Distractions

Took a few days off so that I can put in a bit of time to study for the JLPT this Sunday, but I’ve mostly been NOT studying. Yesterday I met Makiko to go watch Su-ta To-re-ku and I like JJ Abrams a little more and might even go back and find out what’s happening with Lost.

It’s actually kinda dangerous to go out during this period, because there are sales everywhere! The temptation to buy stuff is so great. Well, actually I did pick up a watch yesterday – my first in maybe 4 years! My phone is a little wonky these days, plus one and a half years ago, I sped through the JLPT because I had no idea what the time was. THAT was more stressful than taking the exam. So since there was a 10% discount (you call that a sale?), I got this basic, old-school watch which reminded me of what I had when I was a kid.

Also picked up a new Moleskine. HYaw gave me one before I left for Tokyo and I finally finished using it. I feel a little guilty spending so much on what is basically a stack of paper stitched together, but I simply love the smell and texture. Don’t really believe that Picasso or whoever used it, the court jester or the roadsweeper could have used it for all I care, it’s just one of those things I’m liking a lot lately. Just like those 10-cent notebooks we used to have in school, I loved the smudgy blue lines. I wonder where my collection went! Was up surfing around looking at other people’s beeeoooteeeful Moleskines and feeling sorry for mine. A little. Now, to devise the best way to use it. I already have a List of Lists that was developed from 2 Lists of “What Works and What Doesn’t” I made in my old one. ;)

So between that, and counting down to when friends hit town, oh and watching Gilmore Girls, I’ve studied a total of 1 hour and 13 minutes over the course of two off-days. I guess it’s ok cos I’m aiming for a 10-15% improvement on my last exam, which I can tell you was Writing/Vocabulary 34/100, Listening 67/100 and Reading/Grammar 96/200. I reckon fear of public failure should give me some motivation to study a little harder :P

Time for some chicken rice.