AFA 2011

This is gonna be one difficult post to write without a mixture of disappointment and pessimism. This project started off really exciting but as it dragged for over a month after preliminary under a pathetic organization, it got really tiresome. Many said that AFA is the battle of armors to begin with. I ran through the marking scheme on their official site:

25% on costume ACCURACY (not GAR-ness, mind you)

40% on performance (30% entertainment and 10% technical effects, that is your LED, bling bling, flying here and there) 

In character 15%

Workmanship 15% (sendiri mali, commissioned/tailored-made, neatness, durability that sort).

Ref: http://www.animefestival.asia/rcc2011.html

After running through these, I thought it isn't so bad. Surely they didn't mention only armored cosplay can participate and share the chance of winning. So I pick what I do best, cloth based costumes rather than to venture into armored thingy where I'm not experienced enough and risk ridiculing myself on stage with stuffs falling apart and restricted mobility. I picked Ouke no monshou - Isis and Carol. For your information, the chest piece, head gears and accessories are not easy to make. The specific beads (imitating ancient Egypt accessories) were hunt for with wires to bends and fingers cut. It's a form of craft art. What do we get in the end? A majority of critics that says, 'their costume isn't much' and 'why did they chose such costume?' Why can't I? Because you know that only armored costume stand a chance to win?

So I went on, building stage props to bring a bit of Egypt on stage. I said before and I will say it again - every little details and props matters to me in delivering a complete performance. I had enough of people telling me the judges don't see this, they don't care that, they won't check so much et cetera. It's my style, it's the little things which makes a difference...BUT only for people who care. Then we come up with a 2:57 min skit to adhere to their rules and regulations of 3min skit limitations. Ref: http://www.animefestival.asia/rcc2011.html. 

Guess what? Usagi said she hope the skit was longer and guess what? There seems no penalty for longer skit. FML. I asked the organizers before hand if there were penalty referring from last year skits. Guess what? No answer. You know why? Because Msian team has always been taken lightly, they never win anyway, who cares what they do on stage and how long. Who cares what they need since they are going to screw up anyway. 

WE PROVED YOU WRONG. WE WERE DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT THE COMPETITION.   

It was sad, sad that we were treated by trash from the day we were selected all the way till the first day we arrived. Everybody talks to everybody except the Malaysian team. There were no reputable people from our country to fend us in AFA in any way. We were on our own. Our team were lucky to have Sky and Yuan to help out. There were several local friends who constantly giving us moral support and of course, we were lucky to have a friendly friend of AFA to guide us, Michelle. Things were only slightly better after the rehearsal. 

Put all the sad things aside, I was glad to have met several friendly Singaporean cosplayers. If there is one thing that pulled us through the whole difficult weekend, it would be the present of supportive friends both local and Singaporeans. At the same time, I did witness the awesome armor of Thai cosplayers and awesome weapon from Philippines. It was an eye opening event. 

AFA was supposed to be my last major event for cosplay BUT now I'm burning with rage. I will be back, more aggressive and violent than ever (in the positive way =.="). I really hope the public don't take Malaysian cosplayers lightly anymore. Sheesh...totally against my believe for cosplaying what you love and not what people want you to. Argh!

So much positive comments...where went wrong then? Y U NO JUSTIFY *memeface.jpg* Y U NO PUT 50% COSTUME?? THEN I CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MZH79E21W4&feature=share

The video where someone commented that the costume isn't much: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6DdeRefxGg

The video where they don't even bother recording till the end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy2GJOVmaKY 

A Letter to AFA Cosplay Organization

Being the person who experienced stuff first hand, it was like a wicked bullet to bite and dust to swallow. I've written this email to one of the organizer. Chances is, I will be ignored, the email deleted and we will be left in the dark again until last minute next year by their selected irresponsible local partner but what the heck, it's worth the try.

Hi Mr. SW,

I'm writing this email concerning our future representatives for AFA Regional Cosplay Championship. This year, we went though lots of last minute information, changes, miscommunication and wrong information which burdened the selection altogether. We have seen how the representatives from other countries were selected and they are truly, worthy of envy - proper stage, lighting, good sound system, reputable judges, almost a cosplay event by itself. What do we have? A corner of a shopping center with close to zero lighting and poor sound system we had to use handphone over the mike - all due to poor organization and last minute information. This is rather demoralizing for our cosplay committee. Due to the last minute information as well, we were reduced from five teams to only two teams for selection. 

I am pleading that for next year, please kindly approach our cosplay committee rather than an event company to organize the AFA RCC representative selection. Please allow us to conduct a proper selection and this can only be done when the committee (your partner or representatives) from Malaysia consists of people with cosplay background or people who have the experience in organizing actal cosplay events. 

I understood that it may be down to business at the end of the day so it is agreeable that you look to event companies to assist in publicity and profit but once again, we plead that the cosplay portion can be given to the cosplay community to conduct. We can assure you we will do a better job given the chance as we too, desire for the positive growth of our cosplay community here. Disregard of how Malaysian cosplayers were viewed previously, I do hope you take note that we are serious about this competition now. We, the Malaysian Cosplay community wish to send our best representatives for international competitions as well. 

Please kindly reply upon consideration of our request. Thank you.

Regards,

Venus

Too Much At One Go

Let's see...I don't remember what I've missed after Anicom. Hmm...after the third week competition where I participated as Kakyuu, the transformed version, I was so sure I would be bored to death till my work starts in January. So I quickly bugged Yukito, Marianne, Anthony, Kenneth and Joseph to plan yet another Christmas & New Year Eve Cosplay Ball in a hotel ballroom :) CosplayBall2011

Then...backside itchy, participated in AFA despite being so last minute. Completed the costumes with handheld props within 10 days. I don't remember sleeping much and I had all ten fingers pricked in the process of making the accessories. So here goes...Ouke no Monshou, a manga debuted in 1976 if I'm not mistaken. 

How I come to know about this manga? I was very young when my cousin sis used to rent comics from Pudu Plaza. I can't read what more to understand the content but I've always like the way Isis was drawn - the sharp eyes, delicate frame...I didn't know she was called Isis till I actually read the translated version much much later. Still, I preferred her than that blonde Carol. Everything is too perfect for Carol, four apparently hot-looking princes from four different countries wanted her. Bah, Isis for me ;)

 Currently really stressed out for AFA. I wanna throw in my best cuz it's gonna be a one shot thing before my dull working life starts T.T I love cosplay very much. It made me a happier person *kicks of the stressful part*

Quistis Trepe

When I was planning this project, flashes of memories from high school flooded me. Fell in love with Final Fantasy VIII back in high school, dream about attending Balamb Garden daily rather than putting on those cotton uniforms to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan So And So. The one I fancied the most if Quistis Trepe. It seemed like we have plenty in common, being given too much responsibility in comparison to her peers. The 'dai ka jer' role of looking after everyone but ended up hurting alone. Sigh...stupid Squall. Anyway, I prefer Seifer for her ;) first time debut in a photoshoot and first time working with Valkyrie Holic a.k.a May as Rinoa. It was fun ;) thanks to Blur and Joseph. Loc: Putrajaya High Court.

Later, I participated in Anicom with the help of May (Fujin) and Blur (GF Tonberry). They are awesome! It was pretty last minute, as usual. Lots of stress but at least we had lots of fun at the end of the day :)

Video: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=279957465367100

Heading to Singapore, Yes? No?

After graduation and even before convocation, I've attended interview and secured a job placement in S'pore. That's two months ago and guess what? I'm still here! Woot! Woot! *confetti*confetti* So, from July to September to October and now, January. I don't think I am ever leaving this place =.="
Now...the process of going from

to       

...is so complicated for me.
1. Wait for S'pore parcel of documents (rotted a month at home)
2. Compile documents (rushed for deadline for submission) called S'pore for dunno how many times and nobody answers. Out of 9 emails, only two returned.

3. A trip to LJN for certs of verification (they told me NO NEED retention of name cert) - RM30

    - they were rude and not helpful.

4. A trip to High Court to translate BM certs to English (been directed here and there only to end up at the first place) - RM210

    - the guards at the front desk were rude to me and my mom as though we are criminals.

5. Went to make passport, drove to Jabatan Imigresen at Presinct 2 only to be directed to Presinct 15.

6. My courier failed me in delivering the dct withing deadline...FML.

7. Drive down to S'pore to hand in my dct and SHE WANTS the retention of name certs.

8. Went back to LJN for retention of cert (told me to wait 2 weeks) - RM50

9. 3 weeks later, I receive the retention of name cert in my mailbox, all crumpled up. FML.

10. Photocopied and went back to High Court to be certify true copy and HE IS TOO BUSY TO COP AND SIGN TWO SHEETS OF CERTS> FML x 9000.

Orz...couriered it again today and finger crossed till patah that they receive it and no more missing documents. I officially have PutrajayaPhobia!! Red tapes, yellow tapes, rude people, not helpful people, being directed here and there and back here again and then there! Arrrgggh!! The amount of time and money wasted...T.T I don't fancy anything to do with that sector, sungguh mer-marfan-kan orang. All these hassles just made you wanna pull your air and punch something real hard. So...am I going to S'pore?  

Not So Happy Thoughts

I've got two back log posts but I just have to do this now because I have absolutely no mood for anything else. I had one of the worst weekend in my life. I've been let down times after times only to find myself being let down more. What has been in my mind all along which I've tried to hide behind the veil of a fake smile so nobody knows. At this moment, I realize there is only this much I can give. I've done so much but people see very little. So often I run about making sure everybody is doing alright but nobody really care if I am. Very often I convince myself by telling myself it's alright because I'm the team leader. Times after times, I felt under appreciated and left out by the people I cared for - cheerleading, dance group and finally, my biggest cosplay project. I don't want to go into details but I just wanted to blurt out things which bother me still:

1. Why am I concern with things which are out of my control? The rude waiter at the busy restaurant, people who don't bother to queue for toilet, turn off the water tap or flush. Why do I question their ethics and all? I really hope everyone can be a little less selfish to make this tough place to be a little better. Where is the 'please', 'thank you' and 'sorry'?

2. No matter how much effort I put into my cosplay, it hardly get 0.1% recognition of any Miku Hatsune cosplayers out there. It seemed that only the main characters from famous anime gets the hoo-hah! A simple wig test or make-up test picture get 100 likes when my hard work cosplay only gets 3 likes included my photographer. I don't know want to laugh or cry. Others kept telling me it's not about the amount of likes. I don't know. I just felt left out from the cosplay realm when I don't cosplay the latest anime, the most popular character and all. I don't want to be driven by pressure so I'll continue to cosplay all the side kicks that I love but at the same time...it's just so discouraging. 

3. Why the fuck Wong Swei Shen from IMU financial department is ignoring my research claim despite four emails, a visit to his office and two phone calls? He told me to drop by his office but when out thereafter. Told him to refer me to someone else if he couldn't help me but no, asked for my full name as if it was the first time he heard my issue every time I approach him. I'm getting sick of this. I wanna RAGE in IMU but me alone against the fat bald guy, who's gonna side me? I know better the politics there and how people with status just swept things under the carpet and expect you to shut up and take it in. There is so much shit that I hate about the campus but they advice (more like a warning or threat) me not to bring down my own campus as it will spoil my own market value. The truth is out there, huh.

4. I'm sick of being the team leader and being left out in the end. Why do I always work with people who let me down. I try my best provide for all needs unless shit really happen but people could let me down with a simple, 'eh, something came up', 'I'm not feeling well', 'my grandma dun let' or 'my chicken is going to lay her first egg' and the next thing you know, their yum cha pictures were all over FB. I've had enough of people telling me crap and treated me like an diot. I don't like people to take advantage on me. Come on, don't treat the others the way you don't want to be treated. How the hell is that not understandable? 

5. Just thought of this at such sad moment. During my graduation I asked a lecturer if she can take a picture with me and she said, 'wait for the whole group first'. The next thing you know, she was taking picture with another student and another, and another. She is the genius who gave me an A-, B+ and A- for my 100% coursework but in the end I get a B-. How the fuck does that happen? And they said cannot revise the marks given, no such thing as remark when it comes to coursework because there is nothing written about it in their 'student guideline'. Great, just great. 

There are a few more things which I raged earlier but my mind is blank now. Blank due to disappointment and the fact that I had to face all the ugly parts alone. 

Convocation

After four years, I finally graduated as a degree holder. It wasn't easy to pull though life in IMU. Sem 1 was okay with me trying to adapt. Sem 2 was full with misery and Sem 3 made me want to leave the campur. Unfair marking system and all the politics in the world. It's not a place where you can speak your mind if your daddy or mommy is not somebody. Some of the top post people dare claim he doesn't sweep matters under the carpet. The last I checked, every matter raised during the student meet up was swept under the carpet. Yes, many people may fancy his charm but never for me as I see his flaw and how cruel his manner of hiding the flaw. It is also a hierarchical place where Medicine> Pharmacy> Nursing. When new courses were offered, it became Medicine> Dentistry> Pharmacy> Psy/D&D/BioMed/dll> Nursing> Chinese Medicine. So seriously, resilient is a top criteria for you to survive if you are taking nursing. Furthermore, we are of such small group. That's way too easy to bully, something our faculty leaders kept denying. It's all about status.

I just want to make her proud. Give her a good life henceforth.

My mentor whom I grew to appreciate.

Derek, Yu Li, Daphne and Ps Faith.

Good luck N108, be strong.

So here I am graduated from 4 years or torment, encouraged only by a small group of close friends I have and cosplay. I would have gone insane if I didn't have a hobby, that hobby where so many of them think is freaky. So just like my Form 6 school, I will not miss this place except for the library, dance studio, E-lab (printers which have mood swings) and a few people who made life in IMU a bit more breathable. This place made me a tougher person the wrong way but I learned the way of politics. Sometimes, it is best to play dumb. I guess you guys can gather from this post that I am not very happy with this institution despite the prestige. Too much restriction for student freedom. I've gone from liberal to diplomatic to radical. The best consolation I have for myself and my family is that I'm leaving this place in a bit. I will continue my education elsewhere and finger crossed for something better.  

Back to the convocation, thanks to those who showed up on the convocation especially my family and a few close friends. Your presence meant the world to me. For now, I shall put my student status aside to resume the role of a working adult but I shall resume my education in a few years. To my fellow batch mates, work hard to achieve your dreams. The sky is not the limit ;) to my fellow juniors from nursing and other batches, your time will come soon. So all the best to you guys too~

Side story: despite graduating, my research claim from the financial department is still not settled thanks to this Swei Shen guy. He ignored my calls, my emails and avoided me in the office. How can one put such an irresponsible person behind the financial desk? Pissed.