Classes and stuff

Well, besides karaoke and a sushi-night, this weekend ended up being a lot of studying in order to maintain the level that I was placed in by the placement test. I had my Speaking test today and it actually went fairly well. I managed to score like an 89% on it, which for studying for two months (unlike the others in the class who’ve been doing Japanese for at least one year) is fairly okay. At least it’ll keep me in this level (I hope) and I can keep working on getting ahead.

What I’m more worried about is the writing class. My Kanji knowledge is just waaay inferior to the others in the class, and although that serves as an inventive in some ways, it’s really demoralizing in other ways. I guess I just need to practice a crapload more, but she’s a really difficult teacher and she’s very strict. During our first class she said that we’ll have a homework due today, and frankly, I didn’t understand a word of what she was saying that time, and obviously, had no idea we were supposed to do it ^^. She gave me a look saying “who the heck do you think you are coming to class without your homework done?” and I felt horrible. Well, on the other hand it’ll make me work twice as hard to prove her wrong (I’m stubborn that way) so maybe my dislike for her will serve as yet another incentive, big enough to do well.

On the more positive side, I’m starting with Kendo tomorrow! My Okaasan took me to the kendo clubs meeting two days ago (Sunday) and we talked to the sensei there and he was so excited that there was a gaijin (foreigner) that was so interested in Kendo that he decided that he’ll let me train this remaining period for free. Sweetness! J. Moreover, he seemed really nice, however strict, and it’ll probably be a lot of fun. Currently I’ll probably be put with the children while learning the basics, but in a month or so I should be allowed to train with the rest of the group. It all depends on how quickly I learn this stuff.

Me and my friend split a huge bar of Chocolate today (see picture) and it ended up replacing our lunch. At the end of it we were kinda sick of it, but still, a huge bar of chocolate is never wrong! I’ve been high on sugar the entire day.

Other than that there’s not too much going on. Right now I’m trying to get on track with my studies, but still trying to balance it with exploring this place. I’m meeting my speaking partner tomorrow, which I’m really looking forward to. I’ve gotten a lot more confident with my Japanese due to all the conversations with my host-family. I’m really enjoying this language, and I hope it won’t just end up being something that I forget later on. We’ll see.