Jake's Pen

I’ve been living/studying in China for more than two years now, I’ve seen this twice and I wanted to share this with you guys. In China, during this time of the year, people burn what we English speakers call ‘hell money’ for their deceased loved ones so that they could use that money in the afterlife. 

Now, I want to focus on the name ‘hell money’. Apparently, it’s not really an accurate translation. In Chinese, it’s called ‘冥钞’ (ming2chao1), which literally means underworld/netherworld money. 

I’ve read The Tombs of Atuan a few months ago, it was so good that I decided to read it again. I’m just soooo fixated on this book.

 The Tombs of Atuan is the 2nd book of the The Earthsea Quartet. It’s shortly a coming of age story of Tenar whom was chosen as a high priestess to the Place of the Tombs in the island of Atuan in the Kargish empire where an ancient power called Nameless Ones is worshiped. 

The novel mainly focuses on two characters, Ged and Tenar. We see Ged in the first novel of the series however Tenar is the protagonist of this novel. There are other characters in the Place of the Tombs such as the other priestesses and the eunuch Manan but they don’t play important roles. 

There is only One Priestess in the Place of the Tombs of Atuan, when one dies next reincarnated priestess is selected from many others to be the high priestess. Tenar was chosen at the age of six and became Arha, the eaten one. Thought the novel we see Arha growing with such privilege that many would wish for, but she lacks freedom. She is forever trapped in the Place with no friends, freedom and identity. When Ged comes along he reminds her again her own name and with him she finds the courage to find her freedom and become her own self, not Tenar, the identity that was given to her. 

I should warn that the first chapters might get a little dull, as nothing much happens but the depth and the reality of the place is absolutely breath taking. Culture and traditions of the people in the Earthsea is just ridiculous, it’s a total treat for fantasy lovers. 

There is a huge Body Shop sale happening right now and I have decided to try this product that I’ve been eyeing for a long time. I’ve been looking for a product like this for so long and I can say I am satisfied with it. 

It is called Vitamin C Glow-protect Lotion SPF 30. It has a very thick consistency, so that you know it is packed with all those goodies that will moisturize your face and provide protection from the sun. Remember that the best thing you can do to your skin is to protect it from the sun (you should always put on half a tea spoon of product on your face to get that full sun protection from any sun block). Some people online find that this product is too heavy and not good for oily skin, I have oily skin and it works for me and it is a plus for me that it is a heavy consistency because otherwise it would not provide enough protection form the sun. Some people experienced acne outbreak after using this product, I have been using for 3 weeks and I can say I have less acne then I usually do. It’s also not bad if you apply make up over it, just wait a while until the product settles in. However, the reason why this product doesn't get a five star from me is that I just don't like the smell. It has this very fake citrusy smell that doesn't do the job for me. I wish they went with a subtler smell but good thing is it doesn't linger around for a long time, smell seams to disappear after few moments of application.