Just got back from dinner with two of Ayuko's high school friends and I must say I am won over. Both of them were incredibly nice and while we spoke almost exclusively in Japanese I still really enjoyed myself. Whenever I get together with some of her friends/co-workers/family I always wish I studied Japanese harder than I do now as no matter how much I may think I have learned I am constantly reminded of how much further I have to go.

Such as tonight when I would sit mute for 15-20 minutes at a time because I simply could not contribute to the conversation at the native level they were speaking at. I was proud enough that I could understand the basic outlines of their conversations and ever time Ayuko would mention some fact to me to try to keep me involved I would already know it. Still I need to study much harder than the casual pace I am at now if I ever want to actually engage in this society at the level I desire to, which is proficiency in all non formal situations and informal business situations. But I will gambarimasu or keep on trying as the Japanese say and one day be able to hold my own.

Also I am sure this will get me some hate comments, but just stumbled upon this picture and thought it was too funny to not post. Gotta use the content warning sometimes!