I initially chose to study Japanese in high school because I was fascinated by the language itself. For most people, I think, the cultural aspect is what's most absorbing, but for me the language came first--not to say I'm not interested in the culture too, but that developed as more of a appanage.
Though I've taken a fair amount of Japanese, I have the tendency to push languages to side in pursuit of other studies (I'm trying to be honest), but I can say honestly that I don't want to do that anymore. I want to one day become fluent in Japanese, and I am vowing to myself--and now anyone reading this--that I will work hard and improve in this class.