AmaraSama

Hello, all!

I don't know how many of you still use DeviantArt, but as you may have noticed, I sure don't! I will try to be more active! However, it may just be easier to find me on Instagram, which is where I'm absolutely the most active. You can find me when you search amarasama; I also have a photography account, amarasamaphotography!

I'm on Tumblr, too, as amarasama, but I really just reblog things (and share my posts from Instagram). If you have any cosplay questions, please don't hesitate to contact me on IG or Tumblr!

I'm sorry for those who have messaged me here and I haven't responded--some of your messages are years old, and I deeply apologize! I have not checked this account (or DA in general) in far too long!

I have also started using Musical.ly, so feel free to follow me there as well! @/amarasama is how I think you can find me? It's just me doin' my cosplay thing in another form! I miss doing cosplay videos, so I was really happy to find this outlet! (Thanks a lot for dragging me into Musical.ly, Sparks ! Okay, I typed it dripping with sarcasm, but I actually mean it.)

For those of you who have stuck around and continue to do so: thank you so much! I will try to post here as well from time to time, IG has just been so much easier for me lately because of everything I've got going on in life. Thank you all for understanding, and I hope you still enjoy my content whether it be here or elsewhere!

Hey, guys!

As the title says, I'm sorry for a real lack of updates in the last few months. D: I went to Anime Expo and had one of the best times of my life (especially at a con)! I meant to and kept trying to write a journal, but it just doesn't seem to be happening.

Saboten Con is coming up this weekend; I will be there all weekend!

Again, I can't even seem to bring myself to write a real journal update about that. T^T Facebook and Tumblr are so much easier to update on these days.

Sooo...I'm not abandoning DeviantArt, but I can tell you I am and will be far more active on my other sites. (I still come here to check messages and might even post a rare update, but you're more likely to reach me on Facebook and/or Tumblr.)

Facebook Account: www.facebook.com/amara.sama.3
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/pages/AmaraSa…
Tumblr: amarasama.tumblr.com/

Maybe this will change and it's just Anime Expo I can't write about because I'm always sad coming back from Cali. xD;; But it's been like this for a while and I figure it's about time I say something. For those of you who stick with me, thank you! For those who don't, I suppose I'll just see you around here from time to time!

Anime Expo 2013 is coming up quickly! Are you ready?



I will go ahead and start posting my plans and things in this journal, updating it as everything is settled, put into place, etc! 8D

First, I've decided to try to host a gathering to go along with one of my new cosplays!
If anyone is cosplaying from Mirai Nikki/Future Diary, or if you know anyone who is, check this out!
www.facebook.com/events/516010…

Next, since it's been mentioned a few times over the years, I've finally decided to have a meet-and-greet so people can meet me, and I can meet my "fans". //SCREECH I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE WOULD EVEN REFER TO THEMSELVES AS SUCH ABOUT MEEE
Here's the Facebook event for it:
www.facebook.com/events/574127…
*Edit: This is now also a meet-and-greet for Soaring Visions!
DAY: Saturday, July 6 (Day 3)
TIME: 12:30PM-1:30PM
LOCATION: Concourse Hall


List of Anime Expo 2013 Cosplays
Wednesday, July 3 (Day 0)
I'll just be there as myself, picking up my badge and maybe exploring for a bit!

Thursday, July 4 (Day 1)
Jack Frost, Rise of the Guardians (I was determined to make him a Winter-only cosplay, but I'm making an exception: Courtoon is attending AX this year, and I wanted to thank her for the Jack Frost jacket I won from her in person! +for gathering)
Yuno Gasai, Mirai Nikki/Future Diary (for fireworks/Downtown Disney photo shoot)

Friday, July 5 (Day 2)
Alice Liddell, Alice in the Country of Hearts
Yuno Gasai, Mirai Nikki/Future Diary (for gathering)

Saturday, July 6 (Day 3)
Yuu Kanda, D.Gray-Man
Kurama/Shuichi Minamino, Yu Yu Hakusho

Sunday, July 7 (Day 4)
Nami (first appearance), One Piece
Nami (Time-Skip), One Piece

Visual guide to my cosplays:




Gatherings/Meetups
Rise of the Guardians gathering - www.facebook.com/events/334175… (attending)
DAY: Thursday, July 4 (Day 1)
TIME: 2PM-3PM
LOCATION: Concourse Hall (I think...I hope. 8D;; )

Mirai Nikki/Future Diary cosplay gathering - www.facebook.com/events/516010… (hosting)
DAY: Friday, July 5 (Day 2)
TIME: 4PM-5PM*
LOCATION: South Hall (outside; right out front so there's no blocking traffic but hopefully we're still easy to spot!)
*The gathering will be held at the chosen location from 4PM-4:30PM. From 4:30PM-5PM anyone who still wants to stick around for photos in a different location can follow us!

Meet-and-Greet with AmaraSama/Soaring Visions at Anime Expo 2013! - www.facebook.com/events/574127… (hosting)
DAY: Saturday, July 6 (Day 3)
TIME: 12:30PM-1:30PM
LOCATION: Concourse Hall


MAP: www.anime-expo.org/assets/2013…
GATHERINGS MAP: www.anime-expo.org/schedule/co…

Wow, that was quite the action-packed weekend!

Thursday
Not a whole lot happened on Thursday. I got to the hotel around 4 or 5, dressed and ready to go as Deimos. My Cain was there waiting for me with a couple of other friends. After getting my things squared away, we walked over to the con to get our badges. The other two left to wander, and Shino (Cain) and I began our adventures in line. 8D That was actually more exciting than you might think--we ended up waiting in three different lines! Third time really was the charm, and we finally got our panelist badges for the full weekend!
After that we just explored until we didn't feel like exploring anymore/had to go and meet the friend we were rooming with for the weekend. Once we got to the hotel room...I just didn't want to leave anymore. xD; It was a leisurely night, and I wanted to take advantage of it because I knew the rest of the weekend would be nuts! (And it was!)

Friday
I got up and started my day in Toph--I was going to wear something else in the morning and then change (the contacts can be uncomfortable) but decided that was too much of a hassle. The contacts WERE uncomfortable, but I managed. ANYWAY. xDD I think my friend's Avatar: The Last Airbender Q&A was a success! Everyone seemed to have a good time--characters and audience alike. That's something I love about in-character Q&A panels. x3

After that ended, I had to RUSH over to another building, find a bathroom, and change into Bela for the Ask SuperWhoLock panel. I actually got there just in time--but as I was reaching for the door handle, I heard the crowd begin cheering. I didn't want to just walk in "late" and empty-handed, so I went with plan B, which I had worked out with my fellow panelists ahead of time. I ran over to Starbucks, waited anxiously in line with my amazing friend--sister, who was incredibly patient with me and even held all my things so I could hurry back. ;u; (NEXT TIME I'M BUYING.)
As planned, I went back to the panel, took a deep breath, and strolled calmly into the 400-person room which was JAM-PACKED, sipping on my caramel-cup-of-delicious. I was about halfway up the aisle thinking I hadn't been noticed and I was just going to look weird walking up onto the stage when I hear Rose Tyler's voice in the mic: "AH, look. And here comes Bela Lugosi, fifteen minutes late...with Starbucks." I held up my Starbucks triumphantly and sat down behind my fellow Supernatural characters (Sam, Dean, Lucifer, and Bobby) while the crowd laughed. PHEW! Just as planned!
I didn't say much, only got to answer a couple of questions, but I had a blast all the same! I was actually surprised I got to answer any since Bela is a fairly minor character. o////o Yay, happy~! This panel was a HUGE success, and it was such a pleasure being able to be involved in such a fun one!

After that I was feeling incredibly overheated and dehydrated, so I hurried back to the hotel room to cool off. Black turtleneck, leather jacket, black pants, and boots during summer in Arizona? I will be avoiding that if I can help it. 8D The black shirt I wore for my Sunday panel where I was Bela again was much better!
Anyway, after cooling down, I got ready for the Avengers Q&A panel, which I helped run as Pepper Potts! Even though the timing was also off for this panel, I would say it was a huge success! I'm just bummed so many people who wanted to see it missed it. I sat outside with a couple of friends for about an hour after the panel, and tons of people who thought it was going to be from 9-10 showed up looking for it. D: We know because we talked to them, and also because ours was the last panel in that room for the night. Still, big success, and I had a blast!!
After that we took some pictures in front of the giant Ironman poster in front of the Dealer's Hall. Then I headed back to the hotel room to crash and relax!

Saturday
Saturday was an incredible day!

I got up early because I was in charge of an early-morning panel (Cosplay 101), and decided I would just wear Kairi. I actually ended up wearing her almost all day. xD I was happy so many people showed up considering it was at the beginning of the day, and was not expecting very many people to be up early enough. But there they were, and I was happy to have a decent crowd!

I'm glad I decided to start off as Kairi because I ended up having just enough time to go back to the hotel room and eat before the Kingdom Hearts Q&A panel. That was another big success, and I was so happy to be involved in a panel with so many good friends! The room was PACKED! It was a really great experience. Afterwards, we had lots of people asking for pictures, and one girl even gave us all free posters and pins she had done herself! I was so happy, warm, fuzzy, and impressed! Her art was gorgeous. OxO Such a generous artist! ;////; IwishIhadaskedforbusinesscards

My dad stopped by the convention for a couple of hours, but I had left my phone in the room and had half an hour to run back and get it before my next panel. 8D; That was fun. Finally got in touch with my dad, told him where to go, and found him and my friends waiting in the panel room for me. This one was Feel-Good Hour: Cosplay & Conventions! What I love about this panel is those involved share stories of what we love about cosplaying and attending conventions, and then open the floor for the audience to do the same. I like to think this panel serves as a reminder of the good things in cosplay and conventions, especially when ya sometimes just want to rage-quit. 8D This is one of my favorite panels to host.
The audience wasn't quite as involved as they have been in previous years, but it was still a good time!

After that, I went back to the hotel room with my dad to meet Chimera. He spent four hours of his con-day getting ready so we could be Haseo and Atoli together. Let me tell you, I cannot thank him enough or get over how absolutely happy he made me that day. After making my poor dad wait for about an hour, we were finally ready and went to go meet him and show him around! xD
He had seen plenty of the convention center, so we took him to the Vendor's Hall. We wandered around, I introduced him to several friends, and then we heard an announcement saying Yuri Lowenthal was only doing autographs for ten more minutes. We rushed over and waited in a decent(ly short) line to meet him. Yuri Lowenthal was the reason we had dressed up as Atoli and Haseo--Chimera was helping me live out my dream of meeting the voice of Haseo with Haseo as Atoli! ;////; I have some truly incredible friends, guys!
And oh man--the look on Yuri's face made all the costume malfunctions worthwhile. X"D The instant he saw us, his eyes widened, his jaw dropped, and he just got SO excited! AsdfghjklIdied
He even gave us big hugs and just--hearing the voice of Haseo say we looked awesome and great, and all these nice things, just really made my weekend. I really can't thank Chimera enough for being amazing and joining me!! T////T Iloveyouman
I said what I needed to say while he signed my picture--OH YEAH, MY DAD IS REALLY GREAT. He surprised me while we were waiting in line by buying me an autograph! ;////; I couldn't afford any even though there were so many I really wanted, and Yuri was the only one I could squeeze in time for. So my dad made an awesome experience even more awesome!
Also Yuri's message (what he wrote on the picture) makes me cry every time I look at it omfg

My dad left shortly after that. I really felt like him actually experiencing more than just the near-empty lobby at Anime Expo last year as he did at PCC really opened his eyes to why this is more than just some small, dispensable hobby to me. This is my passion. This is something I LOVE to do. I think my dad finally understands that, and...it was just a really amazing day. ;u; asdfghjkl

Chimera and I got some pictures thanks to Tobi, and then we all headed back to our hotels. OUR ROOM ORDERED PIZZA AND IT WAS DELICIOUS. While we ate, I showed Chimera .hack//G.U. Trilogy. He seemed to really enjoy it, and even said he wants to cosplay Haseo more! HE EVEN SAID HE WANTS TO HELP MAKE ANOTHER ONE OF MY DREAMS COME TRUE. GAIZ. I. HAVE. AMAZING. FRIENDS.

Sunday
Sunday meant packing, which I always hate because it's sad. It's another reminder it's the last day of con. I didn't feel rushed, though, and that was really nice! XD I could have moved faster and spent more time down at the con, but I was just so tired I took my time. I got down to the con around 12:30 because I needed to make sure everything was set for my Supernatural In-Character Q&A. That panel was so much fun, and yet another success! The room was packed, and I was proud of what I had done. :///3 Everyone acted wonderfully, and handled all the shipping questions like pros! XD I know at least one of my precious people was nervous, but I will tell you again if you read this: YOU PERFORMED BEAUTIFULLY! And everyone should know it! ;D
I had lots of people complementing my Bela, and this made me feel so much better. ;////; I was nervous I wouldn't do well, but my accent held and I think a few people actually thought I was English--I am, but, that is...they seemed to think I have an accent. Which I don't. Usually. (My apologies to the English. 8D;; )
Anyway, I really hope to do this panel again! As Bela OR as Charlie! I just want to host another Supernatural panel. It was so much fun!!

After that panel, there was ample time to change into Nicki for my Left 4 Dead (2) Q&A panel. We had all kinds of shenanigans from the moment we met up with the rest of our cast. xD I really love these guys. They can always make me laugh!
Just before we got our room for the final panel of the day, we found this adorable little boy dressed as--crAP I JUST FORGOT HIS NAME. But it was precious. Zoey died because we had JUST been talking about that character and how she ships him and Zoey, how BA he is, etc. We all got pictures with him, and he seemed really pumped for our panel! This got us pumped!!
However, literally right after we walked into our panel room--ALARMS WENT OFF. After about twenty minutes in the evening heat--I thought it was good time considering how much longer it could have taken--they let us back in. Just in time for our panel to go on!
I would love to say this one was a huge success, but so many people had given up and gone home after the evacuation there were not many people in the room. And the little man wasn't even there! ;u; I hope those counting and determining whether or not that panel gets to come back took that into account.
To make matters worse, one member on the panel was not acting professionally. I am not going to name names, but I was/am incredibly disappointed in them. Several people actually stood up and left the panel because this person was making inappropriate jokes and not bothering to act in-character. I know Left 4 Dead is not a children's game, but the things they were saying were bad enough people left. They even openly admitted online they just gave up because they were done with the con and didn't care to try to act in-character for my in-character Q&A panel.
//breathes
...That being said, I was so proud of everyone else for hanging in there and being in-character even at the end of a long weekend! I look forward to working with them again in future panels, particularly those L4D2-related. ;D

All in all, I would say this weekend was wonderful, full of ups-and-downs but happy overall, and full of successful, fun panels! I look forward to next year's Phoenix Comicon!!



Moving Forward to Anime Expo 2013!

I am really excited to be back in California again, and I'm going/staying with some really awesome people who are great friends of mine! I'm busily working on my new cosplays for this con--still trying to decide who I want to take for sure, but that journal will come along soon enough! XD

I mentioned the idea of a meet-up in at least one of my past journals, and I would like to know who is actually interested! Maybe not everyone has read up to this point so I will have to make a separate journal for it. Since I can't make polls anymore, please comment, send me a message, however you like--just tell me if you would be interested in coming to a meet-up somewhere at Anime Expo if I hosted one. :'3 Thanks! I look forward to seeing more great people there!

PHOENIX COMICON 2013!

I am most definitely going! Thanks to enough of my panels (panels I'm hosting/helping host) making it, I am going, without a doubt! And I am very excited about these panels!
My cosplay schedule is hectic, but here's a basic rundown of how everything will go:

Thursday
Panel(s)
0

Cosplay(s)
-Deimos, Star Fighter- with lestatluva as Cain

Friday
Panel(s)
-Avatar: The Last Airbender Q&A-
When: 1:30PM-2:30PM
Where: West 103
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/281643…
***IMPORTANT NOTE (PLEASE READ) :
For some reason, the times (for Friday, that I know of) in this panel room, West 103, got pushed back an hour and a half. When you look at the programming guide grid at the con, it will show this panel being at 3pm-4pm on Friday. THIS IS NOT CORRECT! The wonderful convention staff are going to do their best to be sure word gets out, but so all of you are aware, as far as *WEST 103* goes, the times are an hour and a half later than they should be! (Although apparently the times are still correct in the descriptions? Something went wrong with the grid is all.)
THE CORRECT TIME IS STILL 1:30pm-2:30pm ON FRIDAY! (As shown in the description above)

-Ask SuperWhoLock Q&A-
When: 3:00PM-4:00PM
Where: 121ABC
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/325992…

-Avengers In-Character Q&A-
When: 7:30PM-8:30PM
Where: West 103
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/547633…
***IMPORTANT NOTE (PLEASE READ) :
For some reason, the times (for Friday, that I know of) in this panel room, West 103, got pushed back an hour and a half. When you look at the programming guide grid at the con, it will show this panel being at 9pm-10pm on Friday. THIS IS NOT CORRECT! The wonderful convention staff are going to do their best to be sure word gets out, but so all of you are aware, as far as *WEST 103* goes, the times are an hour and a half later than they should be! (Although apparently the times are still correct in the descriptions? Something went wrong with the grid is all.)

THE CORRECT TIME IS STILL 7:30pm-8:30pm ON FRIDAY! (As shown in the description above)

Cosplay(s)
-Toph Bei Fong, Avatar: The Last Airbender-
-Bela Talbott a.k.a. Bela Lugosi, Supernatural-
-Pepper Potts, the Avengers-

Saturday
Panel(s)
-Cosplay 101-
When: 10:30AM-11:30AM
Where: 227AB
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/588275…

-Kingdom Hearts In-Character Q&A-
When: 1:30PM-2:30PM
Where: 223
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/510172…

-Feel-Good Hour: Cosplay & Conventions!-
When: 3:30PM-4:30PM
Where: 227AB
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/132947…

Cosplay(s)
? -Atoli, .hack//G.U.- ?
-Kairi, Kingdom Hearts II-
? -Atoli, .hack//G.U.- or -Fem!Nick/Nicki, Left 4 Dead (2)- ?

Sunday
Panel(s)
-Supernatural In-Character Q&A-
When: 1:30PM-2:30PM
Where: 129B
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/344780…

-Left 4 Dead In-Character Q&A-
When: 4:30PM-5:30PM
Where: 225AB
Event Page/More Information: www.facebook.com/events/162114…

Cosplay(s)
-Bela Talbott a.k.a. Bela Lugosi, Supernatural-
-Fem!Nick/Nicki, Left 4 Dead (2)-




Visual Guide to my PCC Cosplays:




((05/22/13--I apologize for having this posted again! This should be the FINAL final edit I "re-post". There were some important changes, and I wanted to be sure everyone saw them! Thank you!))



((04/22/13--They're taking my Journal Skin away NOW when I've been using it weeks/months past the expiration of my Premium Membership?! Why?! D'x I DO NOT APPRECIATE THIS--))