Yume, the Artist

Yume's house has grown bigger, she has gotten to know plenty of neighbors and developed good relationships with most of them, and is in an Inseparable Relationship with one of them XD However, Yume has been guilty of not being able to update at all (^^U) So let us take a look at how she's been, specifically skill-wise:

Of course there HAS TO BE coffee in the house so she has been learning to COOK through her coffee maker.

After mastering the Hazelnut Coffee, her Cooking Skill increased to 24.

However, if she wants to master more dishes using her outdoor grill, she needs to learn through other Cooking Appliances until she reaches a Cooking Skill level of 45.

Music-wise, she has spent plenty of time playing with guitars and the keyboard, and is currently at Music Skill 20.

She has unlocked more keyboard pieces though, and is currently continuing to level up. (She has already collected the Groove that she needed XD Hey everyone needs to find that XD)

Online writing is one of her jobs, so I can totally identify with her! Currently her Writing Skill is at 22.

She still needs a couple of newspapers though, so she can master writing Ransom Notes XD

Her Art Skills are her highest skills, at 30.

Since she has used up her easels for various portraits, she is now putting together a Comic Art Drafting Board. She just needs more.... uhm... Fury.

Apart from asking her neighbors to send her some Fury (that sounded so wrong), she also visits Bella (everyone's neighbor and initial flirt-mate and best friend slash best enemy) to insult her and argue with her, until there is only one energy left, for Apologizing XD

Restart II

I don't think I can ever beat the High Dragon and the Pride Demon (and the Legion of Hateful Swaying Shades) with my first character's attributes so I decided to restart. Besides, I have snagged Fenris on the first one so that's another reason why it's okay to leave that one behind for now XD

This time I made my character more girly, hence the longer hair and softer face.

For some reason, I encountered Fenris much earlier in this second try. (Must be fate.)

And because we met earlier, we already had One of Those Conversations at his mansion. Please don't mind the way I sat.

Plus, this time, I was able to meet Isabella. For some reason I never ran into her in my previous game. Now I got Fenris to flirt with, and Isabella to flirt with me (and everyone else). XD

I am also going about the quests in a more organized manner, since I am less frenzied about playing a new game, because it is a restart. There is the tingling excitement of a Restart though, but I am still much calmer in playing the game this time. I also get to skip some dialogues that I have already heard.

Looking forward to the rest of the game! (^_^) I can also fight the Arishok again, but this time with more dignity and less panic XD

Found the Trail That Led Us Back

I know that we have left Frontierville to live a quiet, simple life, but somehow our boots led us to a trail that brought us to:

It's basically the same thing, except that you get to travel to and explore other areas of the map. I have yet to see if I will feel at home enough to stay.

More Sims

Apart from Sims Social, I also have an active Sim in my sister's iPad. So far I've spent a lot of time getting to know the people in the neighborhood and making them my friends. I also got a job at the nearby mart. I have already moved some living room and furniture and changed my living room walls and couch.

I know, the place looks drab and lonely, but I spend most of my time outside socializing and fishing anyway XD But I still intend to make my home more cozy and nice.

Biskit as a Wrinkly Old Man

It's been about six months since Chieli last visited town - and she is glad to find Kabuki and Biskit (especially Biskit) still around. But Biskit found her long absence unsettling XD

Biskit says the sweetest things most of the time XD

And because Chieli was away for so long, she found this weird brown thing (for the first time) growing beside a tree. She cannot dig it out or chop it or do anything to it - it just sits there, all ugly and odd. I read somewhere that it appears when your town needs some cleaning (^^U)

Fenris, Finally XD

I return to my estate and find Fenris, all Hot and Bothered XD And finally, The Kiss XD (I was a noisy gamer at that time.)

And then there was the emo moment when he leaves after the Fenris Fest.

In other news, I didn't expect to see Teagan and not feel anything XD Perhaps it was my Hinata character who was more smitten by Teagan and my current Hawke persona is way too into Fenris. XD Besides, Teagan here seemed less charming. Or maybe it's just the Fenris bias in me talking.

And of course, there is the main quest XD Loads of awkward moments experienced because of the Meredith-and-Orsino tension (^^U) Although I want to tear Anders into smithereens, I chose Orsino. Sadly though, it seemed to drive my Fenris even farther away, and I had to be with Merrill :T

When I came to the part with the Fried, I mean Pride Demon, I died about a million times so I reloaded to the portion before the Meredith and Orsino Awkward Moments, and decided to relax by doing other quests. Grrrr I hate the numerous Swaying Shades Surrounding my characters.

A Fourth Heart!

I have restored the first railroad and I get a new Heart Container! Now I got four. (In my previous game I reached until 6.)

Serving Coffee

I have finally managed to collect all that I need and have my own barista for Toasty and Biskit's. XD

On Disliked Elves, Angry Qunari, and Time-Consuming Dragons

In any quest, I always bring Fenris with me, not only because I have Certain Intentions for him, but also because I need a warrior in my party. Since Bethany has joined the Circle of Magi, I always bring Anders as my mage, and then I switch between Varric and Aveline for my last companion. I never bring Merrill with me unless she is locked into a slot for a specific quest because I prefer not to have her and her issues along with me (hindi naman ako galit) XD

Also, when I talk to her, I choose less friendly tones. However, when she asked for the arulin'holm, though I initially did not want to, I decided to give it to her. You see, even if I prefer not to have her around, I still try to be reasonable XD I gave her the arulin'holm because I have no use for it anyway. If, in the end, she ends up hurting herself then that's Her doing. XD

In other news, Aveline has finally managed a new love life XD She and I were talking when her New Boyfriend came and wanted to speak with her. I stepped out and waited for ages by the door, until I heard laughter and decided there are more important things for me to do XD

As for MY own life, I came home to find MY Fenris waiting for me by the fireplace, playing with Kinoko, my Mabari. Oh Fenris. See he has such a big weapon.

After he left, I found my new servant waiting for me. She thought I was going to make her a slave but I broke the good news to her that from now on she will be paid for her services. She almost fainted with surprise because apparently, everyone in their family had been a slave, and she is the first ever paid servant among them.

On the side, Petrice has been killed by a Qunari. The Grand Cleric who reminds me of Judy Dench did not seem to mind, although I am sure she would have scolded me if I threw a party in the Chantry for being rid of Petrice the Pest.

Speaking of Qunari, I also came to face the Arishok.

Fenris suggested the Arishok and I fight to the death. (Yes I let Fenris live after his Wonderful Suggestion. And yes I still have The Same Intentions.)

After what felt like forever (or so I thought after trying to defeat the High Dragon later on), I finally defeated Arishok. It was kind of tedious though. I had to keep running so he won't rush into me with that super quick deadly pouncing, and so I could replenish my Backstab Mana and my Healing Potions. I also kept my Mabari around so he could attack the Arishok during his dazed moments.

After a series of stressful events, I came by the mansion of Fenris and we shared a bottle of vintage. Nothing steamy yet. Hahahaha.

Afterward I went to the quest started by Anders, until we came to the Bone Pit and encountered the High Dragon. After what felt like an eternity of fiery suffering, I decided to reload after Anders' quest, and move on with my life. I might try to come back and KILL the High Dragon when I am stronger.

SIMSed. Totally.

So I've been an addict for Sims 1 and 2, in my less busy days of old.

Then came Sims Social.

I had no plans of playing it partly because I've been too busy, plus it seemed to me like a "limiting" version of the computer Sims games, which is how I somehow felt about the Sims game in PSP. I also assumed it was going to be a slow game especially with so much going on inside it.

Then a friend sent me an invite. And I've been hooked every since (>.<) Well, actually that was just a couple of days ago but I feel like I've been glued to it for two weeks.

I am assured somehow that this addiction is all just part of the initial thrill and the nostalgia of playing a Sims game all over again.

So first, I had to create a character. *excitement buildup around that time*

Of course she had default clothes on which I was dying to change since I do not exactly like this kind of outfit (^^U) But by this time I've changed her hairstyle and hair color. I decided to make her blond with the "Tokyo" hairstyle, because I wanted her to look close to Yume.

I was so amused by the selection of hair color because they reminded me of those hair color samples you see in the malls or salons, and in some cases they have a booklet of these hair loops XD

I picked out comfortable casual wear that would suit a "Yume" slash Quirky Girl character. And here she is:

Because I have been so absorbed by Yume's busy and active life, I will just share photo updates next time XD

Baby Sheep Coming

My sheep Kira has gone over to the "mommy" area of my animal shed - and the calendar says she will give birth really soon! This is also good news for Milk, one of my cows, because she wants to stay in the "mommy" area so she can have her turn in giving birth XD I've bought the magic solution already (^_^)

Lisa vs. Lisa

Things seem to be moving forward between Joe Espresso and Lisa Latte. They only used to have coffee at Toasty and Biskit's, until they started dating, and now Joe has decided to propose to Lisa!

A Surprised Lisa Latte

While Lisa Latte looks like she's blooming, I cannot help but see Lisa Cuddy in her:

A Calm and Dignified Lisa Cuddy

XD

Ending with Anders

Most of yesterday was spent in Hightown, Lowtown, Sundermount, and the Gallows (^^U) At least I was able to accomplish a lot in those places, if not in my own plane. XD

Since I was initially flirting with Anders until I was swept off my 5-star boots by Mr. Lyrium Lover, I had to properly "end" it while we were at his clinic, as we discussed about the "Tranquil solution." I guess he took it well since our friendship have kept increasing after that (^.^)

I was surprised though, that I actually have That Option with Aveline, though she isn't my type. So I just decided to assist her Difficult Self in snagging Donnic.

My favorite part was returning to my estate, finding an Apologetic Fenris after his outburst, post-Hadrianna-murder. I went to visit him in his mansion but no Exciting Conversations yet. Maybe next time XD

Cozy Homes

Oh. I forgot XD

Further to the previous post, I was in Castletown and went inside one of the homes - and I was reminded of how cozy the homes in these games look like (^_^) I remember from before that further into the game, I will meet the Anoukis, and they have icy yet pretty and cozy homes. They are like those small but organized, neat, and warm homes in Harvest Moon and the older Final Fantasy games (^___^)

Getting Back on THE TRACKS

As promised, I'm updating on what I chose to play next in DS - I decided to restart another game I've played about halfway - Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks XD

In the last game I started I left with six hearts, and now I'm back to the basic three. I notice though that I am calmer about playing it this time, unlike the first one when I would get all panicky about hiding from the guards or the phantoms in the tower. (^^U)

So yes, I started right from the beginning again. On last night's game load, I started at the point when Yoshi (what I named my character) discovered Zelda's ghost in her room.

Then later on, I (re)claimed the Spirit Flute!

This means I can't use all of my game time in public places because I would look odd blowing on my DS XD

A Series of Fiery Events

So I have restarted the very first Tomb Raider and I am currently at the Atlantis levels. I retried so many times but I died in various ways. So I decided to call it a night and just get back to it when my mind is more active and my motor skills are more coordinated XD

On some occasions I fell into that lava lake, and when I eventually got across that whole thing, I was burned to death by the fireballs from three horrible mummies, and then finally, at my farthest point, as I got past poisoned darts and was preparing to get through the blades, a huge boulder rolled over me XD

The Long Reef...

... is indeed long. XD

Roomies: Chieli, Yoshi, and Yagy

After five months (at least according to Melba) of not getting out of their home, it was Yagy who finally decided to catch the morning sun of the first day of August. He earned plenty of bells by selling fruits, recycled items, and unwanted gifts. He paid Booker a visit and used the lost notepads to write everyone a letter and send them gifts.

Way back, Chieli had three roommates, but two of them got married and moved out. The other was turned out to be a pathological liar so he was kicked out. For the longest time, Chieli lived in the huge house with five rooms (main sitting room included) all by herself, spending most of her time with Biskit and Kabuki (and Punchy before Punchy moved away - this is different from the Red Punchy who has his own home).

Eventually she decided to welcome new roommates, and for now she has Yoshi and Yagy living with her. The fourth roommates has yet to arrive.

Oh Fenris!

Hahahaha XD

My sister told me about Fenris before, and how popular he is, and she even showed me a screenshot, and I was like, not my type.

HOWEVER!!!!!

XD

I played and played and played, until this lyrium-marked beauty with a strong presence entered the scene and I was so smitten I laughed out loud XD

So I have made it my new aim to make Fenris my lover! *forgets making Anders a pastime altogether*

Good thing Hawke isn't shaking so much when she talks to The Intense Fenris.

Missing Wife

While killing some time before going to a Super Birthday Party, I fulfilled some quests. First in line was helping out Ghyslain de Carrac look for his missing wife.

In the process I came across the elf Jethan. I said NO. (So not my type. If he were Bann Teagan-ish, perhaps XD)

Mine. Mine.

Some time in May, I was able to go down the mine below my fair.

By then, I arrived at something that generally looked like this:


Nowadays there are more machines and workers, but I have yet to add more to it (^^U) I am renovating my fair so most of my energy goes there. Will update when I have made more significant changes to my mine (^.^)

Finally, Finished a Game XD

So I realized a few months back that I have problems finishing a game. I have started many, but only completely finished two - Neverwinter Nights 1 (replayed and finished four times) and Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation. All the rest were almost done, halfway through, or forgotten. I have finished Dragon Age: Origins recently, but I already started that game After The Realization that I hardly finish games, so it is not counted as an Abandoned, Unfinished, or Forgotten Game XD

So, last night, I finally finished 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors. Tricky story, though the thing about the mysterious All-ice girl is not clear to me. I intend to replay the game eventually, and by then I would not be so much in a hurry to find out what the end is supposed to be. But until then, I will either start a DS game I have bought but never opened, or re-start one I have played before but never finished (update next time ^_^)

With Akane and the Coffin

Of all the characters, I like Lotus, Snake, and Clover. I never liked Santa and Akane from the start (^^U) I never TRUSTED Ace from the start XD

Other UN-finished games I am currently trying to finish: Tomb Raider 1 and Patapon 1. Very old XD I had to restart these games because I started them ages ago, so I barely remember how to play them. (^^U)

The Laundry Room

Punchy's Laundry Room XD

Red Washing Machine, as Red as Punchy

Punchy Loves the Recycling Bins!