My favorite things part 2 - konomumono (好むもの)

In Japanese there are multiple ways of reading Kanji. Konomu is a different (less commonly used) pronunciation of the kanji 'to like.'

Number 5: Cellphone Accessories

I also stole this idea also from my Gaidaisei Kyoto Tour Guide. My host family gave me a house key and I the last thing I want to do is lose it. I had a false alarm when I thought I lost my card key to my dorm room during orientation. Rather than to repeat that stress, I decided to attach the key on this cute key holder I bought at a hyakuenya ($1.00 shop) to my cell phone. I had to have some kind of charm one it first before I could attach the key. I got this charm from my speaking partner as Omiyage (souvenir) from Niigata ken. She is from Ishikawa but spent some time in Niigata taking the driver's test. For those who can't see, its hello kitty in a pear (nashi) costume. It's 'le leciter' or something like that and apparently it is famous product of Niigata. I wish I could get rid of the bell but I don't want to damange a gift from my speaking partner.


Number 6: Japanese Calligraphy pen

I have a very strict teacher for reading and writing Japanese. The proper stroke is really important for her. It is hard to understand stroke order of a kanji through a pen or mechanical pencil. In class one day, my teacher made us use something called a calligraphy pen to write our wishes on a strip of paper. I fell in love with using the pen. I always wanted to do Shodo or Japanese calligraphy but I don't have the time or energy to prepare the ink and clean the brush. Thanks to the pen I understand stroke order of kanji a lot better. I feel calm everytime I use the calligraphy pen. I'm trying to improve my Japanese handwriting. Below is a picture of the ways you can write my name. Bibari is how a Japanese person would pronounce my name. It think it is cute. One of my Japanese friends helped me create a kanji name (on the left.) 美 or bi means 'beautiful,' 場 or ba means 'place, location,' and 理 or ri means 'reason.' This is pushing it but the meaning is the "The beautiful place of reason." It makes no sense at all but I learned some Japanese names are like that. Translating my last name was impossible so to have a truly Japanese name I would need to marry a Japanese person.


Number 7: My Nintendo DS, kanji sonomama rabuki jiten, doubutsu no mori

For many people they can't live without their Keitai or cellphone but as a ryugakusei (international student) I can't live without my DS or more specifically 'Kanji Sonomama Rakubiki Jiten' (漢字そのまま楽引辞典.） To awkwardly translate the title would be like 'Kanki now is fun dictionary.' Rakubiki ( 楽引）isn't really a word. I think the writers made up the meaning so its hard to translate. From the kanji the first one means fun and the second one means full...so pulling fun. Anyways, it is uses the touch screen capability of the DS and helps people look up the meaning of Kanji in English. One you figure out how to use it, it is extremely useful if you are thinking about becoming fluent or proficient in Japanese. Originally, the software was designed for Japanese students learning English. So the dictionary actually pronounces words in English and some kanji have Japanese only definitions. It fits my needs well enough. I can unlock the secret meaning of menus and signs now:) Later I'll explain how Japanese characters are different from Chinese charaters.

The DS I actually bought used at a Japanese, second hand bookstore chain name 'Book Off' or 'Book-ya' in some places for 14,500 yen or $145.00. For a used DS that is pretty expensive by US standards. I wanted to get the DS i or the latest version of the DS but it is regional...meaning I can't use it outside of Japan unlike the previous DS versions. It is in pretty good condition. I originally just bought it for the dictionary because buying an actual denki jisho or electronic dictionary is very expensive at around 30,000 yen or $300.00 and with no Kanji writing capability. Also all the menu options of a denki jisho are in Japanese so...useless for me.

One day, I was very frustrated and I just needed something mindless to do. I decided to splurge on a game. So I bought "Doubutsu no Mori" or Animal Forest to translate directly. In the English speaking world the name is known as Animal Crossing. I used to play this on the GameCube for hours so I know the basic mechanics of the game but play in Japanese is a challenge. In Japan the game is considered a kid's game. So I figure the words must be easier for a child to understand. If anyone had ever played the sims...doubutsu no mori is just like that. You create a character and the whole point of the game is to live your life and try to make money. All the characters in the game are personified animals and so they act like people but still have animal like charcteristics. The game has a lot of kiddy language so I would not learn Japanese from it but it does get you used to reading plain speech in Japanese and Kanji recognition.


Number 8: Milk Tea

I'm not understand why this is very popular but it is. Milk Tea is something you will always find in Konbinis (Convenience stores) and vending machines in Japan. You can even buy it hot. It can come in a cup or a can. It is very sweet but I really like it. It is very easy to make and I think this is one addiction I'll bring back home.

Number 9: My new bag

I love bags. I think a lot of girls have obsessions with shoes but bags are my thing. The problem is that I'm extremely picky. I want something durable, stylish, and yet functional. Frankly, you really don't see people wear backpacks in Japan especially the big bulky, sport ones. Those make you really stand out. Anyways, I had a really nice bag I bought from Macy's about three years ago but now it is falling apart. I need to start investing in a decent wardrobe for a professional career and that include accessories too...or that is what I told myself when I spent 60,000 yen or $60 on a bag. -_-

I always get dark colored everything so I convinced myself to get a bright beige color because I'm still young and happy. The bag has no brand name scribbled all over it which is a major plus in my book. It can also convert to be a messenger or shoulder bag. One thing that I really, really like is that it is strong and big enough to hold a laptop especially one as massive as my Dell Inspiron E1505.


Number 10: Coin Purses