Second Winter...

Spring (a week and a half ago)
The fifth season (yesterday)

After a nice couple of weeks of sunshine and warmish weather that left most Japanese people wondering why the famous Aizu winter never came this year, we've been landed with the 5th season - Winter Number 2! After seeing the temperatures rise from somewhere around -15 to 15 degrees over the past few weeks we've been hit by another snowstorm and freezing temperatures. I was all prepared for it in January, but recently I started feeling very happy about the spring so having all the snow we missed this year fall overnight was not a nice surprise!

Anyway, that's enough weather talk. The school year is finishing up right now and we've just had the 3rd year graduation ceremony; an amazingly formal goodbye that rivals my University graduation in pomp and cirumstance. Speaking of which they played some famous songs including "Land of Hope and Glory" and a Japanese version of "Auld Lange Syne". There were a lot of tears because it was such a big occasion that was designed to be quite moving (apart from the lengthy speeches and bowing). I never had a chance to become as close to the 3rd years as I am to the other students as the past 6 months have been very busy for them, but I know that next year's graduation will bring a tear or two as I am really good friends with all my 2nd year students.

Sorry it's been a while since my last post, I've been very busy lately. Right now I'm looking forward to the Spring holiday (from Friday 23rd) and Simon, Mary and John coming to visit. So expect to see some good photos of our trip to Kyoto, I can't wait!