just when when you thought you were making headway

as difficult as the next stage of learning will be, it will be made all the more easy by throwing my rough-guide phrase book firmly in the bin. it has been little if no help. my new pocket sized friend is the equivalent of 'the patter' - a glaswegian dictionary of sorts but essential reading if you want to know what the hell is going on around you. I've also started reading some manga on suggestion from an english guy I work with who is progressing at lightning speed with his japanese. I opted for some doraemon - you know, the cute blue cat thing with the magic pouch. I could use some magic.......