NYC got AKB'd, Pt. 1

Currently listening: AKB48 - RIVER
Currently reading: Angela's Ashes
Currently watching: Inuyasha
Current obsessions: AKB48, Hello! Project, Inuyasha
Mood: Ecstatic

Today was the best day of my nineteen year old life, I swear. Why? Because today I went to New York Anime Festival (NYAF) and got to see AKB48. <333333333333

I wanted to leave early to get on line for the AKB48 autograph session tickets, so I got up at 5 and left by left by 6 to catch the 6:30 train to get down the city by 7 AM, and by the time I got to the Javits Center it was a little before 7:30 (they didn't start handing out the tickets until 8:30). Well, apparently being there an hour early wasn't good enough - the line was insanely long by then, and apparently people started camping out at like 2 AM to be the first in line... crazy bastards. Anyway, so I didn't get a ticket to the autographing session, but that didn't get me down because I always figured that possibility, plus a bunch of other people before me didn't get tickets either, so it's not like I was close to getting them anyway. Plus, I met up with a bunch of cool guys, this one guy named Noel and a couple of his friends, who go on STAGE48, so we ended up talking and meeting up a lot throughout the con, so it was great making friends who also love AKB48! I was also very happy because I got to meet gideon123 from STAGE48, so that was really cool too!

So anyway, two long lines and two hours later, we finally got in the con. The first thing I did was drop off the gift I bought for Takamina off at the AKB48 booth. I got her a fleece from Manhattanville and five hairbows, because Takamina absolutely loves hairbows <333. Then we walked around the con for a bit, and there were so many people selling Lolita clothes! I couldn't afford anything, however the Kinokuniya booth had quite a lot of clothes, so I hope that they continue to have some Lolita clothes in their store for a while, but if not no biggie. Anyway basically all I bought the whole day was a t-shirt, a hat, and a Miroku plushie <3333

This wasn't only the best con ever because I got to see AKB48, but I actually did the things they had at the con! Usually I just shop in the showroom and don't even bother checking out the panels, so it felt really great going to stuff this year. After walking around for a bit I met up with Noel and his gang at the AKB48 Q&A, and oh god am I so glad I went! I was towards the right in the second row, and Takamina was sitting all the way at the end of the table closest to me!!!! I took a TON of pictures and videos, it was really awesome! The questions people asked were nice and the girls' answers were adorable. It felt great hearing them and seeing them in person! Takamina was so funny and had the best answers to stuff (it turns out our favorite AKB48 songs are both Sakura no Hanabiratachi <3333 and in her free time she likes to "read manga, play video games, and sleep"), and Sayaka's English was pretty good! ("I love Michael Jackson" XD). It was also cool seeing Kojiharu in person too - she sounds the same as she does in Mendol! ^^

But anyway, moving on. After the Q&A session I ended up meeting up with Jasmine and Kelly, and they stayed with me to watch the AKB48 mini concert. There was a couple hours between the Q&A session and mini concert, but we just ended up sitting down in front of the stage so I was right in the front to the right. CAN YOU SAY AWESOMENESS MUCH???? Oh my god.... it was a dream some true seeing them perform in real life... and so close!!! I took a bunch of pictures, got a really great shot of Miichan, and took a ton of pictures of Takamina (although quite a lot are blurry because taking pictures while they're dancing is quite hard XD)

It was... amazing, to say the least. My heart was pounding and I was cheering so loud and I was so happy I wanted to cry. I didn't even care that I didn't get into the autographing session because I got such good seats at the Q&A and mini concert, and I was so overjoyed just seeing Takamina and Miichan. It was such an amazing experience, and I still have their Webster Hall concert tomorrow! The doors open at 4 and the concert does not start until 5, however I want to try to get their at 2 PM, 2:30 the latest. If the lines today were any reflection of what it will be like tomorrow, I can only imagine. I was going to either leave at 3 or get their for 3 originally, but I am really afraid that there will be a bunch of people there. Besides, the concert is standing room only, so you know it's really first come first serve when it comes to seats, or where where you will be able to stand during the concert. And I need to be in the front - I won't be able to see anything otherwise.

So yes... this was indeed the best day of my life so far. I am sure tomorrow will easily top it though! I'm really really excited and I cannot wait to see the girls, especially Takamina and Miichan, again. It honestly felt like a dream and I feel like I am going to wake up any second now, but the fact that I know this is reality is so overwhelming, it's a great, amazing feeling <3.

I am never deleting the pictures or videos I took today off my camera. I don't care if I buy a new memory card and save this one forever <3333

Also, I really hope they sell goods at the concert tomorrow! I really would like a souvenir of them coming to America (not that I will ever forget)... and nothing to celebrate that like a concert T-shirt, CD, or photoset ^^ I just hope they are selling some kind of things; I'm pretty sure they will... I hope ^_^

PS Shall update with pictures once I find my camera connector!

Otanjoubi Omedetou!!!

Currently listening: Minami Takahashi & Rina Nakanishi - Kinjirareta Futari
Currently reading: Doki Doki! Tama-tan
Currently watching: AKB48 - Iiwake Maybe PV
Currently gaming: The Legendary Starfy (Nintendo DS)
Current obsessions: Aya Matsuura, Erina Mano, Morning Musume, AKB48, K-ON!, guitar
Mood: Happy

All right! Finally sitting down and documenting what happened on my birthday, or what Joey liked to call "my birthday weekend". I don't make a big deal out my birthday and last year I remember dreading it, but as always I had quiet a lovely day and am still adjusting to saying "I'm 19." 18 was a good year and a nice age. Haha.

So for me it felt like my birthday started Thursday night, because that's when my family came over for the ceremonial stuffing of the face with cake and coffee and, of course, gift giving. Hehe. We also celebrated my Dad's birthday, which was July 31st, so for him we bought a Carvel icecream cake and my mother and I prepared my birthday cake. It was a strawberry cake with strawberry pie filling in the middle, and we make cream cheese icing to put on top and I also decorated it with strawberries. It was so yummy~!!! I tried to make the strawberries look like a "T" but I'm not sure if it came out that great, LOL.

As for what I got, I got a couple of purses (my mom and dad got me the Ed Hardy bag that I saw a while ago! ^^), Aunt Marie got me a really pretty top, Joey paid for my ticket to take me to see Avenue Q one last time before it closes, Nonna Lina bought me that cute blazer I saw from American Eagle (can't wait to wear it!), and then I basically just got money. Nicole pulled the same shit I excepted her too, saying that she'd give me my gift in September when she started work again (what a cheap sister - I have no job and I always use my own money and make sure to get her a gift on her birthday), but I told her to get me a YesAsia gift card. I put some money in my savings and then put the rest in my debit to purchase some J-pop CDs and online stuff ^^

So that was Thursday. Friday, my actual birthday, was even more fun! I went to the Palisades with Mom and saw Julie & Julia (which was great!). Then we ate lunch at Bravo! - I had a delicious salad and we had cappucinos and split a strawberry shortcake dish for dessert ("Since it's your birthday," Mom said ^_^). The people in the resturant were so nice too - they even gave us the dessert on the house! <3 Afterwards we had about an hour to do some shopping, then I went to work. It was so funny because Steven knew August 7th was my birthday, but he didn't realize Friday was my birthday ^^ So that night when we were leaving he told me happy birthday, but then said "Wait, why the hell did you come into work?!". Haha. I told him that every other human being goes to work on their birthdays and that it wasn't a big deal, plus it's not like I had other plans lol. It was a really lovely day ^_^

Then on Saturday Joey took me down the city to see Avenue Q. Of course we did some shopping before then. I almost had a heart attack in Kinokuniya - THEY'RE SELLING LOLITA CLOTHES THERE!!!!! <3333333333 Metamorphose, Angelic Pretty, I almost died~!!!! I bought a pair of Lolita socks, and called my mom and told her we had to go back down the city together, which she said we're going to do a Saturday before I go back to school ^__^ I was so happy! We also ate lunch at Kinokuniya, then went to see Avenue Q. I'm really glad Joey and I got to see it one more time before it closed - I almost forgot how funny it was.

^ The stuff I bought over the weekend ^^

Then on Sunday I just went to work, which was nice. I always get in a bleh mood before work because I always fall asleep n the car and wake up feeling like crap and never want to go to work, but it's funny there, plus I get money ^_^ LOL.

So that's basically how my birthday went! It was really nice, and I got a lot of birthday wishes from my friends on Facebook and my friends at the Matsuurian, Hello! Online, and STAGE48 :)

19. Wow, it still sounds weird. Haha.

PS OMG I've been so addicted to AKB48 lately <3 I've been downloading their concerts, posting on STAGE48, it's been really fun! I'm so stoked for when they come to New York! ^^ I hope I can convert some of my friends into fans by then, lol.

Ganbare~!!!

Currently listening: Hello! Project - Chanpuru 1 ～Happy Marriage Song Cover Shuu～ (Album)
Currently reading: Everything Asian by Sung J. Woo
Currently watching: K-ON!
Currently playing: The Legendary Starfy (Nintendo DS)
Current obsessions: Aya Matsuura, Hello! Project, AKB48, K-ON!, guitar, Nintendo DS
Mood: Crappy, meh

What's up with nobody using Xanga anymore? Oh well, more privacy and peace and quiet for me ^__^.

July came and went just like that - Probably because I kept myself rather occupied and was quite busy throughout the month. I started and ended my 50,000 word challenge, and all though I didn't reach my goal like I wanted to, I still got a good amount of writing done and wrote every day, and either jotted down notes or wrote a little bit on days when I really couldn't write :). I also started and finished my Italian Conversation 2 class at WCC. To be frank it was really easy and kind of boring since it was essentially all stuff I did in high school, but it was a great review and I absolutely loved my professor ^_^ And I got an A! Mom also took her vacation this past month, so we went away for our little weekend in New Jersey with Nancy, and then she took a week off and we did little day things together. Next thing I knew it was August 1st.

Now everyone's going to back to work and I'm alone again. I've been trying to make plans with AJ and my college friends all summer and either nobody wants to make any effort or I keep getting cancelled on, so now I have given up. I honestly don't care anymore. I am going to see everyone in a mere three weeks went life up at Mville starts up again, so I am not busting my ass and being the only one who cares and wants to make plans and hang out. And as for non college friends, tough poop to them. I've seen everyone I've wanted to see basically - Liz and Kristin and Laurie - and hopefully my plans with AJ won't fall through tomorrow (like the past three effing times...). Once college starts I won't be hanging out with anyone, so these next few weeks are people's last chances. I am not trying to be a narcisist or anything, but if people want to hang out with me then they got to come to me - I am sick and tired and down right exhausted and tired of being rejected and cancelled on. The next few weeks of freedom before I get shipped back to College Land are going to be spend just chilling with my family and doing what I want to do and making the best of my alone time.

And here's the top three things on my priority list: working out/dieting; practicing guitar; and writing. By the time I get back to Mville I want to become a different, healthier, and stronger person. I've gained a little weight over the summer, so I want to loose that and more. I want to become way more healthy, plus the promise that ym mother made me about buying me a new Lolita dress still holds strong. So far I'm doing ok - I've been trying to get some excercise in every day (although i haven't been feeling well these past few days due to, um, girly reasons, so I've been taking it easy), but when I can't work out outside because of the weather I stay inside and jump rope and play Mario Power Tennis and Wii Fit. I've been sticking really hard to Jenny Craig but I just need so work on my water in take. I know that if I keep trying I'll lose weight in no time :)

If it's one thing I hate about myself it's not following through with things, like my diet up til now and guitar.I let school and things get in the way of me practicing guitar, and I hate myself for that.  I've always had this weird inferiority complex that only "cool" people can play the guitar. I've realized now that that is bull. I can do whatever the heck I want and I'll succeed if I try hard enough. I am going to take my no name, made in China acoustic and practice and practice until my fingers bleed. I've forgotten a lot, ok all, of the stuff I taught myself since the last time I practiced, so I am going to try really hard this time. I'm even going to bring it up to college with me, and I want to run out and buy a tuner (it sounds so out of tune, OMG) and another how to play guitar book asap. The one my parents got me is good but it's way too short and I misplaced the DVD that came with it, which was really helpful. I also think it will do me some good and help me relax once school starts to be able to get myself lost in something other than writing, you know? Also, I must thank K-ON! for inspiring and encouraging me to get back into practicing. God, I love that anime ^^

And speak of the devil, lastly I want to work on my writing. So far I think I have been doing a pretty fine job this past summer. I've gotten quite a lot of writing accomplished, but I feel like I'm starting to slip into my rut again, and I don't want to face another year of non inspiration and horrible writer's block. I'm going to continue to try and get some writing done everyday, whether it be continuing my novel, starting new projects, or working on fanfics or one shots (I really want to write a few one shots since I've realized I really enjoy writing them). Like guitar I fall into these funks where I start doubting my abilities and wondering if I can really do this, but I know as long as I keep writing I know I can :) I think having a lack of inspiration is all mental, so I'm going to stay positive, try my best, and work everyday ^_^

So yeah, that's been basically what's been going on with me this past summer. Like I said I am going to make the most of what I have left of it and enjoy it and be productive :)

PS I tried posting this earlier today but Internet Explorer decided to be a douche seconds before I was about to publish. Long story short, IE had to close and I had lost everything that I had typed (so frustrating). I tried to remember everything I was trying to say before, and even condensed some of it because I really didn't feel like straining trying to remember and retyping what took me a few hours. However now that I look at it I think I wrote even more than before ^^;

PPS I love Aya Matsuura, oh so much. I know I've said it a billion times, but... I just do ^_^

Sono Ritornato!

Currently listening: Kana Nishino - Kimi ni Aitaku Naru Kara
Currently reading: Amazing Agent Luna Vol. 2 / No Plot? No Problem!
Currently watching: Malcom in the Middle (Nothing's on TV T_T)
Current obsessions: Aya Matsuura, Erina Mano, Hello! Project, Kana Nishino, Idoling!!!, Misc. Japanese shoujo manga
Mood: Craptastic

I'm back from Italy!!! Actually, I've been back for over a week now. It was so nice seeing the family again and getting to walk around and relax in Anagni again ^_^. But I think what I enjoyed most was getting the chance to spend two weeks alone with Dad <3. It was so weird when it came time to leave. I wanted to stay so bad, and I was going to especially miss Katia and Zia Detta, but at the same time I missed everyone at home and was anxious to get back. All in all it was very fun and relaxing, and although I had to pass on the Kiwi Writer's challenge, I did get quite a bit of writing done ^_^ And ultimately I felt it was a much needed vacation which resulted in awesome father-daughter bonding time and finding a little piece of muse after months of it running away from me.

And while on the subject of writing, that's what I've been busy with lately: My "write-a-50,000-word-novel-in-a-month" challenge. At the moment I am lagging a bit, er, ok, perhaps even more than a bit, behind, but in my defense my file got curropted the other day. Thankfully I had a spare copy on my actual netbook, but all my work from the previous evening wasn't saved on there, so I had to rewrite over 3,000 words of material. I have a not of catching up to do and a lot of work ahead of me, but I really want to do this, and it feels good pushing myself and getting at least some writing done every day ^_^

In the meantime I have also started my summer Italian class and returned back to work at the pizzeria. I absolutely adore my class - my professor is really nice, and he made me feel much better the first evening when I told him I was nervous ^^; I ended up having to switch into the night class because they cancelled the morning class I signed up for due to lack of enrollment, but it's not too bad - we're supposed to get out at 9:20 but instead of giving us a break he lets us out early at around 8:45 or 9, so I have no complains. But gosh, talking about Italy again makes me want to go back again! <3 Like I said I also started going back to work again, and I totally missed everyone there and being around crazy people and pizzas all day. Plus, I'm making money again, which is always nice ^_^

So yup, that's basically what's been up. AX 09 came and went and so did Morning Musume's first visit to the United States, and I probably would have blocked the whole thing if it weren't for fucking Hello! Online twwting about it every five fucking seconds. But whatever - instead I went down the city to do some shopping, and I reassured myself if the fact that I'm going to go to Japan in a few years anyway. I didn't find too much H!P stuff, although I did buy Maki Goto's Premium Best and 3rd Station albums, and I also bought Kana Nishino's first album in Kinokuniya. I got all excited when I saw it - I didn't even know she was releasing an album!!! I had to buy it - I absolutely love Kana, and this was the first time in a long time that I bought a CD and hadn't already downloaded or listened to it prior to purchasing it.

So yeah, that's how my past few days have been. I feel like absolutely shit now but I am rather happy but to recent news that's been popping up: to name a few, Idoling!!! is releasing a new album, Junjou Romantica has been officially licensed and will come out on DVD here next year, Strawberry Panic! will be relased in a boxset at the end of the month, and there's a rumor going around that AKB48 may be coming to New York for the NY Anime Fest this September. If they do, I am so going - it wouldn't be the same as seeing Momusu, but I'd still be fun and a great opportunity ^_^

Oh, and on a side note, I am absolutely addicted to Aya Matsuura. I know I'm always addicted, but I am now more than ever ^_^ God, I need more money to buy more Aya and H!P goods <3333

I R Alive

Currently listening: S/mileage - aMa no Jaku / MM Gakuen Gasshoubu - Kirei in Naritai
Currently reading: Dramacon Ultimate Edition
Currently watching: Pokemon videos & clips on YouTube
Current obsessions: Aya Matsuura, Erina Mano, Code Geass (EuphiexSuzaku <3333), Dramacon, Pokemon
Mood: Happy, Tired, Meh

Holy fudge cupcakes, long time no blog. I missed blogging so much. My freshman year of college consumed my life and these past few months I drowned in papers, Japanese shukudai, and Touchstone layout ;_;. I have barely enough time to sleep and each, let alone blog. I became the Features/Editorial editior of Touchstone (Yay!!), so I'd have late nights doing layout, and then afterwards I'd get back to my room and still have homework. Seriously, the entire last month I went to bed at like 4 or 6:30 in the morning XD. But it, even though the year had its ups and down it was still fun, I suppose. I've met some great friends, so thats good, and I really love working on Touchstone and Graffiti, especially since its going to help me with my writing. Plus, all my hard work paid off - my overall average was a 3.8 and I have like 50-something credits. Go me :)

Now that the summer's here I am on concentrating on a lot of things. I've been working at the pizzeria on Fridays and Sundays, so I've been making some cash there. I signed up to take an Italian class (Italian Conversation 2) at WCC which doesn't start until July, and I'm actually leaving for a two week vacation to Italy tomorrow! :) It was very unexpected - I know my Dad planned on going because he wanted to go out to work on the apartment we have up here, but he told me last week I could go with him, and then two days later we booked the tickets ^^; And I'm leaving tomorrow, returning on the 26th. At first I was guilty and stunned that my Dad said I could go, but now I'm really really excited! I'm so stoked to see the family again, and it'll be nice to just chillax in Anagni for two weeks. Plus, I can look for more Scegli Me! manga :D The timing is also good because I can use my Italian and get back into speaking just in time for my class.

In addition to keeping up with my Italian and having a sort of job, what I really want to do this summer, the two  things that I am focusing on are 1) writing and 2) improving myself. First, writing. I don't know why but my creative writing class sent me into a bit of a slump. I somehow lost my writing muse, and I determined to find it again. I don't know where it went, but I lost the thrill I get - the arlenaline rushing through my reins that tells me "I can do this" and lets me know that I'm on a roll. I find myself question myself, asking "Is this a good story idea?" "Will people like it?",. I feel like I'm at a point where I can't think of a good idea and I wonder if I will ever writing something again, and my fire dies before I can lite it. I hate being at this point, I hate doubting myself. So this summer I can going to try really hard and writing a novel in a month, or at least by the end of the summer (Need to prep for Narrative Writing anyway). I know I can write and I know I love to write, so I just need to dig deep, get out of this rut, and overcome this cloud of writers block that has been raining over me. Perhaps being away for a while will help clear my mind... too bad I'll have to go old school with a pen and paper while in Italy because my mom needs my laptop here T_T.

But yeah - writing is my number 1 priority. Next is my self image. I really dislike the way I look, the way I eat, my hair, my teeth, my skin, everything. I want to be thinner, prettier, healthier - I look at girls in Hello! Project and the actresses in my K-dramas and think "I want to look like them. I want to be that thin.". And so when I get back I'm giving myself a total makeover. I'm going to get my hair cut and do highlights, I have a few dentist appointments lined up, and I'm going to work out everyday. I seriously wish I could just eat whatever and not have to worry about gaining weight because I love food so much - it's not like I even eat a lot, and I don't eat junk food at all - but I think if I just drink more water, have stronger will power, eat more fruits and veggies, and exercise every day, I can do it <3 I hate myself the way I look right now, so I really want to become prettier and thinner.

So yup, that's basically what's up with me right now. I really hope this summer turns out to be a great one; a summer where I can change myself and writing some of my best material ever. Oh and remember how I was mentioning buying a Mac or a smaller laptop to carry around with me for writing purposes? Well I actually ordered a netbook a few weeks ago, and I can't wait until it arrives! It's a Dell Mini 10, so cute! I talked about it with my mom and was telling her how I wanted something to take around with me so I can type and have somethign on me for whenever inspiration strikes. Its good, because I won't have outside distractions with a netbook, since I'll solely be using it for writing and possibily checking emails. I paid more than normal people pay for a netbook because I gave it the best settings I could and had to install Microsoft Basic since it didn't come with Word initially, but I'm still never happy I got it. I really can't wait until it arrives - I have a feeling I can really get a lot more work done with it.

I can already see now that I have a busy summer ahead of me ^^; See you in two weeks! <3

PS I want a boyfriend sooooooooo bad ;_; Someone just like Suzaku would be great ^__^

PPS Euphie x Suzaku are the cutest anime couple ever <333333333333333