Jpop Morning Playlist

After a long night of drinking and partying, studying and reading, or just staying up until 5am with your friends, sometimes you need a little pick-me-up, right?

Okay, so maybe I was out too late last night, (don't worry, I didn't get drunk XD), but it was totally fun!  

So as well as eating something, I believe some music is required to get you back into a normal human state.

So!

Here is my recommended Jpop morning playlist!

1..  Morning Musume--Zero Kara Hajimaru Seishun

This song has a nice, soft, piano intro to ease you out of bed in the morning, and Masaki's voice is very sweet and pretty, so it won't be a rude awakening.  The whole song feels sort of dream-like, so it's a good one while you're still not quite yourself yet.

2.  Perfume--Kasuka na Kaori

This is a good song to listen to in the morning, since it has a calming instrumental and a medium tempo.  It's also a happy sounding song, so it's a good way to start thinking positively for the day.  It makes me think of morning sunshine on a good day. ^--^

3.  Yasai Sisters--AKB48

Breakfast time!  Have some vegetables in the morning!  And they're so happy to see you! x3  And Tomato Acchan even says "Ohayo!" in the beginning of the song!  This song is so super cute and it just makes you want to sway along with it.  Treat your body and your ears right with "Yasai Sisters!"

4.  Hatsune Miku--La, La, Love You

I'm not a huge Vocaloid person, but I do listen casually, and I find this song really enjoyable!  This is good for when you're brushing your teeth or something, since it has a bit of bounce to it, so you can bounce along with the song while you're by the bathroom sink. x3

5.  Pinku Project ft. Yukapon--Magical Journey

Now that you've added some bounce into your morning, you can now listen to something a bit more up-beat and sugary without feeling rudely awakened.  This song is super cute and positive, and Yuka and Baby's voices aren't too overpowering for the morning, and the little twinkling sounds in the song will definitely brighten up your day before it really begins!  This is a good song for applying make-up by the way.

6.  Morning Musume--Genki Pika Pika

This song is like...a requirement for happy mornings!  It's all about being GENKI!  Which is how you want to feel in the morning, right?  It's time to get out of your morning slump and dance with the lovely girls of Momusu!

7.  AKB48 Undergirls--Boku dake no Value

This song is so uplifting!!  The lyrics are a big part of why I chose this song.  They talk about how you are the most valuable thing, so you can imagine the AKB48 girls love YOU the most, and that you are their most valued person, etc.  And the hook to the chorus has a really great build with the instrumental, and the vocals just float effortlessly over it!  I apologize I couldn't find the actual PV, but this live version is good too.  This track was on the single "Beginner."

8.  S/mileage--Please Miniskirt Postwoman!

The beginning of the song with the harpsichord reminds me of some anime school thing, which is pretty much why I picked this song. XD  That and the fact that it's happy and cute.  So if you're bummed about school in the morning, listen to this and imagine you're in an anime wearing cute uniforms!

9.  Paletee--Hapi Hapi Morning

The maids will help you with your last preparations!  I think this is a great way to end the playlist since it has something from every song on the list.  The intro has a busy sort of feel with the dialogue (similar to the school feel of PMPW), it has the bounce of La, La, Love you and the catchiness of Yasai Sisters, the pep of Genki Pika Pika and Magical Journey, and the sunshine-y positiveness of Kasuka no Kaori and Boku Dake no Value!  And besides, what better way to end a morning than with MAIDS?!  I couldn't think of a better way!  Heck, the song even has "morning" in the title!

And then it's time for you to go out the door!

Did you like my playlist?  Is 9 songs enough?  I could go on forever really. XD

I hope you like my choices, and I hope this playlist brightens up your morning!  Let me know if I missed anything! xP

Kanashiki Heaven Live--An example for the newer members

HOLY CRAP Y'ALL.

So I've been keeping up with Blog Project lately, and the C-ute members have been blogging about the c/w for "Aitai Aitai Aitai na," "Kanashiki Heaven."  I gave it a listen on the single and it was really good!  Although I had been wondering what the dance looked like since Maimi, Mai, and Nakky all kept going on about how hard and fast it was.  I'm very happy that us iWotas get to see it, 'cause MAN they did a great job with it!

And WOW those vocals by Airi and Chissa!  I'm amazed that they can switch harmonies so cleanly so fast!!!  Like...in the middle of phrases!

I'm super impressed by C-ute's abilities as performers, and I think this solidifies their position as the best live group in H!P right now.  In my mind, that position used to belong to the Platinum Era Momusu, but since all of the new members joined, they need a bit more refinement.  Kyuukies, Juukies, and Sakura-chan!  Take C-ute as an example of great performers as well as your past Musume sisters!  The second gen of S/mileage should take that advice as well.

Not only does C-ute sing and dance well, they have CHARISMA!  If the camera didn't switch around I'd be so conflicted with who to watch since they're all fighting for your attention!  I'm sure the H!P staff is very proud of them, since that whole friendly rival thing is part of the spirit of idoldom.  Which is something the new members are in need of at the moment.  I do see charisma more with Meimi and the Kyuukies, but the rest of 'em have to catch up!

Keep the good stuff coming, C-ute!  I can't wait to see what comes next!

Miss Electricity is over...

So I got cast in "Miss Electricity" two and a half weeks ago...

It's amazing to think we put on an entire show in two and a half weeks.  

And we did three shows this weekend...

and now we're closed.

WHAT?

It's like...what happened!? XDDD

But I'm glad I got the opportunity to be in the show.  

I finally found the fun in acting again, since that's what I did the show for...for fun.  

My other castmates were so wonderful too! O_O  So much energy!

Thank you for all of your hard work.

Oh!

And the hard work of the crew, and the stage managers and directors too!

I'll post a full cast picture when it gets uploaded by my directors.  ^--^

Anyway, here are some of my personal pictures:

This is my first costume as "Mom."  Mom works as a nurse so I'm wearing scrubs.  They were super comfy. xP

And this is my other costume as "Mrs. Waldo."  Mrs. Waldo is the main character's schoolteacher.  I didn't like this costume as much since the sweater was super itchy!

My mom and grandmother came to see the show on Saturday before leaving to go back to Texas this morning, so this is a picture of me at their hotel room.  It was after the show, so I do look a bit tired. XD

This picture is of my show make up!  Lots of blush and dark lippy!  I used more wine type colors for my make up instead of the pinks that the rest of the cast was using since I had to look older onstage.  What do you think?  

A mother and daughter (who was around 6 years old I believe) came and talked to me after the show.  The mother asked her daughter:  "Does she look old enough to be a Mommy?" to which the girl replied "NO!"  XDDDD  It was totally cute.  I had lots of people come up to me saying that I played a good mama.

I'm glad I was able to convey my character convincingly, even though I'm not the best actor in the world. xP I'm glad my hard work paid off!  Yay!

This picture was taken when strike was over.  Strike is when we all take down the set and clean up the theater.  I was happy when it was over, since I had gotten quite hungry. XDDD

Anyway, I'm happy that I did the show, and I feel accomplished now that it's over.  

So now I have a week off before I jump into Props for Cinderella! 

I'll make sure to enjoy the time off I have after classes. <3

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu -- Fashion Monster

FINALLY.

Finally Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has given us something to rival PonPonPon!

I mean, Tsukema Tsukeru had a great dance, and Candy Candy was cute, but I was missing the quirkiness and creativity from PonPonPon.  

Her newest MV for her single "Fashion Monster" totally brings that in, and it might even be a step up from PonPonPon for me actually!

So the MV starts out with a castle in the night sky, and a creepy moon with a crown and monster smile.  We then skip to a room with Kyary and her monster band.  While she is the fashion monster, the other monsters are:  a rabbit monster, skeleton man, hairy monster, frankenstein's monster, and a troll.  There are also two creepy children whose faces we can't see acting as her back up dancers.  

In this monster band, all of their instruments have been distorted to look somewhat creepy.  For example, Frankenstein's Monster's drumsticks double as nun chucks.  Kyary's guitar also has a telephone and other odds and ends attached to it.  

   There also happens to be some interesting symbolism within this MV.  There comes an old man with a large head who Kyary seems to be talking to.  Later on, he is seen slashing poles with words on them in half.  I can only read the first word as the rest are in kanji, but I'm assuming what he's cutting down are conventions that Kyary wants to break down as the fashion monster.  

There is also a part where the scary moon man forms a body and spits out pink slime on Kyary, and I'm not sure if that's supposed to mean anything, or if that was put in just for the hell of it.  

As for the song, it's super catchy, as all of her work is, but there is a rock side of Kyary in it what we haven't seen before with drums and guitars (even though the sounds of those instruments may be made by machines).

It has a heavier beat than her other three singles, which fits with the darker setting of the video.  Also, that "Fashion Monster" hook she sings repeatedly is really creepy cool, and gets stuck into your head instantly.  

This is electropop and guro-kawaii smooshed together into one entity, and it works SO well for Kyary.  

I hope y'all enjoy fashion monster, and don't forget to order your copy of the single (or get it on iTunes), which comes out on October 17th!

Welcome to Momusu, Oda Sakura-chan!

OHHHHHHHH I'M SO EXCITED!

I'm so happy that Oda Sakura is the 11th generation member~!  

She can sing very well, and she's so cute!

Let's go through the video footage!

So I'm not going to go through all of this because y'all all have probably seen it by now.

But my highlights were:

Romantic Ukare mode:  She sounded SO CUTE!  I was already wotagei-ing with her. xDDD

Namida Tomaranai Hougako:  I loved her impression of Konkon and Miki, 1) because it's HILARIOUS.  Seriously, I bust out laughing when she switched from Konkon to Miki.  And 2), because it shows again how talented she is!  Can you believe she's only 13?

I also loved hearing her sing "Be Alive," since it shows that her voice will fit in with the current members very well.  She also impressed me with her dancing.  Not so much with What's Up since they mostly focused in on her face, but she did a really great job with One Two Three.  Her moves were sharp and had a good amount of energy to them.  I think she was almost holding some of it back, probably because of nerves, but it was still good nonetheless.  

I found it interesting that they announced her membership at an open rehearsal.  I thought she would've been announced at the end of the tour.  But it took me (and many others) by surprise, so that was a good move by the staff.  Also, BOY WERE THE KYUKIES AND JUUKIES SURPRISED.  I thought they were going to start scaling the walls or something!  Reina and Sayu seemed pretty composed, since they've been through this experience before, but man those kids went nuts!  I love especially how Riho went all grabby hands when Sakura came out. XDD  I think those two will get along well.  I hope they do form a good relationship since Riho is a main singer (and I'm assuming Sakura will be too because she's sole 11th generation member).  I also think Sakura will bring out a different side of Riho.  

Anyway, we'll see through time whether my prediction is right or not.  

I'm also wondering how the 10th gen will be as senpais to Sakura, especially Kuduu.  I kind of hope they spoil her and love on her a lot, since she is alone in a sense.  

Anywho, I'm very excited to see what the future of Morning Musume brings with this new member added, since I know it'll be full of good stuff!  

Now I just want more footage from this concert, since the outfits look really cool!  

XD

'Till the next blog!

Kaya

Happy Birthday Ai-chan!

So today is the birthday of my role model~! 8D

TAKAHASHI AI-CHAN! <33333333

She turns 26 today.

So it's been about a year since she left Momusu, but she's been going ahead with her career at full speed!  I'm glad that she's been continuing with stage plays, since you can tell she really loves to do them.  Also, I'm excited for her FC tour that's coming up soon, so finally us IWotas will get some footage of her, and we'll get to hear her beautiful voice.  <3

I hope to one day to gee Ai-chan in one of her stage plays, and give her presents at the stage door!

Ever since I started liking Momusu, I admired Ai-chan as a leader, and loved how kind and gracious she was to everyone, but then how AMAZING AND FIERCE she was onstage!  I hope to be like her as I get older.  ^--^  

Also, to celebrate her birthday, she released a candy called "Ai-Candy!"  It's been released in Fukui and it's made with sweet Fukui tomatoes and strawberries!  It also has Vitamins which are good for the throat.  It's just like Ai-chan to think of vocal health, even with candy making!  xP

Anyway, since I can't get my hands on any of that candy, let's have an AI-SAMA PIC SPAM!

And some of my favorite performances:  

"Everyday Everywhere" with Reina

Last Kiss with Eri and Reina

KoiING

There are like...a bazillion more, but I don't want to post them all. XDD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AI-CHAN! <3

So Much Better!

So I had been worrying about how I'd been doing during rehearsals for "Miss Electricity," so I set up a meeting with Denise today to talk about it.

I'm not going to burden y'all with everything that she said, but her words were really reassuring, and I feel a lot better now.  I feel a lot more confident in my performance skills, and I now know that my hard work isn't going to waste!  

I just have to remember to "enjoy the struggle."  She says that a lot.  It's like, yes, the play is a lot of work, but it should be fun!

After talking with her, I was thinking how cool it is that I get to help create something new!  A new work of art for people to watch!  I'm very grateful to her for casting me in the show.  

I'll have to tell her that (again). XD  Because I really am.  

Even when I didn't have faith in myself, Denise had faith in me, and cast me in the show!  Now that I can start to get my faith in myself again, I hope that I will have more opportunities to hone my skills in many areas, including acting.  ^--^

Anyway, I'm sorry for being all mushy and stuff, but I'm just happy that I'm not a complete idiot like I thought I was.  LOL. 

I have rehearsal again tonight, so I'm going to keep working on my lines now.

Please keep supporting me, and I'll continue to try and support myself!

<3

Here's a picture from rehearsal last night:

Myself and the Narrator weren't in the scene they were working on so we were running lines outside the theater.

Ahhhh...

Just got out of the shower and into bed.

<3 

Feels great!

Today I tried my costume on at rehearsal!

It's so fun! XD  I feel like such a professional in it!

But I can't show it to you yet. x3

I'll post pictures after the show is over.  

The costume signifies a very important job, which is why my character is always organized and clear and sharp!

Wearing the costume made me feel as though I'll be able to channel the character better.  Now I can see what kind of direction Denise wants me to go with her.

I'll do my best to convey a working mother!

Anyway, they were working on scenes with just the children characters, so I was let out early.  I was able to have a long conversation with my mom.  It was so nice to be able to laugh and talk with her finally.  It had been about two weeks or so since I'd been able to do that.  

I miss her when I'm away.

But!  She's coming up for the show, so I'll see her in another two weeks!

Right now, I'm gulping down water like crazy!

But I feel very refreshed.  Clean and hydrated.  Yay! <3

I'll finish the videos I'm watching on YouTube, and then it's off to bed!

Night y'all, sweet dreams! 

<3

Hacking on thru

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~i! 

I'm so glad it's the weekend!

I'm taking this opportunity to rest up.

Even though we've only had three rehearsals,

we're working hard. xP

We've been blocking the show, and now we only have 11 pages left!

I'm hoping we'll get that done on Monday so we can get to learning the choreography!

Here are the Directors for the Production!

It's just the back of their heads since I don't know how they feel about having their faces posted online.

On the right is the head director, Denise!  She was my Acting I and Beginning Movement for the Actor Professor last year.  I love her so much. <3

On the left is Mikey!  He's a co-director of sorts.  He's just a few years older than me.  He's also the head of getting the show out to children in the area, and he's coordinating a special performance for children with disabilities!  He's such an amazing person!  He can act, direct, manage...I feel like Mikey can do anything.  I want to be like him when I grow up. x3

And here are our Stage Managers!

Again, the back of their heads. xD

On the left is Rachel, and she's the assistant stage manager!  She's my age.  ^--^  

She's also someone I look up to.  She's SUCH a hard worker, and you can tell, since she's improved a lot in her performance skills since last year.  It's good that she's trying something new by stage managing.  Rachel, I'm looking up to yooooooou!

...but she doesn't know it yet. XD

And on the right is Britney, the stage manager.  This is my first time working with her, but she seems like a very nice person.  Thank you for all of your hard work, Britney!  She's bringing some children from a large foster home to watch the show!

As for me...I'm worried about my acting still. T___T

I know it takes a long time to block things, and get things the way the director wants onstage physically, but sometimes my mind starts to wander off and worry about what I'm doing wrong.  

I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself to do this performance well, since I look up to all of the people I'm working with, and I want to be on the same level, and impress them.

Especially Denise.

Her approval means a lot to me.

I mean, she's the one who cast me, so I know I have her approval,

but, but

I want her to be proud of my performance.

And I want to be proud of my performance.

And, I also want to have fun!  Since that's a big part of acting.  Why do it if you don't have fun, right?

I'll continue to work hard on my role, and I'll do my best to have lots of fun while doing so!

Now I have to go and finish memorizing my lines!

<3

Miss Electricity

Fuuuuu~~

I'm tired.  XD

So, I had an audition yesterday, and I GOT CAST!

I'm so happy!

The play that I'm in is a Children's Show called "Miss Electricity"

If any of you are in the central Illinois area, it would be great if y'all could come see it! <3

Anyway, I play the main character's mother and teacher.

The character I play reminds me of my mother.

I give some speeches in the show that my mother has given me. xP

Here's a plot synopsis from the back of my script:

"Ten year old Violet is determined to show the world, not to mention the cool kids at school, just how special she is.  With the help of her assistant Freddy, she sets out to break a world record, but becomes accidentally extraordinary when she's struck by lightning--twice--and gains control over all things electric.  Under the name Miss Electricity, Violet zaps her way through circuits, bullies, and tests, but could lose everything when the power goes to her head."

Sounds cool right?  I really love it, it's so so super cute!

And there are five dances in the show!  I'm so happy I get to dance too!

Here is a picture of the cast in the end pose of the dance we learned today:

My legs were in a strange position, so I put hearts over them. XD

We call this one the "bully dance."  I'm not playing Violet's Mom in this scene, but a dancer kid at her school. 

I like that I get to do multiple things in this show! <3

Here's a tired Kaya after rehearsaaaal.

x3

It's time for me to take a hot shower!

I'll work hard on my acting skills, since I haven't done a play in about a year!  I learned a lot from my professors last year, so I need to make sure I use what I learned well, and to learn a lot from this process!

Miss Electricity, FIGHT!

Cinderella

Hello everyone!

It seems that August is now over!

Whaaaaa--it went so fast! XD

But now it is September, and I'm now scheduling a very important event with my colleagues!

I, Kaya, am the Props Master's Assistant in Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella!"

I'm so excited!

It's my first time being a crew head ya know!

I'm curious as to how I'll handle this authority position, since I'll be helping with designs and be telling our props crew how to make things.

Although, really,

I was put in this position to keep Liam organized. XD

Liam is the props master. He's the one who's had experience in art and in building things, so I'm in charge of organization and paperwork.

But I'll be helping with art stuff too!

I'll just be doing more simple things than Liam does.

OH!

Also, on October 1st, I get keys to the props shop and the theatre! 8D

It's very exciting.

I'm humbled that Barbara (the designer for the show) trusts me with such responsibility!

I'll do my very best to see that everything in Props Land goes smoothly!

Here's a picture of the script!

I made a props list for it the other day. It's 4 pages long! Now I just need to update it with how each prop is used and such.

To be honest, I'm kinda nervous. XD I've never done this before.

But I'm sure it'll be a good experience, and I'll learn a lot!

I'll do my best as Assistant Props Master Kaya!

<3