Looking back: Jul '25, Week 3

My PC didn't crash at all this week! 💕 So it seems that the problem was an ASUS BIOS issue all along. 🤔 Instead, I crashed on Friday as I wasn't feeling well, but other than that it was a pleasant week! 💜

✨ Gaming -- Played Like A Dragon 8 the whole week... like, ALL week.

At the time of writing, I am 110 hours into this game, at chapter 13 out of 14. Most of the time was spent on side content. The good news this week is that I finally got to see Zhao Tianyou and Han Joongi. 💜 It's a little sad that Joongi joins so late in the game, but I think it gives the player ample time to appreciate the side characters as they join.

The not so good news is that I wanted to take a photo of Team Kiryu before the current Team Ichiban arc I'm on... but I forgot. 🙃 So here's a photo of my Team Ichiban.

🩶🩶🩶 SILVER ASH 🩶🩶🩶

I struggled with the thought of being in project lull time when playing LAD8 this week, because I constantly felt like I should be doing something productive... when there is nothing to work on. I played so much LAD8 that I was so sure I'd be sick of it by the end of the week. But before I knew it it was Sunday night, and I was still enjoying every bit of the game. I'm not sure what about this particular installment makes the content feel better spaced out/ paced, so it doesn't feel like a chore to complete... or maybe I just like these characters enough to want them to have a good time. 🥺

I know I am going to be very sad when I'm done with the game, and would like to have something to take away... I hope I'll get a chance to take a nice screenshot of my favorite characters together. 🥹💖 On the bright side, I think I still have quite a lot of hours of gameplay left!

✨ Random interesting thing -- Tried Spirit City: Lofi Sessions, and I am OBSESSED!

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is a productivity tool that I was excited about the moment I learned about it on Steam. From built-in original songs, to tasks lists, journals, and even timers, this game felt like the tool I'd have wanted back when I was still studying! Apparently the game and the songs it comes with can be streamed, so I thought that it would be perfect to have open for a Just Chatting stream! (If I ever do another Just Chatting stream, I'll definitely have this open!)

My session right now. 💜🎵 Iced coffee and plushies on desk IRL, check! ✅

A long time ago, I used to be a part of the community team at a co-working space. We ran an in-house cafe at the branch I worked at, so we used to always have lo-fi music playing in the common area. This game has brought back the vibes I loved so much from those days, and the visuals can be customized to fit what is most pleasing to my eyes! Now I enjoy just leaving Spirit City open whenever I have something I need to do, and something to listen to. 💜

I'm glad that the game also comes with just sound effects, so I if I need to listen to music for a project I'm working on, I can just have the sound of rain playing instead. Of course, it's a bit of a shame that if I need to listen critically that I'll need to mute the sounds from Spirit City, but that's alright! I don't need to do that often anyway. Also, if I need a quick ear refresh, it's so cool that I can open the in-built YouTube music player to listen to something else.

The companions are cute, but honestly I appreciate the game for everything else! Might get a DLC or two if I use this often enough. ❤️

✨ Forever home -- Furnishing begins!

While there are a few items that are pending installation and touch up, the apartment is now officially ready to receive large furniture! 🎉🏡📦 We brought over some cleaning tools and had a handover meeting with our interior designer over the weekend. Felt a little surreal looking at the space as this has been a long time coming -- it's been 5 years since we purchased the place, so it doesn't feel like we just gained something. Besides, home is where the heart is, am I right? 💖

I think my feelings towards moving is a mix of mostly hope for new beginnings tinged with worry from catastrophizing, and relief for finally being able to consolidate the things that matter to me in one space that contrasts with motivation to do better. It's complex, so I would rather stay focused on the present and strive to be productive every day like I've always have!

This week we will be receiving most of the furniture we've purchased, and I'll be spending as much time as I can preparing the space to receive our belongings! I will also need to place my order for items that I want to buy from Taobao. Pray for my sanity and wallet as I fend of extremely cute and pretty things from sneaking into my cart! 🥹

~💜~

Hopes for this week

♪ Enjoy Spirit City: Should I install it on my laptop so that I can have it running while waiting for deliveries at the new place? 🤔 Hmm...

☆ Play Like a Dragon 8: Will I finish the game this week?! 🤔

☆ Forever home: That all goes smoothly 🙏🏻

Thank you for reading! 🌙🐰