It was Auckgeddon last weekend .. wrapping up the con season for the year. This year there was a group for Popstar! League of Legends characters so I joined in. Unfortunately, I missed seeing some people T__T but there is always the next event~
(Above: Me as Popstar! Lux - Photographed by Lennon Nguyen)
(Above: Silly photo with friends)
(Above: With other League of Legend cosplayers! They all looked so awesome. I was so awkward haha *shot*)
After the event had passed, it seemed that a lot of people shared their thoughts about how cosplay was empowering to them in some way. And, I must say that it has empowered me as well. Come and read my story~
In my high school years, I was extremely shy and constantly worried too much about what people thought of me. I hardly went for the things I wanted to do including simple things like dressing up in cute clothes and wearing makeup. I was self conscious about the things I liked, how I looked, what I thought and how I acted because none of it seemed to be the norm in my little world.
Of course, there are many things that have helped shaped me into the way I am today. Still shy, but more confident and proud of what I like to do. Cosplay was one of those things. I voiced my thoughts and feelings about how I was scared of doing cosplay to my friend Amey, but you know what .. she said "Who cares what people think? Just do it cos you want to." Maybe she didn't realise it at that time, but feeling that acceptance really helped me!
Cosplay taught me how to put on makeup, sew clothes, sew plushies .. and now make armour. It has taught me to feel okay about the way I look, feel okay about being a complete dork at heart, and find out that there are plenty people out there who don't think this stuff is weird!
Some of those insecure thoughts were really stupid when I think about them now. They were all based on what other people thought ... and if people have a problem with stuff you like, thats all it is - their problem.
In the weekend, I went to Japan Day! Had a great day enjoying japanese culture, eating japanese cuisine and seeing people again ^^.
There were quite a few cosplayers there who were helping out the Overload stand~ Ah, I love the atmosphere around the group ... maybe I don't know many of the people very well but they are always friendly and welcoming.
Since I did not have a cosplay prepared I was contemplating either wearing my Norway cosplay again, or wearing my go-to schoolgirl lolita outfit. I decided the latter, since I imagined the weather would be quite warm.
Here's Amey and I~
And *cough* obligatory selfie lol.
I saw and had a chat with some fellow cosplayers.
I ate delicious food.
There was a long line at the Takoyaki stand, but it was so worth it. Nom.
There was also this special samurai ramen for only $4! Also very yummy.
Navigating through the various stands~
Oh, looky there it's a Titan!
Traditional Japanese Dolls.
Portable Shrine.
Witnessing the cooking process of takoyaki!
Sort of inspiring me to get out my pan out again to make a hopefully successful attempt haha.
A random balloon structure that looked pretty neat.
Professional ice sculpting!
I thought this stand had very cute signage ^^.
I love how they incorporate mascots.
There was also this guy, who was singing a candyfloss jingle! I very much admired his enthusiasm, and it sold me the candyfloss haha. Haven't eaten candyfloss in so long that I almost forgot how good it tasted.
After going through the showgrounds a few times, we decided to take a break and had an attempt at Geocaching. We reached some cool spots that we never would have found if not for the directions~
Amey looking cool at the top of the hill.
The roots of this tree were pretty intricate, and nothing like I ever seen before!
We headed back and joined in the bon odori dance near the stage. It's some kind of traditional dance in the culture, and seems to incorporate a lot of hand movements.
To be honest, I was nervous about joining but then I was like "Oh, what the hell" and it turned out to be really fun to participate in. Should do this kinda thing more often ^^
You never regret the steps you take, but you always regret the ones you don't.
Here was my haul at the end of the day~
$5 Snack Pack from Japan Mart! I always enjoy looking at the cute food japanese food packaging. Sometimes, I cut the package carefully so I can keep and look at them again hehe.
Some books from the secondhand books stall for $1 each.
Mostly children's books. Didn't realise that I bought a book about toilet training hippo until I tried to read it. Oh well, now I will never forget the word for poop in Japanese (うんち).
Not part of Japan Day, but since I'm a roll with posting pictures ..
I bought some Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyoujin) cellphone straps from Angie's group buy! Thanks to Angie for organising it <3
☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆
Wow, we're already well into 2014! It's that time again to make those yearly resolutions. I have been thinking about these since the end of last year, and honestly this post has been sitting in my drafts for a week .. but here we go~
1. Acquire a full time job and/or freelance jobs
Self explanatory really. And if the former cannot be done right away, then work on the contract and freelance gigs, portfolio, CV, and personal projects on the side so that I'll never be halting my productivity in this career path and never stop learning.
At least 40 hours of productivity a week. Time-track it!
(As much as I can, provided the circumstances)
[Objective Completed]
2. Get fit
I just joined the gym at the end of last year! (Before my Studentcard discount expired, oh boy am I cheap) Honestly, it was the discount that pushed me to finally join and heed way for fitness. I mean, I have no need to lose weight or anything but I am incredibly unfit, and since I am getting older I am starting to notice some flab appear since I sit on my ass all day. And, every time I walk up stairs or ramps, I'm always huffing and puffing.
Let's try at least 3 times a week, to be realistic.
3. Create costumes for cosplay
There are some plans I have. Let's just see if I can complete them ^p^
Asuna and Kirito (with Lunatarius) from Sword Art Online which would require me to make two costumes /o\ I think it would be really fun to do a joint cosplay, and Lunatarius loves this series too so I guess this is more for him than me. But it would be awesome to try creating something more ambitious, because I tend to stick to the easier costumes.
Annie from League of Legends. I thought I might give it a go. She's awesome and her outfit is quite cute. Being short, I guess I can suit these youthful characters, and I better do it before I get too old! Haha.
Trucy Wright from the Ace Attorney Series. I cosplayed Trucy before in 2009, but the costume got misplaced when we were packing stuff to go to our new house. I was devastated at the time and got really emotional because it was the first costume I ever made. But alas, I'm going to make it again!
4. Care less about what people think
I have been getting better in the past few years, which I am really happy about. I have learned that the only person who can make your life awesome is 'you'. It's the actions you take, the decisions you make, the thoughts you have. You decide how your life is, not other people. Sometimes other people think that they can control how you feel through their anger or their negative opinions, but if you decide to be happy then you can be happy.
In the past, I let myself become affected by negative views and yes from time to time I still do. But I want to make the decision to be positive.
For example self, don't stop doing something because it might be considered 'silly', 'pointless' or 'childish' by other people. I feel like in this world when you're an adult, suddenly its almost socially unacceptable to do things other than adult things because it will seem like you 'have a lot of time on your hands' or 'immature'. I think as long as you are realistic, are mature in those important issues, and aim for or have a job that will generate income, then you can do whatever the f*ck you want in your spare time.
Maybe I'm feeling like a Nerdfighter haha. Well, I don't know if I am one but they say if you are wondering if you are one, then you probably are one. I have started to watch John and Hank Green's video blogs and they're pretty awesome. I love their presumed philosophy in life - to increase the amount of awesome and decrease the amount of worldsuck! All the while doing what you love, whatever that may be.
Edit: Whoa this video is SO relevant to what I just wrote about, starting from about 1:18
And, DFTBA!
5. Speak more clearly
I would rather not elaborate.
But yeah, make a conscious effort to speak better in general. As much effort as I put into singing words clearly in my room.
6. Become more organised
This year, I have a lot of time tracking items that I will try to keep active. With a calendar, diary and use of the Google calendar as well. I want to make sure that I am aware of how I use my time and try not to procrastinate too much.
7. Read books
I did this for the past two years, and then end up reading a bunch of graphic novels instead. Well let's get this going again~ Aim for 50 books!
8. Keep in touch
Keep in touch with friends, through communication devices as well as meeting up from time to time. I am really bad at texting, so I think I should reply promptly more often as well.
9. Learn to drive
I am not getting any younger, and I need to get off my butt and drive properly. And not a half-assed attempt either. Like really drive, and get my effin' restricted already. Public transport used to be all I really needed, but I feel that its not going to cut it anymore. My main motivation here is to have more freedom, and to transport myself to work and faraway lands without having to rely on others~ I have a slight anxiety about this, but its got to be done.
This goal should actually be near the top : /
10. Save money, and spend it more wisely
Basically, try not to give into the temptations of the bright yellow sale sign.
11. Minor Resolutions
The goals that aren't really that important, but would be nice to do in 2014 and beyond.
Sew some clothing and make accessories
Keep up with digital drawing to maintain the skills
Practice drawing backgrounds
Catch up with television series that have been long overdue
Take more videos/photographs for memories
Guerilla art
Improve guitar playing skills
Improve singing skills
Create cover songs
Create an application
Illustrated website? *gasp*
Keep learning about new technologies (This is actually quite important!)
Blog more often
Try to keep my room tidy
Custom theme for this blog /o\ otherwise move to Wordpress
I feel like I am a bit ambitious with this list. It's like I want to be good at everything but its probably not possible, meh. It sounds like it will take some time. But I rather shoot for the moon and land among the stars, rather to just stand around in the dirt. Once upon a time, I stood around in the dirt being all afraid to do anything due to fear of scrutiny and I don't want to be like that anymore.
I apologise for the terrible analogy in reference to the dirt not really but it makes some sense to me~
And there's that lovely quote from Meet the Robinsons:
