how does it happen?

seriously people, i really made an effort to stay updated with the blogging and i was doing ok for a few weeks, and then all of a sudden 3 weeks have passed since my last blog, and i have no idea how that happened!

but, just to let you all know, i'm doing fantastic! well aside from the typhoon going on right now (although, it's really not that bad). the seasons are definately changing (or more like changed). it's getting cold at night and you can already see a few leaves changing colors. i've talked to so many people in aomori who hate fall because it's a sign that winter is coming and i never understood it because i love fall, i love the changing colors and temperature and everything. although, to be honest, seeing the color changes is putting this dread in me, like oh shit! winter is coming! my house is going to be freezing again, i'm going to have to wake up at 5 am again to shovel, and well most of you have already heard my winter horror stories. but i keep trying to tell myself that it's a good 2 1/2 - 3 months before snow starts falling (ahhhhhh!!!).

i've been trying to cook a lot lately and it's all been japanese food and hasn't been too bad. just simple stuff, fish, miso soup, veggies, rice, etc. essentially i'm trying to eat healthier. somehow i lost nearly 5 kilos (over 10 pounds) during the summer without even trying and now that i'm conscious of that, i want to try and lose more weight just to be healthy.

oooh, i bought new sheets (finally!) and they are soooo nice. i figured i'm going to be here 2 more years and should have nice sheets (mind u my winter set is lovely). actually i've been a bit bad with shopping this month (as in too much shopping) but i figure my birthday is coming up soon and i can spoil myself every once in a while :-P

i'm thinking about going home for winter vacation this year (although worried about leaving the house for 2 weeks and coming back to a house burried in snow). i can't wait for ellie and jess to come out (a little over 3 weeks!). and yeah, life is just good ... staying busy with japanese class, volleyball, taiko, tennis, english eikaiwa lessons, meetings, friends, kareshii, etc. getting to know the new jets, and they are cool, but still miss the jets from last year :-P anyways, i'll try and update more regularly, i promise!