I first heard Ayu in 2004/2005 when my friend gave me a mix CD that had "evolution" on it. I don't remember liking it, but my friend told me that was the first J-Pop song I made him listen to, hah.
The first time I really got into Ayu was in September of 2006, and I was searching for something when I came across the "Because of You" video. I immediately fell in love with it, and I immediately searched the internet for more of her songs. I remember being confused about a-nation (I thought for a while it just meant "ayu nation" ahaha), and then I remember being excited because of her new mini album and single (of course, that didn't happen, and Secret was released instead).
The first Ayu album I bought was "Secret", and I remember having to ask my Dad for money to order it lol. I ended up getting "(miss)understood" and "Memorial Address" for Christmas that year as well. The first Ayu single I bought was "glitter/fated", and I remember being so excited because 1) I was finally buying an Ayu single, and 2) there was going to be a movie with the songs in it!
During 2008 was when I really started to collect Ayu's albums / singles / DVDs. It was her 10th anniversary, and I remember telling myself I'd buy all of Ayu's albums (studio albums) and singles... I did buy all of her studio albums, but I didn't get all of her singles.
And Ayu was the real reason I went to Japan last year and this year. She only had so many dates for AT08, and my friend and I were trying our hardest to go. Thankfully, she added more dates, so I told my parents, "I want to go to Japan for my graduation trip!" I ended up buying my concert ticket before my plane ticket, aha. Even though I wish I could see her more, I feel so lucky to have seen her three times.
Ahh... I think that was a good time for me to become a fan (last part of 2006). Best of CDL was in progress, she was announcing her first tour of Asia, she had her first real English interview... good times
