And School Begins...

Yesterday was the first day of school - and oh my what a day.

9am to 6pm straight, with a lunch break from 12.10pm to 1pm that was filled with errands to do, so that left no time for lunch until in between periods before my last class when we were let off early and I rushed off to get an onigiri to satisfy my poor growling stomach.

Started with 2 periods of Japanese class, and I have to say that for me, I think NUS has done a pretty darn good job of building a foundation for learning Japanese. Class ended early with a level check test and I realised it was everything I've learned in Minna No Nihongo in NUS. Economic modernisation of Japan was next: very lively teacher with a very wry, caustic way of speaking. Certainly keeps classes interesting though. Will have to read up on Japanese history since I can't remember much at all. Last 2 periods were a very sleepy Ecology, which would have been really bad if not for Angel taking the same class as me because she's a Life Science student and she could explain everything to me. Especially when I couldn't catch the terms the Japanese professor used (in English). Prokaryotes, eukaryotes, phylogenetic, eubacteria, protists, zzzzzzzzz. I have a bad feeling about this class... Might have to drop it. Argh.

Today had most of the rest of my classes, with periods 1,2, 4 & 5. Japanese again, then Global Environmental Systems, which seems manageable (hopefully) and Collapse of Complex Societies. The last one certainly piqued my interest and I would love to do more History modules but I need to fulfill the USP first-tier modules now, otherwise I am so gonna have it bad when I'm back next year. For Japanese class had to take the level 2 check test, but I'm really hesitant about whether I should even consider moving up - not that I think I can anyway. I mean, it would be great to learn as quickly as possible, but from my past experience with Malay, I really want to get a solid foundation instead. So even if I have to repeat half the book, why not right? I keep telling myself I have 2 years to master this language and I should bloody well make sure I do a good job and not a half-assed one. Slow and steady's what I'm tending towards now...

Oh well, might have to do a lot of reshuffling but we'll see.

Right now this is my schedule:

9am to 1030 1045 to 1210 1300 to 1430 1445 to 1615 1630 to 1800
Mondays: Japanese Japanese Ec. Modernisation of Japan Ecology Ecology
Tuesdays: Japanese Japanese - Global Envtal Sys. Complex Societies
Thursdays: Japanese Japanese Ec. Modernisation of Japan - Intro to Envtal Science


Hmm for some reason my classes all fell on 3 days. Blah.

In other news, I'll be trying out floorball at a Japanese club on Sunday! Yay!!