aimeekitty

I've been looking forward to this for more than a year, honestly. Last year... and truly the year before, too.... the sakura in Van Nuys didn't really bloom that great. Previously, we got a few good trees, but not the masses of blossoms we got in 2008.

This year the weather and rain seem to have made them happy... so they were GORGEOUS this year....
and my heart just burst to see them in full bloom last week! The weather was so mild and wonderful and I got to hang out with a lot of good friends!

SIDENOTE: If you live near the area, there are still some lovely trees in the park,... but only for a few more days.

If you're curious, the location of the park is:
ANTHONY C. BEILENSON PARK
6300 Balboa Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91406

and the type of sakura they are is prunus serrulata "pink cloud"

First off some random sakura photos. On friday (the day before the projected peak weekend) I went out to the park before work and took some photos and just, well, relaxed. I was so ecstatic to see the blossoms! I also decided where I wanted to try and set up camp the next day... a lovely spot with a bench under cherry blossoms near the lake.

This year I convinced my friend Crisso to come out with me. :D Mitch and I got dressed up in our new last-minute From Far Away manga costumes and Crisso got dressed up in her Enchanted costume. Ya'll all know I like to be a dork and get dressed up in costumes or "wierd" outfits and take pics. You can see a few more pics of Crisso's Enchanted costume here. I don't really have any pics of Mitch and my From Far Away costumes, sorry...! I forgot to get pics with my camera so I'll have to wait for Jason's. No pics at all of Mitch's amazing 80's anime hair-band hair. haha.
Here's a couple though!

We set up camp in a spot I'd found the previous day and then said hi to the Anime LA group and Jason's group! There was another cute girl dressed like Gisele, too! Crisso and her got a couple pics together.

this squirrel was totally checking Crisso out.

After getting some pics with Jason and some on our cams, we met up with Michelle, True Mee, Will, Alcuin, Ali, Greg, Jesse, Jack, Diana, Jenny, Ashley and company. :)
WITH MOCHI. The mochi is from Fugetsu-do

Will and Michelle! Isn't her yukata pretty?

Sakura mochi... only this time of year!
I'd switched out of my From Far Away costume into one of my BTSSB dresses to be more comfy for the picnics. Will got a pic, I'll show you later.

random shoe shot with petals

Seven Lucky Gods cake. :) ... I think this one is Juroujin?

Ash and Diana's giant faux cake (for Fat Princess)

Trixie! (Speed Racer)
haha... we're such a visually strange combination of people for these picnics!

SHE'S GOT A SWORD! (we've all got swords!)

Michelle and Jenny

Matt Miller broke up with cosplay.

YAY! JACK! Don't know about the shower cap. But it was funny.

LOOK! Social grooming!

Saturday Night Annie, Ali, Mitch and I watched The Princess and the Frog. Ali made gumbo, mint juleps and beignets from Tianna's Cookbook. IT WAS AWESOME. If you have that book, try the recipes, they're pretty easy and yummy. We used a few fresh herbs from my garden, too!
It also made me want to dress up like a princess for Sunday.

please see next post for Sun-Mon HANAMI