Sept. 19, Break Ups!

 This month has been interesting. I can focus on a few things now and give my time to people who appreciate what I do. I finally took a bit of time to relax, and tend to a few things that needed to get done… to make more time for my hobbies. :) 

So, what’s been on my mind recently?

Breakups and New Beginnings 

Not all breakups are simple and amicable, or easy. I’ve been watching a lot of TikTok recently. lol 

It can be hard going through one, especially if it’s a first long term relationship or the breakup might be messy. Maybe the two aren’t a good fit. Maybe someone tried too hard and the other not enough. Maybe one person thought they could see other people and the other did not want that. There can be all the tears and sobbing and wanting that person back with impromptu declarations of “changing”. Or, two people just drift apart and accept it. 

 At the end of the day, nothing worked out and it’s time for something else to fill in the space!

There can be a plethora of factors that can lead to a break up (and a lot of feelings that can be birthed from it!), but instead of settling for someone who’s not your type and being miserable, check out some of the activities that can take your mind off things. 

I’d love to say some cliche things, but every situation is truly different. Sometimes people hold the blame for another’s actions and others would rather destroy your world, friendships and career than mutter a simple “sorry”. Sometimes people are chill instead. 

On my Twitter account, I’ll be posting some activities that you can do if you find yourself in a romantic (or friendship) breakup! 

If you have something to share, you can share your stories or thoughts below. 

August 30

 Its already the last few days of August. This year is flying by so much. I had some good news earlier this year, and someone took it not so well. Its wild that some people would want to cozy up to you and then not be happy for you and in turn want you to be miserable alongside them. But, it was to be expected of them. 

Outside of that, I have been enjoying TikTok recently! I had an account for a few years to watch a few things here and there, but have recently started contributing content that I archive on my Youtube channel. It has been fun and a little more manageable for me than when I became a Youtube Partner back in 2010-2011.

I have some things I need to edit a bit before posting, and it makes me really excited!

Stay tuned!

GAL REVO

GAL Revo, short for Gyaru Revolution, by Miyu Yoshida is now available as a website! 

GAL REVO was founded in February 2014. We are the largest source for digital Gyaru magazines, as well as to archive other things GAL. We aim to provide HD & watermark free scans.

I have been a subscriber of Gal Revo for many years, becoming quite impressed with Miyu's sharing of a large variety of gyaru fashion magazines. She is the proud owner of an extensive, drool worthy collection of trendy Japanese gyaru fashion magazines, possibly out of all the gaijin gyaru.  And with her ig accounts as well as a brand newnwebsite, you can enjoy these scans as well, whether at home or on the go. 

Check them out here! 

Stay inspired!  

Brow Blindness

As a formerly fuzzy browed gal finding myself in love with gyaru fashion, I found the importance of shaping and designing a brow look for myself that worked.  

I happened upon a trend on TikTok recently called “Brow Blindness”; a phenomenon where you are so used to your former brow that you don’t recognize how thick or oddly shaped they are! A few people have shared some of their looks, being able to laugh at themselves and showcase how great their brows have gotten over time.

TheLanarenee 

Her brows are impeccable now 💖

Janelle on TikTok looks quite flabbergasted at her old brows

Strongest of brows

Strong, but doesn’t overpower her features 

Dinero wishes someone would have informed her that her brows weren’t working for her. 

Before

After
Aren’t her red locks GORGEOUS?!

I can definitely relate as my natural brows had several transitions since I’ve became gyaru. Here are a few pictures of my old brows.

The arch is plucked… can’t you tell? 

What kind of shape is this?! 

Have you had brow blindness? What did your brows look like before you found the best shape for yourself?

Acen 2024

 Acen 2024 came and went, and it was a hot one this year. It seems like there was a larger influx of people who came out to enjoy anime and manga festivities. 

I saw many cosplays and some fashionistas that I was enamored with which is always delightful.

Here are some of my favorites:

Met a cute couple <3

Mothers Day

 Happy (late) Mother’s Day to the Mom’s out there. 💖

For some people, it’s not a fun day filled with gifting or receiving roses and cute cards, as some moms may have passed or were abusive to their children. Maybe some moms experienced a miscarriage, lost a child, or may have been abused by their children. 

Hopefully, there can still be some joy found. 

Gyaru Spotlight: Ari Marie

 This (cross posted) Gyaru Spotlight is for Ari Marie! 

I met her around 2010 or so when she applied to a nago-sa project co-founded by me and LA. We didn’t give her a clear cut answer as the Chicago nago-sa/gyaru project was having internal issues that needed to be resolved first and foremost. Our bad for not being upfront about that when you applied. 

Movie Analysis: Nobody Knows

Have you ever had a movie that you’ve watched stick with you after you’ve watched it? I have. I was chatting about current movies the other day and later reflected about the ones I’ve already seen. “Nobody Knows” is one of them. Its not a gyaru movie, but a Japanese one that gave me a glimpse of what some kids may be going through, or have gone through in broken homes in Japan. 

      A pensive, triggering movie suggested to me where a mom moves and finds a new apartment in a new part of town. She introduces herself and her eldest son, Akira to the other tenants, and goes to finish moving in. 

<b>Spoilers ahead!</b>

Veteran Gals Vs. Newbie Gals

Its a thing currently. 

As I dive gently back into the realm of online gyaru worlds, I am met with tons of posts that I would have loved as a beginner gal. There is so much content out there to inspire and enjoy. Some things, also bring to light some of the darkside of Japan and several different fashion subcultures like Jiraikei.

Amongst the plethora of nostalgic fashion posts, or people debating whether or not manba is offensive to black people, I am met with posts declaring how mean and callous gaijin gyaru veterans are. I am met with posts about how ignorant and helpless newbie gals are.

Gyaru Themed Phone Wallpapers

 It’s been a long time since I’ve done gyaru themed items here on this blog. Posts about scenarios and what would you do in them and my mission statement, my values etc is great especially with what has happened with meeting new people who seem to be oblivious about that, but what about the MAIN topic of this blog, Gyaru‽ 

So, I’ve dedicated some time to finding some cute wallpapers that you can decorate your Home Screen with. If you need these in a bigger size, let me know. 

Enjoy.

GAL💎VIP

 

Hey rockstar⭐︎

Besides writing for my blogs & a site for gaming& tech, did you know I also wrote a few articles for GAL💎VIP?

During the year of 2012-2013, there was so much going on outside of Amerigyaru and college senior life. I was quite busy at the time, but it felt great dedicating some of that time and effort for the gyaru comm. 

I was given prompts to write about; very different topics than what I’d normally write about for my own blog or for the gaming/tech site. I hope my articles,(non alc.) beverages and managing S.A.D.S. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) helped you❤️. 

Mata ne 🌺

May 14th, 2024

 Its already mid May, and the weather seems to be going a little steady. 

Since this has been on my mind for a while, I had some instances of gyaru style hiatus and became a bit of a weekend gal! (something I thought I'd never do! But due to a new set of circumstances...)

The first time I did this it was a hiatus of sorts around 2013. I had let my eyebrows grow out and return to their natural, black and thick state, stopped perming my hair and using wigs, and took a break from the lashes and nails. It was weird seeing myself so plain yet complete (no need to fill in my brows etc.). I also ended up cutting off all permed parts of my hair as it grew out, and just did twists and such. 

This probably lasted for a few months, until I stopped and decided back to old routines. Taking that time off allowed me to just be reacquainted with myself without all the bells and whistles. 

Several years later,  when I began studying and working at a university, I took another hiatus to forgo the make and hair and things to blend in a little, and focus on work and study points as there were people who had way more time dedicated to understand. Of course, halfway through that period, I did start to do more toned down versions of my style, experimented a bit and kept the bolder looks for events and weekends. (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

Though I have done faux locks before with my banba gyaru make up, I went without it with a blue set. It was a little odd, and perhaps doing gyaru makeup and being creative with my style a large majority of the time made me feel as if the look wasn't complete without the lens and lashes. I looked really tomboy-like again for a while.

With those few breaks, I also noticed I still do my contour the same, but got used to looking how I did before all the heavy makeup.

With having done such extreme styles and doing such bold eye makeup, you can get accustomed to what you look like in those moments. A sense of dysmorphia when you skip out or don't do your makeup routine is a snippet of a conversation I had with someone who loves lashes. 

Spotlight: Atelier Pierrot; Size Range Increase!

I am so excited that a lolita brand, Atelier Pierrot is increasing their size range! As a J-fashion blogger and enthusiast, I am always impressed when brands are inclusive or become inclusive for other body types, whether it be Western ones or Japanese ones. March 11th starts their Plus Sized Fashion Festival and sale to cater to the Western and plus sized fans of their designs. You can now fawn over posts of their latest pieces on their social media.

Ebunny, a twitch streamer, singer and former onee gyaru, modeled for Atelier Pierrot and looks gothically amazing in the tiered skirts and gentle ruffles.

A qoute from her instagram:

"The Japanese elegant gothic lolita fashion community usually doesn't see someone like me representing brand clothing for lolita. As someone who's loved egl fahion for almost 20 years, I cannot tell you how proud I am to be a full figured, plus size, thicc, whatever adjective you like to use (lol) black woman modeling for a lolita brand in Japan. This is a type of representation I would've loved to see as a child, but sometimes you gotta be the change you wanna see!

Thank you to all the hardworking Japanese and non-Japanese staff at Atelier Pierrot for making the investent and effort to produce high quality lolita fawshion clothing in plus sizes. Egl should be for everyone to enjoy regardless of size, race, gender, height, etc. They are taking small steps everyday in the right direction."

You can follow the brand here to keep updated on their designs. And here is a link to the dress modeled by the lovely Ms. Ebunny herself.

You can follow Ms. Ebunny here on her IG.

Have fun!

SHIBUYA! by softboiledegg

softboiledegg of the legendary egg gyaru magazine just dropped a new catchy song four days ago after sharing some behind the scenes clips on their Tiktok. I was curious how it will turn out as there were clips of gals doing parapara to a nonstandard beat in the background while two of them had close ups of them rapping/singing. Its also a bit refreshing to see a more recognizable gal makeup being worn by the main artists of the song. The song is also complete with some wild lyrics, but what could be wilder than opening your song with how fresh and clean.... you are from their song Gal is Mind?

Check it out here:

The Fine Line Between Normal and Special

Having been heavily in the gyaru scene since 2010 after being on a gaming platform around 2007-2009, I experienced moments of pseudo "celebrity". Though small in comparison to some of the well known names out there, and there were others who were cooler or more kawaii, at the time it was a big deal in this little bubble. It was thrilling at times, but the amount of progress I felt was needed, becoming a sell out, and what content should I publish to entertain hundreds of people is something I had to think about constantly.

Friend/Partner Poaching

Recently on social media, my former feed of pictures of food and statements of "its better being solo than surrounded by people that don't like you" is now filled with random stories about friendship or partner/boyfriend poaching and situations of overly humbling (or outright disrespecting (Black) women (ie. Rihanna x Chris Brown, Beyonce and Jayz, Ciara and that one guy before her current husband Russel) who are successful and the critiques on such circumstances.

This kind of poaching is regarding someone taking your friend and excluding you out of the relationship. Essentially, "stealing" your friend from you. This can also happen when you are dating or in a romantic relationship, and your friend wants to "steal" your partner from you, causing your boyfriend to cheat on you if he has no empathy or respect for you.

Apparently, women who go for married men, or unavailable men feel as if they need to "win" and be better by showing their worth by being able to seduce someone away. They get the feelings of feeling better than you, hotter than you, sexier than you, and this boosts their ego and makes them feel powerful if something is triggering them to feel less than. It is also a breach of trust if this person was considered a friend or claimed to be, and simply is a form of disrespect for boundaries, and a "power move" to become dominant and cause pain to the other party.

As for friendships, I haven't seen a lot on the topic outside of the "stolen" friend having more clout or popularity which makes them seem cool or pretty to be around them, or that the new friend has resources, money, a car, or connections to be used for their own benefit. You are left behind because they didn't want you, but what the people around you can do for them and their social status even if they cannot reciprocate.

How to NOT Dox Yourself

Keeping yourself safe is pretty standard advice.

So is making sure that when you hand your resume to someone who is a complete stranger to you to "fix" that they are someone you trust with that information. A stranger can go and see where you are working, and if you are getting out of an abusive relationship, you don't want that person knowing where you are since they are not capable of respecting your boundaries and treating you with respect.They have the potential and will/might just cause drama with the people around you and get you fired. A stranger who may be a win-at-all-costs sadistic, bruised ego type can have access to your references that may have loved you and your work ethic before, and "furnace your references".

Values, Failures, Mission Statement

Good evening! How are you? Are you doing alright after the pandemic and with all the chaos going on in the world? Are you doing alright with your work load or with the topics you are studying?

You know...this blog was generally centered around various aspects of my days throughout college, events I hosted with others, or what I found cool. However, it didn't allow much in the ways of getting to see your perspectives and such.

We deserve love - Anti Latinx/poc hate, fatphobia is not tolerated here

 For the most of us, we can all agree that we should all be able to be respected for who were are when it comes to our ethnicities, body types and for the languages that we speak beyond English and to have healthy high self esteem.

On Abuse, Jealousy and Isolation

 It’s interesting that someone can claim relationship titles or anything to justify saying awful things about you to the people who you may have stronger bonds with, even under the guise of “caring” (and never bring it up to the person they are referring to). 

And those bonds that were stronger don’t question it, don’t question the intent to why they were being talked to by someone that was not introduced properly, and don’t even get the person of the topic involved. That bond is weakened and ultimately destroyed, and the target of the conversation is isolated and has no support group after all the talking, an abusive, jealous person's favorite outcome more than just moving on and minding their business. 

Here are some clips from specialists about the dynamics of this  

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ECKkCUWDx7w&feature=sharec

https://youtube.com/shorts/LoVxuD9z-QA?feature=sharec

Anti Latinx or poc hate is not tolerated here

You know that at a certain distance, you might recognize someone or not by their gait or body type? Or if you didn’t know some groups of people could be taller or shorter and all that or that there could be similarities etc??I had an experience with that once, and it backfired on me and I didn’t have a chance to explain or even apologize or get some sort of  clarification. Especially to the people that mattered the most to me. 

Afromexican article that you must read!

 Check out this amazing article from Black Girl Nerds on AfroLatinx people and history!!

Changes

 Currently revamping things for this new year so old posts and such aren’t available at this time. 

YouTube videos have followed suit as well, but I appreciate the comments and views that I received over the years when embarking on a journey of self discovery. That included my own fashion adventures and mishaps, as well as meeting people and coordinating events and learning about what it takes to be a gyaru or be in a group, let alone becoming a leader and group manager/coordinator and understanding what that entails from the ground up. It’s a lot of work and not just super kawaii sparklyness when you want to surpass just hanging out, to something that can be self sustainable and long lasting for ourselves and the community at large.   

This has tested me in ways that I would have never known it would, as I saw the fun clothes and sparklyness and happy fun times and just had that at the forefront of my mind than just studying and making grades. 

I am grateful for the lessons learned throughout all this, even when I didn’t understand it all at the time. 

Thank you

I’ll be a Spanish Speaker

 This year, as I notice myself taking a break from learning Kanji and new Japanese words…I want to make my childhood dream come true (and maybe even try to find old telenovas from telemundo from the early 2000s til 2004) by self studying more basic Spanish phrases before I sign up for an online course. 🫡🥰

I can roll some r’s, and get around basic pronunciations thanks to Telemundo shows and some Spanish music and being around Spanish speakers in high school and beyond. Plus, there’s some similarities with French so it may even help a bit. It has been a regret that I DIDNT take Spanish class when it’s more widely used. Doh!!😣 I would have had more chances to use it often outside of class. That would have built up vocabulary and sounding less textbookish, and helped with natural speed and rhythm. 

After studying Japanese and finding out more dialects and perceptions of those languages as well as being cognizant of  English and slang and historical(racial) contexts in America…. It hinders me studying Spanish a little as there’s sdifferent forms of Spanish being spoken (Mexican, Spain’s Spanish, Ecuadorian or Guatemalan Spanish)I don’t want to just stick to the one that’s seen as “better” or more standard and unintentionally disregard other forms that’s spoken due to colonization etc etc. nor do I want to take a route that may be “easier” in terms of conjugation but it’s not usually spoken because it’s not standard (most likely due to colonization and number of people who speak it or that countries power and influence) but seeming as if I’m just lazy when the majority speaks a different and more “acceptable”(?) form of Spanish. This thinking keeps me back from diving in fully which is something I’m working on aside from just making grammatical mistakes while speaking. 

In the past, I self studied a handful of Cantonese (tones are soooo hard, and there’s like, 6?! 😵‍💫), then had French class for 2 years, then Japanese class for 1.5 in college (I could NOT do self studying with this on grade school. Well… I guess beyond words for Ms/Mr, basic numbers and yes/no. And I’m not counting memorizing songs at all despite it helping with immersion). 

I also see there’s an app for reading the language and you can poke at the words to get their meaning right in the sentence. I’d love that and will be getting that one of these days because I see it’s super handy.

Maxwell band night (to be re-edited.... with photos...)

  

At Elastic Arts Maxwell-Thomas had a show. It was my first time hearing about them, Heartlets.

The played closer, paradise, and Hollywood. They did a cover of a good fighters song as well as A little info I found to read with to you:

 About the band

Maxwell-Thomas

Maxwell-Thomas is a post-grunge, alternative rock collective led by songwriter, Stephen Mortensen. From its debut release in 2010, the 6-song EP, “The Ghosts I’ve Touched” to 2021’s full album, “Daisuki Baby,” Maxwell-Thomas has had numerous friends and collaborators touch its music. In 2022, the band finds its current line up energized by the eclectic drum stylings of Jun Takanarita, the dirty guitar slinging of Quinn Dean, and the pounding, pulsating rhythms of bassist, Tim Schiltz. Motivated by one passion, the desire to rock, Maxwell-Thomas finds itself at a career-peak as the group perfects an all killer, no filler set list. Taking inspiration from artists like Foo Fighters, the Pillows, and even iconic video game soundtracks such as “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” and “Persona 5,” Maxwell-Thomas is intent on delivering a performance that is tight, polished, and brimming with electricity. Stream Maxwell-Thomas anywhere you find digital music. Search “Mistreat Me” or “Scattered” to hear fan favorites.

—-

The opener was Bass-, one of their songs had me envisioning a high speed car chase for all the wrong reasons set in the 70’s with a slight sepia tone tinge. 

Diamond Gyaru Mistakes (storytime #3

Hi Heartlets, this is a post in two parts; Here is the link to the youtube video~ 

So, during the last few years after not getting my fellowship at the University of Chicago possibly due to someone breaching my boundaries and contacting another manager where I am working to get me fired again, I had time to think about various facets of my life. Of course, my involvement in the gyaru community, me being gal and things of that nature come flooding back to me, the good and the bad. 

When I joined Diamond gyaru event circle, America's #1 gyaru circle back in 2010 or so, not only was I elated that I got accepted into a galcir, but I was also so nervous! The best of the best! Gals whose subgenre styling; makeup, hairmake, outfits and demeanor, were on point. 

With my acceptance into Diamond gyaru circle, I felt validated as a participant no longer new in the scene. My efforts spent into my look and commitment to engaging positively with others were noticed. 

Two Midwest Diamond gyaru, another one, L.A., who was accepted into Diamond after being in Chicago's 1st gyaru circle Kamikaze girls, helped get me acclimated into the new level that I entered. Within any organization, school, social club, and so on, there are ground rules to abide by. A few of the most obvious ones were to be a lifestyle gyaru; hair and make done and styled daily. Another rule was to not be involved in drama. 

That meant no GyaruSecrets posting. No replying to secrets made about you or your circle members. Being catty. bitchy, or starting trouble for others or with others was certainly OFF the table. Little did I know, that my being involved with a gyaru who may have been behind my rejection response with Kamikaze Gals would be my blindspot. 

For those of you who have been with me on my gyaru/gamer journey would have known about the times of me being stood up and blown off by a gyaru who I found out was someone that was deliberately sexting the guy I was in relationship at the time. Not only that, but calling me and some other Black*Cherry members a bitch on her blog years ago and other actions. 

Looking back on it, I did NOT want to be the girl who fights with other girls over a guy with self esteem issues. I wanted to work things out and make gyaru life amazing in Chicago. But, there were things I had to accept even though it weren't things I wanted. 

Miyavi 20year Anniversary Tour

Photo Credit AXS.com

My YouTube channel wasn’t the only anniversary celebration to be had this year as Miyavi, a well known Japanese-Korean rockstar from Japan, was celebrating his 20 years as a guitarist and entertainer this year. People who may not be familiar with Jrock or the Visual Kei scene may recognize him in movies such as Maleficent, Unbroken, or the show Arcane. I haven't seen any of these yet.. so don't spoil it too much! ;)

Cartoon Network is Here to Stay

Some time ago, Cartoon Network fans heard of news of the beloved cartoon station shutting down. I vaguely remember coming across something on Twitter some time ago regarding this. However, the news didn't illicit a strong reaction as I haven't personally owned a television set since I entered Diamond Gyaru Circle.

JT Holmes, a fellow Twitterite posed a question to his followers,  
 

JT Holmes asks his followers about their favorite Cartoon Network shows.

Some of my favorites and shows that I did watch during that time to see what they were about were the Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab (who wouldn't want their own secret lab to retreat to after a long day at school?), Billy and Mandy (their dynamic is hilarious!) Tom & Jerry (a classic despite its comical violent nature), and some Adult Swim Shows that showcased the anime that my late sister, Ella McFearless/LicaMica/Vega Voodoo) and I fell in love with.

Those favorite shows had us on the edge of our folding chair seats as we zipped through space with Melfina, Gene Starwind and Faye Valentine and Spike Spiegal, or wondering the outcome of a war with Gundams involved. Or finding that life under the sea with the SeaLab 2020 crew is filled with humor and odd moments. Yu Yu Hakusho proved that you could still kick ass in the afterlife and Wolf's Rain entranced us in a melancholic story and beautiful visuals. Or even taking it slightly further with the Space Ghost Coast to Coast Show (2001-2004) and had most of the jokes fly over my head as most of those were intended for adults with more life experience. Home Movies was another series that had me drawn in with its wiggly outlines and dry humor. Definitely, a series that I'd like to revisit now that I'm an adult. 

I've shared my favorites that I enjoyed with my little sister, and now turn this question to you all; What were your favorite shows on Cartoon Network in your youth?

I look forward to reading your answers!

In the meantime, I'll be catching up on some Cartoon Network shows on their Livestream.

Gal Circle Rejection (storytime #1)

Rejection 

Hi Heartlets🫶😈✨

So, have I ever told you that I was rejected from a gyaru circle before?

Those who may see my posts popping up on Twitter may have seen a little bitty post about that regarding my gyaru lifestyle? era? career?