2015

I can't believe we are in 2015. When I am out shopping or see advertisements on the television and see 2015 I can't help to get a little freaked out. Maybe because it is the year of the Third Impact (Evangelion reference), the rapture.. I see 2015 it is going to be a BIG year, a year where lots is going to happen. 2014 was the year I thought to myself "I had enough and I need change!" In the middle of 2014, during the summer I was confused, didn't know what I really wanted. I didn't know where I was going, I lost direction. 2013 was the year of Cosplay Ireland's fame, myself and a few cosplayers got in the papers and on television. Things weren't really working out with Cosplay Ireland. I visioned it to be a social networking business website one of the reasons why I went to Postgraduate college and studied Cultural Events and Business Management, I decided to do a Postgraduate course due to my eight years involvement with the Irish conventions being a convention organiser and from 2010 being on the Experience Japan Festival committee it made sense. Straight out of college I done an internship for six months which didn't go very well and had to go back to my old job which wasn't the best idea but it was a safety net. I done the party planning, gave that a go. After running my first party I didn't want to do it anymore. I dont know if I even want to run events. I began creating my website but now I want to change it. I need to wait till I have a focus.

Regarding cosplay the scene dramatically changed and I was losing who I am. My first online presence was being a blogger and even though I followed lots of different blogs I kept to myself, a blog that reflected me and my thoughts, my idols, my hobbies, cosplay etc. I began this blog in 2010 five years ago and I seen it become more commercial than personal. I haven't update this blog in a long time as it is too exhausting. Towards the end of 2014 I made a big decision to apply for the JET Program, to teach English in Japanese high schools. If I get this it will be a step to my career, the career I actually want.  In 2014 I took a step back from the cosplay scene a little and try focus on my actual career. When I was 25 years of age, a graduate of Contemporary Culture and Society Dublin City University I wanted to become a cosplay star thinking it would be glamourous to become well known, be invited to conventions all around the world, to become something like Yaya Han or Jessica Nigiri. I don't think so anymore. It is crazy how your beliefs change over time. I feel I have changed a good bit over the last few years and in my thinking.

Being on the Experience Japan festival committee gave me a lot of satisfaction and a focus in life. I put my Cultural Studies degree and Postgraduate in Cultural Events and Business Management into use with planning and running the Chester Beatty Library day for teenagers in April last year. As I have a Cultural studies degree I don't want my degree and qualifications go to waste and with my involvement with the convention scene and with the festival I really want to go somewhere therefore applying for the JET Program I will be going elsewhere, will be change (that is if I get the call),  I also took up Japanese lessons and started going to the Gym. I won't be giving up on cosplay though, this will be a way I can cosplay in Japan and get into my dream career.

I guess I just want the best of both worlds be a cosplayer artist and work in a stable job in something Japanese cultural related like Japan Travel, the Japan Foundation or in admin/PR in the anime industry. I understand I am not alone as they are millions of youths around the world in a similar situation in part-time jobs, can't find employment.

So! 2015 will be a big year because;

I turn 30 therefore I want to do something that will reflect my journey as a cosplayer artist. This requires thought and thinking. I would like to do something about the community or an idea, concept. Feedback is appreciated.

I could be going to Japan for a year but I won't be leaving the internet. This will be a new chapter in my life, I will be blogging and facebooking about my day in work, cosplay events, photoshoots etc. Please follow me.

Due to being 2015 the 20th year anniversary of my all time favourite anime Neon Genesis Evangelion a show which helped shaped who I am today, I am going to try do Rei Ayanami's white plugsuit, I have been collecting the materials on ebay and will seek advice from people in the community. I would like to do Rei Kuronami and Asuka from Rebuild 3.0.

I will also try my very best to keep my blog posts short and sweet. :P I want to take more control of my life. My friends and everyone I know I feel have moved on and I should to.

I know things will get better.x Thanks for being here.