Summer School Post-mortem
It dawned on me in the last few weeks of this semester what was going wrong with the stat class. The formulas are easy to solve, so chapter by chapter, so I had no problem; until the tests. When it came time to apply what I had learned in a cumulative format, I was lost. I panicked.
Reading a problem during a long math test and not having any idea where to start is a singularly unsettling feeling.
Next stat class (next semester), I have to spend the time thinking and less time solving. When Bloom came up with the six levels of behavior in learning, he determined that most of the time we are tested only at the first level, where recall is the most important skill. It’s much easier to take these tests when I am at a higher level.
When I was studying Japanese, I wrote Kanji over and over. I wrote them so much I can remember a great deal of it, even today. I wrote them until they were internalized. I allocated enough time to fully synthesize them. My stat class, I just tried to get the right answers, and move on.
Post-JLPT iroiro
Well, that was a nice time, wasn’t it? I took level one, knowing that I wouldn’t pass this year, due to lack of study time. It wasn’t a hard as I thought it would be. But I didn’t pass.
Last week I took my finals, and there was also a charity event that I helped put together. So this morning is the first day after a very busy week. I thought about taking it easy, but there are many phone calls and odds and ends to take care of, so I don’t feel like letting them fester.
I bought my books for the next semester. It will only be four classes, since I know I have to take a summer class regardless, I am not going to load up this semester. Either way I will transfer to UIC in the fall with 60 credits. I will be a 40 year old junior; I have no shame about that, and only a tiny hint of regret that my fear held me back so long.
I have also been on an exercise regimen, after stepping on the scale and hitting 195. I weighed in today at 184 after starting my program 5 weeks ago. I feel lighter and can see the difference. I want to lose 10 more pounds; I haven’t broke the 180 mark in many years, but I keep losing weight, so I will keep it up. My plan is so simple, many people wouldn’t even bother to try it, I think. I go to the gym 6-7 times a week and burn calories. First 500, then 600; next week I will bump it up yo 700. I will start using weights again after this calorie-burning phase, sometime next month.
Going everyday makes me think about what I eat. I weigh myself once a week, on Saturdays, to make sure I don’t pig out on Friday night, which is a habit I am breaking. It takes about 6.5 hours a week including commuting, so it’s not a big time drain. I listen to podcasts, music, or watch tv (American TV is really nothing but “What Not To Wear”, I am beginning to think).
I also bought some books on project management, supply chain, and The Four Hour Work Week.
So I have a busy month off…
・お知らせ・
Dear 2008 JLPT Test Taker,
This message is for those who have NOT yet received their test vouchers and vital information sheets.
If you have not received a voucher in the mail, you should login to your profile on My Account and print out your voucher from there (Link included below). You will be able to use this just like the actual voucher.
You will also need to bring one piece of official picture identification on the test day.
If you have any questions or problems, please contact us as soon as you can.
My Account Login Page
https://www.jflalc.org/jlpt/
Vital Information Download Page
http://www.jflalc.org/index.php?act=tpt&id=24
JLPT Administration Committee
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
Tel: 
213-621-2267
Fax: 213-621-2590
Email: noryoku@jflalc.org
Almost JLPT Time!!
I’ll be at DePaul in Chicago on D-Day, if anyone has any questions about the city or the location. Take the Red Line to Fullerton and head west out of the station. DePaul is a few blocks away. The building where the test is is on a small north/south side street.
This year work and school has kept me too busy for real preparation. Next year I will be really trying to pass it, and since most of the traffic here is JLPT related, I have a few ideas for next year. But right now is what matters, so study your ass off! It’s hard, but if you used a good study guide and practiced your reading, you will pass.
Back in the gym
So last week I ended a 2 month smoking relapse, and gave up coffee at the same time. It wasn’t too bad this time (I’ve quit smoking many, many times). I hope I can put a few years of non-smoking together; that would be nice. Getting the caffeine out of my system was tough for a few days. I have experienced a strange muscle ache that seems to be related to the caffeine withdrawals. I googled around and it doesn’t seem too common, but I can’t explain why, but it feels connected, like muscles relaxed as I the caffeine left my system.
Anyway, I joined a gym down the street today. I got on a scale for the first time in 3 years. omygod. Let’s just say the treadmills and bikes will become my friends for a few months.
Well, plan b
My main test strategy with the JLPT is to hope that they give me the 3kyuu by mistake; I haven’t had time to study these past few weeks with school and work. Worse still is that my speaking ability is going down the drain. I went to my weekly lesson and realized how much I am regressing. It’s understandable, but makes me a little sad. Oh well. Coming back was necessary, as was going back to school while working. I am starting to build some savings, the work I am doing is a challenge and gives me great opportunities, and the degree is slowly becoming more of a reality I never thought I would undertake. It’s a worthwhile trade off.
I would love to be back in a more formal classroom setting. Many people knock taking foreign language classes; to me it’s a place to practice where there is no (major) embarrassment in making a mistake. My case was different though; I was in Japan, no English was spoken. It’s safe to say it would be different in the States.
