Headlights can be your friend

Yesterday was gray, gloomy, and full of melons. I am referring of course to the fact that melon-flavored foods and drinks are something of a gimmick over here, much like saying some food is 'Cajun-spicy' will grab people's attention. In the bakery by the station, I found some melon pan (bread), now practically iconocised with its much-important role in the aforementioned anime Shakugan no Shana. It really didn't taste like melon at all, although the main character upholds that if it did, it would be blasphemy; instead it's like a sweet bread. During the break, I read another, even more famous icon of popular Japanese literature, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. This is probably the most popular book series ever to have been adapted into anime, which then successfully invaded every single corner of the globe with die-hard fans. Even if you don't like anime, you should look this one up if only for the WTF hilarity that ensues. While I read this, I had a melon soda.
There was no club yesterday either, it seems vacation for college students doesn't end until the 28th. So I had time to go downtown to the city office to get my immigration stuff taken care of. It wasn't really too difficult, I just followed everything from the example sheet the university gave me, making sure to put it in all caps, and handed it in with my pictures. Then I got a receipt telling me when to come back (mid October).
Today was the replacement test for the Reading and Writing class, and I can say with absolute conviction that I aced it! There was not a single thing on there that I was unable to do. Go me :)
The methods and meaning of anime class is, just like its name suggests, focused on the methods used to produce animation and the meaning behind the style and other, more subtle features. Think Professor Carp with anime.
On Wednesdays from 6-7:00 there is a Japanese Sign Language group. Since I figured that fits into the area of bodily communication that Professor McGary emphasizes, I went to their first meeting. I can now do a few rudimentary signs in JSL (yes, there are individual ways of signing within each country, and yes, they do count as languages). One reason the communications professor, who is also my advisor, set up the class is to see how foreign students react to learning another Japanese language with a completely different grammar system as compared to native Japanese speakers. This is absolutely fascinating to me, and I felt enthralled in learning a language that uses body language only.
Today was the first time that I have ridden my bike after it has gotten dark. My bike has a light on it, but I've never really known how effective they can be, my only knowledge of them coming from the Simpson's episode where Bart discovered a comet (and who would take that seriously?). My initial impression was that they are worthless. The lights illuminating my way home go in this order of strength- car headlights, building lights, street lights, vending machines, and finally my bike. However, the last part is on a walking trail by a river that has no other sources of light; I quickly came to an appreciation for the meager 5 feet of illumination I had.

Observations:
In order to adapt more easily to Japan, I found it helpful to have something basic and home-like to fall back on. I currently am in love with ice cream cones. The flavor is so basic, so universal (France had them, too), that it has taken up the role of my comfort food. I can get some from a vending machine on campus, of buy some from the convenient store 30 seconds from the house. I've tried to have some everyday, it's so good.
I have only seen one commercial that tries using sex to sell a product, and it was for ramen. What does that say about my tastes?
Apparently, there are places where I need to say pas du mayonnaise. I had a chicken-rice bowl, but before I could realize what was going on, the server smothered in in mayonnaise and turned to the next person in line. Can anyone (Zach) say Murphy's Law?