Ladies and Gentlemen

As January came to a close my dreams began to wander towards the warmth of spring returning to the streets of Fukuoka. Days became noticeably longer, the low temperature during the dead of night started to climb towards 4 degrees, and I swear I saw some of those migratory birds packing their bags and looking North.

Life was getting better, the plane was gaining altitude and we were looking toward the horizon.

Today I'm afraid I have to announce, the wings of that plane have broken off. The temperature has dropped to below freezing, it's snowing, my apartment is 9 degrees inside and there's ice on the windows.

Looks like it'll be a long time until spring.