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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Dec 26, 2008 3:21:37 GMT -5
The official blog from the Executive Office of Neo Queen Serenity. Press releases from events, official news, and occasionally a message from the Queen herself will be posted here.
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Dec 26, 2008 3:28:07 GMT -5
Neo Queen Serenity was honored to receive the South African delegation today in the Crystal Palace. Among the members were former presidents Kgalema Motlanthe and Nelson Mandela. Neo Queen Serenity was impromptly joined by her fiancé and her advisor, Luna, was officially introduced.
The delegates and the Queen reaffirmed their commitments of mutual trust and cooperation, and emphasized the need for a close working relationship as South Africa makes the transition from a sovereign state to a part of the New Earth government.
Neo Queen Serenity confirmed that the former nation of South Africa has met 8 of the 10 official provisional benchmarks for total integration with New Earth. The Queen expresses her satisfaction with the progress of establishing New Earth sovereignty in Africa, and expressed the need for greater urgency in dismantling the former nation's WMDs program.
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Dec 26, 2008 4:00:22 GMT -5
An official message from Neo Queen Serenity: I would like to take this opportunity to wish the whole world a Merry Christmas! As Queen, I feel it is very important to recognize this holiday which means so much to so many people around the globe.
In Japan, Christmas is a bit different than in the West. Only 1% of Japan's population is Christian, which changes things somewhat. Here, Christmas Eve is a really big day for couples to spend time together. Though we sing some carols, there are not nativity scenes and some of the "traditional" trappings of Christmas here. And we typically have chicken for Christmas dinner and not turkey! Though Christmas is noted here, it is not as celebrated as the New Year, which is one of the biggest holidays in Japan.
Actually, it was not until I went to my university that I became fully aware of the origins of the holiday. I had always enjoyed the carol O Holy Night when people sung it here, but it was at ICU and their required religion classes that I had to find out the origins of the carol! And so to celebrate Christmas I would like to share with you the message that I take away from this carol and this holiday.
The lyrics to the carol were written by Placide Cappeau, a French commisionaire of wines, who was asked to write a Christmas poem by a local parish priest. When Cappeau went to Paris, he took his poem to an accomplished composer by the name of Adolphe Adam, who composed a tune for it. The song was initially successful, but was attacked because Cappeau was anti-slavery and pro-equality, and Adam was accused of being a Jew. Even the English translation for the lyrics, published by John Sullivan Dwight, carried on the theme of anti-slavery, because Dwight who was also a strong abolitionist.
The song has another interesting story attached to it: it was said that on Christmas Even in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian war, a French soldier emerged from his trench and sang this song. Moved, the Germans did not fire upon him, and a German soldier came out from his trench and sang a German carol in return.
And so, this song has a great meaning of peace and been controversial in its time. Most everyone is familiar with the first verse, but the third is my favorite, and the one I will show here:
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
Also, in the spirit of Christmas, I am auctioning off the dress I wore today! All of the proceeds will go to the clinic here at the Crystal Palace. Bidding starts now!
The dress is Christian Lacroix haute couture. It was fun to wear and now it can be yours!
Happy bidding!
~Neo Queen Serenity |
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Jan 3, 2009 17:19:43 GMT -5
(OOC: Decided to post this and then repost the New Year's auction one... next time I won't make a point of posting on holidays and wait for RP events >_>)
Dear friends,
As you know, I recently ended my engagement to Chiba Mamoru. I have received so many well-wishes and considerate communications from all of you. Thank you very much for your support, and I hope that Mamoru-san has received the same level of consideration. Though our relationship may have not worked out, he is still someone very dear to me, and I wish him only the best and hope you will join me in doing so.
This morning, I became aware of many suitors and proposals coming to the Palace. I realize that my broken engagement has been a lightning rod in the media, and many have flattered me in coming to seek my hand. However, I must respectfully ask that these requests stop, and those suitors return to their homes. While I appreciate the thought, I am still healing from a very long relationship and request that my space be respected. I wish only to be left in peace during this difficult time.
I believe that a relationship means being with someone completely. I value total honesty and selfless loyalty above all else. It takes time and effort to get to know someone, and it is a significant emotional investment. Therefore, you can hopefully understand how inappropriate it would be for me to accept the attentions of those who come only with the intent of marriage.
I can only hope that one day I will be able to give my heart to someone else, but even if I do, I know that it will not come about through the methods that are now being employed. If anything, pursuing me by these methods can only backfire. Again, I respectfully ask to be left alone, and those who have traveled to the Crystal Palace solely for the purpose of seeking my hand, will vacate immediately.
Thank you for your understanding. I am looking forward to posting about the upcoming New Year's party this evening. Another auction awaits!
~Neo Queen Serenity
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Mar 26, 2009 1:35:55 GMT -5
On behalf of the Crystal Palace and the New Earth government, I wish you a very happy new year!
My blog visitors in Japan may find this information redundant, but I am continually amazed at how many millions of people visit this site each day, from all over the world-- so I thought I would talk about the New Year and how it is viewed in Japan.
New Year's, or shogatsu or oshoatsu, is the most important holiday in Japan. The New Year is supposed to provide a new start-- so all duties are supposed to be completed by the New Year! There are year-forgetting parties in December, and houses are decorated with ornaments made of pine, bamboo, and plum trees. While sending Christmas cards is popular in the Western world, in Japan, New Years cards are sent.
On New Year's eve, we eat soba noodles, and many people watch the music show Kohaku uta Gassen, which showcases the most famous j-pop and enta singers (I really hope that Minako-chan, or Aino Minako/Sailorvenus to many of you, gets to sing on that show, because she is the best idol ever!).
January 1st is considered the most auspicious day of the year, and also a time to visit shrines. I count myself very blessed that we have a beautiful shrine here on the Crystal Palace compound! I'm sure visitors to the Palace during the New Year festivities would agree!
So, to ring in the New Year, I have closed the bidding in the Christmas dress and am posting another auction. I was amazed at the amount that the first gown fetched-- over 11.7 million credits! I was so happy to be able to give this money to the clinic here. It will go along way to serving the needs of the community!
The winner bidder is from Zurich, and wishes to remain anonymous. My congratulations!
The newest auction is for the formal kimono I wore during the New Year festivities. The type is furisode-- worn by unmarried women for formal events. It comes with the juban, and the obi!
Happy bidding! And I wish everyone around the world a happy, prosperous New Year! I cannot wait to show everyone the plans we at the Crystal Palace have for this next year!
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