A Virtual Memorial

I haven't been seen around SL much lately...because I've been here:-

Peace Valley Pet Cemetery.


It's been almost two years since I lost two of my dogs in RL...but recently a new wave of grief has taken a hold of me. I have no idea why...but I am struggling so much to get over this wall.
I believe in hope though...I am not a religious person, but I do believe there is a kind of Heaven.
I came to hear of something called 'The Rainbow Bridge'. It is a most wonderful poem, and is based off Norse Mythology.
Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Poem
After reading, I became engrossed with its origin and meaning. I sincerely believe in such a place.

Part photo of the virtual memorial I made in honour of my boys. With the poem sat beside.

A photo showing my rented plot at Peace Valley.
This sim is just beautiful, it really does live up to its name. Peaceful and serene.
I vow to visit each day, as there is no-where for me to go in RL for my boys...it may be virtual, but it is something, ne?
Atleast I know there is somewhere I can go, a place that's mine, to silently remember the good times in life that we shared.

The tears will dry soon, as in RL...but the pain will stay, until we meet someday.


I'm not asking for your support, but it is welcome. I'm simply sharing this because I know there are people with hearts out there...if you stumble across this blog post, I hope you are one of them...one that will understand why we grieve so much for our lost 'furbabies'. Because that's what they are...the bonds we share are as close to those we share with our own species.


I thank you for taking the time to read all of this if you did. Because a lot of you will not, and only probably read this last sentence.


We will cross that Rainbow Bridge together, someday.

A Lovely Evening!

Today has been amazing.
Another successful Ozashiki on Wednesday night!
My best friend, Miehinachan from Kaishi Chou graced the Arakawa's Ochaya, even helped serve later on as the hours* yes, HOURS...went by. :)
The longest time yet that I have kept the Ochaya open.
Once one person left, another graced the scene. It wasn't ending until around 5:40m SLT, since 1pm.

Nanochan arrived, she is once again, hopeful for Arakawa.
I know she will bloom in no time. Already, without really supposing to, she played her shamisen and even danced to show Miechan what she had learnt. Even later called me 'Oneesan'...is this a great sign? If not, I can say I would be saddened!

This is when I was playing Koto for my guests, Miechan is on the far right, now in formal as she had to leave a little to visit someone.

Here you can see how close Miechan is sat to Yasynsan, she served him tea for me while I played the Koto. I was so grateful, it was as if she was working for Arakawa alongside me in this great time of...well, for Arakawa, this is quite busy! ^__^


Ookini san dosu minnasan for coming.
And thank you to my wonderful friend, Miehina of Kaishi Chou. You are amazing <3


~Yoroshikuu otano moushimasu!

Ready For Your Close-Up?

Recently, I've been working on my lineup of poses, for the Floating World and her occupants.
I suppose you could use them for anyone really, but they are truly made with our kimono and demeanor in mind.


Store location on Marketplace: ~*' є м ι - н o т a r υ '*~
Also, going to become a small store in Uguisu sim, where Arakawa resides. :DD

For picking pretty flowers. :3

More for Shikomi as they slide open the doors for their older sisters.

My personal favourite, I used this once opening the Ochaya.
A playful peek around the door to see who was visiting. Hehe.


~Yoroshikuu otano moushimasu!

Book A Trip To The Hairdressers?

I had a real look through my inventory and found that I have a lot of Hana Katsuraya stuff, not just Kanzashi...but every hairstyle for Maiko and Geiko. Hehe.


I adore the Tenran style, as you all well know by now, because I feel it fits my face shape much better.
But trying out the HK ofuku hairstyle has made me re-think.
Tenran fits face...
HK fits hairline...


I need a little bit of help!

On the left is Tenran. On the right is Hana Katsuraya.

I'm torn between both, what do you think?

Comment below! Ookini!

Photos!

Upon my unexpected promotion to Sr. Maikosan, I requested my Okaasan to take my photo for this rank.
As ever, she agreed it was a perfect time to do it.
I got them back today, edited slightly in photoshop. They are absolutely stunning!!

Ozashiki And A Surprise!

Wednesday night Ozashiki went okay, we had one lovely guest in the form of Geikosan Kokimi from Pontocho. She was entertained by myself as I served her a hot cup of O'cha tea.
Okaasan Kokoro graced us with her presence again this evening and after a while, something amazing happened!


Just like when I was promoted to Jr. Maiko from Minarai...up pops a new notice, saying how I'm now Arakawa Sr. Maiko!
I'm so so happy, and to top it all off, my Oneesan Minako is coming back after some RL troubles!
This day couldn't have been better.
I know someday soon, I'll have my Misedashi and Mizuage organized so we can show SL how much Arakawa is blooming.

Showing off my new Sr. Maiko kimono, the Tora Grove Susohiki by Geisha Dreams.

I think I've improved my makeup skills hehe, not a mark out of place now. ^_^

My full and new Sr. Maiko formal ensemble for this year. I'm now working on perfecting the Gion Kouta dance for our Okiya. It seems to flow much more smoothly now I'm a senior. ^_^
...Perhaps my dancing has improved? ;D


More posts to follow up!


Yoroshikuu otano moushimasu~

The Old Times!

This post is called 'The Old Times' because I consider my life to be moving forward into the future.
...Although the old times I'm talking about were only around 7-8 months ago when I first moved into the Okiya.


My viewer began to play around so I forced a crash and decided to drag up the past.
Here are a few of my photos from when I was just a young Shikomi.

Cleaning was a mandatory task for young girls who first join an Okiya family. They are set to work, cleaning and looking after the house and its occupants.
At this probationary stage, a lot of girls do not make it to Minarai because of the work involved beforehand. To be honest, they refuse the easiest start to a job that pars so many rewards...
...Thankfully, I remained determined, as did my sisters and my friends from other Okiyas.

The steps to the Ochaya had to be swept a lot during the day. By night there was no time and it was too dark. I wouldn't have liked to stay outside while my older sisters entertained the patrons, I was always so eager to get inside and learn, but I was only to work hard and study harder at this point.
...Though I really enjoyed my studies, and still do.

Already learning the iki aspect of the Geisha, I took many photos of myself as I tried to look the part. The most noticeable things on here are my eyes...and the fact of how big the Komon makes my bottom...I was never so fond of this one, hehe.


Ookini arigatou~

Gomenasai For Late Post!

There are a few good things that have happened lately.
But some I have no photos for, they will come later I think.

I serve all sorts of different people in our Ochaya. This is a photo of me and my friend, Thermite-san. He is a Furry, obviously...and a very cute one ^_^ he is only just learning of the respectful custom of the Japanese and the Geisha World.
I had to educate him a little on first visit, but it was fun and he was eager to learn.

After that, I decided to begin creating some poses for Zashiki-Gi kimonos, made by Toshihana-san from Gion Higashi Hanamachi...I think anyway, will update this if wrong.
I wanted to ask for her permission first as I thought it rude to make such things for other people's products, without them giving their consent.
This is the first one I made. My poses are really only for the Geisha and kimono community, because each pose is made with the kimono in mind. Each movement made to keep our kimono silk looking and fitting at its best. I am a perfectionist so I like to see no prims inside each other. ^_^

I went to visit Kaishi Chou for a performance. And it was beautiful.
The two Geikos, Murasaki-san and Aiyuzuki-san dance atop platforms that overlooked a rippling lake. Sr. Maiko, and my best friend Miehina played the koto in assistance.

So enchanting. :)

Musume Aiyuzuki on left, Okaasan Murasaki to the right.
Their dancing was sugoi! :D

There were lots of patrons.

We all looked so enchanted hehe.
And Mie-chan looked so beautiful. :D

A nice sized audience and stunning stage performance. The Geikos told a hauntingly beautiful story while they danced.
Miehina's blog has the story. :) Journey To Become Geisha / ToBecomeGeiko
The Geikos look pretty, like little dancing swans upon their platforms.
You can see me, in my black kurotomesode. Looking tiny on the right at the front hehe.

Pretty trio of Geisha.
Ookini minna-san of Kaishi Chou Hanamachi, for giving a wonderful performance.


Yoroshiku otano moushimasu~

Video Time!

A lovely time for Arakawa when her Okaasan films her daughters dancing, to show the world our beauty!


Here it is. Please enjoy!

Otano moshimasu!