For the folks at KIFL, we do not mind what you call it but Halloween is around the corner so mark your calendar for the annual Halloween party that the PR Department holds every year. Get those costumes ready for Friday, October 27th! There are prizes for the most interesting or unusual costumes, spooky games and pumpkin cutting.

The air is cooling down rapidly in the evenings and early mornings and the days are that wonderful time before the really chilly weather sets in. It's time to check your camera and hiking boots as a trek to the mountains is a definite must this season. The hills will very soon be ablaze with so many colours and shades that it is almost impossible to take a bad photograph.

This might be a good time to take a look at your winter wardrobe. Which shoes or boots need new heels? Be prepared. Get them done now. And how about shopping for a nice new hat to keep your head warm? Recently, I was lucky enough to have a private viewing of a hat exhibition by Mimi Mannering who happens to be married to one of our EIC supervisors, Mr. Napoleon Mannering. My favourite hat was a simple grey one but unfortunately, grey does not like me.

Maybe I will go for the black and white tweed with that gorgeous hibiscus. What do you think? Or, maybe I could persuade Ms Mannering to make one especially for me.... That would be fun.

Another fun thing at this time of the year is the cow parade in the Maranouchi district of Tokyo. The idea started in Switzerland in 1998 as a promotion to improve tourism but it was so popular that the "Cow Parade" is now in many cities around the world. This one was discovered in the Fuji building. Each colourful cloth represents a map of a different country. Next year we will start early and see if we can find them all.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition of KTW. We have some very interesting articles from students who have learned a lot about themselves and others. We know you will enjoy them as much as we did. Finally, if you are interested in writing for the next edition, just contact us at ktimes@kifl.ac.jp

Caroline Dashtestani, Editor KTW