Nichinan's first big snowfall of the year.

Good evening to everyone, as well as good morning depending on where/when you are reading this. I am in the comfort of my small room typing this while drinking a refreshing whiskey 'n water. In Japanese, whiskey and water is called mizu-wari, (水割り,みずわり). The first character, mizu, means water, and the second, wari, means something along the lines of proportion, ratio, percentage, etc etc depending on the context. Nothing special, just some food for thought. I mean drink. Eh. *sip*.

It's cold here. Right now, Japan is getting hit with a lot of snow nation-wide. In fact, in Hokkaido (one of Japan's upper-most four islands), there are coastal cities getting flooded because of the ever-rising sea-level, thanks to the tremendous amount of snow that is falling there. Luckily, no such happenings in Nichinan, but I hope the best for the people north of me.

After work, I walked to the supermarket to grab some...things (*siiip*). On the way back, my inner cellphone photographer came out and felt inspired by the snowy scenery around me. So, I took some pictures for anyone who is curious to see.

The bridge over the Hino River. The tan building to the left is the junior high school where Henry Sensei and I teach. Just past that, following the winding road on the edge of the river is where the baseball field and elementary school is, which is also pretty much where my humble dwelling is.

On the aforementioned road, pass the junior and elementary school. To the right is the small parking lot for the baseball field, which is also where the uphill road is to where I live. In the distance there is the other bridge over the Hino River.

Standing in the same position from the last picture, turning right ninety degrees. The sign says, "Students have right of way: watch out for students walking."

There she is! Getting close...

Last night, when Kaho (a local friend of Henry and I) came to drop me off here (and Henry off afterwards), there was a car stuck on the hill. Henry, Kaho and I got out of her car and helped push the car until it got traction. Turns out it was the grandmother of my neighbor's family (mom's side). The mom and two of her children were also out trying to help. I ought to give them my phone number so they can call me if they ever need help again. To the right is what I believe to be the Kendo building (Japanese fencing). I can usually hear them practicing from my house. It is going under a renovation right now.

Mi casa in the very back-center. 

Doesn't look too bad from the picture, and I suppose it really isn't that bad (yet). As for now, the snow is up to my knee, but last year I remember when it was above my waist (I'm 185 cm, take that for what it's worth).

And the entrance. What the picture doesn't show (or can't show, rather) is that there is a considerable step from the porch to the grass, but you would never be able to tell as of right now.

When I left work for the grocery store it was still snowing, but finally ceased when I walked home and took these pictures. It has been snowing since early in the AM of yesterday morning. Last night and this morning my main water tap in my kitchen was frozen, so I had to use the water from my bathroom sink for cooking. Luckily, it actually warmed up a bit today and my tap is no longer frozen!

My room with two of my three heaters. The tall one is an electric heater, good for keeping the room warm, whereas the one in the corner, the gas one, is good for getting the room warm. My third heater (another gas one) is in the kitchen. The thing on the right is a guitar.

Remember that mizu-wari I mentioned earlier? Here it is in all of it's golden glory, drinking straight out of one of the jars my parents used to send their home-made jam. Thanks mom and dad for the hipster drinking glass! Oh, and the jam was good, too. 

Winter. Nichinan. Not too much else to say really. I believe I'll be renting a car this coming Wednesday, according to my vice principal, so there is that. Also, next Saturday (the 27th) I will be departing for a week long trip to the Philippines to escape this weather for a bit. I probably won't write till then, so until then, keep it real everybody!

Cheers.

*sip*