Author: LunaNightingale

I put on some make-up and put a smile on my face. If anyone asks me, everything is ok . I'm Laughing because no one knows the joke is on me because I'm dying inside with my pride and the smile on my face. I am an artist who lives my by my own rules and define my own creativity. I explore the world through using my hands, leaving everything else to the imagination. Using graphite to illustrate whatever comes to mind. My art connects me between two worlds...my creativity and my heart. I find an escape in my art. This is where I find my voice...on a blank sheet of paper, a blank template on a computer, or objects I come across. I refuse to limit my artistic expression.

Anime Expo 2019

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Drawing more than 350,000 plus attendees literally from across the world, Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in North America and it once again welcomes the most passionate fans of Japanese pop culture to the Los Angeles Convention Center July 4-7, pre-show night being July 3rd. Anime Expo is currently in its 28th year featuring new exclusives, anime films, fashion, video games, manga, concerts, exhibition all combined to give the fans an unforgettable experience of anime and Japanese pop culture.

The line up for AX 2019 did not disappoint and will kept them engaged though out the weekend. From the exclusive screening of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back –Evolution and the impressive works from world-renowned composer Yoshihiro Ike, to crowd favorites like the Fashion Show and all of the fabulous cosplay, “we encourage AX 2019 attendees to sample it all – creating many amazing and lasting memories,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, AX’s organizer.

AX this year had over 400 exhibitors, 19 premieres, over 500 artists, and hundred of hours of programming. There is something for everyone. AX also featured four days and nights of awesome panel discussions, live performances, and special appearances.

On day one, the line to enter the convention center was over a block long around the Staples Center. Most waited up to 2 hours in line. There were only two major entrances.

One of the most talked about and popular events is the Anime Expo Fashion Show, which was held on July 5th in Petree Hall from 12:30-3pm. Japan is home to many of the most cutting-edge, fashion-forward trends in the world. AX takes pride in showcasing and introducing a variety of designers and their creations to the American market. This years designers include: h. NAOTO, Acryl CANDY, HYPLAND, amnesiA&paramenesiA, Metamorphose and Hot Topic. In addition, in The Annex attendees are able to meet and get an autograph or photo from the designers and models, and shop each brand’s offerings. I had the pleasure and honor of modeling for one of my favorite Japanese h.Naoto.

Anime Expo always embraced cosplay. The AX Masquerade is really the celebration of style, cosplay and performance competition with history of more than 20 years. AX Masquerade and World Cosplay Summit USA finals was held on Saturday, July 6 at 8pm at the main events hall B of LACC. Masters of Ceremonies Zach and Jim returned to bring their combined energy as hosts for AX Masquerade and the World Cosplay Summit USA Finals. The Corps Dance Crew also returned as featured performers. Congratulations to the Masquerade winners.

What is an AX without tons of music. From all the DJ’s, dances, AMV’s and love concerts, it would not be Anime Expo without music-related events to choose from. This year there were two musts: Yoshohiro Ike Anime Soundtrack World. This international debut concert by legendary composer and musician Yoshihiro Ike awed the audience with his most recognized music and being the most in Japan, having worked on more than 100 titles in the last 20 years. Aqours makes a return appearance with LOVE LIVE! SUNSHINE. Probably the most music event at AX!

What would be an anime convention without cosplay? Walking around Anime Expo inside or outside is an awesome visual because you will see the most creative and talented cosplayers and amazing cosplay.

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Overall, I still enjoy Anime Expo. You always meet new people and make new friends. I think the issues with the lines will always be a problem and the fan experience still needs improvement. However, the last couple of years I have saw improvements in Anime Expo as whole. Despite the overcrowding, I recommend still attending Anime Expo at least once to experience the massive celebration of Japanese Pop Culture. Next years Anime Expo will be July 2-5, 2020.

2019 IDEA World Fitness & Nutrition Expo

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The 2019 IDEA World Fitness and Nutrition Expo was held June 28-29 at the Anaheim Convention Center where over 14,000 passionate fitness professionals and enthusiasts took in all the aspects of the fitness industry has to offer from workout gear to workout equipment, diet, supplements, and data technology.

The biggest takeaway from the entire experience is recovery. IDEA showed me that other companies are putting forth the effort and creating more products and technology for recovery for avid exercisers, athletes, and professionals.

PSO Rite

Since CBD is becoming more popular for recover, there were a lot of companies putting forth CBD products. I’ve tried several CBD products to get the feel of their strength (preferably to my pain and how quickly you begin to feel the product working.

CBD ReThink is a high quality CBD company with document proof of purity in their product. It is also competitively priced. The feeling is smooth and non greasy but not as strong as other I’ve tried.

Plus CBD is a manufacturing company that makes a produces CBD. They are very popular and states you are getting the most trust CBD product available.

California’s Best CBD I’ve tried before and they do specialize in the mobility of athletes and extra strength for various pain issues.

Basic Jane is a newer company for me but enjoyed trying their topical relief for aches and my chronic pain. Also, all their products are made from natural ingredients: Aloe Vera, Wintergreen, Arnica, Peppermint, Lavender, Clary Sage, Sweet Orange, Ginger, Lime, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot. The combination of one or more of these ingredients plus CBD make their product.

CBDmd is the sponsor of the expo and highly popular. I have tried their cooling balm which works for the nerve pain along with recovery.

CBD ReThink

In the realm of gym tech, body composition measuring devices stole the focus, with a display of a new gym scale by InBalance that breaks it down by weight, fat, muscle mass, BMI and body-water composition, a 3-D body scanner by Styku, and Evolt 360 body scan. I did all three that gave me around the same results.

Styku is a very cool body scan and takes a few minutes but really gives you your results based on your outer scan of the body. InBody and Evolt uses the same essentially uses the same body scan technology but the only only difference is that Evolt gives you recommendations for the vitamins and supplements needed that are relevant to your goals.

Walking the expo, you get a chance to see and try a ton of different pieces of equipment or tools to use to get fit — and I was able to experience many just in the floor. I think it’s great there are so many new pieces of equipment. Bars with resistance straps on them, indoor cycling bikes that lean from side to side, tubes with unsteady weight inside, and water-filled balls. The list goes on and on. I don’t think we need all these tools but they will inspire someone to get fit whether if 1 or a dozen.

At IDEA, you are able to surround yourself with good, like-minded people. I got so much joy interacting with other attendees and making different connections especially someone like myself who is an introvert and has social anxiety. I do plan to attend next year and hopefully the entire show in 2020!

I’ve always struggled with Stress.

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I have always struggled with some sort of chronic stress. I was always unable to manage it especially when I was younger. I was always on the go. I was always trying to make my dad proud of me. I got good grades, made honors, and overall a “good kid”.

On to of that, I was always teased and bullied. I never really had many friends. When I came home from school I watch anime and did my homework or played video games. However, deep in my mind I would always think of what would happen if I wasn’t around. Suicidal thoughts would cross my mind but were never severe.

As I got older, Anxiety was more present. It wasn’t just being anti-social it shy. The thing about anxiety disorder that deep down you know it’s quite dumb. you know that things are not a big deal and should took right off of you but that when anxiety actually kicks in. That small things becomes the biggest thing and it keeps growing in your mind, flooding your nerves, and trying to escape from underneath your skin. I hate every minute of it and no one recognizes it or even have the patience to try. Most will just slap an ordinary label and it makes things a lot worse.

As I got to my 20’s and more on my own the anxiety makes me overthink everything. At times it makes me think people in my life will leave. I tend to feel abandoned and worthless. The depression aspect will kick in after that. People with anxiety experience it differently. I experience different from others.

I have actually several different anxiety disorders. General anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent worry about everything. I really do worry about almost every little thing. At my worst, I am in tears. I am restless at night with muscle tension and easily fatigued. This happens even when I’m going about my day. My brain will feel like a tornado of thoughts swirling around causing destruction.

Now, my social anxiety disorder is another story. Instead of panic attacks I get the feeling of knots in my stomach. I am actually petrified of a whole bunch of people at once. Though I am also an introvert, it is more than that and more than just being shy. I can still work but there is nervousness inside me everyday.

Lastly, OCD is one of the most complex anxiety disorders that most really understand. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is defined by the relationship between between obsessions and compulsions. This is where my suicidal thoughts happen. No, I do not want to die nor do I want to act on them. However, it causes some of my anxiety and serious overthinking as to why I exist.

From the outside looking in, I’m overreacting. From the inside looking out, there is a constant battle. How anxiety affect people is as unique as a fingerprint.