I haven't been around for a while. I was getting my career started after finishing a few university degrees off.

I've moved to a new city, and started a new job as a special education teacher.

I got robbed last year and they took my DSi and all my games and accessories :(

I now have a 3DS and am trying to get back into everything.

I supervise the Nintendo DS Club at my school too, so it's an added perk of the job to be able to play DS two days a week with the kids :D

I'll be trying to update all my games etc here over the next few weeks.

I have prepuchased Guild Wars 2 and am eagerly awaiting the next Beta Weekend Event.

Got home from Melbourne last night. While I was away I got an updated photo of Jonah. I'll post it soon.

Hannah scored pretty well this Christmas. Lego Castle, Lego dragon, lots of dinosaur stuff, I bought her a DSi which she got in November but I also gave her Fossil Fighters, Combat of Giants: Dragons, Club Penguin and Wall-E DS games.

She also completed her Puffle (Club Penguin) toy set with red and white ones from Santa, and Nanny gave her the green one. She was over the moon and my Grandad gave her a box to carry them around in - one of the boxes that carries 6 bottles of beer.

We went to the boxing day sales at a quiet shopping centre in Melbourne and came home on the 28th.

I love my famiy but I am SO glad to get hom each time we go away. I miss my laptop and the Wii and my TV and my bed and just not having to see people every moment of every day.

This is our new puppy!

I posted on the forums about a month ago asking about which breed of dog might be good for us. There were a lot of great suggestions, all of which I researched. I had wanted a poodle cross in the hope that we might get a dog that wouldn't set off my allergies/asthma. But it's always a gamble, and most dogs/cats don't set off my allergies.

Anyway, a breeder website I've been visiting for around 6 months now recently announced the birth of a litter of around 7 puppies that would be ready to go to new homes around the end of January...right around the time we would be looking.

I wasn't overly keen on a puppy. We were going to do the Sunshine Coast refuge run one weekend, looking for an older dog. Hannah was desperate for a puppy though...a poodle puppy no less (although I don't know why she chose a poodle). Hannah and I don't agree on anything...ever. I'd like to blame our Asperger's, but it's more that we're just complete opposites. By some sheer stroke of luck, or fate or whatever, we both liked the SAME puppy from the latest litter. I took it as a sign and emailed the breeder. $100 deposit and a very long phone call (to the breeder) later, and we are eagerly awaiting the day when we can bring home our new little boy.

In the photo he is 4 days old. He is a Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Miniature Poodle). No idea what he'll look like when he's older, but he's bound to be super cute and spoiled rotten. We've waited 9 years to get a dog and it's all super-exciting for us.

He is tentatively named 'Jonah'.

Having some trouble on one of my Autism groups. Someone posted about a topic/article and the first response was basically saying indigenous Aussies were paid to immunise their kids eetc. I pointed out the truth - all Aussies are eligible for the immunisation allowance. But it degenerated and a couple of members spouted off about how they hate immigrants and how they had to save their own lives by paying for their own medication and surgery and the government didn't help them etc. Then they wanted to know what *I* got from Centrelink. I felt personally attacked, and just stated that that question undermined the fact that I have worked and studied for the last ten years, at the very least part-time, and this year it was full-time. Not to mention my volunteer and community work, and that I'm a single Mum. I don't even get child support payments.

Anyway, the woman - and I use the term loosely - who I feel personally attacked me is now threatening to leave the group. She doesn't like being called a racist...I never even used that word. The worst thing I said was that I was disappointed that whenever certain issues erupt it seems one or two races are labelled as troublesome.

This woman is trying to stir up trouble and...I don't care? I mean I do, because I like the moderators of the group. But frankly, I'm NOT going to apologise for NOT being a racist, ignorant bigot. I see the value of government payments for minority groups...these women forget that we as a community of families dealing with Autism are a minority group. We get payments for our kids with Autism...how are we any different to indigenous communities in Far North QLD? There are those of us who use the payments to benefit our kids, and there are those of us who drink, gamble or snort it away. Know what I mean?

I am just in complete disbelief that someone is actually angry at me for NOT being racist.

It must be so incredibly difficult for people to be so mean spirited and stupid; to live a life of fear and sit in judgement of all those who are different. I feel sorry for this woman and her little band of idiotic biddies. I may not be the nicest person, the prettiest, the most intelligent...but at least I don't spread viciousness, hatred and lies.

Last Tuesday I had to drag one of the old pedestal fans out of the garage to put in one of the bedrooms. It was pretty dusty...it's older than I am! So I took it outside and got a brush, holding my breath and trying to get the damn thing clean. Dust and rust blowing everywhere...needless to say I threw it out. I didn't realise how much rust was on it until I moved the dust.

Too late for me though. I had to breath eventually and as soon as I did my chest tightened. By the next morning I was fighting for breath and coughing badly, though not as bad as my normal asthma cough. Thursday the Dr tells me to just remember to take my asthma meds, my lung function is 79% and they got it up to 84%. Monday I had to go back to the Dr and now I'm on 3 puffers (Ventolin, Atrovent and Symbicort), the nebulizer, antibiotics, pain killersand oral steroids. Asthmatic bronchitis is not pleasant and not easy to get rid of. My medication schedule is ruling my life right now.

The up-side is that all the time spent on the nebulizer has meant that I've been able to catch up on some of my old games. I restarted Urbz: Sims in the City. And am working through unlocking stuff in Mario Kart: DS because my game cartridge is new. My old cartridge has everything unlocked but Hannah got that when we got the DSi's and the new copy of MK.

Off to EB Games tomorrow (or mayby GAME if I feel traitorous) to trade in 3-5 DS games. Dodgy DS games that I'm actually ashamed to have in my collection anyway, but I know I won't get enough in trade value to get a copy of Style Boutique (Savvy) or any other game I want. Might put it towards a copy of Sims 3, a PS3 or just save it for the sales after Christmas in Melbourne. I've never traded anything before (because it's all MINE!) so it's all new for me :)

My three chickens have...had...Infectious Bronchitis. It was brought to my two little silkie girls by the layer hen I picked up from the local produce store. I thought she had allergies but before long my two little silkies were sneezing. The vet ran tests and we got medicine for them but they didn't respond to treatment.

Matilda start sneezing and then gurgling a few days ago. They stopped eating as much, there were no eggs, they were more and more lethargic and could no longer cluck or call to me in the mornings. I had to make the decision to get them all put to sleep this morning. Dad wanted to take the chicken coop down and away (I dare say to stop us getting more) so, even though we were not prepared to let them go today, it was inevitable and I had to tell him to go ahead. Hannah was devestated, but I sent her off to school anyway. Her special education teachers could deal with her and she wouldn't be able to handle being home while Dad was dismantling the coop etc; too distressing. I headed off to work and then to a friends house because I didn't want to be here either.

Everyone says I did the right thing; they were sick and weren't getting better, worse than that, they were infectious. So why do I still feel like such a $%# :cry:?

So I got bored this morning and decided to see if I could make some Guild Wars banners for my Gamespot profile.

I know they're not great, but I've never really been taught how to get around a graphics program. I'm still in the process of teaching myself...plus I think it's an art form of sorts and I'm not entirely artistic in any medium (except perhaps creative writing).

Still, I have something up now and it looks a bit better than the standard Gamespot stuff I think.

I'm so desperate for a new game DS game right now. I was actually tempted to trade games with my friend's 11 year old son yesterday. Looks like he's up for a change too, and for both of us to be willing to actually part with some games is actually a bit of a miracle considering how we are when it comes to sharing, let alone trading in (I nearly cried when parting with my pink DS Lite lol).

So we're allowed to get a dog...now I don't know if I want one. It's so hard being female and incapable of making decisions ;)

Hannah desperately wants a dog. I'm leaning more towards a XBox and PS3 right now...yes, both!

On the other hand, a dog that we get as a pup, with a lot of work and time, could be trained to intervene in the build-ups to Hannah's meltdowns. Like a therapy dog, although moving hopefully more towards an Autism dog. I'm sure with a bit of research I could train it...

I want to get MW2 on the DS next. Along with Style Boutique (Savvy). Two games that pretty much are opposites in the gaming world...what can I say? I have to renew my teaching registration first though...see how much work gets in the way of gaming? Pathetic really.

I got the DSi for myself as a reward for completing my Masters degree. Now I'm sitting on 3 High Distinctions for my results, and just waiting on the final class result. Of course I'm hoping for straight HDs, but I'm not counting on it. I'll maintain my GPA of 6.0+ now, which is really good and a bit of a relief. I didn't want to fall into the 5.0's.

I love my DSi; I've renewed my interest in most of my games, bought new accessories and cases etc. I don't go anywhere without it. BUT, there is one thing I want more...

We rent of my parents. They own a few properties so we have got one...the only thing I'm not allowed to have is a dog (birds, rats, cats, guinea pigs, fish, lizards etc...those we can, and have, had). I want a dog. I'm not going to whine here about how unfair my parents are, but yeah, we are getting closer to convincing my dad to let us have one.

The main reason we can't have one is that I'm too irresponsible and we can't afford it. Never mind the fact that I have a 9 year old daughter and live on a pretty good budget that will expand next year when I pick up some relief work for the local schools.

If I can't have a dog, I'm afraid I'll be bringing another console into my house. Tossing up between XBOX 360 and PS3 right now. I've even been tempted by a PSP recently...I've come to the conclusion that I might have had a mini-stroke though because the feeling passed quickly. Sort of like the time I ordered the iphone and then sent it back when it arrived...

So I've had my DSi for a few days now. Still loving the colour, and the Nintendo USB Wifi stick seems to be working most of the time (so far the only 'trick' that works is remembering to have the stick in while the computer boots, otherwise no connection can be made and I keep getting error messages thrown at me).

The DSi browser couldn't cope with loading facebook so that was slightly disappointing. I don't really even want to try it on too many other sites. I've disabled pictures etc...but still. System memory was running low, or that's what the error message said anyway. Still, I do like having the option there and a few times I've visited a couple of forums etc, just while playing around.

The battery colour on the back of the DSi creaks. It looks and feels really flimsy and when I press on it it moves in and out, like it's bending. This scares me. Previous DS's have been solid. The DS Phat was a brick of a thing (comparatively), but had some solid hardware that could withstand a few drops (although not a large butt landing on it apparantly). The DS Lite was similar, it felt solid and 'real' in my hands. It was comfortable, light and I wasn't scared that it would break if I got a little over-zealous playing Mario Kart. I can't say the same for the DSi. My fingers grip the DSi in a way that puts them directly over the flimsy battery cover. Mid-game I feel like I am constantly aware of the seeming-fragility of my new device. When I do manage to forget, I get all enthusiastic during a game and suddenly the hatch will creak or I can feel it move beneath my fingers. I immediately lose concentration on the game and turn my attention to ensuring that I am 'babying' this latest edition of the Nintendo DS.

Don't get me wrong, so far that is my *only* complaint. I love the DSi, but I am certainly left with the feeling that it is not as solid as previous DS devices.

Today I'm off to K-Mart to get myself a crystal case (or the funky green aluminium one I saw - apple green and hot pink - beautiful combination ;) ) and hopefully a smaller bag/case to put the DSi and a couple of games in so I can throw it into my handbag for those long, boring waits for Hannah at school, Karate...and in the event of meetings (like an upcoming one on Thursday) for support of families living with Autism, where only one Mum dominates two hours worth of 'support time' in order to ensure services are supplied to her son (because kids with Asperger's and HFA just have a 'few social problems' according to her)....yep, my DS is certainly going to come in handy during that meeting.

The other thing, of course, is that my Father has decided to get a PS3. You know those funky deals where you buy a big-@#$ TV and get a PS3 for free? Well that's the deal they decided to get. So Dad is asking which games he should get, and I know *nothing* about PS3s etc. I'm a Nintendo Girl all the way. I did get excited about maybe playing Halo, then came here and found it's an X-Box game. Luckily my brother has an X-Box 360, although he's moving to Cairns...today.

Still, a PS3 in the family is somewhat exciting for me. There are a couple of games I'm interested in, and Hannah will love it. Dad is into racing games though, whereas I am interested in RPG. Halo is really the only FPS I've shown interest in to date.