Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Memoirs of A Geisha
1:20 AM
I've just finished a book - Memoirs of A Geisha. Been reading two memoirs in a row. Before was 'A Piece of Cake' - a memoir of this Black woman named Cupcake Brown who is none other than the author herself. Know I'm a lil late in laying my hands on this book, haha. But well, better late than never. It was definitely one good read.
Anyway, I was so interested in understanding the life of a Geisha that I went to google it. There remains some confusion, even within Japan, about the nature of the Geisha's profession. I wasn't all so sure myself till I went to read up on it. So here goes. Geisha, are traditional female entertainers, whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance. THEY ARE NOT PROSTITUDES. There are seriously a great deal of interesting facts and minute details about them and their life as a Geisha. Everything ranging from the way they put on their Kimonos to the intricacy of their make-ups. Here are some interesting DID-U-KNOWs to share. Real interesting. So read on. haha.
DID-U-KNOW #1:
The Geisha put on a white-based make up that covers the face, neck and chest, with 2 or 3 unwhitened areas (forming a 'W' or 'V' shape, usually a traditional 'W' shape) left on the nape (the back of the neck). And guess what? The nape used to be a traditionally erotic area (just like perhaps a women's leg is now I guessed? haha.) and hence the make-up on the nape accentuates it. Notice that the Kimono dropped a lil at their nape flashing their 'W'-shaped make -ups.
DID-U-KNOW #2:
How do you tell a Japanese prostitude, who had co-opted the attire and name of Geisha, apart from a real one? Prostitudes wear the bow of their sash, or obi, in front of their kimono but Geisha wear theirs at the back. True geisha usually had the luxury of a professional aid to help them in the difficult process of dressing. Their clothing is made up of several layers of kimono and undergarments, and an obi is more than a simple band of cloth. Dressing could take over an hour, even with professional help. Prostitutes, however, had to take off their obi several times a day, so theirs were far less complex, and tied at the front for ease of removal and replacement. Interesting isn't it? So guys, take note of the position of their obi alright, if you happened to be able to chance upon one in Japan. I believe u all are looking for the one with their obi in front. HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!! oops.
These photos look quite freaky but that's the best I could find. Obi all tied to the front.
DID-U-KNOW #3:
Mizuage is the auctioning of a Geisha's virginity. This is especially important when a Geisha has a high-standing, for the funds gained by this procedure will allow her to pay back her Mother (who was in charge of everything in the Geisha House or Okiya) for services and materials rendered. Regardless of how this seems to us, this was not looked at as prostitution in ancient Japan. During the bidding, all the contestants showered the Geisha with gifts as a sign of goodwill. The highest bidder also became sort of a godfather to the Geisha. Before a Geisha's mizuage, there was a ceremony in which the Geisha and her Mizuage Patron (the man who won) would drink sake to bing them together. The reason for this ceremony was that even though the Mizuage itself would be over quickly (i.e. sth like a couple consumating their marriage. Yes, it's what u're thinking. haha), the man would remain the Mizuage Patron for the rest of his life.
After the Mizuage had occured, the Geisha changed her hairstyle so that instead of a patterned silk band she wore a red silk band at the base of her pincushion bun. This way everyone would know that her Mizuage had been fulfilled. Anyway, they termed the pincushion bun as the 'split peach' style. The splash of red (no lnger red & white as before) is meant to be suggestive (u get the drift) and the types of hair decorations must change to match the hairstyle.
All these information about Geisha are just tip of the iceberg. There are so much more that I'd uncovered and learnt about them. If you're interested, go google it yourself. Haha. I even went to watch its movie starring Gong Li, Zhang Zi Yi and Yang Zi Qiong on Youtube. Was much able to appreciate the film down the to the finest detail now that I watched it a 2nd time.
I've move onto another book now, 'The Alchemist'. I think it's an old book too. haha. It seems like an inspirational one this time judging from the testimonials. =)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
I've passed!!!
2:45 PM
Yea-ness! I've passed my basic theory!! It was a breezeeeeeeeeeee la! haha. And Alene still told me it would be better to take the trial test. Lucky never waste my money. And to think I already felt that I had 'over-studied' for it. hahahah!!!! I was one of the last few to enter cos I was late and the rest were already starting theirs! But I can proudly declare that I was the first to leave to room!! In fact, I even wasted a few minutes trying to get the attention of the invigilator cos I thought my screen wasn't sensitive enough and wanted to ask for a change of com. For that few minutes I was trying with all my might to press hard into the screen with my thumb. And she told me to use my fingernails instead to tap on it. It worked.
Anyway, when I finished my test the ah neh beside me was still on question 21 out of 50. I'm so baddd!! haha. It was momentary excitement and happiness. Didn't know I can get all excited over such small stuff. Suddenly felt like I was back in school and I'd just received my result. Awww... I missed school and the many tests & exams!!! No doubt the studying part sucks but the feeling of accomplishment and relief when it's all over is definitely a good one.
I'm getting all excited to book my advance theory asap and to have my practical soon! Can anyone recommend me a good and cheap lobang for private instructor?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
TLC Donuts
12:40 PM
Tadaaa!! My TLC donuts! Aren't they preety?? Luckily I chose orange for the icing, it does go well with the donuts! FYI, I made the icing myself!! Not the donuts though... =) 
A little effort to make Mr. Happy happy. Happier i mean. haha. Jiayou!!!! I think I'm damm creative when it comes to DIY gifts. Who needs idea? I can be your consultant! haha.
And these are the Teacher's Day presents from my tuition kids. So sweet of them. Thankew!! =)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Lost Treasures
1:11 AM
About a month back or so, my papa found a bag of stuff in the drawer and passed it to me. I didn't have a close look at it till today. And these are the treasure uncovered.
A FREAKING DISKETTE!!! My gosh. How i wish I can find a diskette slot in my home PC or laptop to open the file in it. PowerPoint presentation used to be a big Hoo-ha last time k!! Especially the many animations that we can choose from for our text or graphics. 'Box In/Fly Out/ Crawl In texts with an accompanying Chime/Explosion/Screech. wahaha! Lame shit. And each point comes with a different animation! The first chinese name is mine and the second's my roomie's! lol.
And my appointment letter as a prefect! haha.
These are the invoices for the textbooks I bought from sec 1 - sec 3. I was wondering where's my invoice for my sec 4 texts and recalled that the texts bought in sec 3 were used throughout till our final yr in school. =)
And with these tax invoices, we mustn't forget the booklist!!!! Bet it has been a long time since you last seen this kinda booklist right?!! Chinese composition book/A4 Single Line Exercise Book/A4 Graph Paper/ Subject File/ Home Economics Apron. haha!!! And what do all students do when they receive their booklist? i) Run through the row of books needed for the following year ii) Check with mom if the auntie's sister's brother's daughter has some of those books that can be passed down iii) Cancel out those that we need not buy. Alternatively, highlight those that we need.
The exercise books/graph paper etc are the tricky ones cos we would need to do a rough estimate as to how many we would need to use and purchase. Cos experience tells us that the we would see a yearly phenomenon of a bloody packed bookshop with a canteen table parked right at the entrance to forbid the student from entering during the first week. So it's best that we get what we need once and for all. Memories memories.. lol.
Camp Booklet for my band camp.
I was the Group Leader for Group 2! haha. I totally forgot abt it!
My student card for Cristofori Music School when I was learning Piano. Looking at the Year scares me... 1996/1998/1999.
And to turn back time a lil further to 1997 when I was a Primary School girl. The Annual Prize-Giving Day!!
I don't know why I can't seem to flip the picture upright. Anyway, my roomie and I were the top 2 in class! haha. Roomie! Our damm glorious moments! haha.
And last but not least... taDA!! Roomie and I at our most unglam moments!! One of our first few neoprints taken at a shop near Hg plaza. Roomie looks damm retard! HAHAHHAHAHA.
