Fall sunrises as winter beckons

I feel bad that it's taken me this long to write, but at the same time, nothing has really been happening here in Shimosuwa. The last month has been pretty uneventful, although I've been very busy at work. I was determined to write a post, though, so here it is!

Fall already seems to be ending here. Trees are dropping their leaves more and more every day, and most of the time it's around 50 degrees during the day, 25-35 at night. It will only get colder from here, but I'm just happy it's cold again! The heat was really hard to deal with this summer, and I've always loved winter, so I'm determined not to let the cold bother me. (Sound like a line from a certain movie? :P)

Along with the cold weather has come amazing sunrises nearly every day (I've included pictures for proof, all taken from my apartment). Because the smog of summer is gone, I can see Mt. Fuji most of the time now. The mountain is especially beautiful with snow on it and in the mornings before the sun has made its way over the Japan alps. (Here's a webcam that has many great views of Mt. Fuji: http://live.fujigoko.tv/?e=1&n=13) One of these days, now that sunrise is about 6:30, I'm going to go to the lake and position myself so I can get some really good sunrise pictures. :)

The only other thing of interest is that Christmas is already beginning here, as fall dies down. There is a day dedicated to thanksgiving, but it's not like our Thanksgiving back home, so all the stores are decorated with Christmas trees and playing Christmas music. I took a trip to Matsumoto today to try out some new holiday drinks at Starbucks and Tully's. At Starbucks, I tried a gingerbread latte. It was really good and tasted just like something you would get back home. Tully's had a new drink called a "noel white mocha." Being a lover of all white mochas, I had to try it! It apparently has 8 kinds of spices as well as orange peel flavoring. It was quite good! Not as good as my favorite- the peppermint white chocolate mocha- but very flavorful and nice on a beautiful fall day.

Well, at least you know now that I'm still alive. :D I suspect I'll be writing a few blog posts in December as well as January. In early December, I'm going to Tokyo Disney Resort for a day. Then during winter break (Dec 27-Jan 7) I'm going to be traveling north with my mom to see the famous snow monkeys that sit in hot springs all day, and after that, we'll be hitting Seoul for a few days! So lots of exciting things to blog about soon. Until then, I hope you're enjoying fall as much as I am, and have a happy Thanksgiving!