Hey! So…yeah…I was sitting there, industriously clicking and typing away, minding my own business, when suddenly I fell sick (again!). But then I went to see the doctor (great guy!) and he gave me the merchandise (drugs!) and now I feel better (good drugs!), and so…the QRG will be with you. Just 10 days later…
Turn Yourself Into A Monster: What To Do When People Around You Are Not Encouraging Or Supportive
by khatzumoto
This entry is part 4 of 10 in the series Social ResistanceSo, I’m there on the Internet, minding my own business, when BAM! The series of tubes conspires to hit me with this: Hey Khatz, your website has really inspired me. I’m 15 years old, and I love Japanese culture. I’ve always wanted to be…
Motivation For Cynical People
by khatzumoto
If you’re like me…I don’t know whether you actually are, but…you know, if you are, then you came from a country and a culture that largely frowns upon overt displays of emotion. Especially overt displays of positive emotion. Forget displays — simply having a positive mental attitude might be social suicide(?) where you’re from. As…
QRG: Your Suggestions Wanted! I Mean, Humbly Requested!
by khatzumoto
Hey everyone. All this consulting and FAQing and emailing and commenting have taught me a thing or two. A lot of people have a lot of questions, particularly fine, detailed, low-level questions. My personal preference up until now has been to write at a more abstract level, both in order to stay more universal and…
If Immersion Works So Well, Then Why Can People Live In a Country For Double-Digit Years And Never Learn The Language?
by khatzumoto
The other day, a young man named Ilhan sent me this email: Hi Khatz! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now, and I love it! I try to follow your method as much as possible, but I am not 100% immersed in Spanish (yeah, I am learning Spanish instead of Japanese) as…
On The Very Serious Subject Of How To Have Fun All The Time
by khatzumoto
Another day, another email pregnant with possibilities for insight to help us all. Her name is B-star. And this is her story, in her own words. Heavily, heavily edited for spelling 😉 : I’ve been studying Japanese for a looong time. Like most people, I sucked at it until i chanced upon your method. It…