Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls

I'd say the long Summer has finally come to an end - on Monday it was dark by five o'clock, on Tuesday evening it actually got chilly, and when I woke up on Wednesday morning the house was the coldest it's been since I arrived (possibly due to the windows being wide open - denial much?). As unpleasant as it may be to bid goodbye to the easy comfort of Summer, I think Winter has its charms, too. After Christmas and New Year it all feels a bit dreary and drawn out, I agree, but when it first starts getting cold, it makes me think of romance. Wrapping up in big coats and cute scarves, meeting up with someone you like and pretending it's just the cold making the blood run to your face, eventually getting inside to where it's warm and cosy... I love the idea of all that (not that I've ever actually had any Winter romances >.<).

The main order of this week has been Mid-Term (Half-term? Should I translate directly and risk sounding American or use an English equivalent that isn't widely used?) examinations. How's that, nearly half way through this first semester (term?) already, spooky, eh? Anyhow, I reckon I'm doing alright, got a few results back already - 28/30 for the Listening and 27/30 for the Speaking; considering I generally think of those two as my weakest points I'm quite pleased with that.

In the midst of acclimatising on Wednesday I also dropped in on a welcome party held by the English Speaking Society (no cold is bitter enough to stand between me and free karaage!). Conversations I had with people there alternated between them practising their English and me practising my Japanese. I actually got involved in some lengthy talks, meaning I didn't stuff my face as much as I would have liked to, but I still reckon I ate my fill. Among the delicacies on offer were variations on swiss roll, butter biscuits, potato wedges and what appeared to be fried potato skewers (not a great description, I'll try to make them sometime to better illustrate). The latter two items were so drenched in grease and salt I felt for a brief moment like my tastebuds had been transported back to a chip shop in England. There was also origami, calligraphy and kendama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendama) in a "We're the English Speaking Society, but here's some Japanese culture!" sort of spirit.

Been an enjoyable day, and tomorrow I get my last exam out of the way and have a few days of free relaxation to look forward to. As I write I am sitting at my desk wrapped up in a warm blanket. It's not really all that cold, but it adds to the Wintery atmosphere I'm trying to embrace.

Rules are rules.