Updates

Hello, dear reader.

First I want to update you on old news. Over the last school year I've been taking classes at MSU to get certified to teach Japanese. It's been so fun. I really love my adviser, Dr. Mutsuko Endo-Hudson. I really enjoyed her Advanced Spoken Japanese class last semester, and am now enrolled in a Japanese teaching methods course she is instructing. I feel like I've learned a lot already, but I'm not sure if it's enough yet... But, I suppose I always feel that way. Tomorrow (3/6) I'll be visiting the classroom of a high school Japanese teacher, and I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great opportunity to see someone in action, doing what I hope to do someday, and ask her some questions.

Second, since I've been able to take some great Japanese classes at MSU, I got the courage to try the Japanese Language Proficiency Test again this year. The test has four levels: one being the most advanced, four being the least. In 2005, I attempted the level 3 test with Marisha. We had to drive out to Chicago for it, as it's the closest test site available. (There are only around 8 or 10 in the U.S.) Happily, we both passed! In 2006, neither of us felt very prepared for the next step, so that year slipped by. This year, however, two of my Advanced Spoken Japanese classmates said they were going to try level 2, so I took the opportunity. I didn't make the decision 'til late October, started studying around then, and was just barely passing the practice tests I was taking before the exam. I just got the notice late last month, and perhaps you saw it in my Facebook status but... I managed to squeak into the passing bracket. ^^; (Passing is 60%+, I got 64.5% ^^; ) But now I have a big question... should I retake it, try to better my God-awful score? Or, since the actual score percent doesn't mean a whole lot to those who look at them (universities, employers, etc) as much as the fact that you passed, should I just move on to level 1? hahh....

Okay, more news... hm. Jeremy is currently grad-school-searching. He's applied to a few and we're hoping to hear back soon so I can start getting more specific in my job searching. I feel like it's pretty necessary, this time, for me to find a full time job, since my income will be supporting us. Being a substitute teacher these last few years has been nice, since I've been able to pursue a Japanese endorsement for my certificate, tutor some kids in Japanese, and run errands and the like when I've needed to... but I don't think it's going to help sustain us too much next school year. :P I haven't had much luck so far, finding a job... but, really, school-wise it's pretty early. I'm hoping I'll get more hits when the summer starts.

That's pretty much the big, old news, I guess. Currently, I'm enjoying Spring Break. Although, since I'm only taking 2 classes at MSU, it isn't really much of a break. ^^; But it is nice not having to drive there twice a week this week! This weekend I'll be heading over, though, to help with the Michigan-Shiga Exchange Program. I applied for a chaperon position for their 2-week exchange program but didn't make it--however, I was invited to join the committee. This weekend is a big briefing for the students and chaperons going, and for the parents. It sounds like fun, and I hope to do some networking. ^_^ It was really cool to meet a lot of Japanese teachers when I went for the interview, so I look forward to seeing them again. And it's going to be fun, being a part of such an exciting adventure for these students!

Next weekend is the Michigan Japan Quiz Bowl. I stopped by last year and was really amazed by it. At my high school, we couldn't study Japanese, so I'm getting involved in, like, a whole new world, it seems! Elementary through high school kids compete at the MJQB, answering questions in Japanese, or about Japan. This year I'm volunteering as a time-/scorekeeper. I'm really looking forward to it. ^_^

Okay, this has been long enough. Hopefully I'll be keeping up with myself better so I won't be doing this again. ^_^

See ya!