It's Cold!!!!

I realized that I hadn’t updated this blog in a few weeks! Wow! I have been pretty busy here in Toei, and I have been busy writing on another blog that Nate and I are working on…I promise I just haven’t been lazy!
I have had a case of the epizoodie this week, and can’t seem to shake the sniffles like I used to. I once told Birdman that I have never been sick, and to this day I am thankful that I have never been really sick or have been a person to get constantly sick. I remember when we were younger Ethan would always get a cold in the fall, but we soon diagnosed that it was not the change of temperatures and viruses that caused his sickness, it was simply that he was allergic to the starting of school.
Toei is really beautiful in the fall, the trees have changed colors and the leaves are starting to fall. That being said, IT IS FREEZING HERE! The wind comes out of the mountains and just chills my little apartment to the bone. I have been trying not to run my heater all night, but I can see that this way of thinking is going to have to go right out the window! I think that in January the temperature inside my apartment could be below freezing!
In other news, my niece arrived! I am sure most of you know that, and my family is pretty excited. I am sad that I won’t get to see her until December, but I think she will forgive me since she won’t remember anything for about three years! She is really cute and I think my mom and dad are relieved that they are finally grandparents, although I don't think that my sister or I are anywhere close to old enough to have kids. I think in my mind I am stuck at about 19. If you ask Michi, she might tell you even younger!
School is going well and I think that the kids at least half way like me. I am sure they think I am a huge nerd and a geek, but oh well—in truth I’m not half as geeky as they are!
Today I have two more classes at elementary school to teach, and then I am off to pay my rent at the Board of Ed. After that I will relax at my apartment and try to get over this bug, since this weekend is our big trip! Weather permitting we are going to drive to Nagano and tour many beer breweries and onsens. It should be great fun and I will be glad to get away for a weekend! We do have a three day weekend, but it is the last until the winter break. I am coming home to KY and will arrive home on the 23rd! I am excited to see the family again and to spend Christmas at home with friends!