Memoirs of a Geisha; Chapters 11-15

I think this may be horribly sick and twisted of me..but I laughed hysterically when grandmother was burnt to death by her heater. Well, I guess thats not really how she died since she was estimated to have already been dead before her face hit the heater, but seriously? Her face got burnt off for goodness sake. Chiyo found her because she smelled it, which is just gross. I hope I never find someone by the smell of their face burning off. When Mameha talked to Chiyo I was so confused. I definitely didn't think she would get in trouble for the kimono that she ruined, but I figured it had something to do with Hatsumomo. I wasn't expecting her to want to be Chiyo's older sister or for her to make such a dangerous bet to mother. Mameha must have been very confident that Chiyo would be a very successful geisha or just plain crazy. I love Mameha from the first scene she was introduced. She was kind to Chiyo, but strict when she needed to be. I believe that her and Chiyo became like real sisters in the story and that it wasn't just a title they were given. They looked out for each other and Chiyo did whatever Mameha told her to and didn't question it and Mameha usually always did what was best for Chiyo. Her and Hatsumomo were polar opposites. I felt bad for Pumpkin, which I haven't even mentioned until now. Pumpkin is adorable and sweet, but slightly stupid. I didn't really see a future for her as a geisha, but Hatsumomo took her under her wing. Of course she only did it to try and even the playing field with Mameha. Hatsumomo never stood a chance, though. Pumpkin may have been kind hearted, but she didn't have Chiyo's eyes or charm. I love that Chiyo is doing well with her geisha lessons. I do believe in the book, though, that she was being overly modest. She said that she was a mediocre dancer and guitar (not really a guitar, but I can't for the life of me think of what its called, I think it starts with an s, though) player, but if she would have just been "mediocre" she would never have become such a successful geisha. I'm not sure why Chiyo is so jealous just because Pumpkin premiers first. Its obvious that Chiyo has the better instructor. When Chiyo finally takes Mameha as her sister, I love the knew name they choose. Sayuri is pretty, and even though most of the time sisters have similar names, I'm happy Sayuri's isn't like Mameha's name because I don't really like it. It would not be fun to parade all the time in those clothes. I thought getting my hair done for prom was annoying and took forever (it was less than an hour) but I'm very glad that I didn't get wax poured on my head and then brushed. Also I complained about my heavy dress, but I didn't have like seven layers of robes and complex tying required. I also didn't have to wear strange wooden shoes or paint my face white and use charcoal to draw on my eyelashes. I was fascinated that they could sit in that attire for so long and walk around in it. I would be sooo uncomfortable. Its also ridiculous that when the geisha are entertaining they should show a little bit of wrist to the men. That is so much different from what the girls do in America. Hatsumomo is so annoying. It seems like she'll never leave poor Sayuri alone. She followed them around to every placea they went. She also told horrible stories about Sayuri, even though she never said they were about Sayuri she hinted that they were. The stories were definitely made up, too, and barely believable at all. I was expecting a cat fight, but I guess thats not very geisha-like. Hatsumomo needs to get a life, which seems strange to say, but she should worry more about debuting Pumpkin properly instead of just solely trying to ruin Sayuri's career. Mameha was upset about Hatsumomo following them, but she didn't steep to Hatsumomo's level, which I love. Mameha is so much better than Hatsumomo.