English Camp!

This weekend was the pinnacle of our hard work on a weekend, english-immersion "camp". Katherine organized this event with the help with a couple other EPIK teachers fromt the area. Twenty-eight excited high school girls came and participated in a pirate-themed extravaganza, complete with crafts, carnival, and Noraebang...oh yeah, and some English related stuff.

Aside from the frequent mobbing by the girls (I swear there are at least five arms hooked around me), the camp went extremely smooth and was actually quite fun. Katherine's planning was very well thought out, and every activity was as engaging as it was fun.




In about three weeks, I will have my school's camp, which may or may not be as interesting. Shortly after that, we will take a trip to Cambodia/Vietnam, and then back to Canada for a visit. Next week marks three things, our Anniversary (9 years), my birthday (not 27), and our first year anniversary of being in Korea. It's hard to believe it's been a year. Really, really hard to believe.
See you soon.

Yukata DIY

You will need:1 Yukata

Wooden shoes
A piece of cloth and a bow.

Accessories. From left to right: A piece of something hard to give you the "column" shape. An elastic clip to keep the Yukata closed. (I'm sure you could just use a string and some safety pins) and a tie to help when you adjust the length.

Instructions: If you are built with an hour-glass figure, you should pad the waist in order to look good in yukata. A sports bra that "flattens" the breasts to the body works well for yukata. A yukata slip is an optional item and not a necessity by any rule. However, if you're putting on a light weight (thin material), light colored or semi-sheer yukata, it might be wise to have this extra layer of "coverage" so your underwear does not show through. (A fashion faux pas in any culture.)

How to wear a yukata (for women)

Hold the garment open and raise it to make the hemline come to about the height of your ankles. This is how length is adjusted. Make sure the center back seam of the yukata aligns with your spine.
Bring the right-hand side in, and wrap the left side over it. The yukata should gather at your waist.

*Important note that I just learned: NO Japanese would wear any yukata with the right side over the left EVER. Left flap is ALWAYS on top. This is a rule. (Japanese custom has it that only the dead are dressed with the right side over the left.) In these photos I have my right side over the left... whoops. Hey, I'm an ignorant Canadian... no longer. ;-)


Tie the yukata shut tightly with the tie just above your hip bone .

Fold the material down over the tie. Smooth the wrinkles out on the upper front and in the back at this point. Tip: Pull the right flap down and across by putting your hand through the hole found under the left armpit to adjust. (A clever built-in feature of yukata.)
Tie the yukata in place with the second tie (this is where I use the elastic band clip thing) just under your chest.

Place and secure the waist panel over the second tie so that the wide and flat part of the panel is covering the front. I bought this panel in Japan, but you could probably use a flexible piece of plasic covered in fabric and tie it on with some string. Cardboard might work too, in a pinch.

Now you're ready for the sash and bow!

I don't know how to tie the traditional sash and bow. When Yuzu's Grandmother did this for me, she had about 2 meters of fabric. I cheat and just use a prefabricated bow. It works okay, though not nearly as beautiful.

Remember to iron your sash! oops!

And, don't forget the shoes!

Peace!

Lastly, get on a plane to Tokyo. Go to the top of Roponggi Hills. Find a cute man and take a cheezy picture. It is an experience that you will never forget.