Make A Friend Package 2

Foster Parents

Well, tomorrow is the big day. My husband and I decided that we are going to try fostering a child, and tomorrow is the first visit by a social worker. She is going to do a 'Physical Standards Check', which hopefully we will pass with flying colors! From what I have read on-line, it seems that she will be checking to make sure we have hot&cold running water, a room for the child, smoke dectectors, basic stuff. After we pass that I think we are sent to MAPP parenting classes for 8 weeks, and during that time our social worker makes a homestudy for us. After that we will be certified to foster or adopt in Massachusetts, and we just sit back and wait for a child who needs a home. Wish us luck!

Wii Fit!!!

So as much as I made fun of the Wii Fit before it came out, I got one this past Friday!! I have to admit, it was a little embarrassing when it told me what my BMI is... And I *swear* it said "Ouch!" when I stepped on it. However, after using it for 3 days, I lost 1 pound! YAY! Only mumblemumblethirtymumble left to go!

I was pretty surprised when I first tried it, it was actually kind of fun! I think that the secret is all of the activities are less than 5 minutes long, so you don't really get too out of breath or tired all at once.

Here's what's included on the disc that comes with your balance board:

Yoga exercises
Push ups
Step aerobics, including a game in which the player must step on and off the Wii Balance Board in rhythm to the background music
Heading on-coming soccer balls and avoiding other objects by leaning forward and back
A ball-rolling mini-game
Hula hooping
Ski jumping, whereby the player squats as low as possible, whilst maintaining his or her balance, and then quickly stands as fast as possible in order to gain a good jump
Jogging
Tightrope walking

Hello Kitty Bento Boxes!

Growing up in the Southern United States, I never expierenced the amazingness that is BENTO until I moved to Boston. Now, 4 years later, I am finally discovering Hello Kitty bento!!! This one is from HelloKittyHell.com, and I really don't know how the "artist" was able to create this awesomeness! Not only is it HK, she is dressed up as a bunny (?)



This next one seems more do-able, but I am wondering, is the HK face cut out of the nori with scissors, or is there some kind of HK hole punch type tool you can use to cut food??




I'm pretty sure I will still be hungry after eating this one. Unless I ate the plastic box, too.

Paperback Swap!

I love Paperback Swap!!!!!!!!!! Have you heard of this book-swapping website? I have been a member to this site for almost a year, and I have recieved 120 books!!! Er, don't tell my husband, though :) The best part about this website is that it's really, truly FREE.
All you have to do is sign up and post 10 books, and you get a FREE credit to order a book. Whenever someone requests one of the books that you have posted you simply mail it to them, and when they recieve it you get a credit to order another book. The sender always pays the postage. Almost all of the books can go Media Mail, and the average cost to ship one book is around $2.30 or so, but more if the book is heavier.
One of the great parts about PBS (as it's called by members) is the *wish*list* function. You can have up to 200 books on your wish list, and whenever someone posts a book on your wish list you get an email telling you to log in and claim it. Or, you can set it up as an "auto-request" and it will be immediately sent to you, as long as you have a credit in your account.
There is also a *reminder*list* that I think is unlimited -- I have over 200 books on it, and I can still add more. I kind of use it as a secondary wish list, I just have to remember to check it to see if any of the books I want have been added to the system.
I bet you are wondering why I am sharing this website with you, right? You are saying "Sounds good, but what's the catch?" My reason for telling you about it is so there are MORE books posted into the system! For every person that joins and posts books, there's more of a chance one of my wish list books will pop up! So join! Please! And post cool books :)

Guess what I did after work! I test drove a 2009 VW Tiguan! What do you think? Should I get it?

Anyone who is even slightly affiliated with my knows that I have been struggling to learn Mandarin Chinese the past year or two. I think that I am making the tiniest bit of progress! It's all thanks to ChinesePod.com -- I am going to attempt to embed a lesson, it's learning how to be rude to telemarketers :)

Barnes & Noble

Guess what!! There is a 3-Day only sale going on at Barnes & Noble!

There are *lots* of books that are "red-dotted" and are $1 each! I got some "Disney Print" software (that I will probably give to my bosses' daughter, a novel, and a book on knitting for a dog (which I will probably give away in a Craftster swap). There were also some puzzle books, some educational stuff, and lost of novels.

They also have some carts outside, and all of the books on the carts are marked $3.98. I saw some cookbooks, novels, humor books, and more.

Check it out if you want some deals this weekend!