The game that didn't get away

When I was younger I used to play video games pretty often. As I've gotten older though, different priorities took place and playing video games fell by the wayside. If anything I'm much more into MMORPGs now (which still isn't saying much) because they make me feel connected to other people. Standalone console games don't usually have this option, although there are a great number of games which feature multiplayer options. The problem with this is that I'm not seeking friendly opposition or team work which I would prefer over over opposition. The thing that appeals to me in MMORPGs is just the simple fact that other people are around and that they aren't just NPCs. I just really enjoy knowing that there are other people are out there doing their own thing. 

Anyway, in simply growing up I was able to pinpoint certain genres and games that I enjoy. One is fighting. The other is... well what Wiki tells me is "community simulation." And by that I mean Animal Crossing. Super Smash Bros Melee and Animal Crossing have created very fond memories for me and so I've always looked forward to new versions of them. Ironically, I didn't really enjoy the Wii versions of both of them (though I attribute this to having people to play with with the Gamecube versions and not the Wii versions (basically I was lonely)). So when I found out about the 3DS version of Animal Crossing coming, I was pretty excited. And really that's saying a lot as I don't get excited for much. My husband ordered it and thus became Mayor. Myself, I'm just a citizen. But that's fine with me as part of the problem I have with games is the increasing number of options some have. I'm glad I'm enjoying it as much as I am and am able to contribute to the game in a different way (financially haha) than just being Mayor and picking the next project or something.

My favorite neighbor so far is Ken, a black rooster.

Suuuuure...

Followed by a hamster.

Wait, did he say cake?!?

Of course, not being the only one playing makes me happy as this means that there's someone else doing their own thing! Even if I know what that thing is... 

Yup, I'm pretty simple in my entertainment, hahah!

I'm due for a round of fishing now.

Magazine Reading

I've always liked magazines for the bits of information they have, but the cost of them usually keeps me from actually purchasing them regularly. I've never encountered a library that allowed its patrons to actually borrow magazines, so I was pretty excited to find that they do here. I usually check out a few at a time and scour through them taking notes and pictures. I can't say I do everything I take pictures of or get everything I take notes of, but hey it keeps me occupied and makes me happy. Oddly.

This seems easy!

Yeah, I need to work out more...

Definitely want to try these one day!

Hair Dyee

I'm pretty keen on dark red hair for some reason. Blue is my favorite color and one day I'd like to have a nice blue gradient effect going on with my hair. But I think I like red so much because it's not as unusual a hair color. As much as I like doing silly little things like shaving both sides of my head and dying my hair, I don't want to stand out too much. Not in the way that gets stares anyway. I think simply being not Turkish does that anyway. Not that I'd hold any stares against anyone. 

But anyway! Before we arrived in Turkey, I would get my hair cut and dyed by a good friend. For a while, we tried different ways of getting my hair lighter so it could actually show red. When I came here, my roots were already starting to show, dark as they are, with very light brown hair for the rest. I even had some somewhat blond streaks. Haha! But since I no longer have the luxury of a friend nearby that can style hair, I wondered how to proceed. I hadn't heard too many things about hair stylists here and at that point, my shaved sides were in desperate need of a shaving. Luckily our little shaver arrived with the first shipment of our things so my husband was able to take care of that part. I also had my eye on couple of dyes online, but instead I went and looked for one in the store. I found one I thought would be worth a shot and was especially hopeful since my hair now pretty light due to the previous dye jobs. It took well and I'm really happy with it!

As you can tell from the grin.

It's been almost two weeks since that dye and it has faded a bit, but the color is still there. It comes with a little bottle of "Color Fresh" cream that you're supposed to use two weeks after the initial dye that's supposedly going to bring some vibrancy back to it. We'll see about that. Since I really like the way it came out, I don't mind buying the dye again to redo it, an additional two weeks after the Color Fresh stuff.

Circles, Cones, and Cubes

So that supermoon happened a few weeks ago. I snapped a shot of it with my phone. It's the not-yellow orb, haha!

 

 

 

Pro photography skills rite?

I was able to take a much better picture with my other camera.

It looks so lonely.

 That was my first time take a decent picture of the moon like that so I'm proud of it even though I missed a few other things.

 Speaking of things.... We got some of our things! We're actually a little worried now though because the rest was supposed to be here by now. But we'll see. Hope it's nothing bad.

While going through the boxes though, I came across one that said "lamp shade." We didn't label most of the boxes, this one included, but since it said that, I figured I would leave it alone. You know, since it's just a lamp shade.

I believed you.

Eventually though, I opened the box because I figured we would have more space with a lamp shade than with a box with little in it. So I open it and move the packing paper aside to discover... This isn't a lamp shade.

Pictured: Not a lamp shade.

It's one of those Asian rice hat things! I remember we had one when I was growing up. I don't know what happened to that one, but I got this particular one from Disneyland.

Authentic, I know.

My hat wasn't alone though! Also in the box was my husband's many Rubik's cubes.

... I have no comment on this.

Easy Cooking

I've been itching to cook and try out new and old recipes, but with the lack of my kitchen equipment, it's proving a bit difficult.

Thankfully, the internet provides lots of ideas for easy cooking and I was able to try out a recipe that I found recently, but a food I've been wanting to try my hand at (woo long sentence).

This: No-bake Granola Bars

I had to substitute a bit, walnuts in place of pepitas, honey in place of agave, but it turned out really well!

Mine is less glamorous, but still tasty.

I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did.

I also tried this recipe: English Porridge

This was my first time having an oat-based porridge and it did not disappoint. I had to use vanilla soy milk in place of whole milk, but it was creamy and delicious.

Some of our things arrived, but most of the kitchenware is still missing. I'm itching to bake cupcakes and cookies once they do arrive. Mmm shortbread!

Online Shopping!

Due to a factor of things, shopping is pretty limited for us. (Hopefully to be somewhat remedied by obtaining our car.) Because of this, Amazon has basically become our "one-stop shop." Or however that saying goes (did I even use it correctly?).  

So with each paycheck I browse my ever-growing wishlist and pick something for myself. Lately, it's just been books.

I can't even properly use these books because I lack the equipment...

Because I care more about decorating the house beyond electronics and toys, my wishlist also consists of household items either for decoration or organization. So in addition to something for myself, we also buy something for the home. 

Okay, so this could be considered a toy.