What's better? While reading something in a foreign language (a fiction book, for example) is it better to translate all unfamiliar words with a dictionary or go on reading trying to guess some of them by the context? The thing is, when you're trying to translate every single word, that you don't understand, it will take much longer time and efforts. Although it's probably good for your vocabulary. On the other hand, guessing by the context is kind of usefull, because sometimes you don't have enough time to read carefully line by line, you just have to get the whole picture. But you might get it wrong. I know which one I prefer. But which one, do you think, is better?

Academic writing~ How to improve your academic writing skills in English? I was told several times that all of my writings are closer to literature style rather than to academic. Actually I don't really mind, I like them that way, but, apparently, my teachers do. And, although, I try really hard, I still have a huge list of problems on that :( Maybe you can suggest some writers or textbooks, from which I could learn? Or just some advises for a rookie writer, who wants to master her writing skills, but already stuck on the earliest stages? I would really appreciate that!

Journalism~ I want to be an international journalist in the future. And if there are any journalists around here I have some questions. What is it to be a journalist in your country? Is it hard? Is it exciting? I'm curious about everything you can tell me about this profession!^^ If you're not a journalist, I'd like to hear your opinion too! What do you think about journalists? Even if you don't like them, let me know, I'm interested anyway :)

Results~ I'm finally done with TOEFL and IELTS!!! TOEFL ibt - 99 IELTS - 7.5 Pretty good, I guess. But there's still a room for improvement, so I'm going to study harder to get better grades next time! Да, да! Никогда не останавливаться на достигнутом!^^

Need some advices I'll have TOEFL and IELTS in a few weeks. If there are some tips or advices you can share with me I would be very thankful!

Finally here~ Yay! I'm in Japan! One month so far, two more ahead^^ It was really great month full of different events and impressions! The language school I'm going to is small but nice with lots of interesting people from all over the world. First couple days were kind of tough because everything's so different from what I was used to and as it's my first experience of traveling all alone without parents I was really scared going somewhere on my own. But within a week or something I got used to new conditions and now I fully enjoy my stay here^^ I went to different places with my friends like Disneyland, Kamakura, some famous areas around Tokyo and it's not over yet :DD Hope, I would have much more to see!

Music I really like listeting to music. Wherever I go I take headphones, I got used to it and now it's nearly a disaster if I forget them. Everything is so much better with music playing along. The highest volume on so that I can't hear anything else and my mood is getting better and better! Unfortunately I can't play any musical instruments but I'd like to and I really admire people who create their own music! By the way, if there's a song you really like tell me It'll be cool^^

Still positive Hey! I've caught a cold x__X The temperature is pretty high, I have a headache, cough and so on. The weather was so good today but I couldn't go outside! I'm invited to the birthday party tommorrow to the karaoke and I love karaoke so much! I guess I'm not going anywhere. But I still have to do my homework. HOMEWORK! On Saturday!! But although I don't feel really good and I'd probably miss my chance to kill someone with my singing I'm still positive! :D The cold has advantages too! I lay in bed all day long and everyone are so nice to mee: dad brings a lot of interesting stuff, mom makes my favorite meals, friends are calling and coming to cheer me up. Even medicines can't spoil my mood! I'm ok even having a cold xDD

Midnight - time for homework, time for football I don't know why but I keep doing my homework late at night although I had the whole day! Time is passing too fast >< Or I'm too irresponsible :DD Well, at least half of my friends do the same and it's really fun to work and to chat with them at the same time. Who needs sleeping xD Sometimes I feel like a zombie - I want to sleep at the lessons, I want to sleep going home, but when I'm finally home free to sleep I realize I don't want to! Is it weird? Anyway, now I have to write 2 more pages for my final essay about choking in sports but I have no idea what to write. Guess I've ran out of imagination .__. And my friend is commenting on the match Chelsea - Benfica. Lucky one. She doesn't need to write anything and can freely enjoy football. Why-y-y do I get distracted so easily?? I can sit thinking deeply about the problem, making new ideas and then suddenly "Wow, it's dark outside...I wonder is there someone walking in the park? Why can't I see stars from here? I should visit a dentist...But I don't like them...What would I eat for a luch tommorrow? So many people are not sleeping now in the front house! I want to drink...But if I come outside the room I'd wake up mom...O-okay, I don't want to drink! Too risky! What was I doing?" And that can last forever!