Chuo Dori

Introducing Team Next Girls’ starting Center…Third year out of Chiba State…Number 33….

WASAMIN!!!!!!!!

I know I said that I usually don’t get excited about the Senbatsu election.  Worried would be a much better description.  I know how hard Wasamin tries, and how down she gets on herself when she doesn’t bring home a victory for her fans.

Last year they showed a few scenes from the election on one of the DVD extras, and in one particular moment they flashed by Wasamin.  She was looking down, completely dejected.  I knew then for sure, how important this was to her.  And then there was her blog post the morning of the election.  At the end of her post she mentioned how hard it would be for her to bring home another apology for everyone.

http://ameblo.jp/misaki-iwasa/entry-11270012758.html#main

You all know how much I care for her, and that post just broke my heart.  It was at that moment that I felt every bit of pain she has been feeling from all the times she has been passed over for Senbatsu.  All of the times she had failed in the Janken.  Just once she wanted to come back with a trophy in her hand.  An acknowledgement that she has been doing a great job.  She wanted to share a victory with us…just this once.

I spoke to my “Team Wasamin” connection last week.  She indeed told me there was a plan.  Wasafans had a strategy.  The goal was to get her not only into a ranked position, but in the Top 40.  I was hopeful, but fearful at the same time.  Sure we had a plan, but then again so do a lot of the girls’ fans.

So after a whirlwind week for myself.  One where I had won tickets to the election, then had to give them up.  I decided to muscle up and go without sleep last night.  Like many of you, I was ready for the all-nighter.  I would stay up at least as long as it took to see her placed.  To me it didn’t matter where.  I just wanted her name called…

I wanted her to be able to stand on that stage with her trophy.  That was all.

As 64 turned to 60, and 59 turned to 50.  My hopefulness began turning to fear.  I was seeing girls who were previously higher ranked taking their spots on the stage.  The closer we got to 40 I knew the possibility of Wasamin’s heart being crushed yet again was becoming a likely reality.  My head would raise every time I heard “Team A” called by the MC, then be disappointed by the fact it wasn’t her.  As #40 passed my fear turned to frustration.  How much more does this girl have to do to prove she is a worthy member of AKB48???

And then came #33.

Despite my utter exhaustion, Every possible positive emotion came rushing through my body.  All I could think of was the relief Wasamin must have been feeling at that moment.  Her dream came true!  And you know what, all of those previous disappointments must have made this victory even more special for her.  The Center of Next Girls, one spot from Undergirls.  Tht is an amazing jump!  And the victory became even sweeter when she posted this adorable photo.  Look at that smile!

I see that photo and wonder if that is the happiest moment of her life.  Certainly it must be one of them.  It makes me feel so good to see her that way.  And of course she spent most of her recent blog posts repeatedly thanking us, her fans, for making this possible for her…

No Wasamin, Thank YOU!

As one of my friends so eloquently said.  It was the least we could do after all of the joy you have given us.  You are amazing, and we love you!

Way to go Center Girl!

CK in California

Life has a way of keeping people busy, and this has been a very busy 2012 for me.  Enough that I have wondered whether or not I will be able to make a second trip to Tokyo this year.  If certain things fall into place i will, but there is no guarantee.  That said…

I mentioned on my previous post that I had entered a “good luck” message for Wasamin into the Google+ Grand Prix contest.  I just thought it would be fun to participate, anwho knows.  Maybe I could win that special message if I am lucky.  But then I woke up Monday to a mysterious email…

Dear Applicant,

Thank you very much for applying for the official fan reporter, and
participating in the "AKB48 Grand Prix Search for the #1 Fan."

Considering the number of +1's on your post and registered
information, we would like to offer you the opportunity of becoming an
AKB48 General Election reporter on 6/6.

Please read carefully through the information below.

■Please wait for a phone call between 10:00AM to1:00PM on May
30th(Wed, PST) from a travel agency to the telephone number [
xxx-xxx-xxxx ]  which was registered in the entry form.

* If the telephone number you have registered is not reachable during
the time above, please send us an email immediately with a different
phone number.

■If there is no answer or the call is not returned within the
timeframe listed above, your offer will be canceled and be given to
the next candidate. Please make sure you are reachable by phone.

■Detailed information regarding your arrival to Japan will be given to
you by the travel agency on the phone.

*If by any chance we find that you have not fulfilled or have breached
any terms of participation, your offer will be invalid.

--
The AKB48 G+ Management Team

OMG, I had won the contest!  This was a dream come true.  I would be going Japan and getting to see the election.  This is going to be the most ama…..

And then life came into play.

To say that I feel devastated…totally in agony would be an understatement.  But given certain issues in my life right now it was just going to be irresponsible to jet out to Tokyo…even for just a few days.  I was practically in tears when I had to tell the contest reps that I would have to give up the prize.  What could have been one of the most amazing experiences in my life has turned out to be one of the most painful…go figure.  But I’ll get over it…

At least I hope I will.

Anyway, I want to congratulate Joe from We’re Namba One for getting the prize in my place.  Have an awesome time dude!  Maybe you can bring me back a little something (like Wasamin!) for giving you the prize.

I guess everything happens for a reason.  But right about now I could really use something wonderful happening in my life.  For having to give up an amazing prize like this, I think I deserve it.

CK in California