こんにちは！

げんきですか？
はい！げんきです！

I am trying to write more and more in にほんご。

That the way to get better at it, right? And that's what this blog is about, sort of.

Today, I thought I would share the motivating factor with me learning this language. And yes, it is a silly reason, but has led to a deeper reason.

I am a writer, my writing blog is here.

I was using my son's computer on day while he was away, and my boyfriend was on mine. Much to my dismay, there was nothing on his computer to facilitate my writing, so, I dove into Youtube.

Hours later, I was watching an interview with my then, and now, favorite dance group. Ars Magna. (This is the video they are best known for. They have many many more.) It was entirely in Japanese, as one might expect. I wished that I knew how to speak it, as it is beautiful and I really REALLY wanted to know what was being said, as everyone was laughing and even Izumi smiled.

And it hit me.

This is 2015. I have the internet. Why not learn? Oh, but it will be so hard... I have heard that. And to borrow words from John F. Kennedy, "Not because it is easy, but because it is hard." Not exactly what he said, or meant. Can't really compare landing on the moon the learning a language, but in the same vein, why not do it?

I have time. Or, if it is something that I care about, then I will make time.

And I do care.

I care passionately.

Because the desire to learn to listen to an interview or two (or 300), pales in comparison to the things I have learned about a place I have always wanted to visit.

And I will go.

And I will be able to speak the native language.

I will be able to show respect to a culture that has always fascinated me.

So, no matter the reason, you CAN do it! The mind in a tremendous thing. Use it to it's fullest potential!