♕ Have a nice day.

There may be spoilers for Go! Princess Precure in this post!

So February has come, and we're forced to say goodbye to last year's incredibly lovely Pretty Cure season, "Go! Princess Precure!", and I'm very unwilling to let go.

; n ;  I don't want it to beeee

I had posted about it briefly last year, but I had underestimated just how much I would be impacted by it. It feels a bit embarrassing to say something like this about a show aimed at children, but it was definitely the show that inspired me the most last year and has constantly been a source of support for me. GoPri has found a very special place in my heart. Not just because of how cute it is, with the princess theme, the frilly dresses, and the lovely music; though it is definitely great in those aspects. No, GoPri went above and beyond that to me, especially in a time where I faced lots of changes and was forced to make many important decisions.

The ability to chase my dreams, to not be embarrassed of whatever they may be, to accept and grow from my mistakes, and to accept change as a part of life.

It's okay Towa, I couldn't keep that promise either.

I really recommend anyone who really enjoys magical girl anime, or simple and heartwarming stories, to watch Go! Princess Precure. Although it's very simple due to it's target audience, it's messages are not shallow because of it. Even if you're an adult who has learned all of these things already, I really think it can be appreciated just as well. We all need to be reminded of what we're capable of, and we all need to be assured that we are not the sum of our failures, but rather how they make us grow. GoPri really assured me of my own strength, and that I should embrace what makes me, well, me, and I hope that it can do that for you as well. 

I truly enjoyed the ending. It was bittersweet, and it feels open ended, but it's how life is. Dreams don't end, even when you've reached a goal there will always be another, and that's fine. You don't just "become a princess", you don't just "achieve happiness", those are things that must be continuously worked on. And as long as there are dreams, there will be despair, things or people that will try to stop you, and that's fine too!

I'm really sad that the time has come to write this post, because it means that I won't be able to see Haruka and her friends do their best each week anymore. I won't be reminded of or taught any new lessons, I won't be able to learn from their mistakes either. Still, it's not a sad parting, it's just a new beginning, right? Now our role is to continue on in their stead and continue protecting our own dreams! We have a new Precure season to look forward to, and I can always rewatch the series if I ever miss it too much, so I'll survive. 

Well, I've got to do my best to achieve my own dreams from now on too! Let's continue to do our best this year as well. Like a true lady, I'll say goodbye with ごきげんよう！

Until next time!

Kiki and me.

Hello hello, I hope everyone has been well! I got all four of my wisdom teeth removed a few days ago, so I've been holed up in my room, hehe. It hasn't been particularly painful aside from a few specific times, so I have been relaxing. Thanks to that, I've binge watched movies and have been doing whatever I can to stave off boredom.

One of the movies I watched was Kiki's Delivery Service. It was my first time, and it was a very lovely experience! What a wonderful movie, I feel like I will hold Kiki close to my heart for times to come. In a few months I will be going away to university on my own, in a different country no less. It's been something I've been worrying and overthinking a lot, and seeing Kiki go out on her own journey with bravery and excitement was very uplifting and inspirational. I both identify and am greatly inspired by her, something that I definitely wasn't expecting. 

(She also has great taste in music, hehe!)

This movie found it's way to me at just the right time. I, too, will follow my heart and fly with my own spirit. No matter what, you must work hard, and have a good heart♥! Thank you for the pep talk, Miyazaki.

“What's really important here," I whispered loudly to myself,"is not the big things other people have thought up, but the small things you, yourself have”

                                               -Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart

I also read Sputnik Sweetheart, which was an equally lovely experience. (How did I find so much motivational material at the same time?!) I finished this book in record time, despite having to put it down after some scenes to digest what I had read. It was quite similar to 19Q4, but it was thoroughly satisfying despite it's short length, unlike 19Q4... Maybe it's just the type of story Murakami mostly writes...

Sumire is a messy and naive, sometimes ridiculously so, young adult who loses herself but eventually comes back stronger and wiser. She reminded me a bit of Alice Lidell! Though, presented in a more modern "realistic" setting. It was something I could learn from. You'll never grow if you remain in a stagnant, dream-like state, yet you'll lose yourself if you attempt a direct collision with reality. Always find balance, never fear change. 

I also really enjoyed how both of these stories handled loss of inspiration/motivation, and how the heroines analyzed it, reflected on it, and surpassed it! Definitely something I'll revisit whenever I can't seem to find my will or creativity.

These have officially been the highlights of my week, I'm obsessed with watching Kiki's Delivery Service now. (´°ω°`) I really recommend both of these stories to everyone! They're a treat to experience.

Isn't it wonderful when you find something that inspires you?

Thank you for reading!

What are some stories that you've enjoyed recently?

Becoming a maiden?!

It seems we find ourselves together once again. It hasn't been that long since I last posted, right?
I just want to share some musings, I thought that it'd be easier to organize myself if I wrote down my ideas! Hopefully they'll be of some interest.

Around November or so of last year, I found myself thinking deeply about fashion and, more importantly, how it reflects your inner self. I'm sure a lot of people think extravagant (alternative) fashions (decora, gyaru, lolita, goth, etc.) are a way of hiding yourself, a sort of mask, while a lot of others think it's a reflection of their true self. I've been pondering over and over how to feel about it, and how I want to express myself personally.

The problem is, that I've been really conflicted over what my style is. I like everything, I think all clothing has it's own charm and grace to it! What does that mean for me?! What I do know for sure is what I want to be, which I now feel kind of embarrassed to say... I want to be a maiden, someone who exudes grace and kindness, like a princess. Kind of idealistic, I know... But I'm sure it's attainable to some degree!

I must sound really serious... But I'm just melodramatic, I simply want to find my own niche! I want to be comfortable in my clothes, at least figuratively! (*´∀`*) It's also quite fun to think about how it reflects myself, because I've realized that I also want my habits and mannerisms to also reflect my true self. I wouldn't feel like a maiden if I slouched and spoke carelessly, even while all dressed up, right? I want to be a maiden, no matter what clothes I wear. I think this quote by Novala Takemoto sums up my feelings quite well:

No matter how much you wear cute clothing, or how much time your makeup takes, if your inner self is remiss then true beauty will not be yours. In other words, from morning to night, even at times when people aren’t looking at you, you cannot forget to continuously make an effort to be beautiful. Loafers do not have the capacity to become a maiden.

Takemoto, Novala. "Let's Learn the 'Maiden's Way' from Mr. Novala Takemoto." 

Translated by murasaki_kaze 

I may not always agree with Novala's ideas, but I definitely agree with this. In the end, it doesn't matter how you dress, if your inner self is not as polished as your clothes! Everything is important ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶ ! 

[Of course, I don't dislike any other sort of personality; I don't believe this makes me better than anyone. This is simply how I want to portray myself. To paraphrase another Novala quote: "There are angels who go into battle with swords, while there are also angels who sing and play harps." (I hope that's how it goes...) It is only, to put it simply, my ideal self, how I want to be. I believe that as long as you are kind, then it doesn't matter if you're brazen or timid or anything really.]

So, the conclusion I've come to is this: Wear what you like, but strive to be graceful and kind wherever you go! I don't have to fit myself into a box (although it would help to more easily coordinate my wardrobe, hehe) so why must I force myself to? The clothes don't make the woman, although they might make me more confident. Polish my heart first and then my armor!

Now, some motivating words from Prince Kanata, from the super cute new season of PreCure, Go! Princess Pretty Cure! I'm really inspired by it at the moment ~

for reading!

What's your own conclusion? What type of person do you want to be and represent?