Japanese
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My JLPT N3 results
As I wrote here on my blog, I took the JLPT N3 in December after studying for it for the past year. I had passed the N4 level quite convincingly in January 2022 and definitely felt up for the challenge. I felt pretty good about the test when I left the room and I continued…
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It’s that time of the year again…
For most people, whether they celebrate Christmas or not, this time of year means something special. It’s the end of the year and a time to reflect and make new plans – or if you’re learning Japanese – a time to take the JLPT exam. The JLPT is held twice a year in July and…
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JLPT results are in
As I wrote about recently, I took the JLPT N4 test in Copenhagen in early December. Unlike with the TOPIK, there is no official date for the results announcement but at the exam, we were told that we could expect to get the results by early February. It turns out they did the grading a…
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My very first JLPT experience
If you’ve been following along for a while you’ll know that I’ve been flirting with the Japanese language on and off since sometime in 2017. It’s mostly been off though, and I never managed to do anything but learn the scripts, scratch the surface in terms of grammar and vocab, learn a few phrases I…
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The most recent Korea-Japan trade conflict
Korea and Japan may be many things but close friends is not one of them. Every year, some conflict arises and it usually originates from Japan’s lack of apologies and sincere repentance for war crimes committed during the occupation of Korea from 1910-1945. Since the anti-Japanese movement is very strong in Korea, Koreans often ask…
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Keeping busy
There’s an adage that says “a busy mind is a happy mind”. We should therefore all strive to keep busy at all times, as it would prevent us from worry and sadness. During WWII, Winston Churchill famously said that he never worried about the outcome of the war. “I am too busy. I have not…
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Good days, bad days
We all have them, and if we think about it, it’s rare that a day is 100% one or the other. Good days can have something bad and bad days can have something good. Last week I had one of each and several days that were just something in between leaning to the bad side.…
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Gratitude
While Monday was tough for me, I feel that things have been picking up a bit the past couple of days. Since I’m on sabbatical, I’ve got a lot of time on my hands these days for reflection, which can seem overwhelming. Nonetheless, after days of feeling bored and empty, I’ve decided to take matters…
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To Japan and back
Last week, my husband and I went on a semi-impromptu trip to Kyoto in Japan. It was the first time for both of us and definitely a memorable experience. To the ignorant Westerner, Japan and Korea may sound almost synonymous but the reality is very very different. Japan is really NOTHING like Korea. It’s so…
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Making travel plans
Summer has finally rolled around here in Korea, and in less than a month I’ll be jetting off to Denmark for a full five weeks of vacation before going back to Seoul for another year. I can’t wait to go home for a while and see my family and friends again. I also won’t be…
Sofie to Korea 