My intermediate Japanese class is going to start in another two weeks, and I have not even started my revision so far. Taihen desu ne!
So, I started with some Japanese movie synopsis readings last weekend to get the brain to work. I copied the synopsis from www.goo.ne.jp and pasted on my Word. Initially I was trying to read and keep notes using Word, but it is too messy with words, colors and comments spreading all around thedocument. In the end, I wrote down the whole article on my notebook with plenty of spaces in between lines. I wrote the notes all over the paper using colorful felt-tip pens. Guess what, the note looks a lot more presentable and is interesting to read.
So, how I checked up all those vocabularies? I actually used the online dictionary on Goo and copied everything on my notebook. Whew! That's a lot of work, but the notes look great and is informational. It took me more than three hours to read that two paragraphs. However, I experienced pains on my wrists and arms at the end of my study.
So, I started with some Japanese movie synopsis readings last weekend to get the brain to work. I copied the synopsis from www.goo.ne.jp and pasted on my Word. Initially I was trying to read and keep notes using Word, but it is too messy with words, colors and comments spreading all around thedocument. In the end, I wrote down the whole article on my notebook with plenty of spaces in between lines. I wrote the notes all over the paper using colorful felt-tip pens. Guess what, the note looks a lot more presentable and is interesting to read.
So, how I checked up all those vocabularies? I actually used the online dictionary on Goo and copied everything on my notebook. Whew! That's a lot of work, but the notes look great and is informational. It took me more than three hours to read that two paragraphs. However, I experienced pains on my wrists and arms at the end of my study.
I decided to get myself an electronic dictionary after that painful evening. I did a bit of research online and found that most of the non-native Japanese speakers, especially native English speakers recommended a PDA over electronic dictionary. So, I spent another two days looking for a Japanese-capable PDA. Many recommended a Palm over Pocket PC.
I went back to work on Wednesday and enquired my ex-boss who is IT savvy and a PDA lover. She advised me to get the softwares I need before getting one, be it Palm or Pocket PC. So, I went on with my Internet adventure again. This time I found a totally opposite opinion - a Pocket PC over a Palm! Huh, that is just damn great! Two extremes.
I decided to get a Pocket PC because my ex-boss is wiling to sell me her old Dopod cheap secondhand. ^_^ But, how am I going to get that Dopod to display Japanese text and run a Japanese dictionary?! More surveys. I went to one of the biggest mall in my hometown and asked from shop to shop. Shop assistants looking at me with a surprise and suspicious look. Oh gosh why is it so difficult to get a Japanese-capable Pocket PC!
My conclusion is Malaysians are not really into knowledge or foreign languages. That is why I can't even get a proper Japanese dictionary in hardcopy. And shop assistants know nothing about their products, so, it is better to do my own research.
I emailed the Dopod Asia support group, and in a BLINK they reverted my enquiries to their software supplier - Mobem. And my problem is solved. All Dopods are bundled with CE-Star, which supports both Japanese and Chinese input/output. Amazing! Even if my ex-boss's old Dopod doesn't come with CE-Star, I can either buy a brand new Dopod (very $$$) or buy the software online.
I went back to work on Wednesday and enquired my ex-boss who is IT savvy and a PDA lover. She advised me to get the softwares I need before getting one, be it Palm or Pocket PC. So, I went on with my Internet adventure again. This time I found a totally opposite opinion - a Pocket PC over a Palm! Huh, that is just damn great! Two extremes.
I decided to get a Pocket PC because my ex-boss is wiling to sell me her old Dopod cheap secondhand. ^_^ But, how am I going to get that Dopod to display Japanese text and run a Japanese dictionary?! More surveys. I went to one of the biggest mall in my hometown and asked from shop to shop. Shop assistants looking at me with a surprise and suspicious look. Oh gosh why is it so difficult to get a Japanese-capable Pocket PC!
My conclusion is Malaysians are not really into knowledge or foreign languages. That is why I can't even get a proper Japanese dictionary in hardcopy. And shop assistants know nothing about their products, so, it is better to do my own research.
I emailed the Dopod Asia support group, and in a BLINK they reverted my enquiries to their software supplier - Mobem. And my problem is solved. All Dopods are bundled with CE-Star, which supports both Japanese and Chinese input/output. Amazing! Even if my ex-boss's old Dopod doesn't come with CE-Star, I can either buy a brand new Dopod (very $$$) or buy the software online.
- Case Closed -
