You Are The Best

Lately, I've been getting in my old habit of watching dramas upon dramas. I guess it's because the internet in the house is finally fixed. lol.

Photo from DramaFever.

Anyways, last year, I started the Korean drama You Are The Best Lee Soon Shin. I got through the first 32 episodes, then wasn't able to watch more until recently. After two weeks of hardcore watching, I finally finished the series!


When I started the first episode last year, I was immediately interested in the storyline. I tend to enjoy dramas that deal with people becoming actresses for some reason and I also enjoy a love story. I was hooked. After I got about 10 episodes in, I honestly debated dropping the series. My main reason was due to the fact that it was kind of hard for me to enjoy the show at that point, since there was just so much in the way of the family being emo. I completely understand why, but after two episodes of emo-ness, it's hard for me to want to watch more; however, for some reason, I decided to keep watching the series and... I'm really glad that I did, because once the large portion of emo-ness in the series, it got incredibly good. Also, the episodes that I didn't care for got me to understand that this story is more than just a girl becoming an actress and winning the guy. It was a story about all kinds of relationships. I found myself wanting to know more about each family member and every single character in general.


Since it was a long time since I watched the episodes, I decided to do a major drama fest. I re-watched the first 32 episodes to refresh myself and then continued to watch the rest of the series. It was a long road, but it was well worth every bit. I felt that every character was covered incredibly well and the ending was suitable. I surprised myself for actually watching a drama with 50 episodes. I do enjoy k-dramas, but I'm so used to j-dramas that if it's over 13 episodes in a season, I get irritated about length. lol.


So~ I highly, HIGHLY recommend this drama.

Ending~

Today was the last day of the summer show that I was involved in. I  wasn't able to go to work today, due to a nasty virus that infected me all week.

Charlie Brown & Linus VanPelt ~Photo courtesy of Kristy Nardelli

As I mentioned in a previous post, the show was a baseball themed show. I challenged myself to learn the dance moves and such. Compared to all the shows that I had been in before, this one was the most challenging. Yet, the choreographer believed in me and helped me out a lot. The cast and crew were fabulous. Overall, I have good memories of this show. Yet, I must be honest and say that I'm really upset that I wasn't allowed into work today. This also, is the very first show that I was in that I wasn't able to be at the end of. It's a bitter feeling. I don't know if I'll ever be able to work directly with these people again.


The last time I performed in the show was back in July, when I got my foot injury. After that, I was taken out of the show for good and got to usher instead. This was the show that I never got to finish. With that being said, I'm a bit emotional. I hate the fact that I couldn't perform in that show one more time. My injury still isn't healed, but I'm able to do other things. Every weekend throughout the first weekend of November, I'm able to perform as a scare monster. And... starting next week, I get to puppeteer for a puppet show.


I look forward to the new show.

Rosedale Plantation

Two months ago, I was asked to be a model for Rosedale Plantation. I had never before been there before, but to my surprise, I live surprisingly close!

As a favor to a friend, I agreed to model for the Plantation. I guess that you can call this my very first modeling gig. (The majority of these photos weren't used for the shoot for obvious reasons - I don't have the ones from the shoot)

So basically, they wanted to showcase specific outfits from the 1840s. The main thing that they wanted to do was snap photos to show how many layers of garment one had to wear back then. I thought that it was a very educational and interesting idea. I am, of course, a bit bias, since I'm obsessed with these kind of clothes.

The Plantation itself was really pretty. We were asked to shoot on a Thursday, which is a day that's not open to the public. I arrived with my friend ang3licdr3amer (who also was asked to model). When we showed up, we were greeted very kindly and briefed with what was expected of us.

I was told that I was playing the role of a small child (aka around 14 years old). If I had known, the makeup would've been MUCH LIGHTER. (I also was told that I was doing a Sweeney Todd photo shoot, which is why my makeup was so heavy in the first place...)

I took a selfie after getting in the first layer. I felt like I looked creepy.

My first set of photos were done in the child's room.Then we moved to other rooms and the outdoors.

 

One layer - I look like some sort of ghost woman...

Unfortunately, the nice camera that was going to be used had a malfunction and we ended up getting photos done with a cellphone camera instead. Not good for quality, but apparently the pictures had to be done asap.

 

 

 

In the child's room~ majority of clothing on~

Outside, full attire~

Me & ang3licdr3amer~

Me & Bo

ang3licdr3amer

ang3licdr3amer

ang3licdr3amer

From Top: Bo, Me, Jessica

Jessica was insanely graceful in all photos~

This bonnet was insanely cute~

Jessica & Me

Bo with a violin from that time period

For anyone in the Charlotte area, I highly suggest visiting Rosedale Plantation at least once! It's an educational spot and incredibly beautiful! It may be a bit small, but it's well worth seeing!

Curling~

Last month, a bunch of my co-workers decided to try out curling!

Apparently, there's a Curling Club in Charlotte! To experience the true experience of curling, a bunch of us signed up for a lesson.

My team getting ready for our first match! (I couldn't resist choosing comfy/cute clothes~ my Co&Lu sweatshirt was useful)

Since we had an uneven number of people from work (9 total) and each team consists of 4 players, one of us needed to go to a different team. Since I'm usually a person who doesn't go out of her comfort zone, I decided to challenge that and meet some new people! (All photos taken were from my friend Amy)

The first part of the lesson was learning how to sweep. Most people had the newer curling brooms, where I ended up with an actual broom. More challenging, and super fun! I was so happy that they allowed me on the ice, even though I had a medical shoe on (due to a work related injury).

I was by far the youngest on the team and I expected to fail epically at curling. Yet, when I was taught how to shoot and such, I was told by the members of the curling team that I'm really good! That made me SO HAPPY.

After 30 minutes of learning, we immediately went into a match!

Both teams listening to words of wisdom before the match!

I was elected to be in position 3, which means that my shooting was relatively good, but not the best to be in the 4th position. So, for the first 2 turns, I got to be a sweeper. I must admit that I need work on sweeping. It's a rather hardcore position. If I end up playing more, I'm sure that I'll master the technique.

Me and my broom!

The one member of the curling team was helping my teammate a lot! He was great!

After that, I got to shoot~ shooting is by far the most fun imo. In a couple of rounds, I actually made quite a few points~! It made me happy! For the fourth turn, I got  to be the spotter. The spotter gives direction to the shooter. That's the person who gets to yell "HAAAAAARRRRRDDDDD!!!" etc etc.


After playing, we got to hang in the pub for a bit! Apparently, curlers like pubs! I was asked to join the club, but due to lack of funds, I haven't been able to join. Maybe in the future, I'll become a good curler! Let's aim for the Olympics!!!

Carolina Kei Meet Up

Sorry that I haven't been active. A lot has been going on in life, such as an injury that's taken me permanently out of the one show I've been performing in at work, leaving me to usher the show. Yet, things are looking up, since Scarowinds opens up this weekend! At least I'm still allowed to perform there. On the plus side, I'm no longer playing the popular character that I've been since 2009. It was time for a change and I'm so glad that I decided to re-audition. Yet a Scarowinds post will be coming up at a later date, for I don't want to reveal to the world what I'm playing as. On another note, in October, I'll be back in a show! It will be a puppeteering gig! I look forward to learning how to properly puppeteer!


Besides that, I was invited to be a featured foodie at MyFab5!! I feel so honored that they went out of their way to contact me to be a featured foodie! If you're interested in seeing my page (it's a bit underdeveloped, but it will get better in time), please visit http://www.myfab5.com/ninomihime. I highly suggest getting an account as well! The site itself is easy to navigate and people can look up the favorite restaurants of every day people in specific areas. It's such a neat way to find delicious and unique restaurants in areas that you're not familiar with. I highly suggest at least searching for places when you're vacationing. 


So~ now the extremely late update about the very FIRST Carolina Kei Meet Up!!
(I apologize for lack of photos...)

Group that came to the meetup. Photo courtesy of Renee.

For starters, Carolina Kei is a Japanese Fashion Group for people living in the Carolinas. I was lucky enough to be invited into such a great group. We have a large number of members (183 atm). The group itself covers all J-Fashion, not just a particular one. The meet up took place late July at a place in downtown Charlotte called "Basil". Basil is a Thai restaurant, that in my opinion, is a bit over priced for what it is. Since, I was smart and looked up the menu beforehand, I knew what I was getting myself into. I made sure to set aside a rather decent amount aside for this event.

Basil Menu

Before the event, it took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to wear for the meet up. I love all sorts of J-Fashion styles, so it was hard to narrow it down to one. Yet, after purchasing my Co&Lu hat from the internet, I decided! I wanted to try out AmeKaji (American Casual). I absolutely adore gal styles, so being able to do a gal style that's extremely colorful made me excited. I'm the type of person who likes to wear what she envisions, so with the hat as a focus, I began to sketch out what kind of outfit I wanted.

My shoes are by Apple Bottom. I was so happy to locate them and knew they had to be a part of this outfit.As for the socks, I used two different pairs... both of which I found at JoAnn's Fabric. They're so American~ lol.

I decided to go with neon yellow accessories, as well as adding on the stars bracelet.

More accessories~

I made the earrings myself! I couldn't find earrings that would work with what I wanted, so I used some shrink wrap and designed my own. They were a nice addition imo.

I made a Kiki and Lala to add onto my overalls. I love them~

Decided to throw random things to make a necklace. I added buttons, and a few things that I made with shrink wrap.

With my obsession of AmeKaji, I already owned quite a few shirts that would work perfectly. I also was lucky to have the perfect socks for this style. I decided immediately that I wanted to create overalls for the look. So, I bought some canvas fabric and immediately started working! It took a few weeks, but I got the overalls to look pretty much what I wanted them to. I was so flattered at the meet up when people told me that they didn't think that they were hand made. It made me feel so great!

Shirt, Overalls, Belt, other accessories, and my Co&Lu Sweatshirt. I made the overalls so that they were a bit big on top~ like I see in a bunch of photos. I also wore a swimsuit top as a bra. xD

So with the full idea in mind, the next question was makeup and hair. I decided against a wig (for once lol). I felt rather happy to use my own hair too. With the hat having a wig would be pretty tight on my head. lol. Makeup, I decided to go with normal gal style. I debated going with more color, but felt that my outfit was enough to cover those grounds. I definitely had to use falsies and circle lenses. I decided to go with my brown circle lenses from Belita (Puffy 3tones Brown). It was my first time trying out lower lashes. To be honest, I found the lower lashes to be simple to use! I had no difficulties at all applying them! I usually have issues with upper lashes, but the lower ones were great! Usually, I use MaiAsa lashes for the top, but I went with Broadway lashes this time around. They're 100% human hair and very thick. They gave a really nice feel to the outfit imo. My lower lashes were by i-ENVY by KISS. They're not really full, but for my first experience with lower lashes, I thought they were nice. I might get more adventurous with lashes in the future. lol.

 

 

Makeup! Lashes applied! (Ignore the hair lol)

Co&Lu Hat~ some accessories~ and those lashes!

Quick selfie before leaving to event~

Anyways, when I got to Basil, I walked in and was greeted incredibly nicely by the staff, who led me to the area that we had reserved. We had a fairly large room. Before eating, we played games and mingled with everyone. Of course, I took this time to also drink a delicious Mango Martini. It was AMAZING! Highly suggest mango martinis to anyone who's of age!


One of my favorite games played was a coloring game. You were partnered up. Each group had one coloring page of Hello Kitty. The goal was for one person to color the photo while the other gave instructions. It was pretty hilarious. Unfortunately, my partner didn't help me with directions too much, so not much was colored. lol. None the less, it was a great game.

Mango Martini on Left. Coloring Game on Right. It looks like Kitty got beaten up...

 

 

 

 

Conversations and such before food.

Conversing and such~

The epic game of Apples to Apples~ lol

After all of that, we ended up eating. I got some Pad Thai. It was delicious, yet I didn't get a photo due to the horrible lighting. After food, more mingling and photos. It was a great event over all. I definitely look forward to another event!

The table I was with~

There was a giant mirror, so I had to take a selfie~

ang3licdr3amer sporting AmeKaji, Me in AmeKaji, and Emi in HimeKaji~

After getting back from the event, we decided to get some photos~

ang3licdr3amer & Emi~

Emi looked so pretty in her himekaji! It's a shock that that dress wasn't from M*ARS.

Another cute photo of Emi~

ang3licdr3amer~ her AmeKaji was so cute! I made the scarf that she's wearing around her waist~

ang3licdr3amer~ she borrowed my overalls and bracelets~ she looks so cute!

My AmeKaji~ it was so much fun to wear~

Another one~

The next meet up is for Halloween... unfortunately, I have work against it, so I can't attend. Yet, being in Carolina Kei also got me invited to ROYAL. ROYAL is a Gal Group. Gal styles are my favorite, so I'm extremely excited for when we get to have events with them. Next time I go to a meetup, I'll make sure to have my camera with me, so that I can take a ton of photos of everyone.