BB--Yeah, I've lived here my whole life and can't remember the weather being so bad. At one point we even reached a 97% humidity level.  I haven't been following the news too well so I hope the flooding in your state isn't too bad, but I'm glad people are coming to help with flood prevention. Thanks! I'm psyched that I managed to finish a project, especially one that will come in handy when I put on a kimono...even more so that I successfully managed to  use a sewing machine and didn't have to hand sew everything.

Curlgirl64--Sure! I've only been interested in kimono since the summer, but I'll be happy to share what I know.

Lisabelle onee san--Hehe, yeah, when I was at the kimono sale I thought, "I wish Lisabelle was here!" My mom doesn't know much about kimono so she almost bought one of the mofuku to wear at a bon odori. She tried it on and when she asked what I thought, I replied, "Morbid. " Eeek, I don't think I could paint on a $100 obi either. Haha, Sailor Moon hair! I haven't tried that since August.

Okay, and now for my kimono (buying) tutorial! I'm not an expert at kimono kitsuke (dressing), but I'll share what I do know. Anyway, for those of you out there who want to wear a kimono the traditional way, be prepared to spend serious $$$. Not only do you need the kimono, you'll also need to buy a juban (an under kimono), an obi, zori (slippers), tabi (socks), and a bunch of other accessories. But, if your budget is a lot smaller, a yukata (a summer kimono made of cotton) is a better way to go. I'll go over what you need for a kimono and yukata, but first some kimono buying tips (also includes yukata).

Buying tips
-Ideally, the the length of the kimono/yukata should be equal to your height. However, it's okay to buy one that's longer than you are. Shorter is okay, too, but not too short
-A real kimono/yukata will have a seam running down center of the back. The bolts for making kimono aren't that wide, so if there isn't a back seam, it's most likely a fancy bathrobe
-Generally, the shorter the sleeves on the kimono, the older the wearer
-The price of the kimono will vary according to it's age and the condition it's in. Shop around because some sites are cheaper than others
-Since the kimono on internet sites are usually one-of-a-kind, returns may not be possible. Make sure you buy what you really want
-If you're single, don't buy a tomesode. Those are for married women. And if you're married, don't get a furisode...unless you want to send the message that you're available.

Kitsuke (dressing) items for a kimono *Prices in parenthasis are to give a general idea of what it might cost online
-Juban [under-kimono] ($28 ebay)
-Kimono slip--optional ($20 ebay)
-koshi himo [ties to secure kimono and juban; need at least 3] ($12 for a set of 3)
-obi makura [obi pillow] ($5 ebay)
-obi ita [obi stay] ($10 ebay)
-korin [kimono belt to keep kimono from opening up in front]
*Kyotocollection on eBay sells a set of obi makura, obi ita, koshi himo, and korin for $40
-obi age [kind of like a sash to cover the obi makura's ties] (can get expensive)
-obi jime [a chord to keep obi in place] (varies)
*some sites like Ichiroya sells the obi age and obi jime in a set. Ichiroya's cost around $40
-obi [a nagoya obi is good for most kimono, but a fukuro obi is for formal occasions] (the price will varry greatly; some ebay auctions start for as little as $15)
-zori [foot wear] (really depends; ebay is probably the cheapest place to get it)
-tabi (around $15; depending on site/seller)
-kimono (too much variation; $10-$$$$)

Kitsuke for yukata
-yukata ($30+)
-hanhaba obi [half-width obi] ($15+)
-kimono slip--optional ($20 ebay)
-koshi himo
-geta [wooden clogs...sorta] ($30 ebay)

Some internet sites and ebay sellers
-Ichiroya*
-Yamatoku*
-Chuu
-Moto-ya
-Kyotocollection (ebay)*
-Ryujapan-99 (ebay)*
-Paperhouse7788(ebay)*
*based in Japan

Putting on a Kimono/Yukata
I can't remember the sites I go to, but the forums on Immortal Geisha has a lot of links and is worth checking out

Shipping
Since a lot of sites are based in Japan, shipping can get rather expensive. The three main shipping methods are EMS, air mail, and SAL
-EMS--the fastest and most expensive method. I've had one kimono send via EMS and I got it in less than a week. You might have to sign for the item when it arrives
-Air mail--the second fastest. It took about a week to reach me
-SAL--the slowest and cheapest. Good if you're not in a rush as it can take up to 6 weeks to reach a destination, but can take only two weeks. I don't think it's insured, but I haven't had any problems with it.

Anyway, that's just a really basic overview on kimono and doesn't even go into the different types of kimono and obi. If any one's interested in that, just let me know and I'll either write about them myself or find some good sites.

edit: added more to tutorial

Juri San - That was an excellent intro to Kimono! I'm so proud of you!

Argh, for some reason the Mac isn't hooking up to the internet anymore. That said, if I'm not here for several days in a row, it's pretty much safe to assume that I can't get to a computer with internet access. 

Lisabelle--Since I didn't really get interested in kimono until meeting you, that's quite a honor! Thank you!

Curlgirl64--You're welcome! It was a lot of information to digest, but go slowly. For me it was easier to start buying things one at a time, rather than trying to rush and get everything at once.

JET Program results--Well, I got the letter this past Wednesday, and (drumroll...................) I got in! Yay! So unless something goes wrong (fingers crossed it doesn't), I'm going to leave for Japan in early August. After I send in the reply form, the program will get me assigned to a school district. I should find out what part of Japan I'll be sent to some time in May.

Well, that's it! See you the next time I get internet access.

Lisabelle onee san, I missed you too, as well as everyone at LL. The internet connection itself is okay, but the Mac was in my mom's classroom and instead of using the IP address from our home internet account, it keeps replacing it with the school's. Weird. Anyways, thanks a lot! I'm really excited about getting into the program. If I could fit you into my suitcase, I would sneak you aboard! LOL Since there's a good chance I'll be stationed in the countryside, I'm hoping I'll have good internet connection there and be able to keep up with LL and let everyone know what I'm doing in Japan.

Hair--Not much. I've stopped conditioning it every night and my hair looks a lot less greasy by the time wash day rolls around. It must be because it's not being handled as much, hence less grease production. Cinnabuns are starting to look a little weird so I've been braiding it more often.

Until the next time! Whenever that is...haha

Onee san--Well, I won't find out where I'm going to be stationed until later this month. But since not too many jet participants are sent to large cities, it's a good bet that I'll be assigned to a school district in the country. Which is good; I don't think I'd want to be in Tokyo for more than a few days. Thank you for your concern (as well as hubby's)! It means a lot. 

Internet stuffs--Mom asked her BF if I can use his laptop more often since the Mac is craping out on us, so hopefully I'll be able to check in more often. Yay!

Hair--I finally managed to do a successful French braid today. I was so proud. For some weird reason I couldn't do them before. It was a lot more comfortable than an english braid. The area around the nape of my neck would always get really loose with that type of braid and start to look really messy.

Until next time!

Hair--After neglecting it for a couple of months, I finally got around to deep conditioning my hair last week Friday. That coconut milk soak is the best! The next day I kept petting my ponytail because it felt so silky (which was a nice change). I wonder if I'll be able to find coconut milk in the more rural areas of Japan. ??? Okay, that and Giovanni's 50/50 Balancing conditioner. After trying a few different natural brands, that one works the best for my hair. I guess I'll have to get my mom to send me bottles of conditioner while I'm away.

Broke another smallish claw clip today. Now I've officially destroyed three of those claw clips and no longer have any matching pairs. I wonder if France Lux clips are better than cheapie store brands. I'd be willing to invest in some if I was reasonably sure they wouldn't easily break.

JET--As of last week Friday there were exactly three months until I leave for Japan. So much to do before then:
1) Get a work visa
2) Clean room and box things up
3) Complete an IRS form
4) Make own crash-course in Hawaiian culture
5) BRUSH UP ON JAPANESE
6) Buy teacher-type clothes, except I hate shopping
7) Learn some hula?
8 ) Other things I should do, but haven't thought of yet

I wonder how many JET participants from Hawaii actually know how to do hula. I assume I'm going to be asked how to do it, but to me hula is a very spiritual thing and isn't like doing, say, ballet or hip-hop. I'd feel weird teaching something I don't know much about and couldn't acurately convey the meaning each movement has to native Hawaiians.

~~~
Yeek, that was a bit of a downer. I should end on a happier note. Hmm...Ummmmm.....Hey, look over there! (runs off)

Lisabelle--Well, I think the thickness of my hair is average for a Japanese girl. Maybe I'm trying to make the clip hold too much hair? As for the camellia oil, I tried using it when I got my boxwood comb, but it made my hair crunchy. I found out I'm going to be in a small town, but perhaps by some stroke of luck they'll carry coconut milk. Here's to wishful thinking! *haha*

Hula dancers sure can move! Whenever I watch them, I think, "I don't think I could move like that." *lol* I'm not sure if they'll ask me to do hula, but I have a feeling someone might. Japanese is hard, but interesting to learn. Hopefully one day you'll be able to take a course.

Internet--Mom's BF finally moved into his own place and took his laptop with him. The Mac is able to connect to the internet again. I have no idea why, though; for some weird reason it wouldn't in the past. At any rate, I'm psyched to have internet connection again.

Hair--It's getting pretty close to hip length. Woo! Maybe another month or two and I'll be there.

Had a nice hair compliment from my supervisor at Kids' First (I volunteer with that program once a month) this past Wednesday. I usually have my hair in a bun, but that day it was on a bubba tail. So anyway, I was counting how many kids had arrived when I felt someone touching my hair a bit. I looked up and my supervisor was playing with it. "Your hair! It got so long!" she said in admiring way. I don't usually like people touching my hair, but for some reason I thought that was kind of neat and boosted my hair-esteem. Actually, I think the reason why I didn't mind was because the image of an older woman in a business suit playing with someone's hair was rather funny.

JET Program--I got my assignment on Thursday and I'm going to a small town in Aomori prefecture. The population is less than 6,000 and the town is 9 hours away from Tokyo by bus. I'm a bit bummed to be so far from major cities, but I'm trying to think positively.

Good points about my placement:
-Aomori is the "apple capital of Japan" and I love apples
-I could have been put on an island with a population of only 700
-It might be easier to get to know people in a small town
-Aomori is right under Hokkaido, so summer might not be as muggy
-I'll get to see snow...lots and lots of snow
-It's close to the mountains and a river runs through the town
-From the few pictures I've seen, it looks like a nice area
-Cost of living should be cheaper than more urban locations
-Located along a main train line

It'll be quite a change from Hawaii. Hopefully I won't freeze during the winter. *lol*