What's Going on in GW? (Haven't played in a while)

Hey,
I just got back in to GW, and i'm wondering, what is new? I stopped playing when that huge update came (i believe in the summer), i forgot what it was called. Something mines... And i was wondering what is new in the gw world? Any new weapons, new places to level, and new things to do?

I know there is GW FACTIONS, and i'm thinking of getting that, so i know those updates . But i only have the original gw.

So, what i remember, was GW battles, and leveling in the UW, with my Solo monks, collecting ecto (until it was nerfered). One cool thing i noticed, is i logged in, and theres this birthday present in my inv, and i opeend it and out came a 'minitiare char shaman figurine' thingy, and its so cool, its like this mini char guy who follows you around. Yea, so anyways, please awnser the questions above !
Thanks alot.

Wow, no updates since Sorrow's Furnace? You've got a lot to catch up on. And a lot of things you're going to be glad you missed.

First thing I'd say you should do is check your skills. A lot have had their effects changed (buffed or nerfed, there was a lot of both). Then, please note that the ship on your map is how you get to the PvP content now. The Tomb of Primevil Kings is now a UW like area. Oh, but don't take your solo monk there (now comonly known as a 55). The new Tombs would be a death trap for you. In fact, most places are a death trap for 55's. Just be careful using that character.

Sundering mods now have a max of 20/20, 10/10 ones are worthless and there's been some news about making them up to the new max. I don't know when or if this will happen. You will see that the 2 new classes are now available for those that own Factions, but they have to start in that new chapter. Please also take note that the Crystal Desert has a new Green-dropping scarab boss, and is ultra-death to 55's. You can also get Greens from the new Tombs if you finish it. Oh, and that Mini Charr Shaman you got was a birhtday present for your character (each character that lives for 12 months gets one at random). There's pictures of them here and at the GW main site. There's also one that the Factions CE guys get, and it's a Dragon. All the mini pets are permanent, so don't let anyone tell you that they're not. Just, don't delete them, they're one time kind of things.

Also, some armor values have changed. I'd recommend going to Droknar's Forge and comparing your current armor to what is now available. If you find that your armor is weakier, don't panic. A.Net has promised to fix that in the near future, and it would be extremely foolish of them not to make good on that promise.

Beyond that, I say go to the Updates page on the main site and look through the archive. When they come out with updates every week, they add up.

[EDIT] Oh, yeah, hit H and click on the Titles tab. Everyone gets that tab. You may have a title already.

Thanks alot,
Cool a new place to level, i'll probably do that while searching for a guild. Thanks a bunch,