first December snow
So, I came home from Sendai last night (more on that later), and there was a disappointing lack of snow and ice on the ground. It looked like the autumnal atmosphere I had just come from. *sigh* Not at all how I think December should look. But what to my wondering eyes should appear this morning? Six inches of snow smothering the scenery in a quilt of winter white! All in one night! And it continued to fall all day, and into the evening, while the neighborhood's few snow-shoveling tractors worked to clear the roads. And it's supposed to continue to fall until tomorrow morning. And even better? The weather won't warm up again and melt it all this time!!! My Christmas spirit was starting to flag a bit, but now it's back on full tilt. :) Christmas is just not Christmas without a heaping helping of snow. I could never live someplace where it doesn't snow in winter - it's just not right.
On my way to the grocery store, I tried to take a few photos of the snow. But it was already dark, so not all of them came out very well. But the camera flash and the snow at night go well together. I also snapped a shot of my downstairs neighbor's car, which has ceased to look like a car and appears to be more of a large, white gum drop. Or maybe a large ball of mochi, since I'm in Japan. ;) I wish I could stay home tomorrow, and just play in the snow or make a snowman. Maybe I can try to make one at school tomorrow...
Today was my rest day, after the trip to Sendai. I went down there on Saturday, hung out and looked at the shops, then went to bed. Sunday, I had the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Not nearly as effective as it sounds, but still worth taking if you want to give yourself a test. I took the Level 2 test. The test takes all day, and you have three sections: Writing/Vocabulary; Listening; and Reading/Grammar. Each section has a time limit, and a certain number of questions for you to answer. The easiest for me was Writing/Vocabulary. On Listening, the questions move incredibly quickly, and you have 5 seconds to fill in the little answer oval before the next question starts. And in the second part of the Listening section, you have to fill in 4 ovals during those 5 seconds, which is just cruel. The Reading/Grammar section went better than I thought, as far as answering questions right; but once again, that pesky time limit did me in. I only answered a little over half of the questions, completing the Reading section, and doing a small part of the Grammar section. So, no idea whether I will pass or not, but it was interesting to try - and out of the answered questions, I feel I did better than I thought I would. Results will be mailed in February, so no need to think about it for a while. And I can take it a bit easier with my studying. As in, not have to study every day for 3-4 hours. :P
My thoughts on Sendai: it bites. Honestly, it's a 'nothing' city. It's only appeal is that, in a large and wide-spread farming area of the country, it is a big city - with city shopping, restaurants, and clubs. There are a few museums, an amusement park, and one or two historical sites. But really? Not worth a special trip, unless you're just stopping over on your way somewhere else. And to enjoy the shopping, you'd need to inherit a fortune or win the lottery first.
Well, off to relax and enjoy the last bit of my evening off before going back to work tomorrow. But I will be full of good cheer and brighter spirits for my students. Test is done, and the snow is here. And birthday is in 5 more days! :)
On my way to the grocery store, I tried to take a few photos of the snow. But it was already dark, so not all of them came out very well. But the camera flash and the snow at night go well together. I also snapped a shot of my downstairs neighbor's car, which has ceased to look like a car and appears to be more of a large, white gum drop. Or maybe a large ball of mochi, since I'm in Japan. ;) I wish I could stay home tomorrow, and just play in the snow or make a snowman. Maybe I can try to make one at school tomorrow...
Today was my rest day, after the trip to Sendai. I went down there on Saturday, hung out and looked at the shops, then went to bed. Sunday, I had the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Not nearly as effective as it sounds, but still worth taking if you want to give yourself a test. I took the Level 2 test. The test takes all day, and you have three sections: Writing/Vocabulary; Listening; and Reading/Grammar. Each section has a time limit, and a certain number of questions for you to answer. The easiest for me was Writing/Vocabulary. On Listening, the questions move incredibly quickly, and you have 5 seconds to fill in the little answer oval before the next question starts. And in the second part of the Listening section, you have to fill in 4 ovals during those 5 seconds, which is just cruel. The Reading/Grammar section went better than I thought, as far as answering questions right; but once again, that pesky time limit did me in. I only answered a little over half of the questions, completing the Reading section, and doing a small part of the Grammar section. So, no idea whether I will pass or not, but it was interesting to try - and out of the answered questions, I feel I did better than I thought I would. Results will be mailed in February, so no need to think about it for a while. And I can take it a bit easier with my studying. As in, not have to study every day for 3-4 hours. :P
My thoughts on Sendai: it bites. Honestly, it's a 'nothing' city. It's only appeal is that, in a large and wide-spread farming area of the country, it is a big city - with city shopping, restaurants, and clubs. There are a few museums, an amusement park, and one or two historical sites. But really? Not worth a special trip, unless you're just stopping over on your way somewhere else. And to enjoy the shopping, you'd need to inherit a fortune or win the lottery first.
Well, off to relax and enjoy the last bit of my evening off before going back to work tomorrow. But I will be full of good cheer and brighter spirits for my students. Test is done, and the snow is here. And birthday is in 5 more days! :)