When I was little I, like many others I'm sure, loved Sesame Street. My dad would probably tell you that I preferred Mr. Rogers or Mr. Dress-up, and while he'd be right, I'll always have a soft spot on my heart for Snuffleupagus. Looking back I also like the idea of a letter and a number for the day - the "today's program brought to you by the letter 'C' and the number '3.' It makes sense paedeologically - breaks down a big lesson (all the letters of the alphabet and all numbers) into manageable bits, you learn a little more each day, and lessons are reinforced with examples (lots of 'c' words and groups of three). I'm doing the very same thing studying for the JLPT, thanks to a handy kanji and vocal application for my iPhone I've even been doing it just about daily too.
Yesterday, however the universe (or at least a couple of train companies) ganged up to impose a word on me. My word for yesterday? Chien-shomeisho (or chien-sho). It's the slip of paper handed out by train companies to passengers when a train is delayed - like the notes parents write to excuse a child's absence from school. A sort of get-out-of-being-late-for-free card. And my number? Three - as in three out of three of my morning trains were late and handing out chiensho.
I dutifully collected my chiensho and tried not to run over too many obachan as I raced for my transfers. I was at my desk only 15 minutes late.
Happy Monday - what way to start the week!
What letter and number was your day brought to you by?
That's definetly an 'only in Japan' moment. I can't believe they actually did that. Sydney rail would be handing out chien sho everyday to every passenger!! What did they say when you got to work?
ReplyDeleteI actually had to explain to some co-workers what sesame is and that it is not 'sezme' over a menu at lunch today. Discussion of Sesame Street ensued! Can you recommend the app you're using? I have another important test in December to take but am going to have another go at 1kyu next summer..
ReplyDeleteAchan - (seriously what is up with iPhone?? Today they want yo change your nickname to 'Avian'!!) I called work while waiting for a delayed train to warn them I'd be late and to apologize. I tried to hand in the chiensho but my direct boss said that the paperwork was a pain and asked me to work an extra 15 min at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteGEG - I'm not sure if you or anyone else caught it but I originally published this post with a typo - Sesme Street. As for the app - I'm not totally convinced it is worth it, the iTunes evaluations were much more glowing than I would be. That said I'm not a vocal and kanji study fan (which would be why I need the app!) so I'm guessing I wouldn't be keen on much. Annnnyways it's called 'jplt study. Sese' Good luck with your tests - any advice from last year's experience?
Thanks, I will check it out. I don't have much advice because the test format has changed. If you know the material, the test really shouldn't feel too hard - it's all just rote memorization, although that is easier said than done. Practicing reading will give you a big boost and help towards allowing enough time for the comp section. To be honest, I was really surprised to hear you were taking it as I had always assumed you were far past JLPT! :)
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