Omoshirogariya

Lately, I've noticed that I've been asked this a lot.

The teacher stands up at the class teaching some grammar and asks, "Didn't you learn this in elementary level?" I shake my head.

My friend turns to me and asks, "A question like that would never turn up on a quiz in elementary level, right?" I dunno.

After all, I've never taken an elementary level Japanese class before.

Today, I was studying with my friends during break, and I was telling everyone how I had private grammar lessons with Watanabe-sensei last semester, since I didn't know elementary level grammar. Well, often, I'd heard it or seen it before, but I'd never been taught how to use it. After all, I've never taken an elementary level course before.

"You've never taken an elementary course before? Then how are you in level 9?!"

I dunno...

"You've never taken an elementary course before? Then how do you know how to write?"

I dunno...

When I think about it, I had never even taken a proper Japanese language lesson until coming to Japan. Then...how'd I get into level 7 and then level 9? How am I able to write? It was a shock to all my friends today, but it's just as much of a mystery to me....

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In my conversation class today, we were talking about special adjectives, and the teacher listed them on the board. She then went around to everyone and asked us which adjective we thought fit ourselves best.

It was my turn.

"Um...hardworker (douryokuka)...?"

"Hardworker? I think you're more of a 'omoshirogariya', Kenia," my teacher said.

Hm? What's that?

I know 'omoshiroi' means funny or interesting or fun, but 'omoshirogariya'?

So, I looked it up when I got home.

Apparently, an 'omoshirogariya' is someone who is easily amused or delighted--at jokes, for example. It can also be someone who takes pleasure in things such as hobbies or studies.

Oh! That's me! So that is my new word now. I've decided.

Hello, I'm Kenia, and I'm a 'omoshirogariya'.