I've been so remiss with my DA updates. Now that Ysabel has her own, I'm thinking to rekindle my fondness for Photography. Everything I've ever learned has gone. I'll be starting from scratch. It could be a good thing or a very bad thing. Just when I was thinking about these things... Ysabel and her Dad gifted me with a new camera for Christmas.
It's exactly what I wanted. Nothing too expensive but with all the features I needed. Easy to manage when shooting and easy to understand. I'm happy with my new camera. My family really outdone themselves this Christmas. lol I appreciate the gift. I actually love it already. I've named it : ____________. lol No name yet.. I can't decide.

On other things, I'm selling contact lenses for cosmetics and cosplay.
If anyone is interested :

[link]

Nearly everything is on sale because I want to sell everything (if possible) so I can try my hand at selling wigs. I like trying out new things, whether it's a hobby or small business. I do love selling the lenses because I've met several people from all over the world. UK, Spain and even my neighbor from 3 streets away. hahahaha I'd like to keep selling but I'm just too distracted.

Merry Christmas everyone.

*SavingSunlight

Happy birthday and welcome back to DA.

Just 3 months to go and I would have gone a year without updating my journal.

In 3 months Ysabel will be back on DA since she will meet the minimum age requirement of 13. _{I won't have to update anything anymore. lol}

I want to thank everyone for the continued support of her cosplays. It really means a lot to me and of course to her.

She's made a new journal about the ToraDora cosplay shoot they had. She's proud of this particular journal.

[link]

I wouldn't want her friends here to miss it.

I had hoped to write something fitting for such a special occasion but I'm tired and just up to my eyes, ears and nose with things to do for today, it's my only child's birthday after all. LOL.

Happy Birthday Ysabel.

I'm going to skip the cheese but I want to thank everyone for the love and support you show Ysabel. [link]

(I was reading 's journal entry which you can find here [link] and thought it would be a good time to write a journal in response.)

Since Ysabel began cosplaying, I have received numerous notes from other cosplayers commenting how they wished their parents were as supportive as me when it comes to this oh so misunderstood hobby. I've had people willing to be adopted lol.
It just makes me think that a lot of cosplayers really have difficulties making their parents understand cosplay.

Here's my take on the sensitive subject of
" Why don't parents understand cosplay?" and maybe a suggestion how to bridge the gap.

Reason #1 Parents fear what they don't understand. (in this case, it's the anime/manga culture.

Cosplay is not exactly a mainstream hobby. It's so far from playing a sport like basketball or playing an instrument. If a child of mine was doing something that I could not relate to, I would most likely put a stop to it. What cosplayers see as dressing up as an anime character is like.. dressing up like a freak to most parents. It's not normal therefore it must stop.

Suggestion:
*Introduce them to anime/manga that you think THEY will enjoy.
*Show them photos of your favorite cosplayers
( this sealed the deal for me, I saw ysabel's favorite cosplayers and I was just blown away)

Reason #2 It's a waste of money.

Cosplaying is a relatively expensive hobby. Put yourself in your parents shoes. You work hard for the family, there are bills to be paid, but your child wants a costume and a wig? What young cosplayers need to understand is that priorities are different when you become a parent. Food, shelter, health care, clothing (costumes and wigs don't fall under this category) those take precedence before anything else. If you however are making money and your parents are still on your case, perhaps your parents are indirectly telling you that they would like you to help out with expenses.

Suggestion:
* Save your allowance so you don't have to ask for funds.
* Offer to do extra work around the house (without asking for monetary compensation) when they see you making the extra effort to help out, they just might leave you and your cosplay alone.

Reason #3 It is a distraction from school.

This is very simple. Prove to your parents that you are responsible enough to be able to balance cosplay and school. If you have high grades maintain them. If you can get better grades than what you have... TRY harder!
As a parent I've often told Ysabel that her priority is her schooling. If she continues to have honors in school, she can do all the cosplay she wants. So far it's a good arrangement. lol

Suggestion:
* Study harder
*Bring home better grades
*Get your teacher involved in cosplay HAHAHA

Reason #4 Parents feel left out.

I can't imagine any parent who wouldn't want to have a great time with their kids. Being with cosplay friends might be taking too much time away from the family and your parents just might need some love and affection from their child.

Suggestion:
* Spend quality time with your parents
* Give extra hugs and do thoughtful stuff for them

I'm quite sure that there are soooo many other reasons but these are the first things that come to mind when I think WHY I wouldn't want my child to cosplay. Of course every parent do their parenting duties differently and I will not judge those who don't allow their kids to cosplay.

It is very difficult to be rejected by your parents in your chosen hobby BUT if you want them to understand you, be prepared to understand your parents too.