These changes will make Kasumi rise to another level and weave the themes and stories so much tighter. We’re already seeing the difference with the changes we made and I’ve no regrets. Kasumi is becoming more and more magical with each drop of ink.

I’m trying to be ahead of my game too especially since I’m going to be out of commission soon with our baby… So, I’m being proactive and adding the dialogue as Sugimoto-san works on the inking. Usually, I would wait till the end but I want to get as much done earlier than later… since I’m told that I would probably be too exhausted for anything after. :p Here’s a sample from chapter 4 that I’m working on. Even though it’s a sketch, it already looks great!

Sugimoto-san and I are so happy and are still amazed to have the book in our hands. I really wish from the bottom of my heart that Kasumi will be embraced by all. There’s so much of Kasumi that exists in all of us and I hope that everyone will feel the pull and magic of Kasumi’s world.

But, somehow that belief didn’t cross over to the thought that my loved ones will not always be there to support me and celebrate my happiness with me. July is suppose to be one of my happiest months this year. Kasumi vol.1 is finally going to be released and my dream of being a manga writer will be fulfilled.

However, on July 11, 2008 at 10am, my dad suddenly passed away. To say it was a huge shock was an understatement. His death rocked the core in me and left me to slowly pick up the pieces. He was my inspiration, my mentor and I was his “daddy little girl”. Of everyone in the family, we were the most alike, from the way we look, to what we like to eat, our personality to our positive outlook in life. It really didn’t help that I couldn’t be there with him when we heard of his emergency admittance 2 weeks ago. We are countries apart and I couldn’t leave because of my late pregnancy.

Everyone tells me I need to be strong, at least for my baby. I’m trying my best and putting aside my grief in a little box in my heart. Part of me realize that this is the reality but another part of me is still living in denial. How can a man so full of life, positive energy and ambition, surrounded by so many who love him, be struck by such tragedy? It doesn’t make sense, it didn’t seem fair. He was so young, there’s so much he wanted to do. He was going to be a grandfather for the first time.

But, time waits for no man and looking back, there was so much I would have said and done if I had known but it’s too late now. I’ve been looking at the pictures that we’ve taken and the fond memories we had together. I found the most beautiful picture of him that we took during our last family vacation in Europe. He was smiling happily, with so much joy, in front of the Lucene Lion in Switzerland. Maybe it was fate telling us something…a hint that I should have picked up but didn’t realize till now…The image of the dying lion, a symbol of the strength and pride of the soldiers who fought bravely all the way against all odds and adversity. In many ways, he was just like the big, generous lion who persevered and lived his life to the fullest.

I need to be strong and life will continue on. It will take a while for me to overcome this but I will because I know he’s watching us from above and will want us to keep smiling and live our lives to the fullest. You made me who I am today and I’ll forever cherish our memories together. I miss you Pa and I will always love you. 

I’ve been looking for a song to inspire me…and my recent fav is “Way back into love” from the movie “Music and Lyrics”. Who would have thought a cliche, love movie like that could capture my heart and inspiration! *hahaha* I think there’s something special about it that I just can’t pin-point, which pulls me into that mood. Maybe it’s the doki doki feeling that I’m always looking for…the same feeling that I always look for when I read my shojo mangas…the same feeling I hope to give through Kasumi.

So, here I am playing the song over and over again…I wonder how many times I need to hear it to become sick of it? In the meantime, my creative juices are flowing again… Perhaps I should use it for my new story? Afterall, I’ve been working so hard on Kasumi that I deserve a break, don’t you think so too? :p

Oh, btw, check out the updates I made on the site. I’ll be updating it constantly from now onwards till Kasumi’s “THE DAY” of release. We’re really excited about it and are trying our best to promote Kasumi. I really wish everyone would give Kasumi a chance and hopefully to fall into Kasumi’s world and embrace its magic and mystery. *_*

Below is Kasumi and I’ve highlighted her Sakura hair clip.

Here’s Sugimoto-san’s initial design:

Here’s a high def version that we had sent to create the model. ^_^

And finally! The sample model!!

Yippee! Now that the sample is done, we can start making more of them! We’re thinking of giving them out as promo gifts to our manga fans! So stay tune to find out how you can get yourself a free Kasumi Sakura hair clip!! ^_^

kiborg

I’ve been procrastinating long enough and I’m finally starting on the Chap 2 dialogue for vol.2. ^_^ I’m done with my manga reading, drama watching and rock band playing and now it’s time to get serious. Sugimoto-san had just shared some of his music with me and they will give me inspiration as I plough through the dialogue and typesetting. My newest fav music is by “The Indigo”. Their music gives me a light, happy feeling like waking up from a cotton-candy dream. ^_^

Oh yes! Sugimoto-san and I were discussing Chap5 sketches for vol.2 the other day and we both agree that vol.2 is turning out to be amazing. I know one should not self praise but seriously, vol. 2 is jammed packed with action, mystery and more than its share of new interesting characters. It’s because the story is moving with such pace that I’m having a writer’s block for Chap6. I’ve to make it even better than the rest because it’s afterall the final chapter and like all good stories and mangas, it has to end with a bang, right?! ^_^; ~~~stress~~~stress~~~stress~~~

Are you drooling already? Stay tune for more updates on my other top picks of cool guys in Seiran!

ps: In regards to Sugimoto-san’s question in his blog below about which incense scent I like…if there is a scent for the smell of fresh flowers after a rainy day…that’s the smell I like.

Okay I admit…writing doesn’t come naturally. There has to be a few factors in place before I can sit down and write an endless, continuous flow of words. Like Sugimoto-san, music is one of my most important inspiration. The type of music will affect the type of story…which brings me to Volume 2…I’ve been listening to a mishmesh of jpop - from “Sarasa Ifu” - Moyashimon theme (http://youtube.com/watch?v=rbXGISKlTS0), to Strawberry Chip (http://youtube.com/watch?v=52DZ_4RVpyQ), to “The Indigo” (http://youtube.com/watch?v=zP2TlIR6E0U). Unfortunately, all of them are on Youtube, at present, as I wait impatiently for my CDs to arrive…*sigh*. Can you imagine the number of times I have to click “Refresh”? As for other factors…rainy days are the best and after waking from a beautiful dream.

I have to heave a big sigh of relief for everyone at Monkey Square. Volume 1 is done, at least, on our part. Now, all 208 pages are with the publishers, who are perusing the pages in great detail. I hope they’ll find the comedic scenes funny…I used to…untill I had to review them for the 5th time…even humor has its limits…:p      

So, what’s in store for Volume 2? Alot of excitement, action scenes and explanations to the numerous questions that Volume 1 raises. We have learnt alot from Volume 1 and have high hopes for Volume 2. Like wine…it tastes better as it ages…or as we grow in experience. Which upon saying it…puts lots of pressure on the poor o’writer o’me. >_<. *Ganbatane* as I shout to no one in particular...a faint attempt to encourage my lethargic brain...By the way, did I mention that Moyashimon Anime is pretty good? I've also been watching the "Honey and Clover" drama - one of my favs now. Okay, I'm all charged! Back to writing! :D

 (Aspergillus oryzae - taken by rahen z from Flickr)