mint ♛︎

29・Bi, she/her・Aussie in Japan🐨 Aw, hell, I've turned into a langblr. Goal: JLPT N1 日本語でもOK💖

[starkmintea]

お久しぶり〜 8月から何もアップしてなくてすみません！。・ﾟﾟ･(≧д≦)･ﾟﾟ･｡ 

8月に新しいゲーミングPC買って、また黒い砂漠に夢中しちゃった。MMOやPCゲーミングが楽しくて、仕事以外でちょっと引きこもりになっちゃった。でも、それの方がいいかなと最近思ってる。コロナの件が増えるし、最近寒くなったし、本当に何もしたくなったw

仕事はまたひどくなって、また色々な求人に応募した。今週、面接があって頑張って準備してる。ビジネス日本語はまだ下手で、練習しなきゃ練習なきゃ。

今月、日本語能力試験1級チャレンジした！合格したいなーw ３回目なので、また落ちたらまじショックw 今度こそ合格したい、たくさん勉強したから。毎週、オンラインで日本語のクラス通ってるし、クラス以外でも勉強してたし、小説やラノベたくさん読んでたのでなんとなく（本当になーんとなくでもいい）合格したいなー

最近、数年間会ってない友達と久しぶりに会った❤ 楽しかったー 一緒に人気カフェに行って、たくさん食べちゃったw 留学した時から会ってない友達とまた会うなんて本当に嬉しかった☆ 今月また会えるかな、この時期は忙しいので…

正月の前にまた何かアップするので、このブログから長い休み取らないように頑張るw またねー

[starkmintea]

Writing Prompts

I couldn’t decide what to write about so I collected a bunch of EIKEN writing prompts❤ (I found a lot more for EIKEN 1 than anything else, sorry!)

EIKEN 1

The advantages/disadvantages of public transportation.

How best to handle conflict with others.

Making the world safer for future generations.

Should there be more government control of the internet?

Does the developed world have a responsibility to help developing countries overcome poverty?

When future generations look back on this era, for what will they praise and/or criticise us?

Agree or disagree: National identity is becoming less important in today’s global society.

Does society give the rights of animals enough consideration?

Has modern society become too dependent on technology?

Should more be done to eliminate world hunger?

Do the world’s wilderness areas need to be better protected?

Agree or disagree: The use of nuclear power should be expanded.

Is society doing enough to deal with violent crime?

Will societies with ageing populations face a crisis in the future?

Do the benefits of genetically modified crops outweigh the dangers?

Are people in modern society losing their moral values?

Agree or disagree: Gambling should be banned.

Do the benefits of hosting international sporting events outweigh the disadvantages?

Are prisons an effective way to deal with criminals?

Agree or disagree: A college education is necessary for everyone.

Is too much emphasis put on work in modern society?

Agree or disagree: World poverty can be eliminated.

Can the global demand for water be met in the future?

Agree or disagree: Space exploration should be continued.

Do multinational corporations play a positive role in today’s world?

Should minors who commit serious crimes receive the same punishments as adults?

Does the mass media have a beneficial effect on society?

Do the benefits of free trade outweigh the disadvantages?

Can the global food supply be ensured in the coming decades?

Should cloning research be promoted, or should it be discontinued?

Can international terrorism ever be eliminated?

Will fossil fuels such as oil and gas still be the world’s main source of energy in the coming decades?

Should democratic nations actively promote the spread of democracy to nondemocratic nations?

Should the death penalty be banned?

Can restrictions on freedom of speech ever be justified?

Should developed nations encourage immigration from other countries?

Has a university degree in humanities lost its relevance in today’s world?

Is a worldwide ban on weapons of mass destruction an attainable goal?

Is space exploration worth the cost?

Can renewable energy sources replace fossil fuels?

EIKEN 2

Some people say that going on a group tour is better than travelling alone. What do you think about that?

Today, many people buy things with credit cards instead of cash. Do you think this is a good idea?

Some people say that young people today are not kind enough to elderly people. What do you think about that?

Today, many people spend their vacations overseas. Do you think the number of these people will increase in the future?

Some people say that shoppers are influenced by advertisements too easily. What do you think about that?

These days, many people read digital books on their computers. Do you think people will stop buying paper books in the future?

Some people say that we should limit the number of tourists who visit famous places of natural beauty. What do you think about that?

Today, some schools help students do volunteer activities. Do you think schools should give students more chances to do volunteer activities?

These days, some people buy things on the internet. Do you think more people will do so in the future?

Today, some companies allow their employees to wear casual clothes like jeans or t-shirts. Do you think the number of such companies will increase in the future?

Some farmers grow fruits and vegetables without using chemicals. Do you think more farmers will grow fruits and vegetables in this way?

Today, more and more young people are starting their own companies. Do you think this is a good idea?

Some people say that people today should spend less time using the internet. Do you agree with this opinion?

Today, some people don’t want to start working for large companies. Do you think the number of these people will increase in the future?

Some people prefer to buy food produced in their local area. Do you think more people will buy locally produced food in the future?

EIKEN 3

Where would you like to go this summer?

What kind of food do you like to eat?

Do you often go to the park?

Do you watch TV every day?

Which season do you like the best?

What do you want to do in the future?

Do you like to go camping?

Which do you like better, watching sports or playing sports?

What kind of movies do you like to watch?

What are you planning to do this evening?

What’s your favourite thing to do?

Do you like to study [language]?

What do you want to be in the future?

Do you like going to the zoo?

Which do you like better, living in a city or countryside?

What do you like to do with your friends?

Which do you like better, eating at home or eating at a restaurant?

Which do you like better, watching movies or reading books?

What do you like to do with your family?

What’s your favourite animal?

[starkmintea]

お久しぶり〜

全然アップしてなくてごめんね😰 色々あって、暇あるときでも暇が全くない感じがしててやる気がなかった。

最近、新型コロナウイルスのニュースばかりで疲れるね😫 東京はだんだんやばくなって、お盆休みが終わると感染人数が増えていくはずだ。なので、旅行より部屋でダラダラしている。

久しぶりに「黒い砂漠」と言うゲームやり始めた。Macやバーチャルマシーンで出来ないのでスマホ版やることなった。ちょっとがっかりしてるけど、スマホ版でも楽しくて毎日やってる。

仕事がまだ変わりたいけど、まだまだだね。翻訳の仕事は無理みたいで、カスタマーサポートにしようと思った。でも、ビジネス日本語はすごく下手で、もっと勉強しなくちゃ。

オンラインで日本語の授業を通い始めた。能力試験の勉強と会話の練習してる。主に文法や語彙に集中してるので、クラス以外で自分で勉強しなきゃことがまだ多い。(ง •̀_•́)ง頑張ります‼︎

[starkmintea]

[starkmintea]

こんにちは〜 最近、タイ語に興味を持つようになるんですけど、どの教科書を使ってますか？

返信が遅くなってすみません！通知がなかったので気付いてませんでした。( ꒪⌓︎꒪)

今はこの教科書を使っています。Kindle版を買ったら、ウェブサイトでオーディオファイルをダウンロードできます。

[starkmintea]

[starkmintea]

I have no idea what I’m doing but at least it’s fun. (Sorry for my awful handwriting!)

[starkmintea]

me after watching exactly one (1) thai drama: i think i might learn thai

[starkmintea]

I have a three day weekend that’s already almost over and instead of being productive and studying or applying for jobs or cleaning, I’ve just been watching Thai BL dramas on YouTube. (；´Д`A

Honestly, though, I think I really needed the break. I’m feeling better about a bunch of stuff and I’m gonna keep positive about what I can. No need to worry about things I can’t control or whether a future job is gonna be worse than what I have now, etc, etc. Just gotta do my best and go with it♡

[starkmintea]

≡ヾ(*′▽`*)ﾉ ｵﾋｻｧ♪

勉強はまだやってないので、代わりに写真アップしようと思った。

先月の体験レッスンは楽しかったけど、クッキングクラスにちょっとがっかりした。入会するとき、毎月払いじゃなくて、一回払いで入会させるようになった。なんなのよそれ⁇ ビザの期間に関係あったけど、3年間で大丈夫じゃないか⁇ もう！とりあえず、ヨガの方に入会して、それから全く行ったことない( ꒪⌓︎꒪) コロナの心配で2週間ぐらい全店休業になって、今週また開いたけどまだ…(；´Д｀)

仕事はいつも通り最悪で、まだ新しいの探してる。明日、面接は二つあって頑張って新しい仕事ゲットしたい。一番目はIT関係で、サポートの仕事で前にやったことあるみたいなので大丈夫だと思う。二番目はマーケティング関係で、勉強したことだけでちょっと心配してる。まあ、頑張るしかないね。

現職で、来月転任する人が多くて、新しいマネジャーや教師二人が来るらしい。今のマネジャーがいないと仕事が楽になるかな〜まあ、転職したいので新しいマネジャーがいてもまだまだ仕事探しだねー

最近、研修からの友達に会って彼女はコロナにかなり心配で、今週帰国する予定だ。今日は一緒に明治神宮や代々木公園にうろうろして話してた。気持ちがわかるけど悲しい。

コロナと言えば、両親がゴールデンウィークに日本に来るつもりだったけど、オーストラリアは海外旅行が禁止になって、もうキャンセルした。コロナがなければ…

とにかく、20日から「あつまれどうぶつの森」やり始めた〜♡ 超楽しい！フレンドになりたかったら、是非メッセしてね！島のフルーツはオレンジ🍊

まだいっぱい書きたいけど、それより「あつ森」の方がやりたいのでまたねー

[starkmintea]

明治神宮　2020年3月22日

[starkmintea]

代々木公園　2020年3月22日

[starkmintea]

代々木公園　2020年3月22日

[starkmintea]

代々木公園　2020年3月22日

[starkmintea]

Langblr Activation Challenge | Week 1 | Introduction

　☆ Mint 　☆ 29 　☆ Female (she/her, they/them) 　☆ Australian living in Japan 　☆ Frequently inactive member of the langblr community

I’m an English teacher at an English conversation school in Tokyo, and I’ve been studying Japanese on and off since like 2003. I haven’t had much luck with passing N1 of the JLPT yet, but I did pass N2 back in 2012. I’m hoping to pass it by the end of the year or the middle of next year, and I’m also currently trying to break away from English teaching and find another job in translation, marketing, or IT. 

There’ll probably be a lot of travel posts and job hunting posts coming up, sorry in advance. I’m not very consistent with study posts, or studying in general tbh, but I’m working on changing that as I go.

Outside of studying Japanese, I like asian dramas, Takarazuka Revue, reading, video games, fanfic, travelling, and photography. 

Nice to meet you all☆

[languagessi-deactivated20210423]

Langblr Activation Challenge

The langblr community is rather dead. What can we do about it? Maybe another langblr challenge would inspire people to keep the community alive? Let’s give it a try.  This challenge is called Langblr Activation Challenge and I really hope as many people as possible will join! The challenge consists of 5 tasks you have to do, one task per week. The tag for the challenge is #langblractivationchallenge, please use it if participating! 

The tasks

Week 1: Write an introduction post. Even if you have made one before and everyone knows you already. Tell us who you are, what your native language is, what other languages you speak, what languages you’re studying, what other hobbies/interests you have, etc. Let’s get to know each other a bit!  Week 2: Promote other langblrs. You can promote your favourite langblrs, the langblrs you’re following, the langblrs following you, or just random langblrs you find in the polyglot/languages/langblr/etc. tags. This is a great opportunity to find and help others find new langblrs to follow. Week 3: Join a langblr group chat/discord server. They are great for getting to know other people in the community and practicing your target languages. If joining a group chat/discord server sounds too overwhelming and/or intimidating, just send a message to some other langblr.   Week 4: Make some original langblr content. It can be anything: a vocabulary list, grammar explanation, resource list, list of songs/movies/books in your native/target language(s), a song with translation/vocabulary list of the lyrics, “questions for langblrs”, langblr challenge, picture of your language books/notes, tips to learn a language/languages in general, etc. Don’t forget to tag it with tags such as #polyglot #languages #langblr to make sure as many people as possible see it! Week 5: Participate in another langblr challenge! You can find some challenges here. If none of them spark your interest, make your own challenge! Langblr challenges are a great way to improve your language skills and keep the community alive. 

Good luck everyone!

[starkmintea]

how bad is it when one of the job interviewers for the job you’re interviewing for tells you not to accept any job offer from them because it’s a shit storm