Mini Book Review: Mijeong by Byung Byung Jun

Title: Mijeong. Author: Byung Byung Jun. Genre: Graphic Novel. Paperback: 240 pages. Publisher: NBM Publishing, Inc. (June 1, 2009). Description: In Chinese, ‘Mijeong’ means ‘pure beauty’. In the cold city, young people’s lives cross and spark for brief moments in this remarkably drawn graphic novel; Wounded characters, squashed by the daily hard realities of urban living whose destinies take sudden unannounced turns but their inner flames shine bright and wild, even for a brief time. From the girl who deals sensitively with an older man obsessed by youth to the group of friends who find their friend has committed suicide but feel they might get implicated, this engrossing collection of stories will transfix and move you deeply. My Review: Well, I am a fan of comics in general. I like whenever an author/artist deviates from the worn out plots we all see in your average Japanese manga and Korean manhwa; it is a relief. No sickly sweet romance with vapid females and emotionally distant men will be found between these pages. No cheery hero, who is constantly up-beat, even through immense trials. The stories come off as a bit melancholy, definitely. But there is a dash of humor...despite people dying and all. My favorite story was the manhwa artist one. The others were okay, but I wasn't hugely fond of them. Not sure if I would really recommend this for purchase, but feel free to get this one from the library. Rating 2.5/5.

Where am I?

So if you dont follow my twitter then you are probably wondering where I am and why I havent blogged... I have had several emails from readers asking if I am taking a break from blogging. The answer is no way! Blogging is my hobby and I enjoy writing it but sadly I have had to say goodbye to my laptop. He and I had many good times together and it brought me a lot of happiness! I am hoping to get a laptop for my birthday so I will be back in the new year I promise! I am still trying to stay apart of the beauty blogging world via twitter by sending out regular tweets with celeb beauty products, beauty tips and current discounts on beauty sites. To the companies: I have tried to email all of you with regards to products that I am reviewing. You have not been forgotten and I will blog as soon as I have a new laptop. For now anyway my beauties I can only apologise and thank you for all of your lovely messages! I cannot believe that this time last year I spent my time reading through blogs and now I have my very own! I absolutely love it, so no I am not taking a break from blogging I just don't have a laptop. I am currently sat in a library writing this to you all. Oh the days when I used to come to the library to do my homework. I feel 13 again! I will try my best to borrow someones laptop as there are 2 posts that I really want to publish before christmas! Also I will be counting down the days til my birthday on twitter incase you are wondering its the 31st of July! I think Ive rambled on enough and given you an update on the blogging situation. By all means if you want to email me feel free I reply to all emails and tweets.

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone

Yes, there are wizards everywhere in Harry Potter. But I think they are just a medium through which the theme of courage speaks. I feel like this same story could be told about a boy who goes to school in America and learns he’s the son of a famous football player and has to live up to that, and make a difference. The fact that the series is about magic is the icing on the cake of a very human plight that would be captivating even without the magic. The magic isn’t taken too seriously by Rowling. It’s more a place to laugh and be awed a bit by the idea of “what if.” And I love that it is the magic itself that makes Harry so different and flawed in the eyes of his family. There are heroes in every culture. At Hogwarts, the hero is a little boy who must stand up against a ferocious wizard gone evil. But if little Harry stood strong against an abusive teacher, or an abusive parent, or an abusive mayor, the story would be as satisfying. Because this little boy who was kept in a cupboard for years and told he was nothing, is just beginning to realize he is something. Heroes can be born in cupboards, and be four feet tall with big glasses and mussed hair and no parents and little kindness in their life, and no friends. Heroes can change that; they can stand up anyway. 

 

 
Rowling frames heroism in a metaphor that translates well in any age, and I think that’s part of what people were trying to tell me, when they said, “You will love it because it isn’t just fantasy. It’s about a little boy no one loved, who realizes he has a destiny”. It’s not the most exquisitely written story I’ve ever read. But that’s not something I actually care about, in a good story. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a good story and Harry Potter coloring pages are great activities for kids. I have the next book in this series waiting on my bookshelf. I can’t wait to begin it. Would I ever re-read this book? Yep! Opening lines: “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense...”. Favorite Passage: “Ah! Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans! I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit-flavored one, and since them I’m afraid I’ve rather lost my liking for them, but I think I’ll be safe with a nice toffee, don’t you?”. He smiled and popped the golden-brown bean into his mouth. Then he choked and said, “Alas! Ear wax!” Favorite Character: Dumbledore: “To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin”.

Easy Homemade Soap

Soap can make us feel a certain way depending on the scent or color. It of course always makes us feel clean, but certain types of soap are best for us.Soaps with a wonderful aroma aren't cheap in the stores. That's why it is better many times to make your own soap the way you like it. I love washing with vanilla scented soap or sometimes a refreshing scent such as china rain. Soap scents can bring back many good memories. Soap in the stores nowadays just doesn't smell as good as homemade soap. You have to pay a lot of money to find a soap in the store with a good and pleasent lasting fragrance. You can make your own homemade soap fairly inexpensively and the scent would last and you can choose any fragrance you want. There are all kinds to choose from such as rose, vanilla, lavender and so many more.You can even put herbs, flowers or other things inside the soap such as toys or cute erasers. Would you like to try? We will start with a basic recipe. There are hundreds to choose from but it's always better to start out simple. Remember, sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right. When you get the process down it becomes easy and fun to create your own soap. Ever since I started making soap not even my husband wants to use another soap.

He broke out when he used a store bought soap so he says he just wants to use the soap I make. Heres the recipe, followed by a backlink that will help you find more recipes and soap and bath products to help you. I prefer melt and pour because this soap is not only easy to make but very gentle on the skin. Basic Recipe For Melt and Pour Homemade Soap. Ingredients: 1 pound clear melt and pour glycerin soap base, 1/2 oz (20-30 drops) of fragrance or essential oil, herbs or anything you want to add to the soap. Things you will absolutely need: a microwaveable container or bowl and a wooden spoon. Soap molds. Put the pound of m&p soap base in the microwave safe bowl. Place in microwave on high for 1 minute. Take out and stir. If not completely melted place in microwave on 1 minute. Keep checking until soap is completely melted. Next, pour the fragrance or essential oil or herbs, toys etc you want put in the soap. Stir and pour into soap molds. Let set about 2 hours. If mold still fells warm let soap set until completely cooled. Then pop out onto wax paper, wrap in pretty package such as plastic wrap with a bow or soap bags or boxes. Label soap and put what scent it is or use it right away. These makes really great and useful present gifts.