[T-990] This instructive joke conveys the immersion mindset
Dear Rine,
Two funny guys run a small shop in my neighborhood. They sell everything that the adjacent chain convenience store doesn’t. This includes dry meats and cheeses and such, but also unlabeled domestic rakija, a Serbian spirit distilled from fruit, most often plum or grapes (let’s say it’s like brandy).
When my father went to renew the household rakija reserves today, they told him a joke. A stupid joke, but one instructive for developing an immersion habit.
It goes like this:
A fisherman catches a gold fish. The gold fish promises to grant two wishes.
Without a moment’s hesitation, the fisherman says:
“For my first wish I want you to turn all the water in this lake into rakija!”
“Done,” the fish says, as the water from the lake transmogrifies into rakija.
“Right, next wish,” goes to gold fish.
The fisherman stops to think.
“Hmmmmmm.”
Then it hits him:
“You know what, give me an extra bottle of rakija.”
LOL.
I don’t know how this translates.
But the point is, this immersion thing is a N+1 kind of habit.
More is always better.
Hence, however much or little you did so far (in the current day, week, month, year, or lifetime) is irrelevant.
All it matters is that you try and do more now. If now is impossible, then do it as soon as it becomes possible again.
I’m mentioning this today because I just knocked off my 10th report to you. Which means I completed 1% of my journey. But whether it’s 1% or 10% or 99% doesn’t matter.
It just matters that I keep at it, like I did today:
What I planned/did today
- Reps
- Immersion (I spent a few hours outside and spent most of the time listening)
- Set up VPN and confirmed Japanese Netflix works
- Watched Justin Slocum Baile’s Savvy Autodidact video as recommended by @Henry D.T. from our Discord
What I plan for tomorrow
- Finally spend some time following show w/ subtitles and making cards
- Check out some of those graded readers Henry recommended
Obstacles
- My ear hurt a little from listening at max volume today (to drown out the sounds of public transport)