Isolation Tool Kit: Animal Crossing

My Animal Crossing journey began on December 24, 2002, when I received a GameCube for Christmas (packed in a beer box, hidden behind cans of beer, which I still maintain is one of my favorite gifts, ever). I remember plugging it in for the first time, hearing the disc spin, and stepping off the train into my snowy village for the very first time.

I don’t remember much about that first village – it was 18! years ago, after all. I remember people leaving comic books at each other’s houses, perhaps? The only memory that stands out is my one cranky pig villager, Boris, who was one of my least favorite villagers at first, but we grew to appreciate each other over time. (The opposite of real life! ha)

Since then, I dabbled in Wild World and City Folk, but neither of them grabbed my attention in the same way that the original did. Maybe it was where I was in my life – I had a lot more time to dedicate to video games at 10 years old than any point afterwards, really – or maybe they didn’t live up to the same initial hype. I stayed connected to the community through social media (read: memes), but didn’t itch to pay off my loans or complete my museum, like I did before.

When I heard that a new Animal Crossing game was coming out – on the day after my 27th birthday! – I was ecstatic! I finally had free time to dedicate to the game, and had purposely planned months in advance to celebrate my birthday by catching fish and expanding my house. Little did I know that it would be the only way for me to celebrate!

Continue reading “Isolation Tool Kit: Animal Crossing”

Isolation Tool Kit: My Plant Children

My track record with raising plants has been… not great.

I’ve killed at least 4 or 5 plants since moving into my apartment about 3 years ago, including a snake plant (which they said would be “unkillable”!!! ok!!!), a spider plant, basil, and a couple of scallions that honestly would’ve done better in a jar full of water. My last batch of plants died when I went on a two-and-a-half week long vacation in late winter without making plans for someone else to water them. Oops!

Since entering quarantine, I’ve come to appreciate indoor greenery for bringing ~*nature*~ into my home. I have also decided to use my newfound and copious amount of free time to actually learn how to take care of them properly! I’ve even resorted to buying some fake plants because I loved the extra greenery and wanted more without the extra responsibility.

(It did take some ego wrangling to actually admit to myself that I’ve been a bad plant parent and should resort to some fake ones, lest I sacrifice more for my own hubris!)

Continue reading “Isolation Tool Kit: My Plant Children”

Isolation Tool Kit: Moving My Body

And before I start going down the rabbit hole of health, I have acknowledge the obvious: I’m young and generally healthy! I’m incredibly thankful to have a job that lets me work remotely, indefinitely, for the same amount of pay! I’m not a BIPOC, so while my stress levels have gone up recently, they’re nowhere near as high as they could be! I live with my loving boyfriend and generally skew introverted anyway! Isolation definitely suited me in many different ways – but time still takes its toll!

Continue reading “Isolation Tool Kit: Moving My Body”