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A few weeks ago, I took a bus to a brand new town and bought a house. I learned to shake money and apples out of trees while running from occasional swarms of bees. I spent my days catching butterflies and fishing from ponds, rivers and lakes that fed into the ocean there. I became an amateur archaeologist, digging up fossils of dinosaurs to donate to the local museum.

All while sitting on my couch in Gibsonville.

Recently the kids and I bought Animal Crossing: City Folk, a video game for the Wii game system.

As the game began, I was introduced to Rover, a cool cat that seemed to have the information I needed as I made the “fresh start” in life he referred to. As my bus began to leave, Rover jumped on to guide me through the set-up process as we rode to my new town.

Along the way, Rover made small talk, instructing me what to do first when I got off the bus. He also asked me a couple of seemingly random unimportant questions, which I later learned determined what my character would look like once I hopped off the bus.

When the bus came to a screeching halt, we said our goodbyes and I jumped off.

My “fresh start” included some bright eyes and a head full of fluffy pink hair.

I walked to Town Hall to get additional instructions. Pelly, the all-around civil servant pelican, told me to pick out a house to live in.

I met Tom Nook, resident raccoon real estate agent and store owner, at the first house I looked at. Homes within the game start off small with limited downstairs and attic space and furnishings that leave much to be desired. I picked my house because of its proximity to the beach.

Immediately, Nook broached the sticky subject of money. I informed him that I was penniless. He said this was not a problem and I could do odd jobs to begin to pay off my new mortgage.

Before I could begin work, however, I had to introduce myself to the quirky neighbors in town.

As I said hello to each one, I got a glimpse into their personalities.

After introductions, I made my way to Nook’s store. The store begins as a simple log cabin sort of place but upgrades into bigger and better stores as the game progresses. The chores Nook gave me taught a few basic elements of living in my new town through mailing letters to delivering packages. After a few small odd jobs, Nook said he had no more work for me to do. He reduced my mortgage to reflect payment for the work I did.

My character ran out the door declaring her freedom, shooting a closed fist into the air. With initial formalities out of the way, it was now time to see what this game was all about.

There are so many fun details to this game that my kids and I returned to the store for a game guide to keep track of all the intricate details. It helped to have pictures of what to expect and to explain who some of the special characters are.

As I explored this new virtual town, I found apples, bugs, fish and sea shells, collected them in my “pocket” and sold them at Nook’s Store. This enabled me to pay money toward my mortgage and buy things my house needed. Occasionally, I splurged on a new shirt or hat. A girl needs to look good, you know.

Each new fish, bug, piece of artwork or fossil can be taken to the museum to be examined and donated for the good of the whole town. Blathers, the museum’s rather wordy night owl curator, knows quite a bit about the items you bring him. If the museum already has the item, he returns it to you so you can sell it for profit, thus adding to your income that day.

The game runs on real time, so you experience days and seasons as they happen. Rain and snow fall depending on the season.

Special events are held, and holidays offer special surprises. This well-thought-out casual game is easy to learn and relaxing to play.

Linda Vestal is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend living in Gibsonville. Contact her with comments or story ideas at lindavestal@triad.rr.com.