I rest somewhat safe in the knowledge that I've done everything that I can do for this test. The Japanese language proficiency test hits on Sunday which leaves me with only 3 days (Wed/Fri/Sat) to keep working towards it (Thursday has other things going on).

I am doing ok on the past tests but then it is worth pointing out that the past papers get noticebly harder each year. If that trend continues then my hopes of passing my be dashed. As it isI am on the very verge of passing. It's not an impossibility but it isn't a certainty either.

I've put so much time and effort into this test. Even if I don't pass I've gained valuable study skills and a huge amount of knowledge in the process. However ifI can pass this it will make the last few weeks all the more worthwhile.

I am on the verge of beginning my third year at university. With it I find for the first time that my test scores and such are going to actually begin to affect my final degree. So this year of all years I have to try hard (though having said that I haven't been slacking off either.

This year I am also going to be taking the Japanese language proficiency test. I'm going for the big one: the level 1. This is about as hard as Japanese tests come so this is going to be fun for sure. I am having a hard time securing the audio for the past papers though.

Also this year is the last time the current Japanese test will maintain the current content and format so it is my last chance to pass the current level 1 as it is. At the same time I really want to undertake learning Chinese but I fear if I do so I won't have time to study aptly for the JLPT. On the other hand if I don't start learning Chinese this year it's now or never. Unlike Japanese my interest in Chinese is only for communicating with friends. I have no intention of becoming fully fluent as I am with Japanese.

With my Japanese I feel like I am finally in the last straight. I won't have any more major leaps or hurdles now. It's just about learning a large volume of words and grammar but not ones distinct or particularly different from the ones I already know. I'm so close now...I can feel it.

The next 12 days mark the run up to the JLPT2. In the remaining time I have to cram in as much practice as I can get and learn as much grammar as I can. Ofcourse I learnt my lesson last time that just cramming is a bad idea so I have to also balance this with realisitcally how much information I can remember (not just for the test but after it as well as simply doing well on the test and then forgetting grammar is a waste of time).

I haven't booked my accomdation for the test site yet. I also have a presentation to prepare, a mid-term for speaking tomorrow and 4 consecutive speaking-meetings with various conversation partners this week. This is gonna be a very busy 12 days.

Once the JLPT is over I am going to have to change my plans and shift gears as I will only have about a month left in Japan and need to make something of it.