Hi everybody! ^_^

Well, I won't post on here too often. If you want to see my daily blog it's at: http://rcmacdo.blogspot.com (Maybe I'll try to syndicate it on here.) I guess I should introduce myself a bit more.

I'm studying Japanese on my own. I hope to get certified in it by taking the JLPT. (Japanese Language Proficiency Test.) It's in December. I'm listening to it, writing it, reading it, typing it, learning vocab, learning their grammar, watching Japan TV (which mostly has the NHK- similar to I guess the BBC.), writing to penpals- snail mail and email, even made a huge thing of flashcards. (A huge shoebox full.) I'm also giving myself quizzes, and taking some online. I keep getting A's on them. I guess my system is working. I'm using the framework of all the other languages I've learned from and getting supplementary things (lists, grammar worksheets, etc.) from a language center in Tokyo.

I know about 8 languages. I started learning Hebrew when I was 7. Learned a lot of Yiddish about the same time too. Took 2 years of French in high school. Took Russian in college. Tried to take German, but I didn't like the professor. I already know some of that too. We had to learn Greek in my Greek history class. Our professor said if we wanted to learn a country's history and culture we needed to know the language. I know some Spanish from my Spanish speaking friends. I know snippets of Irish- Gaelic. I know bits of Italian too. I think the Hebrew has helped me the most with Japanese, oddly. It is a different alphabet system than English, like symbols. Their books open the same way as Japanese books.

I've also got into drawing. I used to hate it. I thought I could never be as good as my mom and her parents, so I had years without drawing anything. (Probably 10 years.) Now, I've realized I could just have a different style. So, I'm doing a manga style. I hope to be good enough to make my own soon. I'm already writing a story for it. If you want to look at my art go to: http://rcmacdonald.deviantart.com/

I've been playing the clarinet for about 14 years! Was in concert band, symphonic, pit orchestra, marching, and pep band in high school. Apparently we were so good we played at Carnegie Hall, and won the Golden Apple award. In college I was a part of the Cougar Marching Band. They liked me from the first time I auditioned. Made me first clarinet, said I was unique, and that I should be section leader. It was crazy. I don't really think I'm that good, I just like to play. I stopped marching when I had an accident. I had been marching for about 6 or 7 years. I bruised my tailbone so badly it didn't heal right, so now I can't 'high step' anymore. Once you can't do that, you can't do much else. So, I just keep playing as much as I can. Maybe some day I'll make my own band.

My Dad's side of the family comes from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Also, they're mostly Catholic. Mom's side comes from Russia, Germany, Romania, and Belarus. They're mostly Jewish. Interesting combo. When they got married, a lot of people didn't agree with it. My mom's sister (who just became an Orthodox Jew) said it was against G-d's will, and didn't talk to her for years after that. My dad's parents didn't attend the wedding, and didn't want to acknowledge them as being together. My grandpa died still denying my mom's existence. My grandma, just before she died agreed to see us. She thought I would have horns and a tail. When she found out I was just a normal kid, she realized maybe it was ok, and that we were just human. It took her that long! We're pretty close to my mom's sister now. She's become not as uptight about things, and accepts my dad. She has 12 kids by the way. And, some of them have like 7 kids of their own. My parents raised me as Jewish, and I still believe in it.

Random facts:

Fave color: Blood red (yeah, I'm weird)

Fave cuisines: Italian, Mexican, Japanese, and more.

Fave smell: Jasmine, cooking

Fave tea: Green, Jasmine, Chamomile, Chai, Lemon

Fave flower: Red rose

Fave soda: Diet Caffeine Free Coke, Diet Sprite, Thomas Kemper Root Beer (Best root beer ever!)

Fave pets: cats and dogs (weird o.o)

Fave sushi: Tekka (or tuna), Kappa (or cucumber)

Fave pizza: BBQ chicken (soooo good!)

Fave restaurant: Olive Garden

Fave animal: Siberian Tiger (grrrrr....)

Fave sport: Basketball (yay!)