Book Tag Relay

I got tagged by Julie.

The rules of the game:

1. Find the nearest book to you.
2. Name the book and author.
3. Turn to page 123.
4. Go to the fifth sentence on the page.
5. Copy out the next 3 sentences and post to your blog.
6. Tag three other people.

Nearest book (found in the pocket of my chair's armrest): "Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary 'Jacky' Faber, Ship's Boy."

Author: L. A. Meyer

Three Sentences on p. 123: "I can see this is going nowhere and pipes up that all the tattoos got to be in the same place on each of us or it ain't a Brotherhood thing, and it's got to be hidden and secret from everyone 'cept us so's we can swear secret oaths on our tattoos and reveal them only to each other when we're down in dungeons and stuff and hideously disfigured so we couldn't be recognized any other way, and it makes sense to them and we decide on the right hipbone up front just before it meets the belly.
"Before they can change their minds I go up to Roderigo and jam the two pence in his fist and pull down the top of my pants a few inches to expose my hipbone and say, 'Put it there.'
"Roderigo pockets the coins and takes out a needle and a bottle of ink and sets to."

Although it's got nothing on "The Crucible," this book has quite the long sentences, doesn't it? Stream of consciousness will do that.

I tagg Kelly T. (haha, I'm funny), Molly, and Cheryl.

Recess for the Mind

I've started writing a book. I have about eleven pages, eight of which I am decently pleased with. I got the idea of it one night as I was lying in bed. Most of my good ideas come to me at night.

But first, I can't mention my book without first mentioning my friend Molly. She's been writing her novel since the sixth grade. It's her Faust. I've been reading her manuscripts and rewrites and brainstomring and talking about it with her for a while now. She has inspired me to write my own novel.

I mentioned my novel to my sisters and found that two of them were also engaged in writing books. Theirs are of the memoire persuasion. Mine is strickly fiction. My sister Cheryl said that was good, as there might not be enough room in the world for another Schurig memoir. I had to laugh. I think she might be right.

I've also been reading books. My most recent read is called "Reviving Ophelia" and is absolutely fascinating. I do not recommend it for everyone, however, as it is a somewhat graphic psychological account of the lives of adolescent girls in the '90s. If any of you, dear readers, care to read it, I would love to discuss it with you.

For the book club at church we're reading "The Scarlet Pimpernell." It is easily one of my favourite books and movies, which is a pretty rare combo. It's fun to read it again, as I haven't read it in years. It will be interesting to see how my perceptions of the book have changed, if at all, this time around due to my extended life and new experiences.

I have also started an oil painting class. It's always something I have wanted to do, and now I have the perfect opportunity. Lori, a friend, is teaching a small class (me and one other) in her home. Lori is amazing. She just moved here from Italy where she had the great experience of learning from Master GiGi, one of the top ten premiere artists of Italy. I am awed. Truly awed.

My life is my playground.

N Seoul Tower

Tiffany and I spent a pleasant day at the N Seoul Tower. Here's a shot to give you some perspective:

N Seoul Tower is easily recognizable in the Seoul skyline. It goes without saying that it provides an excellent view of Seoul. It also features the "Sky Restrooms." They are cool bathrooms with a view. Tiffany and I managed to sneak a couple photos. The first one is of the women's room, and the second is of the men's room.


Here's a few snapshots of the city:


And finally, a shot of N Seoul Tower from our place, including the moon:

DMZ Tour

Recently we had the opportunity to go to Panmunjom at the DMZ. It was a lot of fun. We went with Melissa's mom, who was here to help out when Melissa and Fred's baby was born. It was my second time to the DMZ, and Tiffany's first. We also got to go to the 3rd tunnel, which is a long tunnel which was dug through solid rock by North Koreans in order to reach South Korea. It was discovered by South Korea before it could be completed. Unfortunately, photography was prohibited inside the tunnel.

When we first got to Panmunjom, there was a group of North Korean soldiers who were taking photos by the border (the concrete block that runs over the grating).

We were taken inside one of the buildings that straddles the border. They are used for talks between North and South Korea. Inside the building, I was able to get a pretty close-up shot of a couple of guys getting their picture taken.

Here's Tiffany standing next to one of the South Korean soldiers at a safe distance. Pretty tough, eh? They get a little jumpy if you get too close. The sunglasses and martial arts stance are to convey an air of intimidation. Tiffany, at this point, is on the north side of the building, and technically standing in North Korea.

This is Panmungak, a large building on the north side of the border. The North Korean soldiers frequently look through binoculars at visitors on the south side of the border.

Here's a shot of “Propaganda Village” in North Korea. It features an impractically tall flagpole topped by a gigantic North Korean flag.

This is the “Bridge of No Return,” which has a significant history, both during the Korean War and also more recently during the mid-70s.


Of course, we were shuttled to the gift shop as part of the tour. I took this picture of an assortment of novelty chocolates: red pepper-flavored chocolate, corn-flavored chocolate, ginseng-flavored chocolate, seaweed-flavored chocolate, sweet potato-flavored chocolate, green tea-flavored chocolate, and, of course, kimchi-flavored chocolate.

Here's me at the Dora Observatory. Unfortunately, Dorasan Station was not part of the tour.

All in all, it was a fun tour.