Japanese Proficiency Test

For those that have read my for a little while- know that the end of the year was a bit of a challenge for me. It all started on the fateful October afternoon when I fractured my leg, I was quite hobbled and was forced to take the trains and the taxis to all my classes. This in itself added about 30 minutes to an hour extra time to travel to each class. On top of that, of course, Ritsy was pregnant. She was actually in pretty good condition and would drive me to the train station pretty much up to a week before having the baby- that saved me about 15 minutes, and a lot of work. Did I mention that November was my busiest work month as a teacher, of all time!? I made a lot of money- which was good, I needed it- but I ended up pretty tired by the time my baby arrived on November 24th. The beginning of December was still busy, and even busier now because my wife was in a hospital because of blood loss and my baby was in the Midwife's clinic- and I was taking buses and trains between my classes, the hospital and the clinic, I tried to visit both Ken and Ritsuko everyday. It was very physically and emotionally draining. Now, the main point- nestled in the middle of that tough month was the Japanese Proficiency test. I have been studying for 2 years with the patient and kind Taeko and I was meant to take the Level 4 test the year before, but missed the deadline. At that time, I decided my mistake would not slow me down and I would challenge for the Level 3 test this past December. But because of the situation leading up to the test- my cram time was drastically reduced and I pretty much felt that I failed it.

Today the results came. And I calmed myself, preparing for the worst as I opened up the sealed postcard. To my shock the first word I found was Passed! Yes- I have gotten my Level 3 Japanese Proficiency! Wow! I needed to work out the situation at that time, as it feels like such a distant memory now. My family is together at home everyday, I am driving, and I basically have no pain anymore. I feel this was quite an accomplishment!

This years goal has to be to improve my spoken Japanese and start pushing forward and obtaining the Level 2 grammar and vocabulary. I heard that the next test is a big step up, so I will probably have to take 2 years of studying before trying for it-- but I am that much closer now...