Japanese 101

I just had my very first Japanese lesson. I think my sensei thought I was retarded. He expected me to be able to read Japanese & I clearly can't. All I saw was scribbles on a page. He says that this is an experience for him as I am the lowest student he has ever taught. Thanks mate, way to get me motivated. I have a new found respect for my own students now. Learning a new language sucks nuts & it's bloody hard. Can you imagine teaching a fully grown woman the alphabet & how to say "Bob is not a doctor"? At least now I know how to say I am not American! "Watashi wa Amerika-jin ja arimasen desu!"