Whoops.
I decided I should go learn/memorize some grammar terms. That was mistake number twenty-seven for that day, though, so I didn’t take it too hard. My goal is to make at least 100 mistakes per day. The stupider, the better, even though people look at me like I am an idiot. The really stupid questions/mistakes like the above generally have the highest learning value, though, because I sure won’t forget “keoshi,” and knowing that word makes understanding grammar explanations much easier. If I’m not making mistakes, then I’m not learning. And I want to learn! Now if I can just keep the words for “noun (meishi)” and “verb (doushi)” straight, I’ll be golden.
George Takei In Da House!!
Okinawa Convention Center
Uncle George
Event Flyer
George’s speech was so Takei! He came to the Okinawa Convention Center for an intimate talk with 100 or so people attending. He talked about his childhood in the imprisonment camp in Arkansas (from age 5 to 10 years old), moving back to Los Angeles after the war and facing intense anti-Japanese prejudice, his acting career, Star Trek and their pioneering work in integration of such a diverse cast, his political activism, and his experience and involvement in numerous civil rights and social justice movements over the years, especially the LGBT rights movement.
I also used the rather byzantine evil Okinawan bus system for the first time to get to the convention center, since it is a ways away from Naha. Five different bus companies run routes in Okinawa, and it can be pretty confusing. I feel very accomplished having gotten myself there and back. And of course the other reward is I GOT TO SEE GEORGE TAKEI!!! Yes, I’m Star Trek. I mean star struck.
Live Long and Pepper. I Mean Prosper.

I never ask too many grammar questions, because it gets annoying after a while, but I always ask one or two at the beginning of lunch, and use them throughout lunch to set them concretely in my brain. Also, when I make the same mistake three or four times in a row, someone will often correct me, which is exceedingly helpful. Today’s lunchtime grammar study was the structure for “I have (or have never) seen/heard/smelled that before.” I was hearing this structure at least twenty times a day, but didn’t understand it, so I am super excited to be able to use and recognize it now.

As is usual for superfoods and supplements, evidence-based studies have found “insufficient evidence for or against” goya, while many natural healing/food sites tout its health benefits as gospel. The American Diabetes Association doesn’t seem to have anything to say about it, but the UK Diabetes Society is generally positive. I notice that my body feels quite good after I eat it, so I’m going to continue eating it regularly, and I do believe it makes a big difference health-wise. I actually enjoy it now in stir fry or pasta, and it’s pretty tasty in a smoothie with pineapple, orange and banana.
Until Next Time!
Sam