Animation on Display in less than two days!!! (Oi vey!!!) Pony Cosplays Galore!!!

Hey everyone!

Captain Li Hellsing, your Cosplaying Cosmetologist here!

Wow! Today was just...where to begin?

Started my "trial" for this new office job. Secreterial/Office work is involved, also, it's 8-5. Which means I gotta wake up at 6:30, leave my house by 7:20 just to get to work. And then wait almost an hour in traffic and don't get home till 6 :/. Small sacrifice, yes, but hey, I am tired of sleeping in till noon and staying home constantly. Plus, at 11 dollars an hour, it's worth it. Weekends off too!

And right after work, I went to my parish for the Ash Wednesday mass. I loved Father Sergio's homily. He basically in context and more eloquent, spoke about sacrifice during Lent, and it hit me home for what I had posted last night. I love it when things I have though about during the week are talked through my faith. Makes me feel a bit clairvoyant in that sense xDDD

Anywho, onto our entry!

And yes! Animation on Display is less than two days! This mini convention in San Francisco's Kabuki Hotel in Japan Town is literally at the end of this week!

As I have mentioned, I have been going to less cons and less gatherings due to work and other life issues. But AoD is the one con I do go to, because it's local, and it's a nice little taste of the cosplay season to come.

I will be presenting my panel once again! This time it's different and more to show! It will be on Sunday, February 17th, at noon! Please do attend!

As for what cosplays I am bringing/premiering here's some progress pics:

First up, Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

I have cosplayed her before, for the BAC October Gathering. As much as I have a love/hate relationship with how I came up with her cosplay, I will still bring her to con for her first con appearance.

My pic of of my Pinkie Pie cosplay. Taken at Ricky's by my manager, Tina.

My idea is that Pinkie would totally wear Mardi Gras beads, and a pink tutu. She's eccentric like that ^ ^

Wig is from Arda Wigs. It's actually my first wig from them, they are a really great wig supplier! And top quality too! 

Tutu was bought at Hot Topic.

I already had the leggings. As for the shirt, Eco Thrift, three dollars, my best friend Maria was kind enough to make the cutie mark out of felt and sewed them on for me :)

Now, the shoes were seven dollars at Ross. And I SUDDENLY found them. I was buying new jeans and when I went into the shoe section, they were on the floor, my size, and fit so comfy!!! I was so happy!

Here's some new progress pics of the makeup:

Nothing but pink makeup all out here! Used dark blue as a compliment for the eyes, didn't wanna look like a total clown xD

Me being a goof.

"Can I still wear the mustache?"

In reference to this xD:

Now, Rarity. 

Or as I call her, "Everyone's favorite Fashionista pony!" :D

As much as I have a love for Pinkie Pie because we are so much alike. The eccentricity, being the life of the party, being goof balls and saying stupid stuff all the time, I am very much like Rarity as well. I am sassy, cute, very much into fashion (Well, being a cosmetologist of course, also I have such a love affair with costume jewelry, purses, and shoes) So a lot of my friends wanted me to cosplay her first! xD Well now the time has come.

Progress pics! 

Found the dress at Ross for twenty dollars! Such a steal! It's one sleeved and lace :) 

The necklace is Vivienne Westwood that I got for my birthday, earrings will be Vivienne Westwood too! 

Wig is from Arda as well.

As for the shoes, I do not have a pic of them, but I will when the cosplay is done. I got them on eBay for twenty dollars, and they are a three inch suede purple stilettos! God I love them!

And yes, I am going all out designer for Rarity. I even have a cute white Coach Bag to go with this cosplay ^ ^

And now, progress pics of the makeup before I head off to bed!

This makeup was very fun to do! I love how soft and cute it is!

Typical "Myspace Bathroom Photo", yes that is a Rarity shirt, it says "Oh it is ON!" and a MLP Phone case

Pony Swag!!! xD

Can't wait to see you all at the con!

Much Love! And Goodnight!

-Captain Li Hellsing, Cosplaying Cosmetologist 

"There are no ugly women, only lazy ones." - Helena Rubinstein 

Fat Tuesday! My Lenten Journey Begins tomorrow!

Good evening all!

Natalie P. Moisa, your "average lady", here!

Today marks the end of the ordinary time in the church, and Lent begins tomorrow, also known as "Ash Wednesday".

Unfortunately, I haven't the chance to do a "proper" Mardi Gras celebration, ever :( But next year, I shall strive for it.

I LOVE Mardi Gras masks! Did you know that the reason behind wearing them was that way no one can recognize you while you are losing your inhibitions? ;) Sweet, huh?


But, I did get this great job offer and I start tomorrow!

YAYYY!!!!

But back to the entry.

Yes, Lenten season is about to begin. The time of year when I keep hearing people say how they are going to give up petty things for Lent. What are petty things you might ask?

I have heard people giving up things such as:

-Not drinking alcohol/soda
-Not eating junk food
-Not watching TV
-Not going shopping
etc.

I've heard more, but I am keeping the list fairly small. But the point I am trying to make, is that people think they are doing the right thing during Lent by giving up things that are so easily given up.

Why not strive for something harder? 

Lent time is about prayer, fasting, and sacrifice.

Yes, sacrifice.

Want to do something sacrifice-worthy for Lent? Give your time to help at a soup kitchen, donate things you love to people who really need them (clothes, coats, shoes, blankets, toys.) Read to the elderly at hospitals.

Also, if you are going to give up something, do not tell anyone, or announce it like it's something to be proud of, or something so horrible. Pride has no place during this time.

Think of the parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee. From Luke 18:9-14

"He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

As I spoke in the last post about "A Fresh Start", my resolutions will tie into my Lenten Plans.

I am not here to brag about it, but I do want to share with you what I aim to do during this Lenten time, besides praying more (which I must work on) and fasting.

-Being a better person towards others
-Helping out more around the house
-Keeping my room cleaned (Yes, this is a big chore)
-Giving more time to help my church, community, and family
-And read my Bible more.

So that is it.

I want to leave you with Josh Groban's rendition of "You Raise Me Up"

Goodnight All!

-Natalie P. Moisa, your "average lady".

A Fresh Start (Sort of a "I'm Back", and 2012 Review)

Hey there everyone!

Captain Li Hellsing, your Cosplaying Cosmetologist here!

Along with her other two personas, Natalie P. Moisa the "Average Lady" and Natalie Moisa the Stylist ^ ^

Now, I know what you are thinking. Well, at least those who know me well.

Is it somewhere along the lines of,

"Natalie, why did you give up blogging?"
"Why aren't you updating your FB page?"
"Why are blogging right now?"
"And how come in the last blog you talked about Nightwish?"

To answer all these questions"

"I didn't give up blogging, I just got lazy"
"Look up previous answer, this answers question two."
"Because I need a fresh start, and I will explain after I answer question four."
"Why not? I am a huge Nightwish fan." ;)

So in the explanation to question three.

Yes, I just got lazy. Also, after February  I was very much focused on graduating on time from Marinello (Beauty School), so I took night classes as well, which translated to 13 hour weeks. Also, I quit my job at Five Guys when I got hired at a local restaurant in San Leandro, as a waitress, only to be dismissed (for stupid reasons, I might add) about a month later.

After all that unnecessary drama, I did graduate, hung out with friends in celebration, and went to the Cherry Blossom Festival. Then came the preparations for Fanime, while I was unemployed, mind you.

Me doing my final "clock out", and yes, I wanted to wear a fancy dress because I started doing Cosmetology due to being a Theater Major, and working in the theater :3 Why not be theatrical? ;)
Photo taken by Oscar Cwajbaum


Fanime 2012 was the most fun Fanime in the past three years I have been going. I don't want to get too descriptive, but I will mention that I loved the Esmeralda cosplay my mother made me, got lols for Bentar cosplay, and ugh...dem lines.

Esmeralda cosplay was made by my lovely mother, Marina Moisa :3
All I did was the hair and makeup xD
Photo taken by Alexander Louie.

Then, summer came. I took my State Board test, failed the written portion, so in total, I didn't get my Cosmetologist License.

So all summer, I was unemployed, depressed, and lonely. Which made writing into this blog ever harder. Heck, I was barely cosplaying.

Now, fast forward to mid August. I got a job as a Cocktail Waitress at Ricky's Sports Bar Theater in San Leandro. Did I want to write?

Well...

I was also doing school, and focusing on it. Not to mention, with all the local basbeall teams and yes, the 49ers doing so well this past season, business boomed. I was tired a lot, and just not in the mood to cosplay or even work on my business.

Me along with the other lovely ladies from Ricky's. Waitresses, our bartenders are on the far left and right, and Tina, one of our managers, is the one in red hugging Amela :3

Photo taken by Morie Kahane

So why now?

Well. it's a new year, a new beginning, a fresh start.

And I want to make sure that this new year is just that.

I normally don't make resolutions, but mine is to keep doing the things that I had started out on doing.

I can be the biggest procrastinator on Earth. I blame it to being depressed a lot. No, I am just damn lazy.

So I am done being lazy, I am done finding excuses for myself.

So for now, while I am finishing up my General Ed credits, I am looking for new work (Ricky's is basically slow now that Football Season is over, and I have had many great prospects for new work :D Please pray and cross fingers!), work on my blogs and vid tutorials (YES I WILL ACTUALLY WORK ON THEM), keep my room cleaned and organized (Don't ask xD!!), and continue this topic of Cosplay Cosmetology.

I started this topic as a means to help Cosplayers, because I feel I have a lot to contribute to this community.

I honestly feel that God has put me on this Earth to help people, to be compassionate, and to make sure I can put a smile on someone's face. Seriously, I don't mean to sound like Pinkie Pie, but I do strive to put smiles on people's faces. Whether it is to help you, to make you laugh, or to just be a listener and counselor to your problems. As long as one person is smiling because of me in one day, then my work has been done :)

I leave you with this quote by G.K. Chesterton about starting over. Also, a My Little Pony clip ;)

“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.”  -G.K. Chesterton 

Basically the story of my life...in Pony Form xDD

Best regards,

Natalie P. Moisa "The Average Lady"
Captain Li Hellsing, The Cosplaying Cosmetologist
and Natalie Moisa, the stylist.