"Happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want."

It is the conceit of the good girl... they think they can change him.

It is ironic. A real 'bad boy' cannot be changed. Yet women hunt down the biggest and baddest they can find, then try to change them to soft and fluffy.

If you think about it though, "bad boy" usually does mean 'strong'. And almost all women want a man who can protect them, and fight for them... even if he sometimes hurts them.

This has been my experience, anyway.

I had a very large break from Chinese study, where I practised what I knew with native-speakers and generally used the language... but did not improve or put much effort in.

I was tired, I had a lot of stress and responsibility that took over my energy. After I removed that stress, and relaxed for a month or so... 

Then, I applied for studys in my language in Taiwan, and wanted to be fluent enough to completely refuse to use English in day to day life. I want to immerse myself. This is only several short months away, and that target has caused some profound changes in the way I live my life.

Now I have 2 hours a week study with an excellent teacher. I almost exclusively use my target language with my girlfriend, in both SMS and real-life conversations. I teach low level students English, who constantly need translations (I feel like I learn more Chinese in a lesson than they learn English... strange education system). I am listening to lots of music, and listening to the words more. I am starting to appreciate karaoke, if for nothing else than the Chinese lesson side of it (even if it is traditional characters). 

So, I would recommend you set a goal? Not an abstract future goal, but one close enough and solid enough to galvanise your interest and force you to take a serious look at how you are currently studying... and trying to improve it.