Learning Language
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- Written by Jonathan
In my world of imagination and observation, I have seen that in learning a language, one goes through levels of NOT UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE. This is what I am talking about.
There could be more but so far I have experienced and come to the realization of three levels . This just occurred to me as I progress with my Japanese language studies. But first, my language background.
In the 19 or so years I have lived, I can express almost anything I want to in English and Rukiga/Runyankole. I in way learned some Luganda, atleast enough to follow any casual conversation, though not able to speak much. I leaned a little Kiswahili whose little remains have been washed out of my brain by Japanese. I also learned French though too little to talk about.
Made Whole
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- Written by Jonathan
One day when I was visiting here in Japan, I noticed on the floor guide of the building there was no floor number 4 and no apartment number 4 on each floor. This is something common in Japan.
From the beginning of time, numbers have had significance to man. In Japan, people generally avoid the numbers 4 and 9. Reason being, in Japanese the sound for 4 is the same as death, shi, and that for 9 same as suffering, ku. This is one example of how numbers have significance to us as society.
At an individual level, numbers have significance too. People have lucky numbers. If you ask, it isn't just a random number, there is almost always a reason or story behind it. For me I don't have a lucky number, but I have my numbers, numbers that I like. I like 7 and 11. Partly because those are my favorite positions in football.
I love you because...
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- Written by Jonathan
On weekends, I like spend the afternoon at Starbucks. Today someone asked me what I like about the place and I couldn't give a straight answer. It's definitely not the coffee, and it's not like it's a quiet place. But I just like spending hours there.
Today wasn't the first time someone asked me why I like something and I couldn't come up with a proper answer. It's not just things, even people too. There is a time you meet someone and you just like them. Or sometimes you just don't like. You can't really say why, but you do.
I know I'm not the only one. At times I would like to think it is our deeper primal instincts at play. But perhaps there is a simpler explanation that I just don't know yet. Many times we have reasons why we like things or people, but there are some for which we can't give a reason. It begs the question, do we need a reason to like something or someone?
Please Hear What I'm Not Saying
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- Written by Jonathan
Just thought I'd share this poem. I hope you like it.
Don't be fooled by me. Don't be fooled by the face I wear for I wear a mask, a thousand masks, masks that I'm afraid to take off, and none of them is me.
Pretending is an art that's second nature with me, but don't be fooled, for God's sake don't be fooled. I give you the impression that I'm secure, that all is sunny and unruffled with me, within as well as without, that confidence is my name and coolness my game, that the water's calm and I'm in command and that I need no one, but don't believe me.
My surface may seem smooth but my surface is my mask, ever-varying and ever-concealing. Beneath lies no complacence. Beneath lies confusion, and fear, and aloneness. But I hide this. I don't want anybody to know it. I panic at the thought of my weakness exposed. That's why I frantically create a mask to hide behind, a nonchalant sophisticated facade, to help me pretend,to shield me from the glance that knows.
Relativity of Life
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- Written by Jonathan
In life;
If there were no tall, there would be no short.
If there were no old, there would be no young.
If there were no poor, there would be no rich.
If there were no big, there would be no small.
If there were no dull, there would be no intelligent.
If there were no failure, there would be no success.
If there were no good, there would be no bad.
Well, I could go on listing but the list is endless.
The point is that what makes it one is because it is not the other.
