Wow...I Need to Post More Often

Hello everyone!

Sorry that it has taken me so long to drop a line, I have been extremely busy lately with class and studying. Things are going great here in Matsumoto, and the weather is finally taking on the familiar winter traits; frost, ice, and cold humid air. Everyday I walk to school, the mountains seem to have more and more snow on them. I really hope that I can go snowboarding during our winter break. I might go this weekend, but in order to do that, I need to buy some heavier winter gear (I know.. I should have brought a heavier coat) and psyche myself up mentally for the beating my body will take. Last time I went snowboarding, I was on my knees or my @ss most of the time. Yeah... I don't want a repeat of that. Nagano Prefecture is very famous for being one of the ski hubs of Japan (besides Hokkaido) because it is in the Japanese Alps. I am really looking forward to trying it out here. I really have no idea what winter break will bring, but I am really thinking of taking a weekend train to Nagano City to explore and enjoy a day or two outside of Matsumoto.

Classes are still going well right now, and we are still flying! Today we just finished lesson 35 of 48 in our book series. Earlier this week was our Japanese test, and I am happy to say that I did well :) I have been spending a lot of time studying, and I really think that it has paid off. I know I have a long way to go until I am at the level I want to be (native), but I think I am on the right track to getting there. There is no easy way to learn, and it really takes a lot of practice; both in learning out of the book, and with speaking A LOT. I have yet to encounter anyone here (even those foreigners who can speak at a near native level) who has said that Japanese is easy for them. The fact is that it kicks everyone where it counts, and for Americans especially, things are pretty rough since we don't have the kanji advantage like the Chinese students, or the similar grammar structure like Korean students do. We are literally up the creek with a paddle in this world.

That is all I really have to say for the moment, so I should probably get ready to head to bed. Maybe I will actually get around to posting some pictures and video this weekend :) Take care.