Practice and EATME

こにちわ。
はじめまして。やんです。どうぞよろしく。
私はプリンストン大学の大学院生です。せんこうは進化生物学です。
私は中国のチャンチュンかれきました。
私の誕生日は7月13日です。

This is what we have leaned by far. I took pictures of my Japanese handwriting and sent to my family and friends. It's really exciting to be able to write and speak, although only a tiny bit.

It is after I came to the U.S. that I knew how good my Chinese is, and it is after I learnt Japanese that I knew how good my English is. Understanding how a sentence is structured doesn't mean you can say it. It needs practice and takes time.

I must spend one or two hours today to practice these sentences today. It's so embarrassing to think for a few seconds before thinking of how to say a word or turn to the vocabulary sheet for help, especially when practicing with partners in class. 

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Today I want to introduce a brand call EATME。

このブランドの名前はイートミーです。(This brand's name is EATME.)

It's founded in 2014 by 益若翼 (Masuwaka Tsubasa), a Japanese super model. Although it's kind of new, EATME has become popular vary quickly. Usually Japanese clothes are cute, but EATME is a mix of British, Gothic and Harajuku. I like it very much.

こちれは益若つばさです。The above pictures were taken in the EATME store in Harajuku. 

Their model (below) for this season is also cute. 

Is there anything you like? Maybe we can buy together and save the shipping fee!

Official website (online store): http://runway-webstore.com/eatme/

Instagram: @eatme_japan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EATME_tweet

Hiragana and UNIQLO

みなさん、こにちわ。

We have learned 30 hiragana characters by far. It reminds me of learning to write Chinese characters in elementary school. Every day we handed in our handwriting and I continuously received B for a whole year. One day I went back home happily and told my mom that I thought today I wrote very well and could definitely get an A! However I still got a B. This made me really sad so that mom had to send me to some after-school class to learn how to write neatly. 

I have always felt my Chinese is good, but I didn't realize that these "good" are not natural, but all evolved from "bad" until I restarted to learn these Japanese characters last week. It took us almost ten years to finally command our native language, and it may take even longer if we want to express ourselves more decently. 

Maybe by the end of the two semesters we still can't fluenty speak Japanese, can't fully understand a Japanese article, but it's not because we are stupid, we are not hardworking. It's not that easy by nature. Probably this is why a language class has to be intense. Anyway, starting a day with a Japanese class is wonderful by far :)

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Since I'm a big fan of Japanese fashion, I decide to introduce a Japanese fashion brand now and then. 

UNIQLO (ユニクロ) might be the most well-known Japanese fashion brand in the U.S. Similar to Zara, H&M, and GAP, UNIQLO is a FMCG company focusing on comfortable and affordable products. However, this Autumn/ Winter collection UNIQLO has ventured to something beyond their basic items by collaborating with French model and "It" Girl Ines de la Fressange, "who has been known for her impeccable taste since her days as the face of Chanel in the '80s."

 

Here's the link of the official online store for UNIQLO × IDLF collection: 

http://www.uniqlo.com/us/special/ines/

It's said that seven more collaboration collection will come out for this A/W. You can find a more detailed news report by clicking this link:

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Arts&Leisure&title=uniqlo-offers-more-elegant-fare-in-designer-collaboration&id=114761

Restart

Hello everyone!

I'm Ling, a second-year graduate student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at Princeton University. I work with butterflies, fireflies and many other cool insects! Here's my academic website if you're interested: www.luyangevolution.com

It has been a while since I wanted to open a blog. Actually I had one from middle school to freshmen year. Somehow later I felt putting all the thoughts down was kind of childish. Apparently this is not true. It's always good to have something to record the growth, no matter if it's sweet or bitter. Thank JPN 101 to give me this opportunity to finally restart, to share what I like and to practice written English and Japanese at the same time.

I have been to Japan twice and considering the third trip this winter. It was really fun and I think I will write them out later. Besides, I'm a big fan of Japanese fashion, which might be the biggest motivation to learn Japanese. I also worked as a part-time photographer and graphic designer in college. So feel free to get in touch about science, graduate school, fashion or photography!

みなさん、おはようございます。

やんです。

はじめまして。

(The head picture: Okayama, Japan. Jan 2013. It was my first picture about Japan, right outside my apartment. There was a fresh sweet smell in the air, even though it was almost the harshest month of the year. Would feel grateful and peaceful every time I recall this scene. )

by Ling