IRP Blog Post 2

People

The Chairman: When Chiyo was in misery one day, she meets a man that soothes her pain. He is surrounded by geishas and this is the reason that motivates Chiyo to become a geisha. She really likes him and she wants to meet him again. Later when she does become a geisha, she encounters again.

Hatsumomo: Chiyo's worst enemy from the okiya. They both hate each other because Hatsumomo is afraid that later in her life, Chiyo will be taking her place in the geisha world. Hatsumomo has a face that every geisha envies, but her personality is something that no one will ever imagine. She spreads rumors about Chiyo so that Chiyo will be unsuccessful. This only worked until a certain point.

Mameha: Mameha is the "older-sister" of Chiyo and is a nice person. She is also a rival of Hatsumomo but she doesn't do much since she knows that nothing good will come out of her. Mameha shapes up Chiyo to be the best geisha around the town. Mameha is technically the best geisha in Gion.

Symbols

Kimono: Kimono is definately a huge symbol in this book because it deals directly with a geisha and also describes the pain in wearing them as well. "Her kimono was yello, with willowy branches bearing lovely green and orange leaves..." Kimono is like the first impression for geishas and for many people during this time period. Also, kimono is the symbol of wealth.

Train: The train symbolizes the deepest sorrow for Chiyo. When she was travelling on the train one time, she couldn't bear the thought of remembering the day when she first came to the okiya with her sister. Train almost always reminded her of her family and the pain when she had to be separated from her sister.

Connections and Questions

When I read the part when Chiyo was finally able to become a geisha, I could really connect to how happy she was feeling because that's how I felt when I first found out that I was accepted to the college that I really wanted. Although this doesn't guarantee that I will become a doctor, but this path gave me a high possibility that later I can become one. I think that's how Chiyo felt. Since she knew that this opportunity was rare, she will try her best to become a successful geisha. One question that I had, reading this novel was how could the apprentice geisha be so young and able to become a geisha. They seem to encounter in the social world very fast and I wonder is this is okay.

RAFT

Ernesto is writing to Che, a letter, about anything(wild card).

Dear older me,
I hope you are still the same person I knew before.
I hope you are still filled with passion and optimism. I wonder if you became a doctor after all?
Right now I am on a journey with my good friend Alberto. Later in our lives, we will be talking about it like it was a great legend. I really am enjoying these days that I am spending with my friends and the different hosts. The people that we have met so far are very nice and generous. During the trip, I saw and experienced many things that I want you to hold on to forever. These memories are too precious to be forgotten. I hope I get a chance to come back to the places with Chichina. Although the trip was so difficult because we were using a motorcycle, I think it is still unique and exciting. I hope anyone who has a chance to do something outrageous like this, will take the chance and throw themselves in the opportunity.
I realized how many people thought it was "stupid" for me to be simply giving up my studious doctoral life and going on a journey like this. I understand why many people think this and I do have a good reason for this. I want to feel free, I want to be able to achieve something special that no one really dared to even think of . I wanted to go on an adventure and take a break from everything. Right now, or at least so far, I am not regretting my decision to come on this journey. I wonder what my parents are thinking as well. Hopefully they are not too upset that I won't be back soon. I hope they are all well and safe.
I just want you to know that many years later when you see this, I want you to remember what a great, lively person you were. You were young, full of spirit and had the courage to throw yourself into an unkown path. If there are times later in the future when you are in hardship, cheer up because you know you can get through it somehow. :)

-Ernesto Guevara

IRP Blog Post 1

Entry 1

Events & Places
"Yoroido?, You can't mean it. You, growing up in a dump like Yoroido. That's like making tea in a bucket!" (Golden 8)
The main character, Chiyo grew up in a poor city called Yoroido. Many people thought it was not the "right place" for her to grow up since later in her life, she became a fancy geisha. This book starts off as the present Chiyo, and it leads the story into her childhood life, told from Chiyo's memories. In Yoroido, she lived in a house right before the cliff. She calls it the "tipsy house" because it looked like at any moment, the house would fall into the cliff. The fact that she had a tough childhood makes her an interesting character because she is so contrasted by who she is now. However, most importantly, she meets Mr. Tanaka in Yoroido, which seems like an interesting event that can lead her to a better future.

Entry2
People
Chiyo: Chiyo is the main character so far, and later when she becomes a geisha, she changes her name to Sayuri, but for now, since it is about her childhood memories, Chiyo is used. She has a very soft and peaceful personality and after she meets Mr. Tanaka, she seems to become more mature and lady-like. When the story starts off, she is only nine years old.

Mother: Chiyo's mother is described as beautiful, old women who is always sick because of her muscle pain. She is predicted to die in the next couple chapters. Chiyo received the unique grey-blue eyed color from her mother.

Father: Chiyo doesn't really interact with her father because he is very quiet and never really friendly. He is a fisherman and his past wives and children has all passed away.

Satsu: Satsu is Chiyo's older sister. She is just like her father, but more negletic towards Chiyo. Chiyo doesn't think Satsu is very mature compared to her age.

Mr. Tanaka: Rich, intelligent and nice, Chiyo thinks Mr. Tanaka is the best person around. He is exceptionally kind to Chiyo because he knows about Chiyo's family problems. Also, he was adopted and became rich from that, so he knows the paiin of being poor and lonely.

Entry3
Symbols
So far, I think Chiyo's house, the tipsy house, is a significant symbol because Chiyo is always lonely and is very close to falling or slipping whenever she collides with problems. When a strong winde blows, Chiyo is not very strong to with hold the blow. I think her personality will grow stronger throughout the book, but for now, when she is young, she seems very weak and unsteady.

Another symbol that I thought was interesting was Mr. Tanaka. Although he is a character, I think he is like a motivator for Chiyo. She always tried to look nice and perfect in front of him because she thought he was very gentleman-like. I think Mr. Tanaka is like a savor and will save Chiyo from her hopeless childhood and set a brighter path for her.

180degrees south

"Books are a great start, but there is no substitute for just going there."

1. Jeff and his few friends were interested in stepping the route that Jeff's heros has once stepped and in order to do so, he read many books about it and researched it. However, as he travels the same route, he realizes many things that were simply unable to be explained and read in books. It was a good choice for him to just dive into the challenge and see how far he ends up; even if that means failure. Although they were not successful in climbing the whole mountain, they were able to gain many knowledge and experience through the journey.

2. For me, I have a long way ahead of me. Some people say it's just the beginning for me since now I am truly an adult and is about to head off to college. I read about many colleges that I want to attend and I did so much research on them before I applied. However, I feel like it won't be the same; actually attending the school or just reading about the schools. I think there really is no substitute for just going out there and experience it.

Independent Reading Book title/author

Title: Memoirs of a Geisha

Author: Arthur Golden