*RayeRaye's Corner* 

Whilst it's clear I have cut down on the number of conventions over the last few years, I have actually found it quite beneficial. I've become less stressed over the whole because of a fall in the number of costumes I need to get together, plus I am better off money wise so that I can save more cash for holidays!

One of my biggest dreams has been to take a trip for Japan and in March 2018, we finally got our chance and went with it. If you ever has a desire to go and get a chance, do it! You will not regret it! I might write more about Japan in another post (with more detail) but for this post its a general recap on why 2018 has been great so far...

As midnight struck on 31st January 2017, I started 2018 in cosplay! Pulling in my mum as the red queen and my husband as the mad hatter, I twirled about as Alice - a great start to the year. Also in January I booked myself and my husband into AmeCon which will fall on my birthday in July (excite) and we are also planning a trip to some music gigs (of which we have already seen Bowling for Soup at the UEA, one of my fav bands). I find it is really important to have things booked in to look forward to in a few months time!

In February we travelled to another KupoCon and I was really happy to take my Yuna cosplay on another outing! I also got to see a few friends there too! I also started up streaming games on Twitch around then, and whilst I hope to do it weekly (wont happen), monthly is my present goal to just show people what it like to watch me game (RayeRayeChan on twitch, bring popcorn).

March was 'hyper excite mode activate' month - as we went to Japan! (I bought about 20 figurines, cheapest was 500 yen... *dazed*). It was honestly the best time I think I have had in my life (since I got married obv), and I am hooked to go again some time in the future, it was everything I wanted it to be and so much more.

April was a little calmer (and the start of post Japan blues) but thankfully I had booked to go to EGX Rezzed for the husband and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Rezzed is full of indie titles and just before we went one of my fav games of 2017, What Remains of Edith Finch, won a BAGA (British Academy Games Awards) for Best Game! (Also taking this as an opportunity to name drop my fav game of 2017, Persona 5, which won the best RPG in December 2017 at The Game Awards). 

Keeping on the gaming topic... In May I will be heading to the Norwich Gaming Fesitval, an event I have supported for a few years and really enjoy (not just because it is in my home town). I've helped with running a masquerade before and made a guest apperance on a little cosplay desk and its a wonderful environment.

I am also thrilled to announce that in 2018, I'm running the Cosplay Showcase as my group AniMedia East is teaming up with NGF to give cosplayers a platform to show their skills. The festival slightly runs into June (due to the bank holiday) so I will be back to do another write up on what's been happening then.

One last thing to add as I sign off - I finally got creative and made up some mascots for a new AniMedia East logo and my pal Dom did an amazing job photoshopping it - I hope the fresh new look will encourage more people to join in and attend my meets (please go check out my other site AniMedia East when you can!) - and yes, I am also amazed by how much stuff I managed to fit in over the last few months!

As always if you have any questions or want more info do get in touch!

Mata ne! (Bye for now!)

Raye x