☆.｡₀:*ﾟ✲ﾟ*:₀｡

[yuuago]

WELL. Let's see.

☆ We put up the tree today. We used to do two trees, one downstairs and one upstairs, but this year we are only doing the upstairs tree, so fortunately it took just the afternoon rather than the whole day. Check it out under the cut-






'cept, we haven't gotten a new star for it yet, not tinsel neither... but I didn't want to wait to take a photo, haha. Oh, well! So there it is. ... We'll see what it looks like when the dogs get to it. I am not optimistic.

☆ After much thought I've decided to drop French and start setting myself up to learn some Finnish. I'd originally planned to hold out until I finished my French workbook, but I honestly don't think that'll happen - I have no motivation to study French at all, whereas I think that even though I'm busy, I'll have the drive to make time to work on Finnish, because I really like it and want to learn it. I think what finally pushed me, though, was Minni teasing me about how I'd pronounced her surname wrong. Pfft. If I'm going to go there, then at the very least I should learn some pronunciation, goddamn. I don't even know what sounds vowels with umlauts make! This needs to change. ... So I've downloaded some materials and I'll see about getting a workbook somehow, and maybe I'll start this week.

☆ I started reading World War Z the other day and I have a sneaking feeling that I'm going to have a load of nightmares by the end of it. Zombies are one of those things I can't handle -- and yet, I find the idea fascinating. I think it's related to my fascination with plague and contagion, something I also find terrifying. But there's something about zombies that gets me in a way that, say, the Black Death doesn't. Not sure what it is. Regardless, I'll probably find the novel hard to get through, but it's my own fault.

☆ I'm going to be really busy and probably kind of nonsocial in the next few weeks. We'll be heading into Christmas hours, so my time around will be even more limited than usual, and I'll be absolutely exhausted most of the time. I'm not exactly thrilled about this. On the upside, at least I'm going to have Solstice off. I'm willing to put up with this because the pay is good and at least, at the very least, I get Solstice off.

☆ And I'm working on getting the cards done... slowly! There's a lot of you guys. It might take a while.

Comments

[noonish.livejournal.com]

omggggg yuu it's so pretty *^*

[yuuago]

Yessss

come here noon and have some spiked eggnog with me *q*

[noonish.livejournal.com]

omg...omg so tempting

[yuuago]

Eggnog 'n rum in front of the fire with the tree lit up... ( ^ J^) Wonderful!

[diplopod.livejournal.com]

Your tree looks much nicer than ours, even if it isn't finished yet. Is it real?

And heh, not gonna lie, I'm kind of glad to hear you're not going to study French anymore. It seemed to be causing you a lot of grief. It's a shame after all that work, but even after you finished you would have had to keep up with it anyway to retain it and it's not worth the effort if it just makes you miserable. o3ob And this means you'll like what I'm sending you. 8D

I've never read World War Z, but uuugh, with you on zombies. I've had more than a couple nightmares about them and I can't really see zombie apocalypses the same way anymore. orz Which I think is kind of silly, because if they really existed, lack of muscle tissue would make them frail and you could just push them over and stuff. And they'd weigh so little the wind would blow them over. /tl;dr Is it a good book so far, at least? Nightmare inducing--sounds interesting.

[yuuago]

Nope! Fakey-fake, but quite a nice fake if I do say so. We don't have the patience for all the pointy needles that come with a real one. o3o

Re: French, PFFFT. I... suspect you aren't the only one who's feeling that way. At the very least, probably most are sick of hearing me complain about it. I just, when I was doing a lesson two, maybe three weeks ago, I got to the point where I couldn't understand a damn thing. It was like mathematics all over again. I read through the instructions but by the time I got to the actual exercises I was doing everything wrong, and getting frustrated, and finding myself thinking "Man, this isn't fun any more." And I shouldn't force myself through it if I'm not enjoying it, right? I'm not getting graded on it, since it's just a hobby. ... But I still feel really bad about dropping it, because it feels like "giving up". SO MUCH GUILT. Sob.
(re: that hint, [/plugs ears] LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU)

I never thought zombies were scary until I saw an actual zombie movie. This was in, ehh, grade 12 (2004). It was Dawn of the Dead (the original, not the remake). And I just, urgh. After that, nightmares for days, though I wasn't actually scared while watching it. And when I wasn't having nightmares I'd be unable to sleep, staying up all night worried that "they" would get me, pfft.

As for the novel itself, I haven't gotten too far into it yet, but so far it's very interesting - not just for content, but also its unconventional form... I like that it reads like a collection of interviews and transcriptions and gathered notes; that's cool. And the way it discusses the original outbreaks and traces the patterns of movement of the 'disease' from original outbreak points is very interesting - partially because I recently finished reading a book on the Black Death which traces the movement of the plague in a similar way (and that book also contained extensive quotations from original records in a similar fashion). Both the form and the discussion of movement make the novel more realistic and believable - and therefore more terrifying.

[diplopod.livejournal.com]

Ah, I'm surprised. But maybe I'm just so used to seeing our ugly white tree that any green one looks real to me. oAo

Not sick of hearing you complain about it, but sick of you beating yourself up over it. Unless that's the same thing. Eh. I don't like seeing my friends struggle with stuff when they don't have to. And... that sounds like me with Japanese right now. I think that happens with any language you can try to learn. You just hit a brick wall at some point, but if you get through it, it's a lot easier going afterward. But it's not worth the effort if you hate it so much. And it's not giving up, it's MOVING ONTO SOMETHING BETTER. #positivethinking

And something I've learned about Finnish while studying--It's not hard, it's just different. There are a lot of rules to remember, and they have their own word for almost everything, but if you can memorize those, it's actually not that bad. I hope you have a lot of flash cards left over from French. And it's phonetic, so pronunciation is easy once you get the vowels down. I think you'll find it a lot easier than French, but maybe this is just my motivation talking.

Mm... I think they're ridiculous in movies and video games and such and they don't scare me at all when I watch them on TV. But thinking about it actually happening terrifies me. Because after those nightmares I realize just how useless I'd be in the kind of situation. And not being able to protect my family--just ugh. Dead things should stay dead.

And that does sound interesting. I think I might look into it when I finish off this pile of history books I have. I've got a bit of a thing for reading scary stuff (creepypasta and Chernobyl come to mind), so that sounds like my kind of book.

[yuuago]

Pfft, those white ones look so ridiculous... Though I guess some could look nice, but they're so fake.

Complaining, beating self up over... same thing. Blech. Yes, I guess the "not having to do it" is the most important part. I don't have to do it if I don't want to, and that's the main thing. You're probably right about the brick wall - it's always there - but probably if someone is motivated enough, then they can push through it. If there's no motivation, it just feels impossible.

I had a feeling that Finnish would be that way - Not difficult, just different (through sometimes it might seem like the same thing, haa). It'll certainly be interesting, at least. The main thing I am concerned about is pronunciation - I know that I won't be able to learn much between now and summer, but man, I just. I really want to be able to pronounce my friend's name correctly, and the places that I'm going to go to, and stuff. orz So hopefully it won't take me too long to figure that out.

At least now I won't feel alone, considering that you and Scrii and some other meme people are learning Finnish too! \o/

Re: Visuals, true point, and same. I guess it's more the idea that's terrifying, rather than movies (or whatever) themselves. The idea of being attacked by these huge things and not being able to do anything about it. Not gonna' lie - and I know this is ridiculous, but - sometimes thinking about this kind of thing makes me want to learn how to handle a gun again, even though I haven't done it in years. Of course, it's just paranoia and too much imagination, and I know that, but still.

Anyway, I'll keep going with the book, and if it turns out to suck halfway through, I'll let you know. ;)

(I do hope that you're getting your work done, bro. :| )

[diplopod.livejournal.com]

Ours is even worse because it's like 10 years old and falling apart. And it's covered in ornaments that look like they were made by kindergarteners. Blech. I should take a picture, it's so bad...

I don't think the pronunciation will give you much trouble. Every letter is pronounced the same way every time, so if you remember J is like Y and figure out the vowels you'll be fine. And don't forget about Forvo! It has letters and names on it too! ...Okay, R rolling might give you some trouble, but you remember how to do that, right?

I'd be more inclined to buy a metal baseball bat, but whatever works. Just keep reminding yourself they don't exist and they never will exist? (I know, I'm one to talk. But still.) Because when you really think about it, they're just as ridiculous as werewolves and vampires and such.

(I am! Just... slowly. It's okay, the night is still young sakfhk)

[yuuago]

Fff well, it IS kind of thrown on... but one probably can't tell because there is so much stuff on it. :)a We fill it so much with lights and ornaments that there's hardly room for any more.

[yuuago]

Totally fake. We don't have the patience for real ones xD

Well I have mine but I have not started... so I'm not much far ahead than you.

[noyadespate.livejournal.com]

The tree is fancy, but I think it needs flag ornaments to be complete.

I still need to draw everyone's cards; i think i might just send out regular cards and just put drawings inside, since i'm kind of stuck on what to put on the blank cards i got. And GOOD FOR YOU with the Finnish, maybe once I get more free time we can have Swedish-Finnish studying lessons. I think that you'll enjoy it a lot more than the French and if you enjoy it, you'll definitely find time for it.

[yuuago]

Of course it would be more complete with flag ornaments! Alas.

That might be a good idea. I dunno' man, whatever works for you.

And YEAHHH Finnish-Swedish study lessons, that sounds AWESOME. And -- yes. It'll be much easier to make time for it, I think, because I really want to do it. Not only that, but some of the problems I was having with French will not come into play here.

☆ I felt guilty for struggling with it because I've studied French before and I should know how to do passe compose by now, goddamn. Whereas with Finnish there is none of that factor, considering I know nothing.

☆ I had to go out of my way to encounter French stuff. I don't have a lot of people who post entries in French, I don't listen to French music, etc. I had to seek it out, and since I'm not interested, I had no motivation to do so. But I listen to Finnish music every day, some of my friends usually post entries in it, whatever... so at least I see it more frequently.

☆ Since I'm starting out I'm just learning SUPER BASIC stuff so I probably won't find it frustratingly difficult... at first. I think. Except for problems remembering things, but well, that's normal.

I DUNNO'. I still feel guilty for dropping French but whatever, Finnish is cooler.

[chikotori.livejournal.com]

That's so pretty!!! The tinsels make it look like it has layers and it's so sparkly ♥

I always wonder how people who have dogs as pets keep anything ornamental and breakable in their homes.

[yuuago]

ngl, I love it. <3

To be honest, I have no idea. My grandmother had a dog, and she had no problems - but it was a low-energy breed and well-trained. But my brother's dogs are badly-trained and one is high-energy and... I really can't see this ending well. I told mum that if the dogs come over here, they should stay in their kennels the entire time, but I doubt that will happen.

[chikotori.livejournal.com]

As someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas, my favourite part of it is the cards and the pretty Christmas trees.

Most people I know keep their dogs outdoors which is possible here since it's warm all year round. Ahaha, here's hoping your brother's dogs won't cause too much havoc? :'D

[yuuago]

Those are some of the best things about it, so I don't blame ya' \o/ It's what I like too. That, and the sweets, mmm.

Hah, I WISH we could keep the dogs outside all the time. But they'd freeze, poor fuckers. We can only leave them outside for a few minutes and sometimes we have to actually shove 'em out there because it's so cold that they don't want to walk out. :')

[manzanadorada.livejournal.com]

And congrats for the official start on Finnish!✰ It sounds like you'll progress a lot more happily with that; there's no sense in plugging away at something from a sense of duty without motivation, when you could be learning something else worth learning and enjoy it too. ✲ﾟ｡.(✿◕ω◕｡)ﾉ☆.｡₀:*ﾟ^✿

[yuuago]

[/sprinkles glitter over you!]

Thank you, dear! ✿
Indeed, it was a sense of duty, and nothing else. "I need to start what I finish" "I need to learn this because it's our other official language" "I need to prove I'm dedicated enough to stick with something" -- and no "I want to do this because I love it". Hopefully this time, it won't be that way.

I still feel guilty about wanting to do something "useless" but hopefully I'll get over it.

[manzanadorada.livejournal.com]

Nooooo, stop feeling bad! For sensibly cutting short the arbitrary goal of the end of a workbook? though, er, i would think you might need to start what you finish :~:
Like, my Japanese learning since May involves nothing but memorising kanji, because that's what I can see results from when I read; I wanted to get through my textbook's remaining lessons but I failed spectacularly at studying the grammar in isolation, and it's difficult to keep dedication to something that feels like a burden and shows no results.
I might say that knowing when to stop pushing at that,and spend the time better, is a rather positive thing...

Besides, it's not useless (and you know that)! To start, I think anything that's a human language is worthy enough of learning just for that i'm about to spend a few weeks cramming Faroese, I need to basically believe this - I don't know how studying any could be totally useless. And you have a lot of reasons on top of that, Like how Finnish is so pretty and cute. /pets it

[yuuago]

Yeah, yeah -- also FFFFFFF I mean finish what I start. What is with me, man. MY BRAIN. I don't have t.

knowing when to stop pushing at that,and spend the time better, is a rather positive thing...

You know, I never really thought of it that way. When you put it like that, it makes a lot of sense. I just wish that other people (people I encounter in real life) understood it a bit better.

It just gets me down, you know? When people say to me "It's useless for you to learn that, so don't waste your time" -- this is actually something I've encountered very much growing up, not just with languages - After a while I kind of start to believe it.

BUT I'll just try to ignore all that stupid shit and enjoy what I'm doing now. \o/

[manzanadorada.livejournal.com]

I like to try saying things that sound sensible; it can be much easier than following through and acting sensible myself~
Ugh, I totally get how that gets you down. I've mostly had the initiative-draining form "Well that sure was pointless to have spent time on, I could have told you, and look at where it's got you now!", but yeah, it's disheartening, and hard to shrug off when it keeps on coming from people near to you.

[scrii.livejournal.com]

your tree is so pretty *-* certainly beats my non-existent one.

and yay finnish! now i have someone to struggle through it with and besides, you can always go back to french if you ever find interest in it in the future - for the meantime i'm sure you'll chug through finnish a lot faster since interest generally.. helps. here, have some front vowels to guide you on your journey äöyäääöööyöyöä

also i hope work doesn't get too exhausting, good luck~

[yuuago]

YES. WE CAN BE FINNISH PARTNERS. Interest certainly does help. And having someone to struggle with you is motivation too, I think!
[/puts the vowels in his pocket]

As for work, good lord, it's awful, and we haven't even seen the worst yet. But I'll manage somehow. ;; Even if only by daydreaming about what I'm going to do with all that money, haa.

[yuuago]

Perhaps some day Ellie and I will have christmas at the same time and can decorate the tree together. :D

And thank you, my dear! <3

[minninen.livejournal.com]

HOLY SPARKLY TREES BATMAN

Also awww on deciding to study Finnish. ;3; If you learn to pronounce my surname crectly you can proudly go to a Finnish baseball match and yell there without anyone looking at you funny!

[yuuago]

IT'S THE SPARKLIEST and it will be even more, because we're not even finished it yet.

And what's awwww about that? [/hides] I just, gahhh.
Though that is Good To Know. I'll get right on that. 8|b

[minninen.livejournal.com]

Dude that tree couldn't get any sparklier even if you tied Edward Cullen on it.

Everyone knows that "homerun" is the most essential word to know in any language!

[const-victoria.livejournal.com]

Woow, it's so shiny! I suddenly want winter holidays right now. And going for a fake one seems like a good idea - we usually have real but they can't last for so long and tbh aren't that pretty most of the time. The smell is nice though.

Good luck with Finnish! It's really frustrating when you have to postphone learning a language because it would cause problems with another one, especially when the lack of motivation comes into play. Not to mention I dropped French mere weeks after strarting, so I feel for you

[yuuago]

Winter holidays, ahhh! I am envious - I miss having time off. <3 Enjoy them when they do come!

And thank you! <3 I think it'll be fine... mostly it's just that making the decision was frustrating, because I felt I should keep up with both of them, but since I don't have to, and I'm only doing this for my own entertainment, then it's okay.
(To be honest I am not surprise that a person would drop French after only a few weeks - it's awful! ... Then again, I had to study it so much in school, and I found it frustrating, and that's probably why I dislike it so much)

[const-victoria.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I certainly will, for the first time in several years - usually winter holidays are the time when everybody chills out, except for college students who are busy studying for their finals).

I guess the pronunciation was what killed it for me because just a bit later I had no problems getting into Italian, even though they have a lot of similarities. Anyway, going for what you like is always the best strategy! And we don't really use most of the stuff we learn at school, so all is fine, I think. :) And that's why I sometimes wish we had more of choice when it come to second languages at school.

[moemoekyuun.livejournal.com]

:O It looks like those department store catalogs!

Good luck with Finnish! I prefer studying it over romance languages because I can't understand the concept of putting a gender on everything. It's definitely more fun than French!

[yuuago]

Ahhh, the lack of gender on everything - that is something I'm going to appreciate. alskdjf the "gendered everything" was frustrating because I could never remember any of it.
Thanks! <3 I look forward to it.

[seaster.livejournal.com]

But! You can't see the tree for all the stuff that's on it! And it's still missing stuff??? Amazing.

Let's learn Finnish together, Yuu! I have this CD that I listen to that repeat sentences in both Swedish and Finnish. So I'm getting good at saying things! However... I never remember what it means. Oli mukava tavata! \o/

[yuuago]

Tree? What tree? THERE ISN'T A TREE UNDER THERE. ;p

Yes! \o/ We should learn it together, haa! That'd be fun.
... I expect with that kind of form, I'd never remember what I was learning, either.

[mattyroh.livejournal.com]

Hey, the christmas tree shouldn't be up before the 23rd! That's the date to spend all day decorating for christmas, no earlier, no later.
Other than that it looks gorgeous! (Besides the fact that it's fake, but never mind me, I'm just a bit of a christmas tree nazi =_=;;)

Good luck learning Finnish, which is obviously way more awesome than french, which isn't awesome at all, it doesn't even deserve a capital F.

I've always just presumed the Finnish ä and ö is pronounced like the Swedish ones. I might be completely mistaken though, which I hope is the case with ä because that vowel is impossible to pronounce, it's like some weird hybrid between e and æ.
... and now I'm babbling aren't I?

[yuuago]

Pfft, you're so particular! ;)
If we put it up so late as the 23rd, I think that we wouldn't even find it worth the effort to do it, because we'd only get to enjoy it for a week before bringing it down again.

And thank yooou <3 I hope learning it will go well for me. Better than French, anyway. Urgh, French is just. BORING. I find it so boring.

The thing about those sounds is that they're completely unfamiliar to me... I don't know how ö etc is pronounced in any language. :Va so I need to figure it out.
You can babble as much as you like, forever, my dear. I don't mind it at all! <3

[mattyroh.livejournal.com]

Haha, well when you don't use fake trees it's quite practical. That way you limit the number of needles you have to vacuum up after the tree is thrown out :P Besides we're talking about traditions here.

You're welcome, I've never liked french that much. Finnish on the other hand Finnish is awesome, and quite difficult I hear, but who cares.

Åöüæßäøðþ, poor little English has no special letters. Ö/Ø is pretty much pronounced as the u in fun, at least in Nordic languages + German, and æ is somewhere between a and e, almost like the a in at. But don't get me started on ä, it's evil, evil I tell you!

[truffle.livejournal.com]

Cutest tree ever, aaa - ♥

As for Finnish, you can do it, Yuu!

[yuuago]

THANK YOU \o/ We'll see if I really do manage to stick with it, ahaha <3