I bought the early bird tickets in Kinokuniya this time 'round, and a week after that bad news came: major project for my compulsory PEC subjects falls on the 17th. At least till noon anyway. It made me anxious for the whole duration before the project. I am so so tired.
The event ended at 1:20pm and I rushed so that mom can fetch me to the nearest train station to board the 1:45pm train. I got on, it was about 40 minutes journey, reached there, 10 minutes walk and when I finally reached there... I was lost. I got to the ticket counter and cannot find where to go next. Apparently they didn't utilize the venue, instead everything is in a nearby sports court. WTF. I spent 10 minutes looking for the entrance and another 20 minutes searching for the artist booths lmao. THIS YEARS VENUE IS SHIT.
My shopping theme for this year is 'zines/fanbooks/illustration books' because I'm broke and if I were to buy anything it would be books>charms>badges.
DAY 1
I only spent ~40 minutes in the artist booth because damn I need to get back home soon. I have projects to work on!
I've always loved kiDChan's works. I was her fan since 2008 I guess?? I was a wee child then! But since I did not have any social media until I was legal I didn't know she had?? Illustration books???? I'm so shook! Last year I spent the most (RM 80) on Meyo's booth for her daisuga charms and fan zines but last year aint got nothin on this year: a total RM127 spent on a booth!
Got these haram stickers. And the only cat keychain left... Since I was late anything YOI related is sold out so I gotta settle with Voltron in Ceni's booth.
I missed the HQ! charms during the last convention, so it's nice to be able to get one of my OTP (iwaoi, but since it's a promo of 2 so I gotta get a kuroken one). Yue and Aiko aint got nothin I want (they be sellin prints, Aiko got some badges but I have enough of those), so I got KH charms. Why not?
THIS POSTER IS A BLESSING OK There's also a paper bag, refer to pictures.
While walking out of PWTC I saw these two cosplayers as Noct and Luna and??? I'm so emotional? I stopped at my tracks, contemplating if I should go and ask for a picture but shy and anxious me didn't. So. I'm so dumb. Now I'm sad.
DAY 2
I spent all of my month's allowance on day 1. All of them. What to do??? As I was moping around near the ATM machine I flipped through my cards and... hey is... is that my BSN card??? I still have RM200+ inside??? HELL YES!
I never thought I'd be saved by national service allowance lmao.
Le DELICATESSEN (still unsure if this is Kaoru's doujin circle but) new artbook, free print. Why u guys be givin prints??? What am I supposed to do with them???
I saw this on Yue's booth. It was a black variety, but I did not buy it because I was unsure... then I was browsing for more books to buy and ahahaha TALESS???? YES PLZ
MAIN FOCUS OF CF: LOKA MADE CF EXCLUSIVE ILLUSTRATION BOOK. It was a promo with the bigger RM90 book but I didn't have money left so yeah. I'll just have this one thanks.
*
This years CF was a pretty uneventful one for me since the venue is shit, Reika and Baozi&Hana are here but the queue is long as shit, photo books all sold out. I promised myself to get pictures of cosplayers but I only managed to get one (A LUCA COSPLAYER OMG HOW MANY PPL EVEN KNOW AR TONELICO), and it's not even in CF, it's outside!
Anyways my new years resolution for conventions is to 1, take pictures of cosplayers; 2, spend less in small conventions; 3, buy more books; 4, stop being dumb.
Let's hope the next year will be a more delightful one.
To be honest, I NEVER liked going to conventions. Book fests, yes, but never conventions. There are people everywhere, cosplayers, artists, nerds, geeks, everybody cramped in a small lane... I just don't like it. And all the cosplayers make me feel uncomfortable and anxious about myself (I wanna take photos and talk to them but I'm too scared. I'm always scared). So I always say no to friends who invite me to conventions. I dislike conventions.
This year, however, I'm going to break my own rules. I started using Insta earlier this year, and reason has forsaken me. ARTISTS EVERYWHERE. I WANT THEIR MERCH. I WANT THEM SO BADLY I'M WILLING TO GO TO COMIC FIESTA FOR THE FIRST TIME DESPITE KNOWING ITS EXISTENCE FOR 8 YEARS. 8 EFFING YEARS.
*ahem* So, now that the introduction's done, let us continue to my first time ever in CF, 2015.
Day 1:
I woke up pretty early to get a head start on the train, but dudes are not with me so I had to wait for them at the station for half an hour. Going with me on the wild-human-sandwich-convention-experience was Yumiko (haha!), Missy Dragon, her sister, Khei, and Khei's aunt and cousin. I had early bird tickets so going in straight away isn't a problem... except that the others didn't, and there's a loooooong queue for the tickets counter. Khei received tickets from a cousin so she went in with me and left the others to wait in line for tickets. I'm such a bad person.
I went around to Meyoco's booth (E4/Honey & Mayo) first, snagged three out of four of her books, one which has sold out. I CRY. She told me to come back on the second day... I also bought Daisuga charms because those are expensive and I only want my OTP!
Next I visited Pottetto, Khadi with Halimah and Tarii's booths, which were all side by side (H40/Pottetto, H41-42/Dirty Paws, H39/Sleeping Lemon) and spent money on stickers and button badges.
I was supposed to move on to the next booth on my list, but then dudes got their tickets so I had to stop adventuring and go with them on a slow expedition. It was crowded and packed and people are sweaty ugh. There were A LOT of Kaneki cosplayers, and there was someone who is a combo of Naruto AND Kaneki I mean what?????
We stopped at Kino booth and looked though expensive books (I saw artbooks about otome games hurhurhur), I spotted oldxian's artbook (which isn't sold in Popular and even Kino), fangirled and bought it, looked around for SQ but found none.
Missy Dragon and her sister got CDs and folders while Khei's cousin... bought CDs also but in a more moderate manner. Then we moved on and stopped by Culture Japan and the Smart Doll showcase, which blew my mind.
I thought Smart Dolls were only as big as Barbies, but I was clearly mistaken. If the Smart Doll were to be measured from my head it would end at my torso. No wonder it costs RM2100.
Finally we moved back to the artbooths. We start off at the last row of booths, and from there on it was HELL. I keep seeing tons of Pokemon and Haikyuu buttons (along with Love Live ones) but I can't possibly buy ALL of them so I could only just look through them and only buy the ones I really like. I don't see a lot of Owls so when I saw them on display at a booth I stopped and bought them. I might as well have all the volleyball ships while I'm here. Then there's this booth. I saw Mieu on the table and picked up the small booklet, flipped through it and my heart leapt. FINALLY A TALES MERCH OMG. I bought it. No doubt crossed my mind, no worrying about money. I asked the price (OMG the booth keeper was cosplaying as ASCH), bought it and put it in my bag.
I recognized Yue's booth (K13/Squarish, with Fei) and my eyes lingered because I saw something that would make me cry: TALES MERCH. I WILL ALWAYS CRY WHEN THERE'S TALES MERCH. I looked at the buttons and stickers like I saw my savior if I had one, choked in my tears, screamed internally and bought them home with me. That was what made my whole day. TALES MERCH.
Soon it was time for lunch (it was already 2 when we left to grab a bite) and every restaurant was full, even the most expensive ones, but we managed to find a place in Texas Chicken. My feet never hurt like that before and when I sat down I was stretching and exercising my toes. We ate, dudes wanna explore more so I said my goodbyes and retreated back to my hostel.
I unpacked, bought dinner and slept in for the day to replenish my energy for tomorrow. I need to queue early for day 2 because of Meyoco's book.
Day 2
I considered myself early, but I didn't think other people would be so eager to queue up as early as 6! Queuing with sweaty and untidily dressed men is not a good experience. Ah, but what can I do? I wanted Meyo's book so badly I had to come early. My bag weighs like my old primary school bag (which is heavy eff) and the heat isn't helping. Finally when I got into the Hall I literally dashed -ran even- to booth E4... only to find it empty. I thought she wasn't here yet, so I browsed around, found some good stuff. I bought more buttons (and the Tales sticker) from Yue, I didn't buy anything from Pottetto on day 1 so I chose a Steven button, bought Haikyuu and cat stickers from Khadi, found a Kingsman illustration book and a cute cat foods book, also bought a dead fandom's prints just so I could take a picture and show it to Missy Dragon...
however whenever I went back to Meyo's booth she's still not there. Finally I gave up and left, feeling awkward as everyone is going to the convention whereas I'm leaving, board the train and reached home safely.
After I finished unpacking I looked through Insta and saw that Meyo had an emergency and cannot make it on day 2... so it just means that book and I are not meant to be????
Comic Fiesta is WILD. But I didn't expect myself to have a heartbreak over not being able to buy a book. I didn't know there was so much to see in CF. Illustration books, button badges, stickers (ohoho I've never loved stickers this much) and charms, there are so many things I would like to buy, I would really like to commission some of my fave artists but I can't because time is short. I've been urging Khei to choose something so that I could buy for her, but she wouldn't let me. I bought this years' friend's appreciation present already, but I could only distribute them in January next year. It's a long wait...
This is probably the worst time in a book fair I'm ever gonna experience.
I don't think I have the courage to attend next year's book fair, to be honest.
My babe's gone forever from that place, I swear.
I DID NOT buy any books from the fair, but I did buy some things from Kinokuniya (bless you).
And then, I got this feeling to avoid the book fair if I have to.
I realized that I'm not a book lover after all.
I'm just, a collector or something.
Since baby's probably NEVER going to appear in the fair again, I have no purpose to attend it.
Kinokuniya is always a better choice if you wish to drool on books, I guarantee!
Kinokuniya adventures!
So I did say I went to this awesome place didn't I? Since popular's gonna be selling cards soon, I'm outta business for a while (probably forever). While browsing through some manga I came an unusually familiar book cover. Ahh, where did I see that...? "Book of Shadows"...?
Sachiko paper doll=Corpse Party. That gurl with the pink headband is definitely Yuka. If I hadn't watched Pweds play CP I wouldn't have known. His commentary is hilarious! Go watch it if you have time and beware of panty shots.
PS: Yoshiki is cool, and I mean it.
Haha, this is the first time I went to an education fair. I haven't thought about next year, so going there was a great decision. Found lots of interesting places to go for my higher education. All of them requires at least 5 Bs on two Math and the three pure Science subjects. I was unsure of where to go, but the first stall called me. I've always wanted to further my studies in Taiwan, where we have great books and food (was that the point of going?). But seriously it's all the books and food that matters.
The second stall was on a university in Korea. The consultant of the said university asked me:
"Are you a fan of BIG BANG?" Of course not.
"I'm not really into K-pop."
"Aww, too bad. Cause (was it TOP?) is studying in this u."
Me thinks: ORLY? *insert rape face*
By the way it was Dankook University.
Our next stop was an Ireland U. There's a real mat salleh (sorry) there. Ahh the wonders of that university~ Gaming industry~ I wished to enter Ubisoft. It's international and near me... closest branch is in Singapore! There was one U in Hong Kong, and mom teased me about not getting my Cantonese right. Such a pain! The first consultant I saw when entering Hall 2 talked about various stuff. I mean like, everybody knows our SPM is (almost) of no standard?
We saw a stall selling pastries and *insert holy music* THERE WAS THIS EGG PUDDING WE COULD NOT RESIST AND BOUGHT IT IT WAS EFFING DELICIOUS BUT THE RETAIL STORES ARE SO FAR AWAY and we went on our way.
It does not interest me but...
I was curious about the voice talent thing, so I sat down with a consultant. That college is a special one. It trains people to be early childhood teachers. The consultant was a lecturer herself in the college and she said that many middle-aged women came for their courses just to take care of their children, especially those of special needs. She keeps pressing that "You have to have a passion to work with children" or it won't work sorta thing. I'm not into this field (though they say the pay's ridiculously high for a special needs child caretaker), but it might help some relatives and friends with children...
There was only one stall with a college in Japan, and that girl was SUPER CUTE AND TO THINK I THOUGHT SHE WAS JAPANESE but she's local. She said many people go there just for the animanga. Sorry gurl, but I do it for FINAL FANTASY.
Hall 1 was no special, but the last stall I visited kinda opened my mind. The consultant was a Datin, and she told us that her husband works in the ministry of education (did I say it right?). She told us about what's happening behind the 'scenes' (she was talking about National service) and that I could find a way around the procedure to freedom *insert holy light* actually she was trying to tell me that I could go wherever I wanted as long as I study hard.
After the long walk we went to MUJI just opposite of the convention center. It was AWESOME! You didn't see the stationery it sells! It all seemed so precious and OMG I can't describe the overwhelming urge to buy them all. Plain notebooks! Can you imagine! The colored pens! You can even customize your own notebook and envelope! *insert fangirl shrieking*
And here's a song to boost up your fighting spirit!
When I say awesome trips, ohoho... you know what I mean.
Let's just start with the TAC Dec Trip.
Every year on December my ole fav day care will have their year end trip with the kids. Usually I NEVER miss them, but I think I missed one last year or last last year...
In the morning I waited at the center with another two friends + one friend's friend. We *are* probably the oldest among the participants to the trip. We went to Kidzania and saw A LOT of kids. And I don't mean kids above 10, mostly are below 7, which mean , kindergarten kids. ...AWWW MAN! Not now! I hate kids!
So then me and Sam didn't get to play most of the time, but Sun and her friend did, but not much. There were TOO MANY kids there. No wonder they called it a metropolis. We actually planned to board the plane, then Sun broke all the fun saying: "You get to ride the plane, but the scene is always the IKEA building. What's so fun about that?" OK... maybe not.
Our motive was the surgeon in the hospital. Ha! we waited half an hour of this experience, but only Sun'f friend got the surgeon, we got endoscopy. The 'nurse' told us to wear rubber gloves and...
Me: The gloves were pretty small, and while I was trying to pull it in, it teared a big hole.
Sam. Her fingernails were long so some were poked a few holes.
Sun: This was worse. Since she's a little plum, her hands look like Mickey Mouse! What's more, her fingernails were long and sharp, causing another major problem.
After all the headaches our next destination was the new Royal Palace. It was extremely HUGE. Bigger than the last one. Sadly there ware no horses on guard. We were quite disappointed.
Head on to yesterday, the second EPIC trip.
Water rafting! Have you ever tried it before? It forced me to conquer my greatest fear since childhood - water.
A two hour trip from KL to Gepong (a place before Ipoh) and we arrived below the mountain. The guide took us 'lorry rafting' first before the real fun. The branches of the trees kept hitting our heads!
After we reached our destination, the guide gave us the life jackets and helmets to wear. Then he told us the safety precautions and commands. Just when I think we can finally board the raft... they told us to perform 'water confidence'.
One of the guides went on first, followed by us. We were supposed to flow down the furious current full of rocks by ourselves, then grab the rope. Seriously, I can't swim. I chickened out before the guide could release me.
HP-50
I was so scared that I couldn't breathe even on land. After I calmed down, we continued the activity. There were a lot of fast currents and rocks ahead, so the guide told us: 'If you don't squat down and hold the rope like I told you, 50% 50% you'll fly off the boat. And after you flew off, 50% 50% you'll get hit by rocks." Whoa man, that's sooo not funny.
I practically survived the water, but
HP-20
and someone was thrown off the boat. The guide quickly grabbed him back inside. After that the currents were all pretty calm, and I have no worries, so
HP+20
After rafting for quite some time, we rested on the shore and I practiced the water confidence. it was not so bad until the current took me away.
Once we reached a point, the guide told us we have to perform water confidence... again. This time we were ordered to grab the life jackets and float in a row towards the furious current full of rocks which could probably break your back and feet.
HP-30
Then I almost got carried away by the current when we're supposed to stop.
HP-10
And... we're safe! So in the end, what's left of me was only 10 HP I've died so many times, and revived so many times.
There was a freakin' wedding in our neighborhood. It's so freakin' because we can't get back into our house before dinner. So, mom and I decided to go shopping.
We went to ole Tesco first to survey the luggage. We didn't get to buy any bags, but guess what? We bought ourselves a few t-shirts! Then we continued to have lunch at Subang Parade (had Nandos) then went to survey bags... again. Only then I realized, the mall looks quite a lot like New Eden Mall from Mirror's Edge.
If I had the chance, I'd like to go there.
I don't know how they took this pic, but hey, It's nice!
The interior's almost similar, minus the zig-zags.
Went to a book fair today. Bought minimum three books and got nine chops total, thanks to the RM200++ Lil' Sheep gave for her precious beautiful books. Hurrah! Now my collection gets bigger!
I cut my finger with a blade again. This time it's the whole flesh! Now that I've almost recovered, There's a big ole' scar there! And every time I accidentally brushed the wound on any other hard surface, it stings! 16th September is Malaysia day, and since it falls on Sunday, we get a holiday on Monday! Isn't it great?
-Gaming-
You won't believe what I slayed today! Pylraster, Diabolos, Deathgaze and Ixion within 4 hours! Great right? All are high-class Rank VII marks(except Ixion, but it's still hard)!
-Gaia-
Ugh.... achievements... I'm so tired... Now my thread is open to anybody who needs help on achievements, and my art shop will be open on the 18th of October. My freebies shop is closed now, but will reopen on the same day.
My gawd... exams are close... but I haven't studied yet. Not that I don't to, just that I don't have the mood to do anything but play! And we have another mini test coming up, I don't think I want to do revision any longer. Anyone who didn't do revision raise up your hand please~
I'm so sick man. Got a slight fever at school and slept on BM class. Poor Pn. Jamalia. Strangely, she didn't wake me up. I was in dreamland for soooooo long... though it was just about 20 minutes.
The KLCC book fair is coming soon! That also means the trail is close... shit. Reminder... Then again, hurry up and pass the stupid date, then I can go buy some new games as well as FM+.
Today Pn. Ding leaves... and we're all sad. My card turns out to be a huge success! Teacher called us 'observant girls'. Haha! She's happy, that's what matters. We had cake and drinks during the farewell party, and most of us cried. Not including Zhin and Khei Lai. One phrase - lack of emotion. Reminds me of someone from Wind with Voices... Well, Sin Yee made me cry for the second time in my life! The first was when we were graduating. I didn't have any tears for my school, and it is SHE WHO MADE THEM FLOW DOWN. AND TODAY SHE DID THE SAME. She broke the 'World Record', crying 6 times in a row! Oh dear.
3D Science Lab! Impressive huh?
I have to go to school tomorrow for co-curricular activities. It's all about the money money money.... They care about the money, and I have to pick up ping-pong balls.
Random soundtrack of the day - Musique pour la tristesse de Xion
I'm still dreaming about Roxel, don't bother me.
This is french for "Music for the Sadness of Xion", one of my favorite tracks of all time. Saddy music... I almost cried! She died... she died ya know!
Tomorrow is my cross-country, and some one's wedding. Oh... so busy. Who is marrying? Well, my mom's cousin, and also my favorite aunt. I call her "Dolly" as she looks really like a doll when she was little. She's getting married. I heard her husband-to-be comes from a well-educated family, his parents are datuk datin.
Yesterday was the most tiring event I've ever participated... and not as a participant. I was a worker! Everything was fine and all, good thing I was not the 'pretty host'. I'm gonna die if I am one. I was a facilitator... well, not just me.
I was in charge of group 3... My group wasn't the loudest, but somehow managed to finish things together. The girls were amazingly quiet, though. And... the boys were very lucky, they had their own harem! 19 in the group with only 6 being boys?! Oh Yevon. The group leader was from an all boys' school, in contrast to mine. I chose him because there was no one older than him... He's actually 19, and I never knew that until the camp is almost over. I'm so weak...
My fever isn't getting any better for now... worse. sore throats and flu, I hate to be sick. Now I feel sleepy and tired, adding the body aches...
And a hundred thanks to my group, and the members who helped, and the camp which made me feel alive.
Today is my mom's birthday and dad brought us to Mid Valley to see the Photography Festival. Wow. That's a lot of people. There are so many cameras in the place and many great photos. Heheh. My dad isn't sure about buying any of them, but finally be bought a new Sony camera....
A pack containing tools for the camera.
The tools inside the tool pack: A duster to clean off the lens, a strap, a tripod (very useful), a tool to blow off dust on the lens and a cloth.
The pack that will protect the lens and flash.
This is my dad's new camera... nice?
And GUESS WHAT?! I SAW SOMETHIN THAT WOULD BLOW MY EYES OFF!
THAT'S THE PS3 "LIGHTNING EDITION"!!!!!!!!! MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S SO LIMITED! I THOUGHT I'D NEVER SEE IT AGAIN!
A few weeks before my geography teach, as usual asked the latest news. Nobody knew, so she said that a floating library of some sort will reach Port Klang in a few day's time. I'm not so interested in those kind of things, so I didn't put it in my memory and didn't tell my mom either. After the 1 Malaysia holiday, my aunt asked me if I want to go to a book fair on water. I was like, "Whaa??" My aunt explained every thing and I understood - it was the 'floating library' my teach was talking about.
Today we started our journey to Westport in Klang (after JJ BT) to see the cruise ship. We need to pay the entrance fees to enter the port, so we gave 3 ringgit.
Random song of the day: Fields of Hope - Rie Tanaka
Today there's a 2nd ambang at school. The good news is - no BC=no Cik Yong! It's like heaven... uhh, sort of. The bad news is - I couldn't read my novels quietly! The reason I can't read peacefully is because I'm in the 1st class, and the 1st class in second year always sit at the very sides where teachers and prefects patrol. Good for us, sometimes the teacher's cars are blocking the way, so they won't notice much. But today, oh god! Prefects just ignore you all the way, just so if you don't make noise. The teachers will walk around and stare at students, especially the ones that are sitting at the back (The noisiest gangs are always at the back.)
There is prize giving to the winners of various competitions and activities, like the one we had before our Raya holiday - Traditional Outfits' Fashion Show, Patriotic Singing Competition, yeah that's the lot.
I'll be listing down the prizes given to the ones I remember:
TOFS 3rd prize: A rare beauty - Michelle Chay
MSBC 2nd prize: Goh Hooi Shin's group
MSBC 1st prize: The one and only one - I dun wanna mention her name here...
GAC 2nd prize: Ng Yi Ern (Also known as Ryuki Ng)
GAC 1st prize: Me!
PSC ist prize: 1B... I think?
*NOTE
TOFS=Traditional Outfit's Fashion Show
MSBC=Moral Scrap Book Competition
GAC=Geography Atlas Competition
PSC=Patriotic Singing Competition
When the host announced Ryuki's prize, we all were shocked, cause we didn't know what she won or participated in the past few months. The five of us (The Novel Gang!) were like 'What's that?', 'What is this?' for the few seconds after she received her prize. I was eager to listen who would get 1st since she was 2nd. I thought it might be someone I knew in class. Who knew the second when the host announced my name! God! On the way to receiving the prize, an ex-prefect friend of mine said something like "I support you!" or "Good job!" of the sort. I don't really know what's she talking bout, but then the thought hit me: If I was the 1st place, then what happened to 'the one and only one'? She didn't get the prize... huh...?
Goh's reaction was so like 'I'm gonna faint, like, NOW!' before going up stage to receive her... *cough* their reward.
I missed a chance of getting a cert because damned friend H doesn't want to combine groups with 'the one and only one' and the results are insulting. She got 1st place! With certs!!!!!!!!!! OH MAH GAWD. All I'm livin' for is just... certs.
Today, I and Zhin go for competition... MATHS. Lol. We finished about 9a.m., but we played around until 11. We have excuse! We don't need to go to school. I got L2 and Zhin got O2. Mine is full of guys and Zhin's are full of girls and only one guy.
I told my daddy to fetch me during lunch time, and it's only 20 minutes till class starts! Then we had lunch at McDonald, and now... I'm going to practice my guitar, and then play PS2, baru boleh do my tablet thingy.
SMK Jalan Kebun, actually Zhin say, "We're going to a 'farm' to compete!" Then, Sin Yee say, "What?! The cemetery? You're going to compete in the cemetery?!" But she was wrong, anyway. She heard kebun as kubur.
That school got lot kao lui guys. Every time "Amoi! Amoi!" Walau, want to hit them leh! I want to scold, "Weh! Korang tak pernah tengok pompuan ha? Naper nak 'amoi amoi'?" Then, Zhin saw a lot of pretty boys, but surly she won't fall for them.
