One lecture away from christmas holiday

Close to three months in University. Feels longer than it is. Not that it would have been boring-absolutely not, but because we've done such a heap of things and attended several events, alongside with ordinary studying.

The Christmas holiday started already for quite many students. Officially it begins on the 25. of December, and last until the 7th of January, so close to two weeks in total. Many of the exchange students use this time to travel around Japan, some even fly overseas or return home to rejoin with their family. A common direction to take from Oita seems to be north to Honsu, and therein Osaka-Kyoto-Nagoya-Tokyo. For the holiday, Yumiko and I have modest plans:

• 23th, view the Beppu Christmas Fireworks Fantasia,
• 24th, go for a restaurant date in Oita,
• 27th, see and listen TAO, a group of taiko-drum performers in Taketa-city near Oita,
• 28th, visit Yumiko's family in Nagoya for the New Year. Hopefully we can help them in the grand-cleaning, 大掃除.

Even though I've had it many times, it is slightly wistful to think of end of year celebrations in Finland. Being with family, enjoying calmness and traditional dishes, seeing everything covered by bright newly rained snow. Now it's time for end-of-year in Japan. It said to be one the largest festival, if not the largest in the whole of Japanese calendar. Let's enjoy it with open mind!