starting my ABC's....

Now everyone has at one point taken a forgein language. It was the first couple years of spanish and by the end you could say, Hello, my name is ____ or where is the bathroom, I would like one taco and a burrito (those are a given by the way lol) and possibly if it really stuck, where am I and how do I get "there" as you point to the map or where your hotel is. With all of this we all started from the beginning, the abc's of spanish, at first they're easy just say the english version with an accent but then with the "h's" and "w's" it becomes different but we can still get the general idea, plus spanish is still letters like english.

Well, today was the first day I truly attempted at looking and disecting what the Japanese alphabet is all about...this was my reaction.
1. what is this?????
2. where do I even start?
3. wait...how is there 2 alphabets?
4. they look exactly the same, I don't understand...
5. i give up...

I called and researched...found the answers and wow what a duzzy this is going to be. it's not just the regular flash cards you make 2 days before the test and study...
1. they have "characters" so it's not like you can just make up names to remind you on what it would look like or how it sounds...it's literally like trying to get a 6th grader to do calculus. They see that there are symbols and numbers, but what the heck are you supposed to do with it?!!
so after the first few minutes of just starring at it lol...i've come to understand this.

1. The 2 types of their "alphabet" are the Hiragana and the Katakana.

• Both have the exact same pronunciations for the words but when spelling, that is when they have differences, found that out as I tried spelling my name and well the combination was almost at 6 and all different letters!..
• the Hiragana is used when spelling traditional Japanese words and phrases like "hello" is kunichiwa, everyone knows that but if I wanted to write my name out it would look completely different.
• their "alphabet" is based off of pronunciation. "hello" could also be said "ha-lo" and you can spell it with those sounds. こんにちは
• the Katakana is for forgein names like mine リゼット (in katakana) or ice cream, it is said like aisu kurimu アイスクリーム

2. Now after just learning about the alphabet I started to write and was stumped once again, when a friend said, now careful with brush strokes! yikes! what else???? at this point nothing else can suprise me, I do know from asking other friends that are from the Asian countries, that there are more formal ways in speaking, but until then that's just a whole other ball park.

Basically now, i'm just on the bench waiting to play t-ball...not even thinking about stepping onto the plate ;)

Until next time..

Lisette J. Rice-Nichols

shots and shots and shots oh my!

Well at the last meeting on wednesday, we were reminded and I realized that I basically missed the days to get my travelling shots!...which I didn't realize were so intense. I mean i'm only going to Japan so, I need Hepititus, MMR (measels, mumps?), DTP (which is tetanus and a bunch of those) found out another one for polio...how that relates because i'm in Japan doesn't make sense to me, but ok?! ha ha. Then the one that really started to freak me out is the Japanese B Encephalitis. Now here is what would happen if I were to get Japanese B Encephalitis..



"Severe rigors mark the onset of this disease in humans. Fever, headache and malaise are other non-specific symptoms of this disease which may last for a period of between 1 and 6 days. Signs which develop during the acute encephalitic stage include neck rigidity, cachexia, hemiparesis, convulsions and a raised body temperature between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius. Mental retardation developed from this disease usually leads to coma. Mortality of this disease varies but is generally much higher in children. Transplacental spread has been noted." hmmm yeah i'll definitely pay the bill for the shot. that's worth it i think ;) ha ha.





Now there was a deal where we would only have to pay $10 per shot if you are 18 or younger. sadly for once I was so glad to be young! it's cheaper ;)


SO with all these shots that i'm having to get it's another reality check in how different the United States is compared to the other world. I don't think people ever really realize how different everything is! im so excited but nervous for this culter shock but i'm ready for it!

well..for one of the biggest concerns I have...is fashion. I feel with my american style of "ragged" and "lazy things" and the whatever look, how will we compare to the growing fashions of tokyo, one of the top fashion capitols of the world!

those shoes...well. I think I can pull them off ;) ha ha...just kidding. But I am also very excited to see the difference in trends and just what is "normal" there!

Definitely still excited and ready for the new commitments (:

-Lisette J. Rice-Nichols

Japan!- Intro

Well I've known for a few months now that i'll be going to Japan this summer. But it wasn't until the other night that, it hit me. WOW i'm really going! it's such a crazy thing to realize. i'll be in a different country in less than 6 months!

I have mainly started this blog for those who have donated financially and those who are constantly praying for the trip and my teammates, that we feel confident when the day comes and that we are growing together and stronger for the Lord.

So first off, THANK YOU!!! everyone. Really, you don't understand how grateful I am with the help you have given me and how this trip will actually come true! This has been a desire for some time now, the idea of being able to go another country, and now not only do I have this chance I am able to learn more about God and really learn a lot about myself.

That is the idea of college right? learning and making the habits that you will have as an adult for the rest of your life. So as I start this trip, I hope I am making it a habit to travel, share the gospel and continue to learn more about myself and God. I hope that I will one day work in the international business and still be able to teach. This window is also allowing me to expand in my photography and I hope that as I'm still learning but trying more and more, I will be ready and hopefully come out of this trip with some good pictures (:

Well this is the intro I suppose and just a general idea about why I am blogging and what it will be about. I will also give information about the training, anything that I think is interesting and what I feel you all should know about me and this trip! I want you all to see the growth, I hope I can look back and see growth within myself and that you all can be accountable for me as well!

So onto the next time. Thank you all once again, and please fill free to e-mail me any questions, I am pretty sure you can comment or you can just call me etc. I would love to be hearing from you. (:

Sincerely,

Lisette J. Rice-Nichols