FUCK YEAH, THAILAND
Hope's going to try and go to Thailand again next summer to visit her friends, but doesn't want to go alone....so she invited me! FUCK YES. Granted, this will probably take a huge chunk out of any spending money I might have, especially for conventions, so I'm going to have to be extremely frugal, but I'm so freaking excited. Granted, it's not set in stone, but I don't have to worry about a passport, don't have to worry about hotels, and I'll be traveling with someone that is fluent in Thai and spent a year in the country, so I won't have to wander around lost in Bangkok.
It would be the first time I left the country (other than Canada, though that hardly counts, especially considering that you didn't NEED a passport to get into Canada when I went), and I'd get to spend time in one of the few Asian countries that hasn't lost it's traditional culture to modern culture. Plus, apparently it's 35 baht to 1 American dollar at the moment, so if the exchange rate doesn't change too drastically, I should be able to get some awesome souvenirs for very little. PLUS, they've got a lot of Japanese and anime merchandise, although I'm sure a lot of it (read: all of it) will be in Thai...but perhaps some posters or figurines or something? Hmm. I'd really like to get some really cool authentic Thai stuff, though; I really like how intricate their art and designs are.
Okay, I'm getting too excited when I'm not sure if I'm even going or not. But, I'm at least going to start saving up right away....after paying my dad the $400 I owe him for car repairs. Ugh.
But let's see. Assuming I make $300 every two weeks (usually more, but I'm playing it safe), I take out $100 for my bills (assuming I don't add more on), $100 into savings for my hopeful trip, and get $100 left over, either into more savings for convention/cosplay stuff, or straight spending cash, or Christmas fund. (probably should start on my Christmas fund early this year...) So if that's $200 a month, I should have $1600 in...8 months? That should be enough. Sweet.
Hmmm...other stuff...started working out again. I'm going to start a cosplay of Queen Elfaria from Odin Sphere, and hopefully I'll be in good enough shape to be able to wear it at Ohayocon. If I work hard enough, I should be, though. I just have to stay focused. Once that one's finished, I can start concentrating on my Yoko costume for next year's Acen, once again provided that I get my ass in good shape. But yeah, Elfaria should be fun. I've seen numerous Odin Sphere cosplays done already of the main characters, but haven't seen one of her yet, and the wings would be a real challenge. I'm thinking of stretching Habotai silk over the frame, and then hand painting the design for the wings, though those wings are freaking HUGE. I'm going to have to be creative as far as figuring out how to skillfully attach those to my costume. Hopefully I'll do a good job...I'm determined to do it justice.
Not too much else is going on...school's starting up again soon, and it looks like I may be picking up even more hours from work, so that will be a plus. More money is always good. Uhhhh.....yeah.
It would be the first time I left the country (other than Canada, though that hardly counts, especially considering that you didn't NEED a passport to get into Canada when I went), and I'd get to spend time in one of the few Asian countries that hasn't lost it's traditional culture to modern culture. Plus, apparently it's 35 baht to 1 American dollar at the moment, so if the exchange rate doesn't change too drastically, I should be able to get some awesome souvenirs for very little. PLUS, they've got a lot of Japanese and anime merchandise, although I'm sure a lot of it (read: all of it) will be in Thai...but perhaps some posters or figurines or something? Hmm. I'd really like to get some really cool authentic Thai stuff, though; I really like how intricate their art and designs are.
Okay, I'm getting too excited when I'm not sure if I'm even going or not. But, I'm at least going to start saving up right away....after paying my dad the $400 I owe him for car repairs. Ugh.
But let's see. Assuming I make $300 every two weeks (usually more, but I'm playing it safe), I take out $100 for my bills (assuming I don't add more on), $100 into savings for my hopeful trip, and get $100 left over, either into more savings for convention/cosplay stuff, or straight spending cash, or Christmas fund. (probably should start on my Christmas fund early this year...) So if that's $200 a month, I should have $1600 in...8 months? That should be enough. Sweet.
Hmmm...other stuff...started working out again. I'm going to start a cosplay of Queen Elfaria from Odin Sphere, and hopefully I'll be in good enough shape to be able to wear it at Ohayocon. If I work hard enough, I should be, though. I just have to stay focused. Once that one's finished, I can start concentrating on my Yoko costume for next year's Acen, once again provided that I get my ass in good shape. But yeah, Elfaria should be fun. I've seen numerous Odin Sphere cosplays done already of the main characters, but haven't seen one of her yet, and the wings would be a real challenge. I'm thinking of stretching Habotai silk over the frame, and then hand painting the design for the wings, though those wings are freaking HUGE. I'm going to have to be creative as far as figuring out how to skillfully attach those to my costume. Hopefully I'll do a good job...I'm determined to do it justice.
Not too much else is going on...school's starting up again soon, and it looks like I may be picking up even more hours from work, so that will be a plus. More money is always good. Uhhhh.....yeah.