Yikes...

I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted! Time flies when you're... uh... really busy.

Preparations continue for our hula ho'ike (our first recital). Here's a glimpse of the dress I'll be wearing during the auana (modern hula) portion of the program:

Fabric's kinda cheesy, eh? I like that. There are 120 people in my class, so finding enough fabric with the same pattern to clothe us all was a big challenge, apparently. And I'm pleased I got my first color choice, even though the dress itself isn't particularly flattering. It's really well-made though -- several seamstresses worked their fingers off for us. Now I just have to figure out how to dance in it without tripping on it, as it's very... very... long.

And then there's the kahiko (ancient hula) costume that I have to make. Well, that I've been making with the kind and patient help of my dear friends Kimmy and Rebecca. As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, we have to print a design on our skirts, following some detailed guidelines. I am terrible -- no, really, I'm not exaggerating -- at crafting, so Kimmy* the fine graphic artist made me a fabulous and perfect stencil to use for my wave pattern. She's so good she designed this long-distance, after a brief email conversation. Here's how the pattern looks (with some seashell action above):

No, I couldn't color between the lines when I was a kid, either (and I remember getting in trouble for that in school. wtf??). But I like the imperfections here -- they're very me.

Here's (more) proof that I was actually involved in the printing on the fabric:

• Apparently, I thought I was doing surgery. To me, crafting is as difficult as surgery!

• The lovely Rebecca has not only opened her home to me to make this outfit, she's coached me through it from the beginning, helped me paint the fabric (SIX YARDS!), and is sewing the whole thing. It's been very time consuming, and has required much patience.
• It's safe to say I couldn't do this without my friends, and I'll feel them with me as I dance in this outfit. (Pics of the finished product coming soon.)

• On top of this, I have a big fat deadline at work next week, so it's been a very busy month of juggling. Of course, that hasn't stopped me from overbooking my social calendar too, so you can imagine how messy my apartment is.

• And right now, I'm just too tired to care.

*normal people call her Kim