Thank you to @Mythic_Bean for suggesting I start a study blog. I hope it is helpful as I do love writing - I did a lot of it in graduate school and as a therapist! For those of you who happened across my introduction yesterday, thank you for your support as well! Below is a link, but I will summarize it up with some added details as well.
I like to describe myself as a “hermit” - and I think that is a fairly accurate description. I chose “Shozo” as my name because it is the name of a character in one of my favorite Japanese video games, Shenmue. He, himself, is a homeless person that lives at a harbor and wishes not to be bothered. I identify with him almost too well. I have a plethora of mental health diagnoses that keep me sidelined from the outside world and wishing not to be bothered, one of which is Agoraphobia. I do not use social media, I do not watch or binge movies or series, and worst of all I have stopped all communication with every wonderful friend I’ve made in my 36 years. It makes little sense to most people aside from my therapist, but it is the reality of my life and brings me the most contentment that life can offer me at this time. Alright, moving on?
I disclosed in my introduction that a recent MRI revealed that my brain is much smaller than that of a 36 year old brain should be. Like, 20 years difference was the description of my Neurologist. I did obtain a graduate degree in Social Work, excelled my way up the ranks as a licensed therapist and it eventually ended when I was a hospital program manager in 2020 as the reality of my life took over and began to set in. I could type on this topic endlessly, but this is not what I am here for!
I want to to study and learn Japanese for many reasons, one of which is to keep my brain sharp as I go through more testing for memory issues. I have always been an experiential learner, so I suspect this will be a very slow and difficult process, but I hope a fun one for a hermit. I did not excel in languages in schooling, nor did I excel in mathematics, which is often linked to language learning in a classroom and from books. I guess I’ll have to wait and see?
WaniKani is my baseline beginner’s exploration of this, and the SRS seems like a good match for my goal of keeping my brain sharp. I also have been introduced to many other resources that my mom’s friend knew of. All things told, I’m on the path.
Japanese culture, its antiques and antiquity, calligraphy, Shintoism, and the desire to read it are why I want to learn it. The reason I had the MRI of my brain to begin with is because I was diagnosed with an “essential tremor,” resulting in my handwriting to become very poor amongst other things. My dreams of writing in Japanese may be over with, but reading basic and novice Manga would be a very satisfying and realistic long term goal, so that is what I am aiming for! To visit Japan as a self described “hermit” and with my plethora of other issues may be a stretch, but hey, it could happen someday!
Just about done with my first set of radicals! I’ve learned NOT to do lessons on my phone unless I’m prepared to do them slowly, as my tremor caused me to misspell “nine” today and I got it wrong. Oh well, my diagnosis of OCD can take that tiny hit without too much fuss 
Again, if you made it this far, thank you for reading Shozo’s Study Blog “Part One?” 
Thanks Eli !
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Anyway I slogged through them and just wanted to update you all on my progress. And again, thanks to 
