*Enjoying the autumn colours here in Hokkaido- the campus is really colourful at this time of year and I often find myself hanging near the kettle staring out at the changing leaves...what am I saying? Actually I like looking out the window at anytime of the year or day. Its probably a good thing there isn't a window at my desk otherwise I would do even less work.
* Getting back to Soranuma dake (actually finally going on a hike!). When I first arrived in Japan almost 2 and half years ago, I went hiking in Golden week here. At that time it was full of snow (over 1m deep in places... in May) and we stayed in the mountain hut overnight- one of the best experiences I've had in Japan. So it was great to go back in an autumn setting...going under tree trunks that I had gone over in the snow and seeing the glorious autumn colours. I must go again and finally make it past the hut (the warm log stove and gossipy ladies lured me in this time, walking in deep snow did it the previous time) and get to the peak.
* Getting accepted for another conference in December- this time I'm talking about my own research. It's in Fukuoka in Kyushu so I finally get to see a new part of Japan. This has finally inspired me to try and do some more work and work on some new experiments. Fingers crossed they yield some good results!* Going to Marukoma onsen with my best friends in Japan (big hugs for you!). A perfect Sunday activity, sitting in the deep bath which is fed by water from Shikotsu ko (Lake) and enjoying the last of the autumn leaves and naked man spotting (an added bonus?).
* I"m managing to go Swimming every Thursday and can do 40 lengths non stop in around 30mins (40 lengths=1km if I can read the sign right in the pool). I hope I can keep this up when the snow arrives.
