad to know you are doing fine, and just are busy (again, with all that you are in doing in your life - and then gearing up for graduation and college next year - I know your time will be at a premium)

Yeah, I did get the chance to play Sneak King, it was really fun, haha!

Cool.
I have yet to try out the one I bought....probably will save it for the 'horror' night we are having on Halloween.

Because the 31st lands on a Friday, our group is planning a all-get-out horror fest. Ranging from live action Silent Hill, to Hellsing, to the absolutely terrorizing 'Ouran Host Club'! **shivers!**

Any plans for yourself?

Well, this weekend I'm in Richmond, VA for my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary party. So we're spending time with family, etc. I met my new cousin who was born in June, she's adorable!

Cool, and cool.

Again, all my grandparents passed away before I was even born (both sets), so I have very little idea what it's like to celebrate anything with them - let alone a 60th wedding anniversary.

And my last 'new' cousin only came around.....what?....14 years ago? Not a large family here.

[/quote]I've started horseback riding lessons, and in November I'll do taekwondo. I'm having my Japanese class on Tuesdays now, it's really fun! I'm working on learning hiragana and katakana, I can remember all of the words, but for some reason the symbols are proving harder to memorize![/quote]
Horseback riding?
I never knew you were going to try that out...and it's getting chilly too.
Let's see...last time I went horseback riding was.......1983?
Did it for years actually, but eventually the camps couldn't afford the horses anymore. Shame.

!!!!! your Japanese class!
So things are going smoother then predicted? (I know you were a little bit wary of it all). But so far, its going fine?

Glad to hear about the words....

As for the symbols (not Kanji, just hiragana and katakana), there are some books out that try to give images for each symbol. Those helped me with about 1/3 of them. I'll have to try to re-find that book, or hopefully you can find something online.

Like this one, though its for Japanese (so the symbols are for Japanese words, but its a start)
http://www.wodonga-ps.vic.edu.au/lot..._chart0006.JPG

Like 'Ri' looks likes two reeds
Ni - looks like the pencil outline of the human knee
Ke - looks liek the pencil outline of a Keg.
etc

Oh, here's one!
It uses Anime Chibi's! It's kinda cute too:
!!!!!!!!!!More Chibis!!!!!!!!! (=}) « Shenanigans!!!!!

You should be able to recognize most of those Otaku characters.

Oh, and here's a downloadable game, to help with the symbols:
Called: Hiragana tiles (scroll down a little for it)
Mah Jong. Mah jong games and free mah jong downloads with mah jong free ware.

I've downloaded it to, but I have a test soon, so I'll play with it later.


Hope one of these helps!
Take care.

[katelynisspecial]

Omg! It's TU1! I haven't spoken with you in AGES.

Zelor said he was trying to get in contact with you, did he ever?

I've missed you, how are you?!

And yes, we should! Of course.

ETA: Yuuji, we posted at the same time! I'll work on replying to yours next =P

[katelynisspecial]

Double post =O

Let's see.. Halloween. Well, first of all my friends and I are trick or treating for canned goods for a local food pantry like we've done for the past couple of years. It's a good thing to do, and people always give us candy for being so nice =D
So it's like.. being to old to trick or treat, but doing it anyways! Subtly.
And then after we're probably going to a friend of mine's house to watch horror movies. Or something. It reminds me of one year at my birthday when we watched The Ring, and seven days later, when we reminded my one friend what day it was, she had an asthma attack!

Well, the barn we go to has an indoor ring, but yeah, it can get kind of cold! I'm doing really well so far, my sister struggles a bit with confidence. Do you remember if you rode Western or English? Western is the one with a saddle horn.

Yeah, Japanese is going awesome! I mean, I really just forget these people are college aged, it's like being at regular school. And all of them are a teeny bit nerdy in one way or another, like me! Either the people with Japanese friends that want to learn it, the people who want to go into hardcore business in Japan, and the numerous anime lovers. Haha.

Thanks SO much for those links! Some of the mnemonics are so much much of a ridiculous stretch that they just stuck =P
The hiragana tiles are fun, but less of a challenge since they already list both the symbol and sound on each tile.

And I decided I want a Zojirushi rice cooker for christmas! I'm asking my grandparents, since they normally spend the most, and they're expensive

Zojirushi

I got this book off of Amazon, and since I'm also asking for a bento box, I want to start making some things =D

Amazon.com: The Manga Cookbook: The Manga University Culinary Institute, Chihiro Hattori: Books

I can only really make onigiri so far, because it's easy.

Why is Japanese stuff so COOL?! I mean, seriously.

Ninja Star ice molds?


This is a cute bento box =O:


Ahh, onigiri molds!


*SQUEE* Seaweed cutters for onigiri faces!


Omg cup!

[TheUnforgiven1]

Lol yea He got ahold of me at some point, idk havent heard from him in a while since then. and ohh, ive been... peachy.. i suppose. how about yourself? yea its been a real long time.

[Yuuji]

Originally Posted by katelynisspecial

ETA: Yuuji, we posted at the same time! I'll work on replying to yours next =P

Always interesting when that happens.

[Yuuji]

Originally Posted by katelynisspecial

Double post =O

Double response!

Let's see.. Halloween. Well, first of all my friends and I are trick or treating for canned goods for a local food pantry like we've done for the past couple of years. It's a good thing to do, and people always give us candy for being so nice =D

Candy and good deeds....that does go well.

So it's like.. being to old to trick or treat, but doing it anyways! Subtly.

*hehs*

And then after we're probably going to a friend of mine's house to watch horror movies. Or something. It reminds me of one year at my birthday when we watched The Ring, and seven days later, when we reminded my one friend what day it was, she had an asthma attack!

....
Don't know whether to laugh, or cringe at that one.

*thinks*
BTW, you've seen the Ring. Have you seen what it was based on? Ringu?

Well, the barn we go to has an indoor ring, but yeah, it can get kind of cold! I'm doing really well so far, my sister struggles a bit with confidence. Do you remember if you rode Western or English? Western is the one with a saddle horn.

Western.
Thank you for the remind, because I would not know the difference.
But the horn was incredibly important as we were all instructed to always keep our hands on it....til we graduated to bigger things.
(only got to gallop a few times...mostly it was just riding/walking slowly)
I still remember a horse I wanted to own....John was his name. A pale yellow, and although I cannot remember exactly why - I knew I wanted him to come home with me and be my horse.
I was probably....what? 9 years old? 10?
We all want a pony sometimes in our life...course, John was a horse...a big one too, and not a pony.

Yeah, Japanese is going awesome!

Excellent!

I mean, I really just forget these people are college aged, it's like being at regular school.

Cool.
And that was what I was hoping for.

And all of them are a teeny bit nerdy in one way or another, like me!

*hehs*

Either the people with Japanese friends that want to learn it, the people who want to go into hardcore business in Japan, and the numerous anime lovers. Haha.

Perfect!
How is the teacher then?

Thanks SO much for those links! Some of the mnemonics are so much much of a ridiculous stretch that they just stuck =P

*laughs*
The ones that are a stretch, are the ones that DO NOT stick with me!
Glad it worked for you in reverse.

And you are very welcome.

The hiragana tiles are fun, but less of a challenge since they already list both the symbol and sound on each tile.

*nods*
What I need to do though, is play it more.
I only have about 2/3's or them permantly memorized, and that's just sad.

And I decided I want a Zojirushi rice cooker for christmas! I'm asking my grandparents, since they normally spend the most, and they're expensive

*grins*
Yeah...those are the good ones, and like the ones you see on many animes.

The older one I have, has only one setting (cook) and no digital output, just an on/off light.
Although it wasn't cheap, it does do the job...and has been doing it for 10+ years now. So it's kinda banged up.
I'll most likely bring it to Ohayocon with me (since I plan to treat the group to curry) if you wanted to see it.

So if you get that rice cooker....wow. Plan to keep it for a decade or two. Oh...and make your parents some rice while you are at it.
(just remember it cooks the rice sticky...not loose, like american rice)

And thank you for sending the link.

I got this book off of Amazon, and since I'm also asking for a bento box, I want to start making some things =D

*laughs*
I've got to let my friends see this.

To save room, I've had to eliminate the pictures and some links to make sure I don't have to triple post.

I can only really make onigiri so far, because it's easy.

Well, teach me how!
it's something I never got around to learning.

Why is Japanese stuff so COOL?! I mean, seriously.
Ninja Star ice molds?

Holy crud....that one took me by surprise.

And my best assumption is: When your live on a Mountainous rock island...well, you'd better use your imagination.

This is a cute bento box =O:

Tis cute. But just wait until you get to Japan....now bento boxes, I HAVE seen, and they can range from 10 bucks, to 100's. Especially when they are made of wood (if you get a chance, just pick one up to feel the difference).

Oh yeah, like curry, you'll find a host of anime characters adorned on bentos...more cheaply made at times, but the images are nice.

Ahh, onigiri molds!

Sweet. But if you didn't tell me they were onigiri molds, I wouldn't have had a clue.
My onigiri-skills are lacking, master.

But as for Hello Kitty....I know she, and her kind, will take over the Earth some day.
That type of mass-produced cuteness, can only obfuscate the most horrid evil this land has ever seen.

*SQUEE* Seaweed cutters for onigiri faces!

*blinks*
Again, if you didn't tell me......
Just thought: where did you find these things again?

Omg cup!

*laughs*
That's one of those racoon-dogs.....can't remember there Japanese names.
But it is impressive, isn't it?

All I want to do is put chocolate chip cookies in it.....
And then sneak the cookies out when no one is looking.