02/17/2006: "There's a disparity between then and now"

I will find you...
Even if I have to search the world over...
Sometime, somewhere...
I'm sure.

The above quote is absolutely pointless, but something I ran across in one of my image folders while I was looking for some inspiration for a coming website design. A quote in an image folder? Yes. This was from the end of "Chrono Cross" [PSX]. Ironically enough, I had uploaded this same image/quote in the past onto a completely different journal 3-4 or so years back, and back then the meaning behind it and significance was completely different. Life is strange, isn't it? hen da ne..

I have a Japanese test this afternoon, though it's just listening comprehension. Unfortunately, this is something you simply can't prepare for and will just have to rely on how well you can parse information from what someone says to you. I finished the written version last night, which wasn't too bad. I'm still reliant on a dictionary, far more than I care for, especially when translating blocks of text. But, there's only so much you can do about that.

After the examination, have class, and then the weekend starts. This is both good and bad, as I have alot of work to do from homework from my classes. The biggest and most pressing right now is getting my Japanese workbook done, which I think has about 30 pages I need to do. Instead of doing what I usually do (casually starting the assignment the night before it's due and then having to be up and stressing over it at insane hours), I think I'll do it over the weekend, so about 6-8 pages a night. Of course, I've known about this assignment for nearly a month now.. but there's no since in dwelling on that little detail.

Assuming I can break away from the horror that is my workbook (whom I think I will name, for no apparent reason), I think I'll start on the speech this weekend. Against my better judgement (though on the advice of those who run the contest and others who have experience), I'll probably write the draft in English initially and then try in vain to get across what I want to say in Japanese as well. If I go with the school one, I'll probably go along the path I did in both my English paper and half-written Japanese composition: start with the lowest level (kindergarten), discuss how it works and what things of interest happen, then move onto the next. With the other one? I have no idea how I'd do it, or even what I want to say. If I can, I want to get it done within the week so I can start the editing and revising process by next weekend. We'll see what happens, and inevitably I'll post copies online once something's written.

Outside of all that, I guess not much is really happening. At times like this, I tend to just throw myself at the work in the hopes that productivity will ultimately mean something, though. If anything, it keeps you from bothering with in-depth thinking, though.

I have started reading more. A fiction book right now ("Rainbow Six", by Tom Clancy, for those who are curious), but I really do enjoy reading. Gives me something to do during the downtime between classes, on the bus, and all that fun. I still have some Japanese and Chinese history and cultural (sociological cultural) books I need to read, so maybe I'll get to those next.

Should start packing my backpack and getting ready for my exciting day. Tests are always so much fun.

Off I go..!


Jason