From the heart of Japan--the Japan Alps--I would like to give you a big WELCOME to JREF !! It sounds like you are willing to work hard at learning Japanese, so I would like to encourage you to keep up the good work, not give up, and spend time practicing. You can do that in the fora on learning Japanese.
Also, I hope you check out the whole site and join in when and where you can, or are interested. Catch you on the flip side !! (Oh I forgot, they don't make 'flip sides' any more....OK...Catch you on track 17 !! MM