Hey everybody,
How have things been? It has been quite some time since I updated, perhaps I have been keeping myself busy with work, studies, e-mails, family, friends, travel...sheesh, you'd think I'd have time! :D
In summer I was able to go to Sweden and learn some more Swedish and Swedish history. I studied Uppsala, though I also got to go on some field trips to different places, mostly nearby (Stockholm, Falun, Gamla Uppsala, etc.)... I also visited a friend in Gothenburg! It was nice finally meeting her after over five years of a somewhat on-and-off-again friendship! :)
I then came back, though a sad event happened soon after I came back. Sadly, my grandfather passed, due to many things, though mainly cancer. There has been a noticeable emptiness in the house, though we try to think of all the good times with my grandfather and grandmother. May they both live better, wherever they may be.
A few weeks ago I went on a scientific cruise, attending neuroscience, physics, and some other kind of lectures. It was about a cruise ship, which seems unbelievable to people, but it did happen, haha. I did have a bit of free time to explore some cities, though I mainly spent my time at the lectures (as well as eating and exercising). I was also able to meet a friend in Valencia! :D
So now I'm back at work, trying to prepare for future studies, and keeping in contact with people here and around the world! :) Hopefully, it is definitely time to give an update concerning my goals:
I had a taste of my BIG goal when I went to Sweden and then went on the cruise and was away for a while on my own. Although this goal "required" a longer period of time, I think that this was close enough. As the due date is quite close, I'll say that I completed this goes satisfactorily, but not excellently. :P
My first SMALL goal was about achieving about a 90% average in French, German, Swedish, and Japanese...through online or in-person tests and have a sort of ease in the languages. My Swedish has definitely improved and my goals has been pretty much reached. I still need to improve a good deal, but I give a satisfactory for Swedish. French, German, and Japanese I need to work on. I have taken some French and German quizzes and have received good marks, though I need to practice on my writing. Japanese I need to definitely practice more. So, I will continue to January and let you know where I am at then.
My second goal was to be more social with people my age in "real life". Well, when I have been in Europe I did do that. Here in Brockville, I am sort of in the old routine with work, studies, and spending time with family, so I'll say that I have made an improvement. It is satisfactory.
My third goal...kinda non-existent. I need to work on it! The same with my fourth and fifth. I seem to not be able to get in the kitchen and cook a meal, which is a shame. And of course, my fifth goal is to keep up this blog, which has been quite...badly kept up, haha.
Yeah, so I'd say that I've completed the more complex goals, but still need to work on the others. I think most of my goals for 2011 will be an extension of this goal.
And there we have it!
Take care,
"Dr." John
