Good evening!~ (or whatever time it is where you live ^-^; ..)

Here's just a quick (but not short) update!

As mentioned in my previous (travel) entry, I'm really busy lately.
Work has been horrible and busy, but it's also because I'm totally back into study mode!

That's right! I'm finally taking the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)!
I'm pretty sure that most of you know about it anyways.
The level I want to take is N2 (formerly known as 2kyuu). As some of you know I already passed a 2kyuu mock test with 76% last year in September.



So, why am I not trying N1 then??
Well, one reasons is that I've never ever taken a JLPT exam before! Also, the test format has changed since last year!
Last but not least it's also a money thing. It costs around 60$ to take the test. Not to mention that you only can take it in a few huge cities, so I also have to pay a lot of money to get there (and possibly for a hotel, too!!).
The lower levels are worth nothing (as they won't help you getting a job or anything), so I never tried those. I considered this as a waste of money. No hard feelings! I know there are a lot of people who are trying those levels and that's perfectly fine!
I'm just saying that I didn't want to spend any money on them!
Now, as I've never taken the exam (and the test format is new, too) it's VERY likely that I'd fail N1 - it's the most difficult level anyways! Rather than spending money on that, I want to try N2. It's more likely that I'll pass it. You only need ridiculous 50% to pass anyways!
Depending on my scores then, I consider taking N1 in July next year (2011).

The thing I still struggle most with (I think) is the reading section. I'm using the "Kanzen Master" book for 2kyuu reading right now and it's really tough. I get about 60% right only. That's enough to pass the test and I also heard that the problems in the book are more difficult than the actual ones in the test, but I'm still worried. My biggest problem is the time management for the reading!! I never have enough time. I'm not good enough (yet) to rely on skimming, I guess :/ Need to figure out a strategy soon!
I'd appreciate some suggestions, thanks :D

Call me nerdy or a freak, but it's so much fun to study again (*__*)v
I guess I just needed a break. I haven't really studied properly in a while! :(
I'm also using my Japanese livejournal densha_onna, my Ameba blog (Ameblo), Lang-8 and mixi more often again (feat. all the same entries anyways XD)

In other news I got a package from Germany!
My brother forgot to bring the most important thing with him when he came to visit: my new credit card!
So he had to send it to me (I was worried about that which is why I wanted him to bring it in person ..), as .. kind of apology I got a whole package of goodies (*__*)v (no, unfortunately no cat! ;o; ... XD)



Gawd. I LOVE Corny!!!!! (*__*) They don't (really) have any cereal bars here in Japan ;o;



And I was also surprised at how beautiful the package itself was! At first I thought my brother used some kind of gift wrap paper, but it seems that DHL has just cute packages right now (o__O'') ...


I also bought these two little treasures recently:



I want to go and watch "Hanamizuki" this month! I hope I have time for that ;o;
That's also why I haven't really had a look into the photobook yet! Don't wanna see/read any spoilers! ;o;



Sorry, so this is the only photo you get for now ;P

Let's move on to the "Toma book"! It's awesome! I'm so glad I bought it!
It has lots of information and photos of Toma in it!!! And REALLY new photos, too!!
I don't regret buying it at all :D Haven't really read it yet, though. (no time)
Here are some photos:



And right in the beginning there's a photo of the "stage greeting" in Osaka where I went to see Toma live (*___*)v
It's so great to have a photo of it in this book, because I can say: "I WAS THERE TOO!!!!" (^^;)



There are also some photos of young Toma in it (^-^)v



It features everything: his stage plays as well as his drama and movie appearances! :D
This is from Maou, a drama he was in together with Arashi's Ohno-kun.



Toma in awesome clothes and playing drums = love³ (*_*)



Some Tomapi love is in there, too!!!

Conlusion: A MUST HAVE for every fan!!


I haven't posted any Poupée screenies latey. There are too many to actually catch up, so I chose only 3 for today:



Today's dress-up (^-^'') I has a bambi nau! ;P



Black and white vs. smexy kitty! (^-^'') - those were taken during the "pajama event" which I really enjoyed.

In other news: I finally made it into the CUTE RANKINGS with this item:


Yay!!! Thanks to everybody who voted for that item



Last but not least, some sad news: I didn't get any Arashi tickets through the fanclub (I'm not a member but one of my coworkers is and she balloted for both of us).
I REALLY wanna go to an Arashi concert at least once, though! I've been in Japan for almost 3 years now and never been to ANY concert (not only Arashi, but in general!!!)
I checked how much the tickets cost in online auctions just to find out that they're about 63.000-100.000yen (~630-1000$). If you get tickets through the fanclub directly it's only about 5000yen (50$)!!!!!
THIS is CRAZY!!!!! Only the ones for Sapporo Dome are cheaper (45.000yen), but all of the cities where the concerts will take place are far away and either way I'd have to pay another 10.000-45.000yen just to get to the concert hall!! We're talking about 1000$ just for ONE short concert!!! That's just too crazy ;o; .... Not sure yet, what I'll do.
Maybe I'll go to the concert hall closest to where I live and wait in front of the dome before the concert and just hope that somebody will sell their tickets then ...
Any other ideas? Guess not. I know there are so many fans out there who have exactly the same problem (x___X)


Funny and random facts - corner:
The other day I watched an episode of JOKER (my favorite drama this season btw. - wanna post more about dramas soon, hope I'll find some time!!) and it took me about 10 minutes to notice that I didn't have subtitles turned on yet XDDD

Well, that's all for today.
I'm going to fill out my JLPT application now and then I wanna get some more studying done before going to bed!
バイ☆⌒ヾ(^・^*)(*^・^)ノ⌒☆ナゲキッス♪