EVEN MONKEYS FALL FROM TREES...

アプロードしなくて、ごめんね！ Forgive my lack of updates - now that I know I have at least one semi-dedicated reader (thanks, Max!), I feel compelled to update more often. That being said, I don't feel any guilt about enjoying Sapporo in order to have things to blog about.

Yesterday, Jess and I had been recommended to sit in on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test II level class, one level higher than the class we have with Kellie and two students from the University of Nebraska. The exam levels range from 4 (the easiest) to 1 (the hardest, one which is difficult even for some native speakers, I've heard). The higher-level class is training to take the JLPT II exam the first week in December, and once my language class professors knew I plan to study Japanese linguistics in grad school, they suggested I try it out.

Whereas the JLPT III class was a too-comfortable review of NAKAMA Book II, the JLPT II class discussions were easy to understand despite a definite gap in vocab knowledge. Surprisingly, the grammar (ようになっている、自動詞と他動詞、〜と、〜ば）also was review, but much of the vocabulary went well over my and Jess' heads - like 便器（べんざ）、the word for toilet seat. Useful, yes, but not common in typical Japanese literature, ne? At least we had studied けいご (formal polite language) back at Ball State more than they had, so we weren't completely lost.

The best part: in-class timed compositions. In about 15 minutes, we had to write a composition using 8 new terms from the textbooks. The topic - how a mystery author died. The words: ピストル (pistol), 作家の妻 (the author's wife), and 300万円 (a large amount of money), among others. I, apparently the only person in the class who doesn't have an electronic English-Japanese translator, only had my memory to reference. Such a disadvantage. Hopefully Watanabe-sensei realizes that when she reads my lame story about how the ever-observant mystery author scared away a strange man from his house, found the money-filled briefcase the man had dropped in his hurry to get away, took the money, and now wonders why his friend is acting strangely around him. In other words, the prelude to the murder of a talented Japanese mystery author by his jealous best friend. It'll be a classic, I know it. :P

Even with fried nerves and brains from the first class, I've decided to continue with the second-level classes. So now, I've DOUBLED my number of classes and will be expected to do homework for each class, including make-up work for the two third-level classes I will miss each week to attend the higher class.

Um, where's Hermione's Time-Turner? I think I'll being needing it soon.