Japanese August Part 2

Continuation of the previous post. Click here for my first weekend.

Second Weekend: Matsuri Japon

This activity is becoming one of my regular it was my third time participating and I am already waiting for the fourth time.

Matsuri Japon

This year was even more magically with so many people coming in. I couldn’t participate as much as I would have liked to. I do have to spend so time with the family. But overall, it was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to live it again next year ^^

Matsuri Japon gives you the possibility to experiment one of those famous Japanese festivals outside of Japan. Personally, I find it a nice way to end summer. A last celebration before the end of the summer.

Every time, I don’t use the Japanese potential I should have. But, the shyness overcomes me. Next year, there is always next year.

The event seems to be growing every year. I’ll make sure to take pictures next time. The night view was beautiful with all the lanterns lighted up. There is a good selection of pictures on the Facebook page of the event.

I can only say また来年！

My Matsuri weekend

My crazy week/weekend is over. As I previously mentioned, I volunteered to the Matsuri Japon in Montreal.

The festival itself was an amazing experience. I worked in the logistic team which is pretty much setting the site and packing up at the end. So, during the festival, I have to chance to walk around and look at the performances on the main stage. Still, it did not come to my mind to take pictures. I never really think about it. I am not a good memory maker. Haha!

Funny thing, 先生 gave me the assignment of speaking in Japanese. So ばつが悪い! For such an introvert like me to initiate contact and ask “Could you speak Japanese with me?”… I somewhat made it. Like a sentences here and there. Still no close to the conversations I guess 先生 had in mind. Surprisingly enough, Japanese people continue the conversation in Japanese pretty easily.

I somewhat (it was horrible broken Japanese mixed with French) asked a guy to pick up a set of chairs for me. I only expected him to pick up that one set but, all the sudden, I see him pick up all the chair on the site! So diligent! I hope he will be at the volunteer party. I have to thank him better for the extra effort. With more cohesive Japanese.

I am starting to plan my weekend trip to New York. What was supposed to be my little back-to-school adventure turned into a little trip with my Dad. My mother was really against letting on a trip for a weekend so my Dad is coming with me. I appreciate the company but I had my set plans to browse the city and the bookstores. I admit, I wanted to experience a Japanese bookstore and select my next challenges for the year. My Dad will add his own places to the itinerary. It’s not so bad. I only planned a visit to the BOOK OFF and Kinokuniya. And, maybe a good ramen place. I just hope my Dad lack of patience for browsing in the stores won’t rush me.

I was trying to make my little shopping list. Coincidentally, Fang posted an entry about how she shops for Japanese books. Check it here! I have been browsing the 読書メーター website to get some ideas of what to look for. Would it be the words I should for in the summary. I hesitate between the non-fiction , the compilation of short stories and the daily life with a twist book. I will figure it out in front of the books.

I am still planning my September. I had the idea of taking drawing classes. Talking with others volunteers, I was reminded that the Otakuthon, Montreal’s manga/anime convention, is actually next Saturday! I did not have the intention of going but it reminded me of the time when I discovered manga and started drawing actively. Sometimes, I wonder why did I stop all my past hobbies. Anyway, I had a little nostalgia of drawing and thought I could pick it up.

I am planning a little Japanese learning experiment project. I think I found a trick to help me push me in training the language skills I keep neglecting. Look out for it! Or nag me if it takes a while to appear.

またね！