Studying

So I've started studying the Korean language since my infatuation with three Korean boy bands called TVXQ, or Tohoshinki (in Japan), Super Junior, and Big Bang, started last summer.

They all sing in Korean, of course, and they have songs in Japanese, in Chinese and in English as well. Since I understand Japanese and English, that's not a problem. Chinese, that's much lower on my list of priorities... But their main language is Korean so of course they have the most songs in Korean. Obviously, I want to understand what they are singing. So, I started to learn the language on my own.

Another motivation is the food!! How amazingly delicious!! I really love going to Korean restaurants and eating with my good friends.  So, I want to be able to understand the menu and the way things are cooked. That way I could cook them at home for myself!!

Plus, I had the opportunity to go to Seoul, Korea last year in November with two good friends so before going I tried to pick up some useful phrases. I had phrases in my head but they didn't come out the way I wanted nor at the right timing... Dismal, to say the least... I did loose some confidence...

But since then, I've been studying hard and from December, thanks to a dear friend, I was introduced to a language exchange partner who wants to improve her English in exchange for giving me Korean lessons. Yeah!!

Now, it's been about two months since I've seriously started to study with some guidance and I am definitely getting a hang of the grammar. I can build sentences and create mini dialogues by myself. I am learning more about the cultural nuances as well as some natural phrases. I can read the language but my vocabulary level is still too low so I can't understand everything yet... But I'm not giving up!!

I am really having fun with it!!
But, it isn't easy...
I have to review so much and keep going back to past lessons to confirm my sentences... I sometimes wonder "how stupid am I?!"
Real downer...
When that happens I put on my headphones and drown myself in my favorite singers' songs for a pick-me-up!!
I am definitely not giving up on myself!! 

I hope I can write some entries in Korean, Japanese and English on this Blog site someday too!!