I’ve been playing a lot of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass lately. It was one of the anniversary gifts I got! I’m a HUGE Zelda fan, way back to the NES days, so I’m enjoying it. I have to say that they’ve done an incredibly good job at integrating the touch screen and all of the features the DS has to offer. They’ve done it in a creative way, that has me saying “Oh my goodness, that’s so freaking cool” no less than twice a day when I’m playing it.

The other game I got isn’t so much of a game, but I can say I definitely enjoy it. It’s My Weight Loss Coach and it’s so incredibly cute. There’s a little stick figure on my screen patting me on the back for everything good that I do. They’ve taken advantage of the fact that you can plug in GBA games at the same time as DS games, and made a pedometer that syncs with your game by plugging it into the GBA slot. It’s almost a light-weight approach to weight loss. They give me six challenges per day (no more!) that range from “Do X amount of sit-ups” to “Over the next twenty-four hours, put your salt shaker in the cabinet and leave it there” and if you don’t finish a challenge, instead of beating you over the head with it, they say that there’s no harm in taking easier challenges first.

Speaking of weight loss, I’m pretty sure I won’t be renewing my gym membership for the next year. Don’t get me wrong, I loved going - when I’d go. Because it involved either walking (made difficult by shin splints) or driving there, I’d make excuses not to go. Once the shininess wore off, I was able to justify not going and it didn’t help. Not to mention I’d get there and I’d already be tired, so I would only do a small workout. I lost ten pounds last summer working out at home, and gained it back and ten more while at the gym. While I’m pretty sure there’s a medical reason behind my constant gain and failure to lose, I know that something’s not right when I’m paying bi-weekly for something that isn’t working for me. I figure I’ll work out at home and focus on getting the most I can out of it, and once I’m back on track and have picked up momentum, I’ll consider going back to the gym. That money could be used for better (or more fun!) things. Besides, one of the main reasons for joining was because it’s a social atmosphere, and I’m not getting the social vibe.

So that’s my life lately in a nutshell. I’ve also purchased a new planner, but I’ll be writing more about that in another entry that’s in the making. It’s a planner; it’s like a child to me! I couldn’t just leave it as a footnote!

This week I’m doing something a tiny bit more personal. On August 25, 2006, I married my husband. Two years later, I’m still as happy and as in love as the day I married him, let alone the day I met him. So in honour of our special day, this week’s Weekend Wrap-Up is relationships.

• Get In Her Head - This is a very interesting little site I found that takes the guesswork out of certain aspects of a relationship. You put in your sizes, preferred dates, preferred gifts, special dates and other things, and your significant other can look them up when they’re stumped for ideas. It makes romance less of a puzzle, which is good when you’re short on time or just plain lost on Christmas Eve.
• 101 Ways To Show Your Husband You Love Him - This is from the Get In Her Head blog, but it has its own separate entry on my list because it deserves it. It’s an awesome list with little ideas to spoil your husband and make him feel special. Not every idea is for every husband (things like number 2: “If he normally gets up with the kids, give him a morning off.” don’t really apply to us) but some (like number 24: “When he gets home from work, greet him at the door wearing lingerie or nothing but a smile.”) are bound to add excitement to anyone’s day!
• 101 Small Things to Keep the Wife Happy - This is the post that, as I understand it, was the inspiration for the husband list above. I found this post to be so good and truthful that I even forwarded it to my husband! Some seem natural (Give her a hug every day, Say “I Love You” at the end of every phone conversation) and some are just incredible and heart-melting (Give her a back rub (or massage her feet. Or shoulders. Or really, whatever she likes), Bring home a gift certificate for a pedicure or massage) but the whole list is awesome and should be read.
• 100 Great Date Night Ideas - A list of lists, this is fantastic for those nights that you feel like you’re in a slump. They’ve got anniversary ideas, date night tips, a sexy must-read list and even recipes for your special night!
• 20 Key Ideas for a Happy Marriage - Another list (Yes, I like lists!) with tips on everyday appreciation and romance. Instead of tips on what to do, where to go, or what to say, it tells you what to think about to keep yourself happy in your marriage. Tips including remembering your finest moments, writing a list of your spouse’s positive patterns and qualities and being a good listener are all things that will make a marriage last longer and be generally happier.
• Cheat Codes to Have a Happy Marriage - This takes a slightly different perspective on the idea of marriage, with talk of “score cards” and how to raise yours. It’s probably sparked some controversy with people who take their marriages almost too seriously, but it is in good fun and if you look past the “score” thing, it’s got some great advice and tips that apply even when you’re not out to increase your partner’s “score”. A good read!

This wraps up this week’s Weekend Wrap-Up. I hope these links help you gain a new perspective on your relationships, or at least make you think a bit. I know they’ve helped me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an anniversary to plan!

For more information about Weekend Wrap-Up, click here. To suggest a site, email me with your suggestion and why you think it should be included!

Most people automatically assume that once you play a game like that, and you play it a lot, that you’re “addicted” to it. I’m not. I’m sure there are people out there who are. People are capable of being addicted to absolutely anything in this world. Personally? I can step away from the game at any time and enjoy other things. Other games, movies, TV shows, time with my husband, time with my cat, exercise, shopping… All kinds of things, and not necessarily in that order.

I have a friend that’s gotten an even harder time for playing World of Warcraft than I have. She’s had people tell her that she’s a bad parent because she plays, she’s had people blame her other problems in life on the fact that she plays, and yet people don’t take a minute to think that maybe, just maybe, it’s her only time to herself. She doesn’t know a lot of people around where she lives, so she doesn’t get out often, and when she logs in the game, she’s got hundreds of friends at the touch of a button.

Of course, some people are very quick to say that these friends aren’t “real” friends, but I beg to differ. A few of my very best friends have been met through this game. To be honest, I met my husband in a different game, so there’s validation right there. But since we’re talking about World of Warcraft, and World of Warcraft alone here, I’ll stay on topic. There have been nights that I have had complete panic attacks about my future and what’s to be expected and the things I’m going through. These friends sit and talk to me while I worry, rationalize with me, and make me feel better. I don’t have someone I can just call to get that kind of support.

You can feel like an outcast in World of Warcraft just as easily as you can in real life. There are high-school-style cliques and there are generally elitist people wandering around, just waiting to attack your gear, or your play style. However, these people are few and far between. A while ago, shortly after the Burning Crusade (the expansion, for those of you who don’t play) came out, I was very frustrated. I played a holy/discipline priest and was tired of healing my way through instances. I got burnt out on the game, even though I was on my way to 70, and took a couple months off at 67. I played other games in the meantime and spent time dealing with real life personal issues, but I felt lonely (that’s what happens when you’re still “new” in town, obviously) and went back. I decided to respec my priest to shadow and not worry about what was going on with other people.

Once I hit 70, I had a group that was more than happy to take me in and work with me, while I learned to really play the class/spec and kinda fumbled my way through gearing up and trying new things. Things happened in the guild we were a part of, and eventually our leadership broke off and formed a new guild, and I knew I was going to leave. I’ve had trouble leaving guilds before because of guilt and the feeling of personal obligation, but this time I was sure it was for the best. I was right! In a short time, we’ve accomplished amazing things with a very casual raiding schedule, and it’s a group that I am proud to be a part of. The people are friendly, and we’re honestly like a little family, as cheesy as it sounds. There are disagreements and there are tough times, but we pull past it and just get stronger and stronger.

So tell me, what makes this game so bad? Why is it the subject of so many people ready to attack the people who play it? Why are we considered the ones with “no lives” or the ones who are “addicted” to our computers? I could spend two nights a week with friends out in the “real world” playing poker, or I can spend two nights a week on the computer with friends all over the world, playing something that, to me, is infinitely more entertaining. What’s wrong with that?

A few things I’ve thought of going to school for:

• Cooking - I’ve had an interest in food for a long time. I like playing with different flavours and trying different combinations and seeing the reactions of the people trying the food I make. The thing that worries me about this is that I know that with any sort of formal cooking training, I’d end up in the service industry, and I don’t know how I feel about that. I’d hate to spend all the money on cooking school (training, classes, whatever) and have it end up being just a hobby.
• Writing - I do enjoy writing. I don’t know how good I am at it, but it has always been a relaxing thing for me to get my ideas out on paper (or the computer screen, as the case may be). My big worry with this one is that I don’t know where to begin, let alone whether I’m any good at it, and so I may end up a starving artist, as the case may be.
• Editing - This is another passion of mine. The people who know me best (or even the people who’ve read my blog regularly!) know that grammar and spelling are something that I nit-pick about even in a casual context. I’m always interested in how words work together and how sentences are formed and punctuated. This is another thing that I don’t know how to get started or whether it’s even a viable job option, to be honest. I suppose it is something that could be done freelance in addition to a “real” job.
• Web Design - This one is something I know there are classes for, and something I’ve been considering even more so than the rest. I know that there’s a need for competent web designers and web programmers and I also know that it’s something I can pick up fairly quickly with the proper training. It’s obviously something I do in my spare time, so it’s not a problem of hating what I do, but rather whether I’ll be creative enough for it.
• Psychology - I actually started going to school for this right after high school, and quit when I went through some life changes and didn’t really have the opportunity to take the classes. The problem with this is that I’d have to go to a university, not the community college here, which would cost more than I really can afford at this moment. Might consider this in the future, once the money is coming in from whatever I choose to take as a career.

Does anyone else have any ideas they can think of that might be good? I know that’s a fairly open-ended question, but as I keep telling myself, I’m able to make a decision now that I’ll be satisfied with, instead of jumping into a dead-end job to make minimum wage. It’s not every day that kind of opportunity comes around, so I don’t want to take it for granted!

What DVD can you not live without?
What is the most-watched DVD in your collection? Note: this is not necessarily the same as the first DVD!
What DVD do you wish you had, but haven’t purchased yet?
What’s the last DVD you purchased?

• 50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do has a pretty self-explanatory title, but it also has some good tips! There’s the usual “build a fire” and “perform basic functions on a computer” but it’s also got some that most people don’t think to learn, like “paint a room” and “detect a lie”. This list will come in handy! It also has links for each item, so if you haven’t already learned them, you can!
• 10 Skills You Need to Succeed at Almost Anything is along the same lines, but more general. From public speaking to basic accounting, it’s got links in each item to other articles on Lifehack that will help you learn the ones you’re missing!
• 60 Fun Things to Do for Little or No Money will come in handy - for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you live paycheck-to-paycheck or if you’re a multimillionaire, sometimes it just feels great to go out and not have to pull out your wallet. Have a picnic. Lounge on a hammock. It’s really the simple pleasures in life that make some of the best memories, isn’t it?
• 10 Date Night Ideas Under $15 is along the same lines as the one above, but focused primarily on dates. My husband is a bit less-than-enthusiastic about planned nights or doing silly things, but I think there’s something on this list for everyone, including him!
• 27 Questions to Ask Your Sweetie is a pretty comprehensive list. It’s like one of those coffee table books with conversation starters, except this time it’s a list of little questions to ask the person you’re involved with. Just met? Use these questions to find out more and get to know each other better. Been involved for years? You might find something new out that you didn’t already know!
• Ten Reasons it would Rule to Date a Unicorn and Nine Reasons Not to Date a Tyrannosaurus are from the same site, so I figured I’d post them together. The list is silly, but I can imagine it’s probably very true! Turning mosquitos into skittles and jellybeans is much better than carcass for dinner! Poor T-Rex, though. Always the bad guy.
• Twenty “Real Life” Ways to Say I Love You is a bit silly, a bit serious, and is bound to make anyone laugh with recognition. From “Pretend her cooking isn’t burnt” to “Embrace the power of his farts”, it’s a good companion for day-to-day life with a significant other, in a humorous way!
• Twenty Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Sunday is a good list for reviewing whether you’re actually living your life to the fullest. The site is where I got the first on the list - the 50 things you should know how to do. I may start asking myself these questions. It’ll be like an exam - gives a sense of purpose to an otherwise purposeless week!

And that wraps up this week’s Weekend Wrap-Up. I’m quite enjoying doing this column now, as it gives me a place to share all the interesting links I’d normally just bookmark for no good reason at all!

For more information about Weekend Wrap-Up, click here. To suggest a site, email me with your suggestion and why you think it should be included!

I have to say, he’s adorable. I know raccoons are horrible and evil and mean, but you can’t tell me that you didn’t say “aww” once while watching that video. I know I sure did.

For more cute raccoon antics: Let go, that’s expensive!

Matt and I are headed to the post office today to mail my permanent residency application. Am I scared? Not as much as I have been in the past. See, I’ve spent two years staring at this application and praying that things would work out. Now, I’ve done all I can, and I’ve been told that I should be okay. I mean, why would they tear me from my husband? So we mail it, registered, and wait for the response. It’ll still be a while (QUITE a while!) but I don’t care; it’s worth the wait.

In celebration of mailing our paperwork, Matt and I will be heading downtown for the Busker Festival. He’s never seen it before, and I’m sure long-time readers will remember that I didn’t quite make it there last year so I’m excited to go and take some photos. And why wouldn’t I be?

On August 7th, the streets will come alive. For the 22nd year indoor theatres will be emptied and brought to the Halifax Waterfront, across 6 spectacular stages. Over 500 performances will take place between August 7-17th and crowds will be introduced to genuine ‘street theatre.’

Tell me that doesn’t sound cool. I’m so excited!

I’ve been working on my immigration forms and will be mailing them out this week. What should make me nervous feels like a big sigh of relief just on the horizon. Preparing to send them is stressing me out to my limits - “What if I forget something?” “What if this isn’t enough?” “What if something goes wrong?” - but I think once I mail them, I’ll be good. I keep hearing that after they’re sent is the easy part, so I’ll trust in that. I just go along with my life, one day at a time, and wait. I don’t have to do anything but wait. No more blaming myself for procrastination or for anxiety attacks. No more waking up in the middle of the night thinking “Oh my goodness, I’m going to be kicked out of the country for no reason”, just… relaxing. Living. That’ll be a nice change of pace.

Matt’s mom is home for the next two days. She’s been here since last week sometime, and while I don’t mind having her here, I am looking forward to her going back on vacation. There’s something about readjusting to not being the woman of the house that always stresses me out. I don’t feel like leaving my room and I end up feeling claustrophobic and lazy.

I’ve been sick the past few days too. Last night I left my raid early, after killing Archimonde for the first time, my raid group was heading over to Black Temple, but I was so sick. I had chest pains and an upset stomach and my third migraine in as many days. Lately my head just feels cloudy, like I’m walking around in a fog. I’m exhausted (like I said) and just… blah. I’m hoping this weekend will cure that. I’m house-sitting for Matt’s sister next week and am looking forward to a few days out in the middle of nowhere. I could use the silence.

Title quote from Benjamin Franklin

So, without further ado, the list:

• Bake or Break has an incredible selection of recipes, including their favourite chocolate chip cookies, which is usually a fairly guarded secret! The photography is incredible - their fresh berry tart is mouth-watering and makes me want to run out and make one! It’s not always cakes and cupcakes, though - there are other recipes, too, such as this one for corn bread bites that looks absolutely delicious!
• Foodgawker has a bit of a different take on the food blog, providing photos on the front page of a variety meals and recipes when you click the photos. The recipes and photos are provided by everyone - not just the person who started the site. With every different person’s input, you can’t go wrong when you’re looking for a new meal to try!
• Foodbeam is a wonderful blog written by a lovely French girl who wants to be a pastry chef! Three years and going strong, the blog is full of fantastic recipes. From the desserts to the delicious entrées, this blog has it all, all the while providing massive quantities of photos - the best way to see what you’re going to make before you make it! And in case you want to take some photos of it later, she even has some tips on food photography!