Geisha

                                       
In Western society, the term Geisha has many misconceptions as a result from a difficult and ever changing past. The most common misconception is that a Geisha is a Japanese prostitute, which is untrue. A Geishas job is to entertain through conversation, dance, classical music, and games. While in the past it was common for an apprentice Geisha’s mizuage [a word they used to describe their virginity] to go to the highest bidder, this practice has been illegal in Japan since 1959. Before 1959 prostitution was legal in Japan and so you could find Orian wandering the streets, who wore an appearance similar to Geisha. The way one would tell them apart was that Orian would tie their obi in the front as it was easier to dress and undress quickly in this manner. A real Geisha will always have her obi tied in the back, as it is traditionally worn.
An apprentice Geisha is called a Meiko and she will usually start her training when she is fifteen, but back in around World War 2 a Meiko may start training as early as at the age of three! However, a girl is not called a Meiko until she has finished her training. Once a girl starts her training she moves to live in a okiya with Meiko, Geisha, and an older woman whom they call Mother. Mother is a woman who is sometimes a retired Geisha that pays for girl’s training. The girl must then repay her debts to her Mother once she becomes a Meiko and Geisha. A Geisha will remain in her okiya until she retires unless she acquires the funds to have her own apartment. A Meiko will be adopted by her ‘older sister’ during her training, meaning that a more experienced Geisha will help her as she progresses. The bond between a Meiko and a Geisha once they become sisters is sacred, much like marriage, and lasts until death. If a Meiko or Geisha ever dyed, their ‘Older’ or ‘Younger Sister’ would grieve as if a real sibling has passed on.

A Geisha is always seen wearing a kimono, and a Meiko  will usually wear a more colorful and elaborate kimono. A Meiko’s kimono will not only have a large obi, but also long ‘pocket’ sleeves called furi that go all the way down to the ground. During a dance, a Meiko must wrap the sleeves several times around her arms to keep them from getting in the way. The style of a kimono can largely depend on the season and kind of event that the Geisha is attending.

While a Meiko will always be seen wearing thick white makeup on their face with red lips and red and black accents around their eyes and eyebrows. The white base makeup used to be made with lead, but it was eventually discovered that it would slowly poison the skin and resulted in terrible skin and back problems for older Geisha near the end of the Meiji Era and so it was replaced with rice powder. The process of applying a Meiko’s makeup takes a very long time and once they become a full Geisha they will wear a more subdued makeup style. However, Geishas still put on the full makeup for special occasions.

Geisha must sleep with their necks on small supports called takamakura instead of pillows so their elaborate hairstyle will not be destroyed during sleep. To get Meiko into this habit, her Mother will pour rice around the base of the support, so if her head moves the rice will stick to her hair and she will have to get it redone. Even without it getting messed up, a Meiko must get her hair redone once a week. The constant upkeep puts a strain on hair and it is common for Meiko to develop bald spots. Luckily, once she becomes a Geisha she will get to wear a wig instead.

Outsiders don’t know a lot of the Geisha community because they are very secretive. There are so many misconceptions about them that I can’t even begin to dispel them all. The only advice I can offer you if you want to learn more is to do your own research.

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

http://yabbedoo.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/the-extraordinary-culture-of-geisha-and-fascinating-facts-about-their-lifestyle/

http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=710

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/cultures/news-intriguing-lifestyle-geisha-plus-11-facts-about-geisha-you-may-be-unaware

Tiny Masters

My mother likes to tell a story of when I was just a little girl where my whole class was to write a very short story. The prompt was that we had found a hippo in our backyard and after a few weeks the proper owners take it away. My mother says that other kids wrote ‘I was really sad’ and such things, but I had written that a single tear rolled down my cheek and that I couldn't go into the backyard for a very long time. In every English class I've ever taken, I've had to write something. I always try my very best to make that something interesting. I love it when words flow from a page and take the reader to a magical place, where you can smell, see, hear, touch, and even taste what the author writes about. You’re whisked away to a different place, a different time, and all your troubles may fade away. I cannot remember when I started writing, but it was song lyrics. Very, very bad song lyrics. I would often hear a song and rewrite it to suit me, but my skills lacked and it usually resulted in something silly. As I got older I read more, and the more I read the more I loved it. I love the places that I could go in my mind because of books. However I could only read books, I never realized I could write them too. But a man changed all of that. One day I sat down and read a book called Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I had gotten the book from the library for no particular reason and read it in my room. The sun painted on my wall smiled at me and watched as I was whisked away to a place where a sun that could smile didn't seem like a crazy idea. My room always smelled like flowers, and I took that scent with me as I traveled Wonderland with Alice. Something about the book clicked with me. Suddenly I knew that I could write stories and poetry, there was nothing to stop me. I owe it all to Lewis Carroll, and I am very happy that I do. My first attempts were poor, but I got better with age. At this point, the more I read the better I got at writing. I learned that I would always write sad poetry, my stories tended towards the Gothic, and my songs held no perception in the fact that they could be happy, sad, or somewhere in between. I've written countless poems that I’m so proud to call my own. I am so happy to look back upon the things I've written, not regretting a single thing. My songs are the same, I sometimes hum them to myself with I find it hard to think. And my stories I will always treasure, no matter what others say. I am so proud of every half baked plot, poorly executed scene, and silly dialogue. You see, within all of those things is an idea. A beautiful, beautiful idea that was my very own. And why do I write? Is it because I can? No, of course that’s not the answer. It’s oh so much better. I have a blessed gift, a gift called imagination. What is imagination but a gift? I can create whole new words in a night and a million lives in half that time. Being a writer is about as close as you can get to being a god. Names, places, people, pets, houses, everything is under your control. When you’re in a foul mood you can be horrible to your creations, and when you’re in a good mood you can give them the sky. So I write because in my mind there are endless worlds always being created and if they don’t come out who knows what could happen. I write and I write and I write as seen fit by the worlds that run around in my mind, and I regret none of it. I’m a master of imagination, through and through. Like a hatter who slowly went insane by the creeping mercury from the hats that they make, my imagination has crept into all aspects of my life. My hair, my clothes, my makeup, and my personality show the signs of imagination. It does remind me of the Hatter in Tim Burton’s version, how his insanity crept into everything. My imagination has crept into everything, just as his insanity did. And considering that the whole reason for my being as a writer is Lewis Carroll, no comparison could make me happier.

A Moment in Time

Disclaimer: Names have been changed~! Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ

Sitting in a carpeted gym that doubles as the auditorium, I remember sitting on my side and smoothing out the skirt of my very favorite outfit. Becca is sitting next to me [April beside her] and I have to remind myself not to mess with her because we're here for an important occasion. It's the last day of school. Still, I can't help but fidget. I wiggle my toes and look at my beloved shoes. The fake wood soles lift me at least a whole two inches higher off the ground. It's as close as a heel as I can get, and it was not until years later that I learned that I was wearing platforms. The pink strap that covers a third of my foot sparkles and I can hear Becca giggling quietly so I know that she's watching me. I can't help but smile as I turn and try to shush her. The look on my fave only makes her giggle more so I take off my pink cardigan and give it to her. Instantly she stops and starts messing with it, not interested in the principle talking. I don't mind giving it to her because I'm feeling a little hot anyway and like the feeling of the air on my bare arms. Hehe, bear arms. I jump a little when I realize that I had started giggling and Becca is watching me again. We stare at each other for a moment before smiling. Becca goes back to messing with my cardigan and I smooth out my skirt again. Every time I do I feel a surge of love for these clothes. This is my most special, girlish, fanciest, and pinkest outfit that I own and I just love it. I love the sleeves that aren't sleeves because they caver all of my shoulders but none of my arms. I love the collar because the little circle just barely shows my collar bone and it makes me feel more mature. I love the large flower print in all its pinkness that covers the shirt and skirt. I love the inch of fancy lace that makes the skirt knee length. I love how pink the whole outfit looks! Plus, it always seems like my legs grow between the first and last day of school and while I grow out of my other clothes, this always fits. I wonder how much longer this speech thing is going to last when I hear April start giggling, which is very unlike her. Usually she stays silent, unless one of us does something funny. Sure enough, Becca has put my cardigan on top of her very curly hair and it looks so silly! I have to stifle my own laughter as I shush April and take my cardigan back. I decide that I'm cold now anyway so I put it back on before smoothing my skirt out once more, feeling the bumps in the lace, as I turn my attention back to my toes.

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life

Alyce
When we are born we are given a name, mine being Sarah. However, sometimes we receive the wrong name, as I was. My true name, which I know in my heart of heats, is Alyce. It is not just this, but my whole name is wrong. The right name, the name I was supposed to have, is Alyce L. Carroll. This is the name I go by online and hope to one day publish books under, as that is a the best I can do. This is my true name, and what is yours?

Ambitious
You could always describe my goals as ambitious. In childhood I was dead set on being a singer and in my tweens I was destined to be a model and actress. Even now I am still ambitious in my expectations of how I will do in school, how I dress, and what I hope my future holds. Ambition is me telling you I'm going to UNCG to get a BA. Ambition is me telling you that I'm going to move to Japan and get a career as a translator, school teacher, or whatever else I decide. What is that, if not ambitious?

Alternative
I am alternative in mind, body, soul, and fashion style. My views are alternative to popular opinion. My physical appearance is alternative from the norm. My spirit is alternative to the dull mainstream. My fashion style is happily under the label of alternative, as it should be. I am Alternative.

AKB48
Akihabara. Ah-key-ha-bar-ah. AKB. I still remember the day I found AKB48. Let me set the scene for you. It was a slightly cloudy day in middle school, I think it was a Thursday, and I had had an especially bad day at school. It was one of those days where all the energy just drained out from your feet while you were walking and you're tired but you don't want to go to bed yet. So I was listening to music on YouTube, but none of my usual tunes were doing to trick. SNSD and Kyary just weren't doing what they usually do to lift my spirits. That's when I saw a little video that I still click on often labeled 'AKB48 - River (Lyrics & English sub).' I don't know why, but it made my curious, so I clicked on it. I was greeted with a catchy beat and wonderfully inspiring lyrics sung by girls with beautiful voices. I was in a majorly better mood by the end of the song, which was amazing. Even since then, AKB48 has been my go to group to listen to.

My Many Identities

The One Who Knows Everything can be found at any time of day sharing facts she has learned from hours of research. From traditional Japanese gardens to the why the days seem to get shorter as we age, this girl knows it all. If there’s anything she holds dear, its knowledge. Sometimes she will stay quiet in fear of being called a know-it-all, but she always speaks up if she’s positive about her facts. The One Who Knows Everything has a bad habit of spacing out, usually thinking of the obscure facts she has found. Her only dream is for people to come to her for advice, which she shall happily supply.

The Vampire is really only seen during long breaks and over the summer vacation. She can be found wandering the house eating food at night, and sleeping on the couch during the day. The Vampire loves staying up late and talking to her friends on Skype. She can stay up so late that sometimes she doesn't go to sleep until dawn. It would be unwise to wake her up too early as when she doesn't get enough sleep she turns into a real bloodsucker, and you’re her next meal. [If you do have to wake her up, I suggest bringing her either strawberries or tomatoes. She will accept your red offerings as a gift and it will probably save your life.] When school is close to starting up again she does get worried about not being able to adjust her sleep schedule, but it usually works out in the end. The Vampire is her happiest as far away as she can be from the ‘evil burn-y thing of heat that hangs in the sky during the day.’

The Cat can be found where new things are. She is unnaturally curious to a fault and some people believe it will be the death of her. However she will proudly exclaim that satisfaction will bring her right back round. The Cat loves experiencing new things and finding out all she can about it. She likes to believe that one day her findings will be important. Warning: when one sees The Cat, The One Who Knows Everything is soon to follow.

The Little Kid is a pure soul who loves pink and Hello Kitty. She adores having fun and seeing cute things. Sometimes she worried that people see her as too childish, but at the end of the day she knows that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. All she wants is to live in a world where everything is sweet, not sour, but even she is not naive enough to believe it could happen anywhere besides her dreams. She does not let this bring her down. The Little Kid has a very active imagination so she can go on adventures all the time. She has no rules, no schedule, and no structure in the slightest. She does know this can sometimes be a bad thing, but she honestly doesn't care.

The Woman is just as her name implies, mature and structured. She is the polar opposite of The Little Kid in almost every way. The Woman is also a very motherly figure towards those around her, specifically to the ones she is close to. She is a mother to the core and thusly can’t wait to have kids, but she also knows that it’s going to be a while before she has them. If one of her friends gets hurt or ill she gets rather worried and will do everything in her power to help. She likes to think of herself as posh and ladylike. Note: She is not to be confused with Irene Adler, who is the other ‘The Woman.’

The Trickster is known for making clever remarks akin to The Cheshire Cat and having a sense of humor that tends to the macabre. She adores poking fun at her friends with plays on words but is careful not to take it too far. When she does offended people she gets very worried and will apologize to them for days on end. The Trickster likes things just the way they are and wants them to stay the same until the day she dies. She is a rather lucrative girl and one never knows when she just might pop up for a quick jab and a spot of tea.

The Secret Keeper is just as her name implies. Once you tell her something, the words will never pass her lips unless the two of you are talking alone. From secret crushes to breaking your mother’s lamp, cheating on tests to ditching a date. You can tell The Secret Keeper anything, free of drama and free of charge. Whatever you've got, she’s heard it all. Talking to her is like confession without the religion. Just don’t be surprised if she writes a book and a character is hiding the same thing you are.

The Brownie is much like the mythical Scot and Northern English household spirit she is named after. She is very helpful and loves both cleaning and cooking, one could call her the perfect little housekeeper. All she wants and asks for in return is love and a little food. Just don’t tell her what to do and when to do it or she’ll get very upset with you. Have you ever seen an angry Brownie? Well, it isn't a pretty sight! If you do upset her, I suggest offering her lightly sugared strawberries. The Brownie does tend towards the OCD, but she does not see this as an overly bad thing.

The Devoted Girlfriend is just what she sounds like. At this point in time she has found someone [K] who she can see a future with, but she knows that they are young and it might not work out. The Devoted Girlfriend does everything she can to bring a smile to K’s face and make the other girl feel loved. She is incredibly doting and is prone to slightly overreacting to illness or injuries. Sometimes she can be strict, but she really just wants what is best for K. Once, when informed that K was feeling under the weather because of the cold, she declared that she wished she could cover her [K] in blankets, make her soup, and cuddly with her until she was feeling better.

The Fashionista was born when I was six and I remember it like it was last week. I was standing in a store when my mum walked up to me with a pair of jeans that she wanted me to try on. I had look at right in the eyes and said in a sassy six-years-old voice “Mum, I know fashion and that is no fashion.” From that moment onward The Fashionista has become a strong part of who I am. She’s not interested in the latest trends, but what will last through the ages. If happy people dress well and I want to be happy, is it not logical to want to dress well? Fashion is an expression of yourself and that is why The Fashionista is important to me.