THE ISSUE

"Why was I practically illiterate (unable to read) and functionally incompetent (seemingly stupid) in Japanese after 3 semesters and a summer's worth of diligent study?

THE FACTS

~3 semester of Japanese with a 3.5/A average.

~Diligent study of 14 out of the 15 chapters of "Japanese for JETs: Beginning Text", the text and tape(s) graciously created and sent to newly accepted participants of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET Program).

~Weekly review and quizzing of the material in above-mentioned text with a study partner, another new JET participant. 

THE QUESTIONS (and some comments)

~"WHY CAN I NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING TO ME...EVEN VERY SIMPLE THING???" 

(That's what I thought to myself on one of my first days at my new job.

~"The only practical thing I remember how to say is, "(place) wa doko desu ka?". Though I am very, Very glad that I remember and can say that phrase with ease...in an accent that people seem to readily understand, WHY IS THAT THE ONLY! THING I REMEMBER???  

(Even though I was the superstar of the group as we wondered around Tokyo, none of us could fully understand the responses to that simple question. Luckily, Japanese people willingly draw maps for the belwildered(people who are Very Lost)! :D)

THE INTERLUDE

Is this as puzzling to you as it was to me?  If so, do not panic.  RELAX…BREATHE.  Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth.  I survived...and even thrived!  

At the same time, as I flipped through that beginning text recently, seeing -All- of the practical grammar and vocabulary, I thought to myself, "Why...???". 

"Why could I barely read signs, notices, bus/train information, menus…?  Why was I considerably illiterate AND functionally incompetent after semesters and months of diligent study?  Japanese ants were more competent than me!."

SOME ANSWERS

AAAHHH...Answers.  The light at the end of the tunnel.

Answers would be nice right?  Sign up for the class and we'll all hear some answers Together.  Yes, I pulled a not-so-fast one.  I'm sure some of readers saw this coming...the proverbial fine print.  BUT, in this case, the fine print is simply saying,

"FREE LAUGHTER & INSIGHT INSIDE!  ...Enough said."

Laughter is healing, even life-saving, especially in stressful times.  That should be enough.  But, maybe not.  Maybe the fine print should say...

"FREE, NATURAL LIFE-SAVER!  

NO PILLS NOR HOSPITAL VISIT NECESSARY"

Too much?  Did it go to far?  Wrong crowd, maybe.  What about...

"NO NEED FOR WEED...liquor, nor those Crazy expensive cigarettes!  

RELAX IN A REALLY NATURAL WAY...

A WAY THAT IS FREE & LEGAL...without negative side effects!"

Yeah, now that should do it...

"You know the family is the solution to the world's problems today * It don't, it don't just stop there with the family or yours or mine * It's a universal family.

~From  'Family Reunion' by The O'Jays