Here is the second part to the interview with India of the USA 2009 pair:

Question: WCS 2008 Osaka representatives Yui and Mino were invited out to NYAF when you won, did you get a chance to meet them? What was your impression if you did?

Dia: It was great to meet them! They were staying at our friend Renee's (Umister of Team USA 2008) house out in Queens, so we were all able to hang out after the convention. Along with a big group of friends, we took them to an authentic NYC diner, and then back to my apartment for a little party. We had a really good time - they taught us all sorts of fun Japanese words and told us about different series we should look into.

Q: How was the reaction of your family when you won the competition?

D: I called them immediately afterward, and they were so pleased. My family has been really supportive of this crazy hobby of mine over the years; my mom has been sewing her entire life, and got me started in it when I was very young, so she's always excited to see what I do. My dad made sure to tell everyone about the competition at work the next day, and it was immediately demanded that I send over some photos so he could show them off.

Q: What do you find fascinating about Japan?

D: I love learning about any foreign culture, but Japan is especially intriguing to me, since it's so different from what I'm familiar with, and yet also very similar. I'm a city-girl, so I'm quite fascinated by cities. I can't wait to visit Tokyo and just wander through. I'm also very much into fashion, so I'm interested in experiencing the fashion culture in Japan and explore the trends and stores.

Outside of that, I've been interested in geisha culture for a number of years, so I'd love to do some research on that, perhaps even visit Kyoto. I also have an interest in modern Japanese art, particularly the Superflat movement, so I may have to pick up some Takashi Murakami merchandise while I'm there.

Q: What do you hope or expect to find once you have arrived in Japan?

D: Piles of delicious food, adorable clothes, and crazy cosplayers! In all honesty, though, I'm just utterly excited for whatever is in store. I really can't wait to meet and hang out with the cosplayers from different countries. Renee from last year's Team USA had such fantastic things to say about the camaraderie and friendship between the entrants, and I'm really looking forward to that.

Q: Do you like Japanese food? If so, what do you like?

D: Absolutely! I love food, and I'll try just about anything you put in front of me. Seafood is my favorite thing in the world, so of course I love sushi and anything involving it. Octopus, squid, and crab are some of my favorites. I also love all kinds of Japanese noodles, especially since you can get really creative with the things you add to them. I'm really excited to try okonomiyaki, too. And I love Japanese beer as well!

Q: Could you please provide a comment to your fans and readers of this blog?

D: I hope our words aren't too boring! Elizabeth and I both really do love to talk, so please get in touch with us if there's anything you want to know or you think we can help with! This hobby is so much better when people are open and willing to share ideas. Also, the amount of support we're getting from everyone is so overwhelming and so inspiring - huge huge thanks to everybody!

Thanks a lot to both Liz and Dia, looking forward to meeting you and seeing you out in Japan!