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Happy 2012 2011 TL,DR Review
8 min read
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to 2012 now that it's upon us. To be honest I didn't do much during the holiday at all - I think I was so exhausted from school and life in general that I just hibernated and slept away most of it. It was a much needed rest and relaxation break though, so now I'm feeling vaguely more refreshed to tackle the many applications for training contracts that I have to complete and to study for my mock exams in uh. A week. *looks mornfully at untouched pile of textbooks and notes*
Anyway, a look back at 2011. It was a pretty odd year for me, it sort of fluctuated between wild highs and wild lows, and I was faced with a lot of choices, which were difficult to make and which changed my life a great deal. However, looking back on it now, I think that all the decisions I made were the correct ones, and I don't regret the direction that my life has taken at all. This year was really me coming back down to earth a bit more, dealing with real life and finding a direction for it, and my preoccupation with that pretty much overtook my hobbies, freetime and cosplays.
I took a break to breathe and just think and sort through my thoughts in the beginning of this year. I think it also became my sort of delayed gap year, since I never took one before I started university, and I'm really glad that I did it. It was a pretty hectic first half of the year, with many trips to different countries. If I remember correctly, I was in 8 different countries during the month of February, but I really enjoyed every single one of them to the max.
TRIPS
The few trips that really stood out for me amongst the many were the ones to Singapore, Barcelona and Paris.
Singapore was a great end to my almost 2 years in Asia, and I've always felt so welcomed and at home there. Thank you so much to shiroang for hosting me the 5 days I was there, and being so helpful and considerate! (You are welcome anytime in London *hinthint*) It was wonderful seeing many of you again in a non event context after my super rushed trip during AFA November before so we could actually communicate and talk and exchange ideas properly, and it was so nice to actually have time to explore and look around Singapore itself, rather than just rush to event, rush to shoot, rush back to hotel etc.
I was also able to finally shoot Fafner after so many years of it being my favourite anime ever (but goddamn I missed the screening and angela by 2 weeks sob) with wildmushrooms. Thank you bb for putting up with this useless Soushi, and for all your hardwork with the Fafner Photobook afterwards!!! The photoshoot was a feat in itself, but lady luck was with us and we were rewarded with the most amazing location and the most amazing sunset! It was definitely one of the most unforgettable photoshoots for me this year.
I never actually got round to writing up my Barcelona trip *guiltyface*, but it was definitely another eye opening one. Much love to shiroin for flying all the way from Chicago and keeping me company there! The city really is beautiful and atmospheric, and as an architecture graduate, I was pretty much in building heaven. XD; I was really honoured to have been invited to Japan Weekend to judge there for the Spanish rep for the Yamato Cosplay Cup, and to be honest I was so nervous the entire time, since I didn't understand the language, didn't really have any friends in the country and it felt like a lot of responsibility for a noob like me to have. I just hope that I did not disappoint and did not make a complete fool of myself while I was there. OTZ
It was really a bit of a shocker for me because I had spent so long immersed in the Asian cosplay scene, it really hit me again how different the culture and philosophy of the cosplayers in the West are in comparison to those in the East. I feel really quite lucky in a way to be able to straddle both sides relatively easily, and I hope I managed to take the best of both worlds and twist it into something that means something to me, and hopefully will resonate somehow with people who view my works, regardless of where they come from and what they deem cosplay to be.
My Paris trip to Japan Expo was a last minute trip, but it was definitely worth the rush and stress! Many thanks to the team at Japan Weekend who offered me a VIP pass, otherwise I would not have thought of going! I had an amazing time there, since I'd never been to a large scale event in Europe before, and this one was definitely one of the largest and an eye opener~ It was nice to be able to wander around at will without having to rush to any photoshoots or really worry much about my cosplays themselves, because I did not have cosplay partners, so everything was so relaxed and laid back.
NGL, the main reason I decided to go there was because I knew that Kaname would be a guest. It's funny how people build up a sort of persona for someone they see on the net a lot, but who they have never actually met or talked to. I was honestly pleasantly surprised that Kaname was a warm, funny, down to earth and actually quite fragile person - just like everybody else - and it was immensely interesting talking to him and hearing his opinions. I was so honoured to be able to swap photobooks with him (I managed to swap my own for the last copy of the sold out Revolver photobook he owned *flail*) and I'll never forget the hour long taxi ride with 4 people stuck in the backseat through Parisian traffic wedged next to him. XD The freezing cold photoshoot at the Louvre in the middle of the night was pretty memorable too!
And I guess this one doesn't really count as my own trip, but more shiroin's trip, but he visited London in June and we had a pretty intense few days of crazy photoshooting and being touristy and all classy with high tea at the Ritz. The shoots were a lot of fun, if stressful to plan, and high tea was awesome, especially the pianist who was so lovely and played all the Chinese classics just for us!
--
2011 was also the year that my work was first published in print, and I honestly cannot express how happy I am that people out there are actually interested in my work and want to know more about it. Thank you to CosplayGen for their kind support and friendship, and also to Cosplay100 in China for featuring me in this year's publication. I view this hobby as something more like art or theatre, and it's all about team effort and the overall effect. To be able to have a chance to bring that out and let others know about my own philosophies and ways of working is really an honour. I cosplay for my own satisfaction and not for acknowledgment or so called fame, but it really does make me happy to be appreciated, and know that people are interested in what I do.
I'm sure that there were many other eventful memories, but it's difficult to list them all here. These are the major ones which really stood out. For me, my most precious memories are ones of me spending time with good friends who I am not always able to see. It's so wonderful to be able to meet up and just pick up the friendship as though there had been no gap between seeing each other last, or indeed, meeting someone for the first time IRL after having known them for so long. Now that I am back in education, I miss the freedom in terms of time and money that I had when I was working. It's much harder to visit friends in other countries, and being stuck in the UK does have it's low moments, especially when I'm buried under a ton of coursework and revision, but I am confident that one day, I'll be able to freely travel around like I could in 2011 and catch up with precious friends from around the world again.
Here's to a better and more fruitful 2012! \o/
Anyway, a look back at 2011. It was a pretty odd year for me, it sort of fluctuated between wild highs and wild lows, and I was faced with a lot of choices, which were difficult to make and which changed my life a great deal. However, looking back on it now, I think that all the decisions I made were the correct ones, and I don't regret the direction that my life has taken at all. This year was really me coming back down to earth a bit more, dealing with real life and finding a direction for it, and my preoccupation with that pretty much overtook my hobbies, freetime and cosplays.
I took a break to breathe and just think and sort through my thoughts in the beginning of this year. I think it also became my sort of delayed gap year, since I never took one before I started university, and I'm really glad that I did it. It was a pretty hectic first half of the year, with many trips to different countries. If I remember correctly, I was in 8 different countries during the month of February, but I really enjoyed every single one of them to the max.
TRIPS
The few trips that really stood out for me amongst the many were the ones to Singapore, Barcelona and Paris.
Singapore was a great end to my almost 2 years in Asia, and I've always felt so welcomed and at home there. Thank you so much to shiroang for hosting me the 5 days I was there, and being so helpful and considerate! (You are welcome anytime in London *hinthint*) It was wonderful seeing many of you again in a non event context after my super rushed trip during AFA November before so we could actually communicate and talk and exchange ideas properly, and it was so nice to actually have time to explore and look around Singapore itself, rather than just rush to event, rush to shoot, rush back to hotel etc.
I was also able to finally shoot Fafner after so many years of it being my favourite anime ever (but goddamn I missed the screening and angela by 2 weeks sob) with wildmushrooms. Thank you bb for putting up with this useless Soushi, and for all your hardwork with the Fafner Photobook afterwards!!! The photoshoot was a feat in itself, but lady luck was with us and we were rewarded with the most amazing location and the most amazing sunset! It was definitely one of the most unforgettable photoshoots for me this year.
I never actually got round to writing up my Barcelona trip *guiltyface*, but it was definitely another eye opening one. Much love to shiroin for flying all the way from Chicago and keeping me company there! The city really is beautiful and atmospheric, and as an architecture graduate, I was pretty much in building heaven. XD; I was really honoured to have been invited to Japan Weekend to judge there for the Spanish rep for the Yamato Cosplay Cup, and to be honest I was so nervous the entire time, since I didn't understand the language, didn't really have any friends in the country and it felt like a lot of responsibility for a noob like me to have. I just hope that I did not disappoint and did not make a complete fool of myself while I was there. OTZ
It was really a bit of a shocker for me because I had spent so long immersed in the Asian cosplay scene, it really hit me again how different the culture and philosophy of the cosplayers in the West are in comparison to those in the East. I feel really quite lucky in a way to be able to straddle both sides relatively easily, and I hope I managed to take the best of both worlds and twist it into something that means something to me, and hopefully will resonate somehow with people who view my works, regardless of where they come from and what they deem cosplay to be.
My Paris trip to Japan Expo was a last minute trip, but it was definitely worth the rush and stress! Many thanks to the team at Japan Weekend who offered me a VIP pass, otherwise I would not have thought of going! I had an amazing time there, since I'd never been to a large scale event in Europe before, and this one was definitely one of the largest and an eye opener~ It was nice to be able to wander around at will without having to rush to any photoshoots or really worry much about my cosplays themselves, because I did not have cosplay partners, so everything was so relaxed and laid back.
NGL, the main reason I decided to go there was because I knew that Kaname would be a guest. It's funny how people build up a sort of persona for someone they see on the net a lot, but who they have never actually met or talked to. I was honestly pleasantly surprised that Kaname was a warm, funny, down to earth and actually quite fragile person - just like everybody else - and it was immensely interesting talking to him and hearing his opinions. I was so honoured to be able to swap photobooks with him (I managed to swap my own for the last copy of the sold out Revolver photobook he owned *flail*) and I'll never forget the hour long taxi ride with 4 people stuck in the backseat through Parisian traffic wedged next to him. XD The freezing cold photoshoot at the Louvre in the middle of the night was pretty memorable too!
And I guess this one doesn't really count as my own trip, but more shiroin's trip, but he visited London in June and we had a pretty intense few days of crazy photoshooting and being touristy and all classy with high tea at the Ritz. The shoots were a lot of fun, if stressful to plan, and high tea was awesome, especially the pianist who was so lovely and played all the Chinese classics just for us!
--
2011 was also the year that my work was first published in print, and I honestly cannot express how happy I am that people out there are actually interested in my work and want to know more about it. Thank you to CosplayGen for their kind support and friendship, and also to Cosplay100 in China for featuring me in this year's publication. I view this hobby as something more like art or theatre, and it's all about team effort and the overall effect. To be able to have a chance to bring that out and let others know about my own philosophies and ways of working is really an honour. I cosplay for my own satisfaction and not for acknowledgment or so called fame, but it really does make me happy to be appreciated, and know that people are interested in what I do.
I'm sure that there were many other eventful memories, but it's difficult to list them all here. These are the major ones which really stood out. For me, my most precious memories are ones of me spending time with good friends who I am not always able to see. It's so wonderful to be able to meet up and just pick up the friendship as though there had been no gap between seeing each other last, or indeed, meeting someone for the first time IRL after having known them for so long. Now that I am back in education, I miss the freedom in terms of time and money that I had when I was working. It's much harder to visit friends in other countries, and being stuck in the UK does have it's low moments, especially when I'm buried under a ton of coursework and revision, but I am confident that one day, I'll be able to freely travel around like I could in 2011 and catch up with precious friends from around the world again.
Here's to a better and more fruitful 2012! \o/
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CosplayGen Interview + EMS/Customs rant
3 min read
In case anyone is interested, the interview I did for CosplayGen #3 is up on their site now~ Please do check out the magazine and the website and give them your support. Also, do drop by the booth at Expo, where they'll be launching their 4th issue this weekend! ;w;b
www.cosplaygen.com/lina-lau-lo…
Ok. Rant time. (I thought about doing a capslock rage post. But that required way too much energy so I gave up on that.)
I'm not sure if it's just me but I've been sort of raging at EMS and customs a lot lately. In fact, I am raging and flipping tables right now because I need this parcel for Expo this weekend and it should have arrived 3 days ago but noooooooo customs wants more money so I can't have it and it's been sent to some godforsaken depot in the middle of nowhere and won't be delivered until I pay some ridiculous amount that cost even more than the price of sending the parcel.
It seems that it's almost a given that I will be taxed and my parcel would be held ransom until I pay everytime I use EMS to ship anything. It's a pretty clever money-making ploy by the UK customs and Parcelforce, given that people who use EMS tend to kinda need their parcels in a rush and therefore have no choice BUT to pay the unfair taxes that customs want, ontop of the ridiculous parcelforce handling fees. It's almost like we have no choice and no way to negotiate even if the prices are ridiculous and extortionate. Also, their guidelines on their website are misleading at best. Apparently the limit if you are receiving an international parcel is £18 if not marked as gift. And if marked as a gift, it's £40 INCLUDING the price of mailing the parcel. No wonder they're so charge-happy lately. :/
Anyway, this was just a pointless rant since there's not much I can do apart from pay the stupid fees and go to this depot in the middle of nowhere myself sometime today. But just a heads up to anyone else in the UK for when you recieve any parcels in the future about the limits for international parcel sending. I think this is particularly the case for EMS since I've never had too much trouble with normal air mail... I suppose they are targetting the EMS people knowing that they will be willing to pay the fees without much argument since they need the parcels by a certain date. :/
Anyway, for those of you who will be going, see you all on Saturday of Expo! o//
www.cosplaygen.com/lina-lau-lo…
Ok. Rant time. (I thought about doing a capslock rage post. But that required way too much energy so I gave up on that.)
I'm not sure if it's just me but I've been sort of raging at EMS and customs a lot lately. In fact, I am raging and flipping tables right now because I need this parcel for Expo this weekend and it should have arrived 3 days ago but noooooooo customs wants more money so I can't have it and it's been sent to some godforsaken depot in the middle of nowhere and won't be delivered until I pay some ridiculous amount that cost even more than the price of sending the parcel.
It seems that it's almost a given that I will be taxed and my parcel would be held ransom until I pay everytime I use EMS to ship anything. It's a pretty clever money-making ploy by the UK customs and Parcelforce, given that people who use EMS tend to kinda need their parcels in a rush and therefore have no choice BUT to pay the unfair taxes that customs want, ontop of the ridiculous parcelforce handling fees. It's almost like we have no choice and no way to negotiate even if the prices are ridiculous and extortionate. Also, their guidelines on their website are misleading at best. Apparently the limit if you are receiving an international parcel is £18 if not marked as gift. And if marked as a gift, it's £40 INCLUDING the price of mailing the parcel. No wonder they're so charge-happy lately. :/
Anyway, this was just a pointless rant since there's not much I can do apart from pay the stupid fees and go to this depot in the middle of nowhere myself sometime today. But just a heads up to anyone else in the UK for when you recieve any parcels in the future about the limits for international parcel sending. I think this is particularly the case for EMS since I've never had too much trouble with normal air mail... I suppose they are targetting the EMS people knowing that they will be willing to pay the fees without much argument since they need the parcels by a certain date. :/
Anyway, for those of you who will be going, see you all on Saturday of Expo! o//
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London MCM Expo
1 min read
I'm so sorry I've been so dead on here lately - school has finally started again for me (I decided to go and do a Law conversion after graduating from my Architecture degree. Am I a masochist or what....) and it's pretty much been taking over my whole life. It's been a while since I've been in such an intense learning environment, so I'm still trying to get used to the huge amounts of studying and organisation and time management needed. OTZ
That aside, just a heads up that I'll be at MCM Expo on Saturday 29th. Cosplay currently undecided, but leaning towards Venomania!Gakupo, though I will sadly not have my harem with me. I'll be helping Cosplaygen promote the launch of their 4th issue, so please do drop by the booth to say hi and try not to laugh at my terrible on stage presentation skills. =_,= Hopefully it's going to be a pretty relaxed Expo for me this time, in all honesty I'll probably be a walking zombie since I have exams right before it during the week!
See you all there~ |≖‿≖)/)
That aside, just a heads up that I'll be at MCM Expo on Saturday 29th. Cosplay currently undecided, but leaning towards Venomania!Gakupo, though I will sadly not have my harem with me. I'll be helping Cosplaygen promote the launch of their 4th issue, so please do drop by the booth to say hi and try not to laugh at my terrible on stage presentation skills. =_,= Hopefully it's going to be a pretty relaxed Expo for me this time, in all honesty I'll probably be a walking zombie since I have exams right before it during the week!
See you all there~ |≖‿≖)/)
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Hyper Japan~
1 min read
I'm sorry I've been so inactive here lately, life has been kind of hectic. I am slowly going through my backlogs of notes and messages and clearing them; even though I'm not replying immediately, I am reading them all, and I promise I will get to them eventually! x_X;;
Just a quick heads up to say that I'll be at Hyper Japan in London this weekend for Saturday and Sunday, since I'll be judging for the Cosplay Award and the Square Enix Cosplay Battle~ Feel free to say hi if you see me wandering around etc etc. 8Db I'll be in my Setsugetsuka!Gaku costume on Saturday and my FF:CC!Genesis on Sunday, if all goes as planned.
Also. YAY KANON WAKESHIMA, I can't wait to hear her perform live in person! o/
See you all there! o//
Just a quick heads up to say that I'll be at Hyper Japan in London this weekend for Saturday and Sunday, since I'll be judging for the Cosplay Award and the Square Enix Cosplay Battle~ Feel free to say hi if you see me wandering around etc etc. 8Db I'll be in my Setsugetsuka!Gaku costume on Saturday and my FF:CC!Genesis on Sunday, if all goes as planned.
Also. YAY KANON WAKESHIMA, I can't wait to hear her perform live in person! o/
See you all there! o//
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Back from Japan Expo!
2 min read
The trip to Paris was epic in so many ways - I am SO GLAD that I was able to attend Japan Expo in the end, it was definitely an experience! So glad I finally managed to catch May'n in concert properly ( I sort of skipped on her performance last time I was in SG for AFA by running like a madwoman backstage right after angela finished their set.... 8D;; ) and was lucky enough to be taken backstage to meet her as well. ;w;b And of course, being able to get my grabby hands on Kaname's REVOLVER photobook (by swapping it with mine of all things LMAO) since it was sold out last time at Comiket and I was unable to go there to get it myself. *g*b
I met so many interesting people from all over the world, and it was such a pleasure to spend time and exchange ideas with them, despite various language barriers lol. XD I feel very blessed the last year or so to be able to meet and talk with people from all over the world and from all walks of life; it's really something that has changed my outlook in life and opened my eyes to new possibilities~ ;w;b
It was lovely to catch up with old friends at Paris, as well as meet new ones! Hopefully I'll be able to see everyone again in the near future and have epic times again~ Currently considering (but not certain at all!) going to Connichi in Germany in September... I guess I'll have to see how my bank account balance looks closer to the time - all this travelling the last year has really drained my savings massively. OTZ I really need a way of getting some income in, now that I'm not working full time and need to prepare for going back to school this September... time to start selling things I suppose... =_,=
I met so many interesting people from all over the world, and it was such a pleasure to spend time and exchange ideas with them, despite various language barriers lol. XD I feel very blessed the last year or so to be able to meet and talk with people from all over the world and from all walks of life; it's really something that has changed my outlook in life and opened my eyes to new possibilities~ ;w;b
It was lovely to catch up with old friends at Paris, as well as meet new ones! Hopefully I'll be able to see everyone again in the near future and have epic times again~ Currently considering (but not certain at all!) going to Connichi in Germany in September... I guess I'll have to see how my bank account balance looks closer to the time - all this travelling the last year has really drained my savings massively. OTZ I really need a way of getting some income in, now that I'm not working full time and need to prepare for going back to school this September... time to start selling things I suppose... =_,=
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