I picked up all my study guides that came in yesterday at Sanseido in Mitsuwa, my little Japan away from Japan. I ditched the usual commute of 2 buses and 2 trains, instead riding my bike 11 miles to the Rosement CTA stop, and hopping the bus on the final leg to Mitsuwa. It was a great bike ride on a beautiful day, albeit slightly dangerous on long stretches on busy Devon Avenue. Since it was a day to do things differently, I bypassed my usual shio ramen and instead had kitsune soba. I picked up some rice, two cc lemons and my books. I also bought yet another Kanji dictionary, as if the more I own the more I will know. There are worse addictions.
On the way back, I stopped to watch a parade in the Indian/Pakistani section of Devon. I was enjoying the costumes and dancing (and girls, ahem) when a older Indian guy asked me where I was coming from. I told him I was returning from the Rosemont CTA station, whereupon he asked how far that was. I told him about 11 miles (according to Google maps). He proceeded to berate me for not riding longer, telling me I should be riding 20 miles at least 3 times a week. He then explained that exercise is based on 3 principles; strength, stamina, and flexibility. He then broke down each one for me and how to go about them. For example, do not go to yoga studios; get a book and do it at home. Instead, once a month, go to yoga open houses for free, but do not let the teachers adjust your asanas.
In the midst of this 45 minute long, unexpected health lesson, another man came up to us. The friendly fruitcake asked what he wanted, and the guy replied that he wanted to talk to me! Why did I become so popular in Little India today? The guy was with VOA Television in India, and wanted to interview and film me. So he asked me some questions about the parade and how I liked it. I told him it was fun and the costumes were really festive, etc. He asked if I knew why the parade was happening and I sheepishly told him I did not. He told me today was Indian Independence Day. I promised to remember it. August 15th, everybody.
So in summation:
Happy Independence Day, India. I love Indian people and culture. I find them to be warm and funny people, and someday hope to visit.
If you want Japanese books in Chicago, order them from Sanseido. They quote 3 weeks for special orders, but it has never taken that long.
The 1kyuu books are daunting. I may ditch my normal Kanji and vocabulary studies, and just focus on the books, as they seems to cover a lot of the same material. Like I mentioned, I may not pass the jlpt while taking 17 credits in school, but I will try my best. Either way, the challenge is exciting.
I have more JLPT related posts planned, as they seem to be more popular than my personal missives. I hope I can continue to post at least once a week. I think I can, as long as I manage my time.