Some update about things going on in my life right now:
* Part time work as a relo consultant:
Going well, I think. Got a raise. Was a little more quiet earlier this year, but rather busy these days. In fact, I am working on many Saturdays. We just moved office yesterday.
We try to improve our services and knowledge as much as possible. I recently purchased a book about improving one's small talk ability. Kind of needed, since we spend so much time with clients.
* Volunteering for AFWJ:
Journal Editor job was over in April, but I still needed to go (fly) in May to Hokkaido to help with the June Journal. Hopefully, only help over the Internet will be needed for August Journal.
Webmaster job is going well. Not time consuming, that's good. I did some changes to improve members' presence.
* University of London BA in French exams:
Sat three exams of the 3rd (and last) level in May, waiting for the results in August. I started checking guides for 2008 exams---at least the ones I already have (Zola, philosophers). I will get additional guides for other exams later this autumn.
* St Boniface exams:
Got caught up with time and did not manage to finish the admission exam on time. Will go for the next sessions, deadline Oct 15.
* Penn Foster AA in Business Management:
Need to go back to my study books ASAP...
* Ecole de rédaction:
Have been working on my introduction and really need to finish it and send it out...
* Sewing pants/trousers:
Need to go back to my sewing machine ASAP, since the last summer trousers/pants "died" last week...
* Using French:
French speaking work colleague great for regular practice. Some French clients here and there.
I am getting several French magazines through the Internet, at kiosk rate (and not expensive overseas rate) through www.virginmega.fr (presse). I get to read about 4-5 magazines a month. Not bad at all.
* Using German:
I recently had some German speaking clients at work. Great for practice, really.
I listen very regularly to German and Swiss German podcasts. These did wonders to help me keep up with the languages.
I did some reading in German as well. Should do more. Really.
* Using Japanese:
I have to admit that I am now using less Japanese than while working at the hotel. But when I need it, I would need to be much more fluent. Bummer.
* Studying Japanese:
** I stopped Kumon for foreigners.
** I still had some leftovers of Kumon for Japanese native kids (see pics below) and started working on the 2nd year elementary school sheets. I will continue for a while before deciding to go back officially with the nearby school (and paying the monthly fee).
The sheets really forces one to read them (obvious part of the exercice). It also contains an amazing amount of new vocabulary. Sometimes, I understand part of the story, sometimes, nothing at all. And very few time, almost everything.
I do sometimes wonder if Japanese kids really understand all the items contained in those sheets or if they are just doing the exercises.
** I have an endless collection of textbooks and was wondering and pondering which one to concentrate on. I chose the one featured in the bottom (shin bunka...). There are four books, two for post-beginners and two for intermediate-advanced (without furigana reading on kanji). I am going over the first two, for vocabulary/kanji revision. I finished about half of the first book.
** I am trying to get myself started seriously on reading (Japanese), but with the usual (for me) troubles. One of my bookshelves really looks like it belongs to a Japanese elementary school student and not to a foreign lady...
** Nintendo DS and related companies are coming out with useful tools for Japanese and intermediate non Japanese students/reader. A new study tool (aka game) came out this week to help elementary school students work on their reading. It targets school children with a short attention spam and have therefore short exercices. I started yesterday and still have to get the grip of it.
Several study tools containg text (books) will also be on sale later this summer. Unfortunately, the first one coming out does not have furigana over kanji. Which makes it really difficult to use for a non native reader.
Two others such tools will contain furigana and I have already pre-ordered them at amazon.co.jp...
Here are the pics I mentioned earlier:
The new DS game (front)
and back
A page of Kumon for Japanese native kids:
The textbook I am going back two (covers of the first two books)
(extract from the current page, about half of the 1st book)
(extract of the beginning of the 3rd book--no furigana reading over the kanji)
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