Same here too--making omochi day is tomorrow. We used to do it the hard way--back muscles, elbow grease, and beer--but have since bought the mochi machine, and so only have the beer part left (well, for me that is).
Yep, regarding learning the Japanese, you can do it. As you may have some idea of now, there ain't any 'speak in day' miracle to be found, but with much effort and time, you can do it !!