We then browsed a few shops, before descending once again for a Tube ride to Piccadilly Circus to find Japan Centre. After scoffing a hot and spicy Japanese chicken dish, there wasn’t much time to take a look because we were once again navigating the Underground system to make it to the Saddler’s Wells theatre. We arrived with little time to spare, and caught a performance of “The Shogun and the English Samurai” at 7.30pm.

The theatre was packed out, and being sat right at the very back we still had an excellent view of the production – though it was unbelievable how high above the stage we were! The play was mostly in Japanese (with English titles), and there were moments of hilarity and sadness, as well as samurai battles and great oriental music. It was definitely worth it.

By the time this had finished at 10.45pm, it was a mad dash back to Victoria to nab the last National Express coach back to Porty.

Even arriving home in the early hours of the morning, I was still buzzing. I had a great time! You can’t beat an excellent day out with a group of friends.

As it happens, both my appointments were cancelled, which is of course a little sad. But at the same time I am relieved to have a day all to myself. At least I’m up and ready, and I have the day ahead of me to be productive, to scratch off a couple of items on my ‘to-do list’.

Snow causes disruption to our lives, and that’s exactly why I like it. It makes the day feel special, a little different. Routine is good, but a few days of snow provides an excuse to stay at home, to be different. Trains are cancelled, schools are closed, and people are delayed. A snow day is a day on which we can be late, and not worry because we know that everyone else is affected in the same way.

When you wake up in the morning to find your world covered in a cool frosting of white, it’s a reminder that things don’t always go to plan. A practical joke from nature to tell us that all the meetings and assignments and stresses of life can wait for the ice to melt. Today is a snow day, so relax for a change!

However, I have decided to do a PGCE teaching qualification after graduation, as teaching has always been a career I have considered.

Though I thought I’d never say it, I have even entertained the idea of doing a Masters at some point as well!

So although I have completed half my time of my Undergraduate Degree, I think I will be spending more time at University than I had ever contemplated.

I guess we should count ourselves fortunate that life has proceeded as normal, though ‘normal’ never seems the right word to use!

It doesn’t seem possible that we have already had a whole week away from Uni. Buying presents, meeting friends, eating out, taking a few fleeting moments to relax. Where has the time gone? Today has been pleasant: eating a roast dinner out at a country pub followed by a muddy stroll in the outdoors, seeing relatives for the annual gift-exchange, wrapping presents (and realising that I’ve missed a few family members off my list!)

Christmas Eve (tomorrow!) will consist of the final preparations in the house, getting those last few gifts, meeting an old school friend, and perhaps sitting down to a Christmas film. And then the big day will be upon us!

I’m really feeling in the Christmas spirit and I’m so excited about all the new things I’ll be doing in the new year.

I can only finish by bidding you a Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2013!

A Christmas tree has appeared in Park Building, and an even larger one in the Guildhall. I even saw an evening carol service there the other night. It really got me into the festive mood!

My weekend was spent pulling boxes of decorations from isolated attic cupboards, and this week our house has started on an internal transformation of tinsel and lights. Of course, I should have been working on the mountain of presentation and essay work which is looming over me. I think I will need to start spending every available second for frantic research and skim reading.

But no matter how much work there is to be done, I am going to ensure that there is still time to spend catching up with friends, a night by the fireplace and a mince pie after dinner. I live in the positive assumption that my work, somehow, will come together.

This Christmas, the best miracle will be handing in some decent work before the deadlines. Merry Christmas everyone!

You can see below the nicely decorated tree in Park Building (left) and the outdoor carol service in the Guildhall (right).

For those interested in the Americas more generally, you can catch Michael Palin’s journey through Brazil on BBC1, Wednesday evenings at 9pm.  And of course, watching Channel 4 repeats of Friends, Frasier and The Big Bang Theory counts as studying American culture, right?

I thought I’d mention that my Second Year is progressing well, yet I am reminded that Christmas is fast approaching. I have one big essay in before the festive break – I’d really better get started on that! As the weeks go by, I find myself thinking ahead 12 months and contemplating my Final Year. I know I shouldn’t – there’s still so much to be done right now – but it seems strange that I am no longer a Fresher.

The realisation that all my work could now decide the fate of my final grade is starting to sink in!

Perhaps more intriguing will be the results of the upcoming Presidential Election in the US. The Democratic President, Barak Obama, is running against the Governor of Massachusetts, Republican candidate Mitt Romney. It all happens on Tuesday 6th November – so not long to wait! What policies would Obama pursue if he secures a second term in office? How would the election of Romney affect America’s foreign policy?

Of course it’s not all about the US – the recent elections in Venezuela saw the re-election of socialist President Hugo Chavez. How does this affect Venezuela’s relationship with other American countries?

As an American Studies student, I am encouraged to keep looking for deeper political implications which can be drawn from an election, and seeking the historical context within the situation.

(Between you and me, I’ll be betting my dollars on Obama to win).

I am of course very nervous, but I am really looking forward to this challenge.

The best way to hear Pure FM is via the Facebook player here. View the range of shows on the official page here. And why not go to my show’s Facebook page here – don’t forget to leave a Like!

I’m currently situated at my desk, a lamp casting warm light over me as I work while a new tune from Muse pumps through the speakers. The lonely wind is gusting against the windows in the deep blackness of the night, but I refuse to give it any attention.

I already feel plunged in with university work, and I’m currently signing up for several activities and clubs to join – so I’ve had to go to many meetings and information evenings over the last week and a half. There’s a lot going on, I’ll keep you informed of how things go!

There wasn’t time to get too caught-up in such thoughts just at the minute, as I made sure to attend the Freshers Fayre in Ravelin Park on both days. What everyone knows about Freshers is the is the free pizza. I’m not entirely sure of free-food etiquette, so I didn’t see any harm in taking (several) second-helpings! There was some great music blasting out of the loudspeakers and tents were packed with revellers and an astonishing array of clubs and societies. I really could not believe that the University has so many different activities to take part in. The weather was great on both days, and being surrounded again by so many other students in the festival-like atmosphere, I felt right at home.

I’m really pleased to be back. I know its going to be a great year. My work this year could be crucial in determining the grade of my degree, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to my studies – lessons start on Monday!

Check out the University of Portsmouth Student’s Union (UPSU) for the variety of Sports on offer and Societies to join. Click here for the University’s sports clubs and here for some fantastic societies, using the links on the left to search different categories.