Top 10 Tuesday: Things I love about fall

I'm pretty sure fall came to Taiwan earlier this year than it did last year. One day it was still sweltering hot with unbearable humidity, and the next day there was a cool breeze in the air, and the humidity was gone.

I'm so happy that it's finally cooler outside. I actually feel like I have more energy now that the extreme heat is gone and my body doesn't have to try and cool itself down all the time.

Here are the Top 10 Things I love about fall:

1. Crisp air and cool breeze
Living in a city, I never feel that I'm breathing in good air, whatsoever. Especially, in the summer with the humidity, it just feels extra dirty to me. Luckily, fall brings a nice cool breeze which seems to clean the air, and I love breathing in the fresh air in the mornings.

2. Hot tea
I love drinking tea! During spring and summer, a cup of tea is just too much sometimes, as I really don't need anything else that will make me sweat more. During fall, though, I love nothing more than to drink a nice cup of tea to warm up and relax.

3. Scarves
Finally, my scarves can come out of hiding. Fall is all about layering, and a scarf is perfect for me to wear to work in the mornings when it's still cold, and then I can just take it off at work as it gets warmer.

4. Leggings
I do love shorts, but leggings are just so comfortable!

5. Cuddling
Unfortunately, in the summer The Boyfriend will usually only be able to handle a cuddle for 2 minutes before he burns up. Cuddle time gets stretched to about 30 minutes now before he'll say: "Baby, I'm hot now!"

6. Scented candles
Actually, I love burning candles all year round, but it just feels more appropriate to burn candles during fall and winter. When you're snuggling under a blanket with a cup of tea and a book, I mean, you got to burn a candle to complete the picture.

7. New seasons of TV shows
I love this time of year because all my favorite TV shows start again. How I met your Mother, Modern Family and Criminal Minds just premiered their first episodes of the new season, and soon The Walking Dead and Gossip Girl will start, too.

8. It gets dark earlier
Suddenly, I find that my evenings feel longer, which makes me more productive when I get home in the evening after work. By 8pm, I've already done the dishes, cleaned the house, done the laundry, had dinner and taken a shower. Which means I also go to bed earlier, which is good.

9. No more air conditioner
It's so weird here in Taiwan how one day you can't breathe in your apartment without having the air conditioner on, and how the very next day you suddenly freeze from it. I haven't had to turn on the AC in about 2 weeks, but I still find myself turning on the one in my room, because I've gotten used to the soothing sound it makes.

10. Halloween & Thanksgiving time
As a South African, I'm fairly new to this Halloween and Thanksgiving thing. Only when I moved to Taiwan four years ago did I celebrate Halloween properly and were able to have my first Thanksgiving dinner. It's so much fun dressing up for Halloween. And Thanksgiving dinner? Loves it!

What are your favorite things about fall?