Creative and Cute Lunch Box Ideas

My cousin sent me these cute pictures of lunch boxes. Its so cute and pretty that i'm so tempted to try making it hehe.... ;>

PlayFirst New PC Game: First Class Flurry

For those whose childhood dream was to be an air stewardess or just want to find something to entertain you for an hour, you may wish to try playing PlayFirst's lastest game "First Class Flurry". Master customer service at a whole new level: 35,000 feet above ground! Help flight attendant Claire pamper unpredictable passengers and bring Starlink Airlines back to the top! Fly around the world attending to economy class, business class, royal first class and beyond. Customize and upgrade your plane to make sure your passengers have a wonderful flight! It's time for you to fly!


I tried the 60 minute trial from its website: http://www.playfirst.com/r/PFNWSL0141/game/firstclassflurry and it was quite fun :> There are other games you can try like Nannymania which was quite interesting. Have Fun!

Tip of the day

Go Bananas!



Bananas are the ultimate snack food. They'll boost your energy instantly, as well as raising your potassium levels. (Potassium is essential for regulating your nerves, heartbeat and blood pressure). Bananas can also be useful hangover cures after a big night out on the town.

(Source: 501 Easy Health Tips)

Korean Drama - Hearts of Nineteen/Pure 19

I have been following this Korean drama shown on Channel U Monday - Friday, 7pm recently. I like that it is quite a family oriented drama and the main character in the drama, Kuk-hwa is such a kind and innocent girl who is just trying to find her dream and start a new life in Seoul. She was previously staying in China. Yanbian. Through watching this drama, i can learn more about the Korean culture and way of living and i really like the old traditional house that Kuk-hwa stayed in with her new adopted family. Do catch the drama if you are free, i'm sure you would be hooked to it :> I noticed that Channel U has been showing alot of good Korean drama during the weekday 7pm timeslot which is a good thing for us drama viewers/ lovers!

More info about the drama from sources found online:


This drama (110 episodes) portrays the life journey of an upbeat and cheerful ethnic Korean girl, Kuk-hwa, from China who comes to Korea to get married and start her own family with her own efforts. By overcoming hardships with a smile and wisdom, she teaches the meaning of innocence in the era when love is determined by too many preconditions.


The role of the modest and honest guy Hong Woo-kyung, who works at telecom company UT, is played by Lee Min-woo, while the ill-mannered Yoon-hu, a scion of a conglomerate, is portrayed by Seo Ji-suk. The cast also includes several famous middle-aged actors: Shin Koo, who plays the oldest person in Hong’s family, and Kang Nam-kil and Kim Mi-kyung, who play Woo-kyung’s parents. Kang Seok-woo appears in a comic role of Shin’s second son as a third-class bar singer. Adding to the cheerful atmosphere of the series is Cho Jung-rin, who plays Woo-kyung’s younger sister. Han Jin-hee and Yoon Yeo-jung appear as Yoon-hu’s family.

Casting

Koo Hye-seon : Yang Kuk-hwa

An upbeat and cheerful 19-year-old girl from China, Kuk-hwa comes to Korea to marry Woo-kyung’s uncle but upon arrival hears the news about her fiance’s death in an accident. She does her best to settle down in Korea on her own, and proves to be an optimistic and frank albeit unpredictable person who makes everyone around her smile. She becomes part of Woo-kyung’s family and after many twists and turns falls in love with Woo-kyung’s friend and manager Yoon-hu and finally starts her own family in Korea.


Lee Min-woo : Hong Woo-kyung

This well-mannered 29-year-old guy always takes good care of his uncle’s fiance, Kuk-hwa. He treats everybody with respect and wishes everybody well. Woo-kyung joins a telecom company where his classmate Yoon-hu works as an executive director, and works diligently in the company’s planning department. Destiny brings him to Yoon-hu’s sassy younger sister Yoon-jung through a car accident, and the two begin their topsy-turvy relationship.


Seo Ji-seok : Park Yoon-hu

The son of a telecom company’s CEO and a Korean cuisine researcher, this 29-year-old man is Woo-kyung’s classmate but holds a higher position in his father’s company, which he will inherit someday. Good-looking and well-educated, Yoon-hu however turned into a cold-hearted person after his failed first love. His secretary has a hard time working for him due to his fastidious personality. But Kuk-hwa gradually thaws his frozen heart.


Lee Yoon-ji : Park Yun-jung

This 23-year-old sassy girl is Yoon-hu’s younger sister. She was never interested in studies and spends her time shopping in luxurious boutiques and driving her imported car. She never loses in fights, but despite her foolishness she is pure-hearted and outgoing. Her mother sets her up with multiple guys to help her find a man who can satisfy her vanity. She believes that marriage is based on preconditions, but her beliefs are shattered when she meets the well-mannered guy Woo-kyung.

Desserts at Zhenjie Traditional Homemade Dessert (Amoy Street) Thomson Plaza Branch

Sweet Potata with Longan highly recommended. I love the ginger soup!




Yam Paste with Gingko Nut. Nice too but would be better if warm.

Tip of the day

(Source: http://www.realage.com/ct/tips/6006)


Could Sunshine Be Good for You?





Feeling a little bad about all the time you've recently spent in the sun? Here's news that might help take some of the edge off.

New research suggests soaking up a little sunshine here and there might actually help strengthen your immune system. Seems counterintuitive -- and more research is needed to confirm the theory -- but here’s how it goes . . .


Bright, Sunshiny News
Although rates of skin cancer -- as well as several other types of cancer -- tend to be higher in sunnier latitudes, cancer patients in these regions seem to fare better when it comes to fighting the disease. Their secret defense? Researchers think it might be the extra vitamin D they score from living in a sunnier clime. (Vitamin D is that stuff your skin manufactures when exposed to sun.)

But Be a Sensible Sun-Body
Your body makes vitamin D from the sun faster and more effectively than it soaks it up from food and supplements. Still, you need to minimize your exposure to harmful UV rays, especially during the sun's peak hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). All you need is about 10–20 minutes of sun to get the D you need for the day. One option: Apply your SPF just before you head outdoors. By the time it kicks in, you'll have gotten a quick but ample dose of D.

Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice

I went Thomson with my brother and mum yesterday for dinner and my brother recommended this very yummy chicken rice restuarant at 910D Upp Thomson Road S(787112) tel: 6553 4119, near the crispy prata shop. It is supposedly quite famous for its kampong chicken and has alot of other sides dishes. We ordered half a plate of chicken, hainanese pork chop and hometown tofu. I felt that the Hainanese pork chop was abit dry but the hometown tofu and chicken was very yummy and more than enough for 3 of us :> Do drop by the place if you stay nearby or go to Thomson. The service was really great and prompt!

Man United Won Champions League!!

I stayed up till 6am this morning to watch the Champions League final with my brother and it was definitely worth it as my favourite club won!!! Haha i got a free Macdonald breakfast from my brother as he was rooting for Chelsea and we had a bet that whoever losed had to treat breakfast. He was so pissed off that Man United won that he went to sleep straight after they won and did not even want to see them lifting the trophy hehe.... So sleepy now after eating yummy and free breakfast:> A pity that my idol Ronaldo had missed his penalty shot, but he did scored during the game so it kinda of make up for his miss.








News from ESPN website about the match:

(Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=240721&cc=4716)


Manchester United became kings of Europe for the third time on a night of high drama and emotion in Moscow as they beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time.Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was the hero with a penalty save to deny Nicolas Anelka after Chelsea captain John Terry had missed the chance to win the Blues the trophy by firing his own spot-kick hit the post.

The dramatic shootout looked to be going Chelsea's way after Petr Cech saved Cristiano Ronaldo's effort but Terry's miss opened the door for Sir Alex Ferguson to clinch his second Champions League crown.

As the celebrations began, you could have expected the ghosts of such giants as Duncan Edwards and George Best to be dancing with delight at the outcome.

It is 40 years since United first won the trophy with a team rebuilt by Sir Matt Busby from the survivors of that Munich disaster. Eight players lost their lives following the catastrophic events on a snow-filled German runway in February 1958.

It was fitting that United became the first English club to win the trophy 10 years later and even more apt that, half a century on, Ferguson's men had again taken on Europe's finest and beaten them all.

Their achievement was made even more poignant by Munich survivors Harry Gregg, Albert Scanlon, Kenny Morgans, Bill Foulkes and Sir Bobby Charlton, now a club director, who watched the drama unfold from the stands.

But modern-day football has its own heroes and the likes of Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and the unstoppable Ronaldo now trip off the tongue in the same way Best and Charlton once did.

Yet, the opening 25 minutes of the first all-English final barely lived up to its hysterical pre-match hype.

However, all that changed from the moment Ronaldo headed United in front with his 42nd goal of a memorable season.

Paul Scholes, who missed United's last triumph through suspension in 1999, played a delightful interchange of passes with Wes Brown on the right flank.

His final return pass put Brown in the clear and the full-back's left-foot cross found the waiting Ronaldo in space at the far post.

The Portugal international planted a firm header into the corner of the net past a static Cech to give United first blood.

Chelsea's somewhat muted response almost brought them an equaliser in the 33rd minute when Lampard's cross was headed back into the six-yard box by Didier Drogba.

United's Rio Ferdinand, under pressure from Michael Ballack, was forced to head the ball towards his own goal and only a superb save from Van der Sar prevented a Chelsea equaliser.

But it required a sensational double save from Cech to deny United their second moments later.

Wayne Rooney delivered an inch-perfect 40-yard crossfield ball into the path of the ever-dangerous Ronaldo and the United goalscorer placed his cross on the head of the diving Tevez only for Cech to deny him.

Chelsea's failure to clear the loose ball gave Michael Carrick the chance to reward their superb approach work but again Cech was equal to the task with another fine save.

The Blues began to grow in confidence as the first half approached its climax and in the 45th minute, they took advantage of a massive slice of luck to level the score.

Michael Essien's attempted shot from 25-yards took two deflections on its way towards goal but the most telling was off the back of United captain Ferdinand.

It changed the direction of the ball into the path of Lampard, who duly supplied the finish from six yards.

Chelsea, buoyed by their flourish at the end of the first half, almost took the lead in the 54th minute.

Essien managed to get clear of the United defence but his attempted curler from the edge of the penalty area was far too high.

It was all Chelsea now but they could not force a second goal. Drogba sent a header a wide from Lampard's corner and Ballack was just off target with a 25-yard drive.

In the 77th minute, United had the woodwork to thank when Drogba sent a 20-yard shot against Van der Sar's left-hand upright. The Ivorian went close again four minutes from time when he just failed to convert Joe Cole's low cross.


Ryan Giggs was introduced in place of Scholes seconds later for the Welshman to make a record 759th appearance for the Red Devils.
The game went into extra-time, and within three minutes of the restart, the woodwork came to United's rescue again. This time it was Lampard who sent his shot crashing against the crossbar as United continued to ride their luck.

But Chelsea were almost made to pay dearly eight minutes later when Terry cleared a goalbound effort from Giggs off his own line.

Drogba was then sensationally sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic as tempers flared on both sides.

But the lottery of penalties ensured that United clinched the trophy.


Another great piece of news was that my idol Cristiano Ronaldo had announced that he is staying at Old Trafford!!!





(Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1193097.ece)

CRISTIANO RONALDO used last night’s celebrations to tell Manchester United fans: I’m going nowhere.

The Portuguese wizard said: “I am going to stay — there’s no way I’m leaving. I feel so happy. This is the happiest day of my life. “This means everything to me. Yet when I missed my penalty, it was the worst day of my life — I thought we were going to lose.

“But I feel proud of the lads, they believed all the time. And we deserved to win because we played the better football.”

Yummy Chendol at Yio Chu Kang Market

It has been a long time (more than 1 year) since i last ate Chendol. I always orders Bobo ChaCha from my favourite desert stall (Shui Xian) at the Yio Chu Kang market but decided to eat Chendol during my last visit. My brother always like buying Chendol from the stall as the lady owner always gives a generous serving of red beans and her Chendol is super yummy! Do drop by the stall if you happen to be at the market :>

501 Easy Health Tips

I have been reading this interesting book i borrowed from the National Library (NLB), titled "501 Easy Health Tips"(call no. 613 COL-[HEA]). I came across this book recommendation from a magazine and decided to reserved it. This book is written by Nutritionist Kellie Collins and includes everything from quick, delicious recipes and methods for jump-starting an efficient metabolism to easy to implement exercise tips and ideas for relaxation and reducing stress. It is definitely the ultimate guide to creating a better body, inside and out! Those interested can either reserve or borrow the book from NLB.



Below is a recipe i got from the book that i'm looking forward to trying:

Easy Salmon Fish Cakes Recipe

Drain 120g (4oz) tinned salmon and mix with 120g (4oz) mashed potatoes. Beat a large egg and add half to the mixture. Add 2 tsp curry powder, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Shape the mixture into four fish cakes and coat each with the rest of the beaten egg. Give each fish cake a light dusting of plain flour and coat with some wholegrain breadcrumbs. Bake in an oven at 180 Deg.Cel. for 20 minutes, then serve immediately.

Potluck Party

I had a potluck session with my friends yesterday at my house and it was so fun catching up and playing with the kids :>

Korean Drama Formidable Rivals (Powerful Opponents)

I have just started watching this latest Korean Drama starring my favourite actress Chae Rim on Starhub Channel 173 KBS World. The drama is currently broadcasting in Korea from April to Jun 2008. The second episode was so funny and it is definitely a must watch drama for Korean Drama and Chae Rim fans!


Chae Rim stars as Cha Young Jin, who is the first female to ever work as a bodyguard in the Presidential resident, Chungwadae. The role of a bodyguard is a refreshing change for Chae Rim since her last role in Dalja's Spring as a woman who was undecisive in love. With the Blue House (Korean presidential residence) set as the drama's background, Formidable Rivals revolves around the lives of presidential bodyguards and offers a fascinating rare look into the inner workings of presidential affairs.


Young Jin and Ryu Gwan Pil (Lee Jong Hyuk) work as bodyguards assigned to watch over the president’s son, Kang Soo Ho (Lee Jin Wook). They are assigned to guard Soo Ho for 15 months. It turns out that there was some sort of deep connection between Gwan Pil and the President's family. Some things bad happened in the past which led to Gwan Pil leaving suddenly 8 years ago.