a.d:
You might find this video by Jeri Ellsworth helpful.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNIpvop0ruI&feature
Have you thought about using a voltage divider if you're going from 5v to 3v3 in one direction?
This is the first time I am even working with LCD displays. Buffers, level shifters is all new term to me 
I am not entirely sure of which way to go about it other than pay x5 more for that chip online since I did not find it at that store and making these voltage divider stuff is sooo complicated....