JCS Intermediate Level (Year 2) Exam Period

 

2015 was my second year studying Japanese in JCS. And it was so much tougher than year 1. So much so that I was really really scared about passing my year end final exams. My brother got me like more than half a dozen Daruma for my safe passage in my Japanese language journey. Above is the picture of my two Daruma, one with sight showing I have pass Year 1 Elementary, and one half blind accompanying me while I struggle with my Year 2 Intermediate. 

Even though I started studying months in advance, the fact was, I have been slacking since the second half of the year. So no matter how much I tried, I knew I would barely get by. I told myself that to reward myself, I would get the below Gudetama(ぐでたま) Comic in Japanese from Kinokuniya the day I finish my exam regardless whether I pass or fail.

Well the day came where I finished my exam, but my mood was terrible cause I suspect I may have failed my grammar paper and my interview as well. The only thing I was sure of scoring was my diary composition which I got my Japanese colleague to mark for me prior to the exam :) But no matter how sad I was, a promise is a promise. And one should always keep one's promise, especially if it is to yourself! So I got the comin, costing around SGD20.70. It is super cute! And I am trying very hard to read it! It is better than the Chinese version one I got from Taiwan one week later. 

 Anyway, after the exam, I went for my Business Trip to Taiwan and tried to forget about the bad feeling that I had. I told myself that if I pass, I would get 3 philosophical book shown in the picture below for myself. They are available from Kinokuniya, and cost around SGD12.40 each. They look so cute! I actually got them even before my exam result came as my friend lend me her Kinokuniya card when we were meeting up, and I just couldn't resist any longer. Sure I felt guilty about buying those books before the result was out, but at the back of my mind, I was already prepared to retake the paper if I failed.

Interestingly, the result was out one day after I got myself those books! Rejoice! The result was worst off than my first year by a large margin, but to be frank, I was just glad that I passed at all! I was so sure I would fail 2 of the items, but ended up I almost fail (but DID NOT!) my grammer, and my kanji! OMG, how could I almost fail Kanji is beyond me. It's not that I don't know Chinese. But then again, my Chinese is pretty shitty as well. I also did well in my listening, interview, and of course my composition :)  Overall, I pass, and that was the most important thing. 

I will be registering for my Advance Year 1 next Monday 28-Dec-2015, and I have told my Japanese colleague that I will start talking to him in Japanese next year onwards :) 2016 is going to be a challenging year ahead!!!!

And so the green Daruma got it's sight, and now a pink half blind Daruma has joint the journey :)
Here's to another year of sleepless Friday night, 2.5hours of Saturday morning sacrifice, and year end sick-in-the-stomach experience all over again! The worst is always the interview!!!! But next year, I plan to ace it cause I have the whole office to practice with! I have no excuse to fail!!!!

Ref:
Daruma Doll  (達磨)
Gudetama (ぐでたま)