Guitar and Video Games

So I thought I'd do a real post before Ryan leaves with the laptop this morning. I thought I'd do an update on what I've been up to/into lately here in Japan.

I'm still studying Kanji, I just finished reviewing my first 230 and I'm trying to move forward. Any advice on this? It just looks like the next chapter in my book is really difficult.

Maybe I'm lazier about kanji because I've been playing video games in English for once. I highly reccommend Tales of Symphonia. I'm also playing a lot o f Taiko Drum Master, a game where you drum to music (Abigail, you'd love it!). Also, we've been playing a beautifully made game called Ganbare Goemon. It's only in Japanese right now, but it's incredible what the internet has done for the video game world. The language in Goemon is a bit difficult Japanese because it seems to be more...old. Anyway, I have no problem finding information or helpful translations on various game sites, it's incredible. In fact, I'm part of several sites where I help people (usually kids) interpret the Japanese in Harvest Moon type video games.

I'm still playing guitar, violin and I've gotten a teensy bit better on mandolin (thanks to Ryan). We've been doing some swingy stuff since Ryan is really into Django Reinhart right now. I'm pretty happy about that. We've taken a Japanese classic Sakura Sakura (sakura means Cherry or Cherry Blossom) and switched it to backbeat for something fun. Maybe I should listen to more Stephane Grappelli.

Lastly, I've decided to resume playing/singing worship songs on Guitar, but that's a later entry.

Looks like Ryan's doing his morning exercises with the Japanese kids shows ^_^ Guess I should join him.