Initially, I was happy to note that my 1kyuu grammar book had a lot less grammar points than level 2, so I thought it might be a little easier to study for. However, as I am taking the practice tests, many of the answer choices are level 2 grammar as well. I have done ok so far, but I will have to go back and review level 2 grammar. Which is fine, there's a lot of 2kyuu grammar that I hear but never use. When I hear it, I think, "Ah, level 2 grammar that I completely forgot about." Then I get sad. Then I go study, and am happy again.

There are benefits to taking these tests, outside of trying to get into Japanese universities. Some complain that it's all archaic or written grammar, but that isn't completely true. For example, in Japanese department stores, I often heard something like ｢お客様、8時をもって終売致します。」 and I wondered 「なぜ誰かが「時間」を持ってるだろう？」 That's an example of (level 1) polite speech you may never use, but is useful to know (をもって=で).

That's the trick to Japanese. A foreigner can come to Japan, find a job, and live a long, happy life never using keigo. But if you don't understand it, you will not know what is being said at convenience stores or restaurants or well, most everywhere. Not that you are screwed; you will get the onigiri you want at the 7-11, but it's worth learning keigo and teineigo. Unless you enjoy making everyone speak to you in English, which I find to be unacceptably revolting.

I'm a little torn because I am spending some leisure time reading English. It's about the same as I did in Japan, but I was surrounded by Japanese writing there. Some of the reading is valid: school prep, etc.; some is just a diversion: politics, news.

My parents generation got the news every night between 7:00 and 7:30. Was that enough? Today we have more news resources at our disposal; we can probably get a much fuller perspective in a half hour a day. Through the use of RSS and other internet resources we don't have to depend on network news, or cable news, which is worse in many ways. Who considers Wolf Blitzer a competent journalist? How such a vapid, vacant guy is given such air time boggles my mind.

Anyway, I have a pretty heavy 1kyuu study schedule, so that will balance out the time a little. And I will monitor the time I spend reading the news (in English) and other frivolity.

This comes from an article by Ed Jacob, which I recommend if you want a quick primer on the JLPT. I have pulled the most helpful tips for the test. First, regarding the nature of the test:

At the 1kyuu and 2kyuu levels, the JLPT is basically a vocabulary test. Of course you need to have a strong foundation in basic grammar, but it is not actively tested, and people with large vocabularies and bad grammar do a lot better than people with good grammar and small vocabularies.

I can attest to this fact. In Japan, I met over 30 Chinese students taking 1kyuu, and only one girl from Switzerland . The JLPT was hard even for the Koreans, who spoke Japanese very well. Some who passed the 1kyuu could barely speak. Not that they weren't deserving; they lived in China and studied specifically for the test.

That means that to prepare for the test, you should concentrate on reading, memorising kanji and vocabulary.

There are usually two answers that are obviously wrong so once you have eliminated them, you have a fifty percent chance of getting the question right. Using a process of elimination is a very good way to get difficult answers but don't spend too much time thinking.

For most non-native speakers, this is a hard test. Unless you are a fantastic reader of Japanese, have a strategy that involves more than "read faster than I ever have before." Use a logical processes of elimination. Like I mentioned previously, spend the time learning which words are こう vs.　こ,  じょ　vs. じょう, and special readings.

About the listening portion:

If you can't get one question, just guess at it and go on to the next one. This seems like common sense, but a lot of people say that they have trouble listening to questions because they are still thinking about the answers to the last one. Once a question is finished, forget about it.

This is important. Do not let your thinking dawdle or linger. Make your best guess and move on. Also, before the test, have your iPod full of different kinds of Japanese people speaking, so your ears can adapt.

These are several questions that use graphs. These may be the questions you save for last, or blow off if you don't have time. If you try them, Ed makes a good point:

When the tape is playing the example questions you would be well advised to flip through the question book and familiarise yourself with the pictures carefully. I always find the graph questions and circle the points where lines intersect and write the numbers that correspond to the points on the lines so that I don't have to waste time while I'm listening.

Summarize the graph in one sentence: "In 2000, women in their 40's and 50's married for financial security, while women in their 20's and 30's preferred companionship. In 1980, women in their 30's also married mainly for financial security." Or whatever. I also use a quick shorthand involving arrows. But capture the trends, including what doesn't change. The choices have a tiny difference that will determine the correct answer. Also, go over your graph vocabulary. 減る、増える、加増、減少。

Regarding the reading and grammar section, I think the first sentence hits the nail on the head. But you can be prepared for it.

Get ready for the shortest 70 minutes of your life (or 90 in the case of the 1kyuu). Everyone who takes this test says, "I could have passed if I'd just had more time." Unfortunately the test was designed for Chinese and Koreans who have grown up reading Kanji all their life. You have to answer 21 questions about nine reading passages and 35 short answer grammar questions.

Grammar Strategy:

Do the grammar questions first. Give yourself a strict 20 minute time limit (although 15 is preferable )... Remember that the reading questions are worth five points each, making them far more valuable than the grammar questions. If you get stuck on one grammar question do NOT spend a lot of time on it. Just guess and go on to the next one. The grammar section is only worth about 20% of the test and you either know it or you don't.

Reading Strategy:

My scores went up about 10% when I discovered it: READ THE QUESTIONS FIRST. Just having seen the vocabulary and having been able to imagine what the story might be about from the words, gives you a big hint about the passage's meaning.

Again, this is strategy. Even if you don't know the Kanji, you can get the question right. If you know any calculus, try something similar to "u substitution". Treat words you don't know as "u", using the surrounding Kanji that you do know and the okurigana . See what happens to u, and figure it if any answers match.

Since reading is the last section of the test, make sure you don't give up or get frustrated. Take 10 seconds and breath after every question and clear your head. If there are questions you insist on coming back to, answer them anyway with your best guess, mark them off for later, and come back. But I wouldn't check off more than three, unless you are breezing through this.

Being able to clear your head is vital. I won't go on about this, because most people have taken more tests than I have, and probably already know this. In Japan, tests were not geared for Westerners; I had to accept that getting 100% wasn't a possibility. In fact, above 80% was exceptional. So rather than be frustrated, I got better at viewing it as 50 or so "one question tests." Ultimately, the most important thing is to study the best I can. If I get a 23%, so be it. Next test, I'll try for a 33%. Try to improve the study method, and be happy to be learning.

I went to Arlington Heights by train/bus/train/bus to attend the annual natsu matsuri. I also ordered my study guides for the JLPT. I have noticed a small change in how I interact with Japanese people. I am no longer nervous that I will not understand something. This makes it easier to concentrate on what I say. The lady helping me was a sweetheart and we talked for a few minutes. Most of the conversation was praising me, of course. I never remember to return the favor, and yesterday would have been a perfect opportunity. All the women were wearing yukatas, and looked so pretty. Japanese people complement my Japanese, and I still drift away to a gauzy world of pride.

The festival was nice. Good weather. The Taiko show was great. I got there early, about 10 am, so by 3 pm I headed home. Even though the entertainment had just started, I was beat.

There was a large contingent of young otaku there. I remember the abuse goth boys and other outcasts got from others in my high school. I largely avoided being picked on, due to my desperate attempts to fit in. I was a stoner, but in our school there was a truce with the jocks, primarily because there were some big stoner dudes in my class. But if you weren't a jock or a hood, you were probably getting pushed into a locker.

But being around the otaku yesterday, I admired their courage. Dressing like a vampire in my school didn't make you seem scary, it labeled you with a big target. So, I took the easy road; I just fit in, all the while thinking I was declaring my outcast hoodlum status. These kids stuck to their guns, I think. Also, the kids I saw yesterday were awkwardly learning to communicate and developing sociologically. My group in high school got high, made fun of each other, and got into trouble. The kids yesterday were having fun and seemed pretty smart.

High school. I won't ever do that again.

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I have started studying for the 1級. I can't imagine I will pass it, but stranger things have happened. I did the same thing when I took the level 2; I took a trial run when I knew about half the necessary Kanji and vocabulary. The next year I passed it. This time is a little different. I have a better grasp on comprehension in general, my vocabulary is probably 5 times what it was then. It's easier to understand written passages, even if it is full of words I don't know.

Still, the level one is a bear, and the passing grade is 70 instead of 60 percent. And I'll be taking 17 credits at the time. We will see how good my time management skills are.

Much is changing with the JLPT after next year. The first and second level will be offered twice a year, instead of only once. There will also be a new test, in between the second and third level, where there is a notoriously large gap. The naming convention is also being changed, from N1 to N5, the "N" standing for 何の意味か全然わかんね。

Registration starts tomorrow, August 1, and ends September 26. In the US, you can register online here. Other countries can find out how to register here.　The are study guides all over the place online; the wikipedia page is a good starting point.

A couple of points. When I took the test, there were many American college students who were blown away by how hard it was. Prior to the start of the test, they were asking each other about grammar points such as ～そう、～よう、～らしい. This kind of grammar is 3kyuu, I think. Basic grammar should be well under your control if you hope to pass 2kyuu. I don't remember any questions that easy being on the test.

You will be asked 特別読み方; there were several words like 弟子. Also, there are words like 登山, where your choices are とさん、とざん、とうさん、とうざん. I still remember those, because I got'em wrong.

I heard "Honey White" by Morphine today. That song forever takes me back to my days in Atlanta, playing in my band and waiting tables. Waiting tables was a big pocket of cash every night, too much drinking and hooking up, and some of the best laughs. I met some great people from all walks of life: gay, jock, cheerleader, bodybuilder, stoner. We worked in such close quarters, we had to get along. The place was always full of drama, but the drama was what kept us coming back.

I had a lot of pride in my table waiting; more than in many other aspects of my working life. The managers always gave me the good sections, and assigned new waitstaff to follow me during their training.

My server secrets: I often wore the same pants, aprons and even white shirts for days, until they stank or were covered with food.

I was just swallowing something from the kitchen as I walked up to your table.

I was sleeping in the next room 2 minutes before I walked up to your table.

In the kitchen, I was defending those shrimp you ordered from passers by. If I wasn't there, you would have 2 left by the time I served your dish.

If you tip poorly, not only does the waiter remember it, they tell the next waiter who serves you when you return. But it's not what you think; you will get the same service, we just like to know these things so we aren't trying to figure out why you didn't tip properly.

Spitting on food. I waited tables for 7 or 8 years, and I know of only one time this happened. And the server regretted doing it. He was the most easy-going person in the restaurant, but some customers know how to push. (FYI, don't show off to your date buy making fun of the waiter).

There was one time that a server said if one more customer was an asshole, he was going to quit. Sure enough, some guy was a jerk about something, so the waiter sat down at an empty table, next to the guy (and his date), and started doing his nightly checkout. The guy asked him what he was doing. The server said, "I don't work here anymore, you need to speak to your server." The server was ex-Navy; everybody has their limit, I guess.

bitterwaitress.com - home of the shitty tipper database, and many war stories.

Rio Bravo on wikipedia. My first real waiter job. They are all gone now, like Chichi's. There must be a shelf life to fake Mexican restaurants.

I helped my conversation partner move today. We will meet one or two more times, until she heads to Houston. Sad! I found her once I got back to the states, and she has exceeded my expectations, really letting me into her life. She has been really flexible in helping me in various areas with my Japanese, and knew how to explain things really well. Finding a replacement will be difficult. Plus she had no interest in learning English (doesn't need practice really), so it was all Japanese. Oh well.

Back to trolling the sushi restaurants!

I can't believe my last post was in February. So much has gone on. I just finished summer school, and am technically a sophomore now (I think). I am charging full speed ahead to get through college, because I was frankly tired of lying about having a degree. It's been an amazing experience and my life is so packed full, I haven't really had a chance to write. I don't mean to say that everything is perfect, and you should be so lucky to have my life; I am just enjoying where I am at, and grateful I am healthy, sober, and have great friends and family around. Maybe I will get back to posting here.

I am still working hard at keeping up my Japanese. I am going to take the Level One JLPT this year, even though I probably won't pass. I am taking a really heavy load in school, so Japanese is my second priority for the time being. Since I am on break this month, I will see how much I can Japanese I can stuff into my coconut. My teacher/language partner/friend is moving next week, so I am beginning my search for a new Japanese person.

I was about to tackle Linux in my last postings, that has officially been put on the back burner. There was no way I could manage my school, job, Japanese, and other items on my hierarchy of needs.

でも、今の生活って体験も豊富だし毎晩バタンキューと寝てる。

I have installed slackware, but haven't messed with it much yet. Linux reviews always start with how easy or difficult it was to install, which at times was enough for me to blow it off, thinking that from the start it might be an issue. But it was pretty easy, mostly hitting enter, a few snags, but I got it done in a few hours. Not as daunting as I thought.

I am angling for a new job. Right now, I work for a real one. I shan't say more.

My Japanese teacher makes me very happy. Twice a week is a lot, because I am so busy, but I leave smiling. One hour is just conversation, the other is from the book I was using in Japan.

Moods are easily changed, when I stop the self-pity/poor me routine.

I went to the dentist, nothing major wrong. I get so proud of my teeth in there, it's silly.

When I buy ink cartriges I will finally have a working printer. Printing homework for school is a pain, all my classes are 8:00am, the library/lab opens at 9, so I have to plan ahead.

My classes are good, I have a good attitude, I will make them fun, whether they like it or not. So many people from all over.

Chicago is a slushy wet mess. Yech.

I have been playing with yahoo pipes. It's kind of fun. I hope they don't stop it, I can use it for some work related stuff.

That's what I do, but not due to any choice on my part. I love my new laptop, except for the fact it crashes randomly. Because of this I have become recently acquainted with the windows debugger. It make deciphering crashdumps easy, so you can find out what drivers are causing bluescreens. Or you can buy a mac, ha.

It's a sad state though, how little help one can get from the manufacturer. I called them, because I wanted it on the record that I was having problems for warranty reasons, and there answer was to defrag, and if that doesn't work, reformat. Oh, while I was defragging my brand new hard drive, they went ahead and closed my service ticket. We expect crappy service, and that's what we get.

Anyway, it's pointing to a driver conflict with the kerio firewall I was using. So I uninstalled and am temporarily using the Windows Firewall. Whatever works.

I'm putting ubuntu on my other laptop. I have waited too long to get my feet wet. Now I can leave comments on slashdot and not feel like a fraudster.