The Holiday season is upon us
I did go to a Chinese culture class last week (this time it was in Chinese) but I think it wasn't very productive as I was tired and preoccupied with work and holiday/family plans.
I deliberately didn't go to any Chinese class today, and there was an additional Japanese activity which I also skipped. It's just not worth attending when it will only add to the end of year stress.
My current/past routines:
Currently my USB key (which I play at night and during morning ablutions) contains:
- 1 imandarinpod (Chinese) intermediate podcast (~ 20')
- the new Marugoto (Japanese) tracks of the week (2 to 10')
- 1 NHK learn Japanese podcast (10')
and various Chinese radio tracks which I seldom listen to.
My daily routines also include(d)
- transcribing my notes from Japanese class on my computer (10 to 15')
- reviewing Chinese sentence patterns and Kanji cards in the tramway
- 1 or more youtube videos in Spanish and Chinese.
These daily routines rely on youtube subscriptions, situational habits, and occasional (~ weekly) card creation and USB key updating.
My weekly routines include(d) Japanese class (Marugoto, still only level A1) and some type of Chinese class or group activity.
I posted goals for 2020 here:
Re: 2020 Polyglot Fitness ChallengeThey should be achievable...
I have been thinking about my 3 neglected target languages, namely Standard Arabic, Dialectal Arabic and Berber. It's been a long time since I made any attempt at learning them. Recently I overheard a conversation in Dialectal Arabic in the tramway and realised I could understand a single word, "this". I don't anticipate ever
needing to speak any of these 3 languages, but it's a pity that I forgot what little I learnt. So I think I will try to review them by selecting 2' to 5' of mp3s to add to my USB key.
My most difficult language goal might be reading a book in Arabic. I have a few novels and a few bilingual short stories collections, as well as an astronomy vulgarisation book. I could also borrow a book from the "international" library, but this has the drawback (or is it an advantage?) of needing to return it in a given timeframe.
Another tricky part is integrating English into my daily routines. Well, English is already part of my daily routines since I read and write in English and watch youtube videos in English everyday, and occasionally speak English (mostly with non-native speakers). But I'm not making any progress. I want to work on pronunciation and smalltalk. Perhaps 2' of pronunciation or smalltalk tracks can be added to the USB key.
As to losing 4kg, I think it can be done. I've done it before. But stress at work (also, croissants at work), middle age, and physical ailments preventing strenuous exercise, are obstacles that will need to be overcome.
Future me already did it.