Test can be over nao, plz?

[blodeuedd]

To get this post off to a cheerful start, an amusing exchange with a student:

Him: Ms. Adele, why is your hair brown?
Me: Uh... it just is. What colour do you think it should be?
Him: Black.
Me: Black? But I'm not Japanese.
Him: Yes, you are.
Me: XD Actually, no.

I believe there is partial confusion here due to the fact that the younger kids take a while understand the difference between Japanese-meaning-nationality and Japanese-meaning-language and which verb to use in which context. I often hear things like "Sakura is Japanese!" when they mean she's speaking Japanese. My response is always, "Yeah, so are you!" which confuses them. And then I laugh.

Anyway, the next day I asked Taiga:

Me: So, why did you say my hair should be black?
Him: *looking at me as though explaining that water is wet* Because hair is black.

This was even funnier because this kid's hair isn't black, it's truly brown. It made me wonder, though, whether any of the kids think that K (who is fairer than I am) and I dye our hair.

* * *

I meant to post something interesting about Okinawa, or at least answer the meme questions I was asked, but I really don't feel up to the task. Still, I forced myself to at least try to catch up with my studying this evening, and got more done than I'd hoped. Funny how I actually kept up in Okinawa, it's in the days since I've been back that I've completely slacked off, for no reason I can discern except that I'm damn tired.

Physically, I feel sort of run down, and it's hard to pinpoint why. Looking at the pictures of last weekend, I was shocked by how thin I'm looking. I've lost some weight over the past couple of months, and aside from the fact that it's exciting to be able to buy pants in most stores here, I feel a bit... worried? Not sure if that's the right word. Anyway, since I'm not actively doing anything to try to slim down, and can't think of any real changes to my routine, I'm left wondering why it's happening at all. I suppose it could be JLPT-related stress, because I'm hardly starving myself -- you saw me go at the hotel buffets! :D

Mentally, I'm drained. My self-imposed study plan has really wrung me out -- I haven't used my brain so much in years! It's pathetic. It's also a reminder that I shouldn't just let myself coast down the easy path, that it's good to give myself different challenges every once in a while.

So yes, JLPT. I did the practice test Monday, and can we say, HAHAHAHAHA? :P If I'd been more attentive, I would have noticed earlier my voucher stated that I'd been placed in the "N" test, "N" standing for "imaginary level between levels 1 and 2 that doesn't actually exist except for this practice exam" and it was hard. As expected. Though the listening was surprisingly easy, especially the questions that were about commercials/store announcements. At any rate, I'll be quite happy if I get even 20% for this test, and very surprised if I can manage 40% for the actual test. *resigned*

While I'm really looking forward to the test being over, I also wonder what I'm going to do with my time once it's free. I want to keep studying, so I'll have to think up a way to get myself motivated for that, and I also want to settle on some other goals. Anyone have any suggestions on how to do this? Advice? Want to start a Goal of the Month club with me so we can be slave-drivers to each other? :D [offer valid only after the 6th of December]

Re: 12月6日, Eda and I are going to meet up after the test and we're going to get drunk. Anyone else want to join in? :D

And then she went to bed.

Comments

[tayles.livejournal.com]

My kids used to get confused about my hair - I colour it, but it's naturally red-brown. When I said I coloured it there first guess for a natural colour was blonde (BECAUSE I'M EUROPEAN, OF COURSE!) and second was black :|

Oh dear... sounds like you're run down. Doesn't matter how much you eat if you're running a lot of nervous energy. Hopefull it'll settle down after the test and you can de-stress with some lazy days. I know you're the type who likes to keep active, but there's a lot to be said for lazy days, my dear. *hugs* Take care of yourself, ok?

I'd do a Goal of the Month club if I was about! I need motivation ><;;

[later-uk.livejournal.com]

I will come and get drunk with you!! Where shall we meet?

[dilettantka.livejournal.com]

When I was a kid and lived in Spain, I knew exactly one person with blonde hair, and I remember always staring at them and thinking "...but how does it come out of their head that colour?!?"

So I can kinda understand. XDD

Of course, to a Japanese person I'm "kinpatsu." The first time somebody said that and I figured out they meant me I cracked up laughing.

I am planning to keep studying after this damn thing is done and set new goals for myself. I am totally down for Goal of the Month!!! Retsu!! Faito!!! Taimu!!!

as for the 6th, apparently I am going to "Minami Osawa" on the Keio Sagamihara line. I have no clue where that is :D I suggest meeting in Shimokita and going to that awesome 300 yen izakaya. I figure Keio line and Keio line meet somewhere. WHAT SAY YOU.

also, *hug*

[nekonezumi.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Even kenders and magical antelope women need some down time. You've been studying almost every day for the past month or more, on top of work and travel and so forth--something I really admire about you is your determination and resolve to get things done, but it can backfire if you're burning yourself out. We were lucky to have you as a driver in Okinawa, but the rest of us could sit back and relax while you did all the work, so that probably added to your tiredness, even though I know you had fun doing it. ^_~

Anyway, give yourself a break this weekend! Don't even think about the test. Read a nice book, and then there will be fun and food and relaxing on Sunday. As a certified doctor, these are my orders. And be sure to get enough sleep. *nod*

I am all for nagging goals, too. I want in on this club!

[blodeuedd.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* Thank you. <3

You don't have to be here to participate, we can support each other online! ^_^

[blodeuedd.livejournal.com]

Eda and I are working on a cunning plan, will let you know soon!

Where are you doing the test?

[blodeuedd.livejournal.com]

XD Where I lived until I was 7, apart from my brothers and me, there were 2 other blond kids on the island. My brother was white-blond (like Jill), and my mother once overheard a Cree kid telling his friend, "See? I TOLD you there was a boy with yellow hair!"

Well duh, all white foreigners are kinpatsu!

Faitooooo~~~~~! Yoshi, we will continue with our weekly study! Or whatever other project we have going.

Thank you. <3 It was really nice and relaxing studying with you tonight, I got way more done than I thought possible.

[blodeuedd.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* Does that make me a magical kender antelope? XD Yeah, I know, it's just that I'm the type who represses stuff like that until it comes to a boil. @_@

I would very much like to do that, Dr. Hobbit, but the test is in 9 days, so I don't want to slack off this close to the end. But I promise that as soon as I hand in the test booklet, the relaxing will commence! ^__^ And on Sunday, of course.

Say, do you think there's a tennis court near chez Tiff 'n' Hannah? You know, just in case we need to work off our meal... XD

And yes, there will be a club in one form or another. Just give me a while to work out the particulars.