Well, I'm leaving for Virginia tomorrow   I'm really excited about the trip though! A whole bunch of firsts for me with this trip, for starters:

I've never been on a plane! (Some people keep talking about that "Mile High Club"…wonder if being a member makes the flight easier... )

Because of the Philadelphia layover we'll have to do, I'll get to try one of those famous Philly cheese steak! Yum! (I love to try new food! )

It'll be my first time ever vacationing in VA! (Due to a small change of plan, I'll also be going to North Carolina which is additionally a first for me!)  

The resort we'll be at has an indoor water park (well, there's an outside water park too...just not in winter…*cough*obvious*cough*) and I've never been to a water park either! (Even though my friend Alex tries to get me to go to one with him every damn year… )

And the list goes on! I can't wait to be there and see some family, I know they're excited to see us. (I'll probably be taking lots of pictures!)

So, since I'll be gone for ten days (I'll be back on the 31st) and that I don't really feel like carrying my laptop with me (too much trouble at the airport that I'm not really interested in dealing with as a first timer) I'll make sure to check and reply every single messages I may have gotten when I get back! (You guys are too awesome to ignore! )

Also, I'd like to make an official apology for flooding inboxes with my updates lately (Though most of you seemed pretty cool about it lol ) I'm almost done with the updates!  It'll be new stuff after that, promise!

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Cosplay Related

2010 Cosplay Costumes

Anime North 2010 : Unknown
Anime North 2010 Moonlight Ball : Unknown
Otakuthon 2010 : Unknown

Man, I'm confused...My dead line for cosplay decisions will be early March, choices will have to be made by then whether I like it or not. Even though I'm not entirely sure I'll wear any of these costumes for up coming cons, I will have to take pictures of my Aerith and Demyx cosplays.  Maybe once the weather gets better? (I don't feel like they got the chance to really "shine" lol )

Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com
FanFiction.net (Even though I haven't posted anything yet XD lol)

General News

So, to hop on the last "New Year wishes" bandwagon, I hope all of you had a great year thus far!  Lots of love and happiness! (I ate like a PIG this holiday season!  Phew!  Usually, I know how to control myself but for two weeks, I devoured all the chocolate I could stuff my face with!)

It'll take me a little while to really grasp the fact that it's 2010 already…Time's a cruel bitch, never liked it, never will but that doesn't mean I'm not hoping for great things this new decade!  There will be a lot of firsts for me this year and I'm truly enthusiastic about it all.  Most importantly, I'll be taking a plane for the first time ever at the end of the month!  I'll be going to a beautiful ski resort in Virginia, I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

DA wise, I will probably post of few pieces I did for my school's Photoshop project soon (not all of them are 100% to my liking because I had to use some tools I normally don't really care for but since I had a good grade, I still feel a certain sense of pride towards them), along with a few FMA doodles I toyed with during the holidays…*cough*mustang*cough*

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Cosplay Related

Because of budget limitation, I'll have to adjust my cosplay list for 2010  =/  I'm still undecided as to who's gonna get the cut though (I know Riza's not going anywhere!) and I'm also not 100% sure what cosplay I'll do to which event…

I've also decided on one Cosplay resolution for 2010: No more boob torture!  I'll try to only do girls this year so I won't have to bind my breasts!  Really, I feel bad for those two… (This might be further down below but I still have bruises on my big toes from Otakuthon which was in late July early August…yeaaaaah… )

2010 Cosplay Costumes

Riza Hawkeye, Fullmetal Alchemist (?) (I really wanna do that one though...)
Malon, Ocarina of Time (?) (I kinda already have the fabric...)
Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time (?)
Princess Peach (?)

Anime North Moonlight Ball : Riza Hawkeye, Military Miniskirt! (?) (Even though I'm not sexy, I still think this could be fun...)

Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com
FanFiction.net (Even though I haven't posted anything yet XD lol)

UPDATE
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Sure, I wont get any news from my physics class issues til I come back from x-mas break but I got some great news that makes everything a lil better!  My teacher e-mailed me my Photoshop results: I got 98%! (I was so afraid of failing! )

For other random news, I went x-mas shopping today (Malls are HELL I TELL YOU!) and I am SO f***ing tired right now lol I went to bed at 3am (stupid video games...) and I woke up at 6am this morning...3 hours of sleep is not enough! And I can't really go to bed right now, I got the Sims 3 expansion pack also today so imma go install and play some (I never learn...)
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Well, like some of you may know, I've been holding back going to social gatherings as much as possible (such as photoshoots and what not) because I had to concentrate on my studies and to make sure I wouldn't get sick for my up coming exams...Turns out, my teacher is sick and the substitute they got understands nothing on how the system works at my school so I won't be able to do my exams until I come back from the holiday break...Got a little pissed off...Plus, the guy they got to replace my Physics teacher is a Chemistry teacher...

Anyway, I was able to hand over my Photoshop project to my awesome Computer class teacher and she seemed pleased with it.  Here's to hoping I get a good grade! *crosses her fingers*  

I'm also currently going through a huge personal debate over getting the H1N1 flu shot or not...hmmm...(I don't have much time left to make up my mind either!!!)

On other news, the Holiday season is truly upon us It took me a long time to realize this but I can now feel some of the christmas spirit.  So I want to wish you all a wonderful time this holiday season, no matter what you celebrate, I wish you all lots of love, joy and health!

Also, I wanna thank you guys SO MUCH for 9 000 page views!  I know this amount is little for some but it means the world to me! Big hugs to all of you!!

P.S. I also got an idea for a Cosplay for Anime North's ball...see the list bellow...

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Cosplay Costumes in Progress

Riza Hawkeye, Fullmetal Alchemist (Got mah guns!)
Malon, Ocarina of Time (15% Completed)
Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time (10% Completed)
Princess Peach (0% Completed)

Anime North Moonlight Ball : Riza Hawkeye, Military Miniskirt! (Which will most likely be awkward cuz I'm not sexy lol)

Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com

So in the end, I bailed on the photoshoot =/  I'll probably have some slight regrets because the last time I went on a shoot, I had a blast but this time around, the ultimate location didn't really sit with me (though I totally understand and agree with the decided area).  I didn't go because being someone who catches a cold/flu waaay too easily, being on a field for 5 hours + at a 4°C temperature when I have exams to do soon didn't quite appeal to me...Plus, the only cosplay I could have worn that would have kept me remotely warm is my Axel and frankly, I'm a lil tired of that costume right now lol
  
Still, I had a good time today.  Ventured for a little while into ChinaTown with my cousin (Hi Mel!) and spent a whooping $26 on a wallscroll and some shwag.

Now, for the cosplay question from the cosplay newb: Does anybody know where I could get a very good pattern for the Fullmetal Alchemist Military uniform?  I know some people used the McCall's 4745 Civil War Costume but personally, I'm such a newb at sewing that I would rather use something closer the the military jacket >_<  There's also these guys here --> [link] and even though they have good instructions, I'm looking for a pattern that I could buy and actually have in my hands.  I'm so new to sewing that I don't quite feel comfortable sketching out my own patterns yet

So if anybody could give me a hand, I'd surely appreciate! =3
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Cosplay Costumes in Progress

Riza Hawkeye, Fullmetal Alchemist (Got mah guns!)
Malon, Ocarina of Time (15% Completed)
Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time (10% Completed)
Princess Peach (0% Completed)


Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com

Lately, I've been reconnecting with some of my beloved fandoms and because of that, new cosplay ideas started brewing in my head   But if I intend to go through with some of my new ideas, I'll have to change more than just my hair color for these particular costumes.

So like the title of this journal says, I have a few cosplay queries :

- I was wondering if you guys knew a good/reliable website where I could purchase good (and possibly not too expensive) eye contacts.  (Questions regarding contacts : How long can I keep those?  How do I take good care of my contacts?)

- Also, just like the eye contacts, I would like to know a good website to buy some decent fangs (the ones that I had for Otakuthon's Halloween party sucked some serious balls...).

So far, that's all the questions I can think of

Any help would greatly be appreciated!

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Cosplay Costumes in Progress

letyellow:Halloween Town Axel (Finished!)
Malon, Ocarina of Time (15% Completed)
Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time (10% Completed)
Princess Peach (0% Completed)
Riza Hawkeye, Fullmetal Alchemist (Oh yeah, it's gonna happen)

Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com

Phew, I'm tired! lol

I just came back from a Kingdom Hearts photoshoot and it was awesome!  It was my first time ever doing a photoshoot of any kind and I had a bunch of fun!  I'd do it again in a heart beat and I'm so grateful for all the amazing people I never would have met if it wasn't for cosplay.  I'm hoping to see some of these people again at the Halloween Party this coming Friday! ^_^

The day went by very smoothly and though I was nervous at first, everyone's friendly demeanor put me at ease and everything went pretty well (I had prepared lil bags of Halloween treats for everybody that was present, kind of an ice breaker if you will, and they all seemed to enjoy it, it made me happy!).

I really can't wait to see the pictures from the photographer! (Who was crazy devoted by the way.  I've never seen someone roll in dirt just to get the right shot lol)  In the meanwhile, I'll post the few pictures I took.

P.S. I missed my 8000 page views! Darn it!  Anyhow, thanks so much guys!
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Cosplay Costumes in Progress

Halloween Town Axel (95% Completed)
Malon, Ocarina of Time (15% Completed)
Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time (10% Completed)
Princess Peach (0% Completed)

Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com

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So, I’ve been working on a “Halloween Town” version of Axel to wear for Otakuthon’s Halloween party.  (Halloween party, Halloween Town Axel, get it?  Genius idea I know, I bet I’m the first one to think of that….)

Anyway, 4th week-end into my hard labor (I only work on my cosplays during the weekend), when everything was almost done, I realized that….I don’t like the fabric I chose (That’s my own fault for picking out my fabric in the bargain bin).  It looks ugly, not what I had envisioned.  It was made out of two very different kind of fabric that really did not marry well with each other (I know, a lil late to realize that)…Sooo….being the picky person that I am, I went back to the fabric store the following Saturday, paid an extra $100 and got fabric closer to what I originally had in mind.

Now, I’m pretty much caught up to where I was.  I accomplished in two week-ends what I had done in four, not so bad.  Most importantly, I’m pleased with it so far.  But because of my non expected shopping spree, I may have to axe one of my future cosplay projects, most likely A Link to the Past Zelda.  C’est la vie!  Cosplay can sometimes burn a whole in your wallet *points to journal title*  

So my list has changed for now to the following:

Cosplay Costumes in Progress
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Halloween Town Axel (60% Completed)
Malon, Ocarina of Time (15% Completed)
Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time (10% Completed)
Princess Peach (0% Completed)

If Otakuthon goes trough with its X-Mas party idea, I’ll add another cosplay to the list…it’s already sprouting in my head…

I'm also kind of uncertain about my choice of cosplay for an up comming event and as much as it's starting to bug me (hence the mood choice for this journal entry), I'll stop at that cuz I think I’ve ranted enough for the entire month of October lol  Imma try to finish my Lab report for now (physics are SO much more fun than cosplay and video games… )


Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com

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*EDIT*

I deleted my cosplay pictures because I am going to repost them as I’ve changed a few things to them, not much really.  I just added a lil something I’ve seen a lot of people do… (Just a little f.y.i. for the few of you who actually put my stuff in your faves, I really did appreciate though!  I sincerely enjoy every single comment and fave from the bottom of my heart!)

Well, school started about two weeks ago and now I'm in a situation where I kinda have to divert my attention away from cosplay during week days and it's hard! lol (The worst part is, I got my hair cut like, two weeks or so before school started and I HATE it.  She cut A LOT more than I bargained for and I ultimately ended up looking like a dork on my school ID...)  
  
The good thing is, I have school 4 days a week instead of 5 which leaves me with 3 days week-ends! Yay!  For the past two week-ends I've been working on my Otakuthon's Halloween party costume and so far everything's doing well. (Halloween Town Axel for Halloween...no originality points granted here...Though I am trying to make it my own and all.  I imagined what he could possibly look like in that world and the kind of personality he reflects and did a doodle!  Lets just hope everything turns out ok!)

Halloween Town Axel will most likely be my last cosplay of 2009.  I have many other cosplays in the works and they're all for 2010. Four of them to be exact so I'm gonna have to seriously get crakin' whenever I can! lol

Cosplay Costumes in the Works
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Halloween Town Axel (60% Completed)
Zelda, A Link to the Past (10% Completed)
Malon, Ocarina of Time (15% Completed)
Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time (10% Completed)
Princess Peach (0% Completed)

Another weird thing is that lately I've been scolded by friends and family members for not doing wig commissions O_o (even some nice people from DA as hinted at me that I could maybe do it) The thing is that I've pretty much just started cosplaying (like, 3-4 months ago) and I dunno...I can't quite gauge my speed at creating things yet since everything is so new...  

Anyway, I think I've ranted long enough! lol


Personal website
Cosplay.com
Cosspace.com

Well, Otakuthon is already over.  Words are short to describe how I feel right now.  I'm happy, tired, depressed (because the con is over), satisfied, astonished...

There were tons of people at the convention this year.  I think Otakuthon may now be the second biggest anime convention in Canada right after Anime North (though I'm not entirely sure...if not 2nd then 3rd.).   

Some of the guests were pretty neat this year :  Johnny Yong Bosch (who I seriously wished I had a Black Ranger picture for him to sign.  I got him to sign a Lelouch mouse pad instead lol.)

was the cosplay guest of honnor.  She's truly talented.  Though I didn't really get the chance to interact with her, I had lengthy conversations with her father.  The man's a delight to talk to, really funny and nice.

The dealer's room was twice as big as last year.  Funny enough, I didn't buy as much as last year despite its larger size because my browsing was constantly interrupted by people wanting to take my picture lol  I'm pretty much new to cosplay so having that many people complimenting me on my costume along with asking me for tips and advice was kinda weird for me.  (In a very good way, believe me)  Everybody was so SO nice, I truly had an amazing time.

Now I have to rot about a year before I can cosplay again *sigh*  I'm already brainstorming for costume ideas and I'll get crackin' on that soon enough.  Till then, I'll be posting pictures of the convention and my cosplay (Demyx and Axel) tomorrow or so.

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ON A RANDOM NOTE:

I just noticed, Thanks ALOT for the 7000 page views!  It means alot to me!  Thanks guys!

I'll be going to my 3rd convention ever in seven days and I'm excited about it.  For the first time also, I'll be cosplaying as guys the entire week-end...which is a little weird for me.  (I always said that I would never cosplay, let alone cosplay as males and look at me now!)

One other cool thing about the up-coming event is that my best friend will be cosplaying as a girl for the very first time! (The opposite of me, come to think of it...Can't wait to see you in that Lacus costume Mel! ^_^)

Only seven days before the con and yesterday I went to Home Depot because my brain decided at 4:30am the previous night to ditch a cosplay idea to replace it with one requiring props. -_-' I had already styled my wigs and prepared props for one of the cosplay I'll be doing on the saturday a long time ago so I wouldn't have to rush into anything and relax before the con...unfortunately, I can be quite spontaneous sometimes and I ended up deciding to make more props in less than a week...I hope I'll be able to pull it off...

Well, I guess it's enough ranting for now.  I should go to bed anyway, got lots of sanding to do tomorrow!  I'll probably post some pics of my props/wigs when I get a chance to...

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UPDATE JULY 29TH:

I finished my project in 5 days! YAY!  Started it Thursday the 23 and finished it Monday the 27th...phew!

The result?  A 5'5'' Arpeggio, Demyx's Sitar...it's huge lol

I still wonder how the hell I'm gonna carry all of my s**t to the con...Shakrams, Sitar, Wigs, luggages...it's gonna be tricky!

Anime North came and went like a flash.  As much as I'm saddened that it's over, I feel pleased because I had the time of my life.  I met amazing personalities and friendly people.

I also cosplayed for the first time ever and was quite reluctant to get out of the hotel room the first night...But my friend pushed me out of the room and I had fun like never before.  I was actually shocked at the sheer amount of people that took my picture (meh) during the weekend.  I really didn't care for it at first (I HATE to have my picture taken) but I eventually warmed up to the whole thing, the people were so nice and friendly, it's just hard to say no.  Plus, like my friend said, I should take it as a compliment and be happy about the fact that people want my picture.

I seriously got pissed when I came back home and realized that I forgot to put on a piece of my costume...grrrrr...I had it all ready in my luggage and all but I forgot to put it on before leaving the hotel room Saturday morning.  I guess it may have to do with the fact that I was truly getting aggravated with my hair because it simply did not co-operate with me, I really wanted to be done so I could go to the dealer's room and I ultimately forgot to put on my little neck lace...*curses* I may be a n00b when it comes to cosplaying but I'm a perfectionist and it seriously bothers me that I forgot about it...


P.S. I will also post some picture of Anime North 2009 here (not of me though) so if you see yourself, please notify me so I can give you credit and if you don't feel comfortable with your picture being here, you can just tell me and I will remove it, I completely understand.

Ok so, I decided to come back…wow it’s been a long time!  (A few days short of a year.)  So what happened during that year?  Well, here’s a short list of positive news in no chronological order what so ever:

* Barack Obama became the 44th US president,
* The ShamWow guy got arrested for beating up a prostitue,
* I went back to school,
* Advent Children Complete came out,
* Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories came out,
* I got my very first Wacom Tablet (though my PS skills still aren’t the best… )
* I got a PS3 to add to my gaming collection,
* I got a laptop (Thanks dad! Hey Mel, we’re laptop buddies now!  We can play the Sims side by side now! Lol ^___^ ),
* I went to my very first con and had the time of my life!!! (Seriously, I wish I could go to a con every week-ends)
* I got into Cosplay, (yup, even though I said I’d never do it… )
* I discovered a bunch of new anime,
* I still have unfinished video games  -_-‘

And that’s all I can think of for now…

And last but not least, I wanna say a big, big, BIG thank you to everybody who added some of my stuff to their favorites and added me to their friend’s list during my absence.  I had so many messages that it’s simply impossible for me to answer/reply them all but I just want to get my point across clearly on how much it means to me.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.  Though I have not been missed, you guys are what I missed the most.