DoodlePro

こんにちは、

Here's a study tip: To practice my ひらがな、カタカナ、and vocabulary I use a Fisher Price DoodlePro. You may remember using a DoodlePro back when you were in preschool and/or kindergarten.

So why does a DoodlePro serve as an effective study tool?? Repetitive writing is very beneficial (helps you memorize and practice writing at the same time)-that's where the DoodlePro is most effective--you can erase your work and start from scratch. If you don't have a DoodlePro, a white-board will work just as well. *the DoodlePro is also great for practicing kanji!!*
<--My DoodlePro

As for fluency in Japanese: I found that using the LL is the best way to learn correct pronunciations. If you really take your time and focus on how each phrase or word is said--you should see improvements in your fluency. When you're comfortable with pronunciations, you become more willing to use the language.
I hope this helps. Good Luck everyone!!

Arch's

こんばんは．Yesterday in class we practiced the question: Charlottesville はどのアイスクリームがおいしいですか. and the immediate answer was Arch's のアイスクリームがおいしいです. So..later that night I went with a couple of my hall mates to Arch's and it was とてもおいしい。Just in case you're wondering, I got a cup of vanilla with brownie batter :D Arch's のアイスクリームはたかくありませんね。Brownie batter is only ななじゅうなな cents です。

*in addition* I just noticed that Sato sensei added new topics for us to blog about.
The semester so far has been pretty crazy for me. For the past couple of weeks I've been swamped with readings and papers. Fortunately, I believe I'm starting to get used to the pace of my classes and I'm starting to catch up. Although the semester so far has been very busy and stressful, I always make sure that I take some time out of my day to relax and enjoy the amazing atmosphere UVA has. I know this semester is going to be challenging at times, but with proper planning and time management, I'm sure that I'll be alright.

Japanese class: I'm really glad that I decided to take Japanese this semester. I feel that our review activities in class are really effective-truly forces you understand and apply what you read in the text. The daily work involved with the class has helped me stay motivated when it comes to other classes. Class moves at a quick-pace, but it looks like everyone's adapting to it-props to the people that haven't had any prior experience with Japanese. All of you are doing magnificiently.

わたしのじこしょうかい

はじめまして。わたしはエレンです。わたしはバジニアからきました。わたしはバジ二アだいがくのがくせいです。いちねんせいです。わたしのせんもんはがんごがくです。わたしはアメリカじんです。わたしはじゅうはっさいです。どうぞよろしくおねがいします。

Here's some pictures on the Lawn during the first week of classes. (The pink lawn flamingos were flyers for the Glee Club.)