Beach.Ball.Babes

Beach Ball Babes is the latest Singapore sports-themed drama showing on channel 8, every Monday to Friday at 9pm since 7 July 2008. The 20-episode drama about volleyball boasts a "royal" cast that includes former beauty queens Joanne Peh and Jade Seah, two of MediaCorp's "princesses" Jesseca Liu and Dawn Yeoh, as well as Fann Wong's groom-to-be, Christopher Lee.


I have been faithfully watching the drama daily as i enjoy watching Jesseca Liu's acting and she is one of my favourite local actresses. Shooting Beach.Ball.Babes also challenged its stars in more ways than one. For instance, Jesseca had to shed her goody-two-shoes, sweety-pie image to play the bratty, self-absorbed leader, Cai Yanfang, of the volleyball team. She often offends people due to her straight-forward nature and is not afraid of anything except dolls, to the extent that she would flee when seeing them!







It was also refreshing seeing her pairing up with China actor Cui Peng who stars as Yan Feipeng in the drama. I have not seen Cui Peng acting before in a local drama and i like the character he played in this drama. His acting was quite good and he was funny in the drama and i was so curious about who this actor is that i ended up searching online for more information. I was surprised to find out that he was the 2003 Mediacorp Star Search Combo winner with Felicia Chin as i do not recall seeing him on TV before. Bet most of you did not know this information too right ;>


Back to more about the drama, Yanfang has always been against the idea of employing foreign talents in the sport industry and she is bias against Feipeng who is a national badminton player talent-scouted from China. On top of that, Feipeng collects dolls as a hobby thereby creating more conflicts between them. However after much interactions with each other, they begin to understand and develops feelings for each other. It was enjoyable and funny watching yesterday's episode showing how they were trying to confess their feelings for each other.


Joanne Peh stars as Rainie in the drama and is Yanfang's good friend of many years. She and Yanfang had formed a team to play Beach volleyball and was a formidable team on the beach. However she falls out with Yanfang as the guy (Christopher Lee stars as Ma Tianwu) she loves is only interested in Yanfang. Dawn Yeoh stars as Sixing who is Yanfang's new beach volleyball partner after Rainie form a new partnership with Yaya (Jade Seah).


(Source: http://8.mediacorptv.sg/programmesdetail.aspx?iid=MDC080701-0000053&kw=DRAMA#top)
(Source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Cui_Peng)
(Source: http://qingling.wordpress.com/)

Grow Muscles with Peaches?

(Source:http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/6508)


(Picture from allposters.com)

Getting toned arms and legs sounds like a job for Mr. Nautilus. But Mr. Peach?

Maybe. Seems potassium-rich produce -- like peaches -- gives your muscles what they need to stay toned, healthy, and able to do their jobs.

It's a Balance

A diet heavy in proteins and cereal grains can cause blood to become too acidic. When this happens, muscle tissue can waste away. Fruits and vegetables, though, make your body's pH more alkaline -- mostly thanks to their high potassium content. So it makes sense that people in a recent study who loaded up on potassium-rich produce had more lean muscle mass than their produce-shirking peers.

Best Reason to "Green" Your Walk

(Source: http://www.realage.com/ct/shape-up-slim-down/workouts/tip/6501)



(Picture from foodreference.com)

Give your walking workout more green by hiking trails or parks instead of asphalt and cement. You'll do your heart a huge favor.

Car pollution in high-traffic zones isn't just bad for your lungs. It can really test your ticker, too.

The Air Apparent

In a study, men who previously had heart attacks (but had stable heart disease) exercised while being exposed for short periods to traffic-equivalent levels of diesel exhaust. The result? Reduced blood flow to their hearts. Not a good thing for anyone, but especially worrisome for people with heart problems.

Meaningful Story to Share

I found this story while reading Josh Bernstein's book. Yup i finally got the book and the season one and two DVD sets of "Digging for the Truth" from the library :> Feel that the story quoted in his book is very meaniningful and hope to share it here with everyone...




A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. The American tourist standing nearby complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American. The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, i go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sings a few songs...i have a full life."

The American interrupted. "I'd like to give you some advice. I'm a manager with GE, have an MBA from Harvard, and i can help you! If you start fishing longer everyday, you can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring you, you can buy a second one and third one and so on, until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants, and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterward? That's when it gets interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really And after that?"

"After that, you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking with and enjoying your friends!"

Watermelon: 3 Juicy Benefits

(Source: http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/6448)



A cool wedge of watermelon on a hot summer day? Refreshing, for sure.

But watermelon is more than just a seasonal treat. Here are three great health reasons to dig into this juicy fruit:

It's loaded with lycopene. Watermelon juice actually gave tomato juice a run for the money in a recent study of lycopene levels. That’s good news for your body, because early research suggests that lycopene may be a cancer crusher.


It can make your skin pretty. Watermelon is loaded with a key compound credited with helping skin's healing and regenerative processes. Say no more -- bring on the melon!


It's practically calorie-free. With fewer than 50 calories in every cup, watermelon is one smart way to satisfy a sweet tooth. And with a whopping 141 grams of water per cubed cup, watermelon will keep you hydrated, too.

Digging For The Truth-Josh Bernstein

I have been hooked on this adventure-archaeology series that explored ancient mysteries around the world currently showing on Starhub The History Channel 08 every Wednesday night. The first three seasons of the show focused on host Josh Bernstein, who journeyed on various explorations of historical icons and mysteries. Each episode typically deals with an event or subject in history that is not completely understood by modern historians. I have always been fascinated about anything related to history since i was in secondary school and remembers fondly how i used to look forward to history lessons in school and reading up lot of books about the World Wars and other historical events. Watching this series has revived my interest of the unknown and the past. I managed to find more informations about the series online.







"Digging For The Truth" series premiered with Josh Bernstein as host in January 2005 and quickly became the highest-rated series in the history of The History Channel. Season 3 premiered on 22January 2007, again setting a record for the network with the highest-rated series/season premiere to date (over 2.1 million viewers). The April 16, 2007 episode marked Bernstein's final appearance as host of Digging for the Truth. The series continued for a 4th season without Bernstein before it was removed from primetime and then cancelled. Bernstein went on to join the Discovery Channel as an executive producer and host of a new prime-time series and specials. The Discovery series -- called "Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein" -- is scheduled to premiere on August, 18, 2008, and is expected to be just as adventurous and globe-trotting as Digging for the Truth, but with less of an archaeological focus. I can't wait to catch his new program on tv :>


I managed to find DVD sets of the series Season 1 and 2 from the library and can't wait to start watching! What a pity that Bernstein stopped hosting the show for season 4 as i really enjoy watching him trying to solve all those interesting mysteries and travelling all over the world in the search for the truth. He has also authored a book "Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries". I would definitely be borrowing the book from the library and can't wait to read more about his personal trials and challenges faced while making the series. Those interested in the series can borrow the DVD sets or book from the library.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digging_for_the_truth)
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Bernstein)
(Source: http://archaeology.about.com/od/interviews/a/josh_bernstein.htm)

Tips For Storing Hard To Keep Foods

(Source: http://www.foodreference.com/html/a-storing-hard-608.html)




A lot of food goes to waste simply because people don’t know how to handle it properly once they get it home from the store. Even flour and other pantry staples in their own packaging can spoil, get buggy, or absorb odors from other foods.

If you’ve had it throwing away money because stuff turns yucky before you can use it, maybe it’s time to give your food storing methods a makeover. ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has tips for storing hard-to-keep foods:

BREAD. It can go stale or get moldy left out on a counter or stored in the fridge. If you’re not going to eat it fast, you can keep bread in the freezer for up to three months. To refresh thawed baguettes, rolls, and other breads, unwrap and heat them in the microwave for a few seconds.

BROWN SUGAR. It can get as hard as a rock because of moisture loss during storage. Storing it in an airtight container will help keep moisture in. If you’ve already got hardened sugar, heat it in a 250° F oven until it’s soft and use it right away or it will turn rock-solid again, fast.

BUTTER. All fats are fragile and can go rancid. To preserve freshness, wrap and freeze what you don’t use; unsalted butter will last about four to five months, salted butter, about six to nine.

CHEESE. When it comes to storing cheese, ShopSmart found conflicting advice. Fancy cheese shops advise storing it in a porous wrap like wax paper so the cheese can breathe. The dairy and packaging pros said to take a tip from how supermarket cheeses are packaged and keep cheese as airtight as possible, which will prevent mold. ShopSmart’s advice: Wrap it first in wax paper, then wrap it tightly in plastic.

COOKING OIL. Buy oil in opaque or dark containers if possible and store it in a cool, dark place to protect it from damaging light. Buy only what you can use within three to six months—or one month for very fragile walnut and other nut oils. Like all fats, oil can go rancid, giving recipes an off flavor. If you’re not using it fast enough, keep the oil in the fridge. Since oil congeals when it gets cold, bring it to room temperature before using.

CRACKERS. Crackers and chips can get soggy fast if they’re not sufficiently protected in a humid environment. So be sure to wrap the package in an airtight container or use a plastic clip or Quick Seals.

WHOLE-WHEAT FLOUR. Unlike white flour, whole-wheat flour (also wheat germ, brown rice, and other whole-grain foods) contains higher levels of fat that gives it a brief one- to three-month shelf life. If you use whole grain ingredients only occasionally, they’ll keep about six months in the fridge and 12 months in the freezer.

GROUND MEAT. It’ll keep one to two days in the fridge. After that, put it in the freezer. For the best flavor and texture, use frozen ground meat within three months.

ICE CREAM. To prevent ice crystals from forming, keep the surface of ice cream level and cover it with plastic wrap before putting the lid back on.

NUTS AND SEEDS. To protect them from going rancid, store them in the fridge; they’ll last up to six months. In the freezer they’ll last up to 12 months. Keep them in airtight, snack- or recipe-size portions so you can thaw only what you want to use. Toasting refrigerated or thawed nuts in a skillet or the oven for a few minutes will bring out the flavor.

POWDERED SUGAR. Because it can absorb odors from spices, and any strong flavored foods around it, keep it in an airtight container.

SPICES. Ground spices typically have a two-to-three-year shelf life, but light, heat, and moisture can cause them to lose their oomph much faster. Keep them airtight in a dark place, away from sunlight, the heat of the stove, and heat generating lighting—and not near the sink. Properly stored, whole spices will last longer than ground.

TEA. If stored next to spices and other strong-flavored foods, tea can absorb these flavors, which can affect its taste. So store tea in air-tight containers, away from smelly foods.

Korea Drama Spotlight Ending (Spoilers Alert!!)

"Spotlight", which revolves around the lives of news reporters, had been losing ground due to a number of complicated issues such as changes in writers and poor storyline and directing. I just finished watching the last episode of "Spotlight" and was disappointed that there was not much focus on the relationship between Woo Jin and Tae Seok. I was hoping to see more development of their relationship and not just the occasionally scenes hinting that the two main characters have feelings for each other. I feel that there was too much focus on the last case that both of them were trying to report on and viewers most probably got bored along the way.


This might have explained why "Spotlight" ended its run on 3 July in Korea on a sour note and its constant poor ratings. This is such a pity as the drama had started off with an interesting and exciting plot and a great casts and i was initially hooked on the drama but the lack of love plots really drag it down. There were far too many serious overtones in the entire drama. Only the first story involving the convict on the run, Jang Jin Gyu was interesting and the part where Tae Seok was really worried about Woo Jin's safety and the hint of more feelings for her made the episode interesting. It is such a pity that the drama did not have a great finishing and must have left lot of viewers like me frustrated after watching the ending.

(Source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Spotlight)
(Source: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Spotlight.php)
(Source: http://www.rukorean.com/drama_news?page=1)

More Cute Pictures of Snowy!!

Yummy meals at Hilltop Hong Kong Cafe

With reference to my previous post: http://ladyjansneverland.blogspot.com/2007/10/hilltop-hong-kong-cafe.html about this Hong Kong Cafe, i have been going there regularly recently to try out its other dishes and here are pictures of some of my favourite food:






Set lunch with all the above food for only $6.80 plus drink, super cheap and the old cucumber soup was super nice!!


My favourite Xiao Longbao, the soup comparable to crystal jade and din tai fung! :> In my previous post the Xiao Longbao was not as delicious, maybe the chef made some improvements to the recipe?? Anyway good news for Xiao Longbao fans like me hehe




Steamboat $9.80 per person, choice of herbal chicken/sliced meat/seafood and tomato or clear soup base

Yummy Laksa at Yishun Central

Pictures of Snowy

I have been spending alot of time at my mum's place recently playing with my brother's dog, Snowy. It is really fun bringing him out for walks and also jogging with him. Never expect that i would fall in love with this wonderful new friend of mine ;> It is so fun playing with him and he always has a new trick to show us. He is really a bundle of joy to my family and i have added some pictures of him below.

More Pictures of Korea Drama "Spotlight"

4 Must-Eat Foods for Healthy Skin

(Source: http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/6357)




Give your skin inside-out protection from the sun by putting these four items into your shopping cart: pomegranates, tomatoes, dark chocolate, and tea.

The antioxidants in this tasty quartet of treats may help thwart skin cancer, according to John La Puma, MD, author of ChefMD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine.

Sunblock Effects

No food can replace the awesome sun-busting power of sunscreen, but some foods may work their way from the inside out to give your skin a little extra protection. The antioxidants in pomegranates, tomatoes, dark chocolate, and tea "can migrate to upper layers of your skin, bolstering resistance to ultraviolet damage," La Puma writes.

3 Steps to Super Skin

Most of us know someone who’s had something worrisome removed. Save yourself from joining their ranks by taking these simple skin-saving steps:

Slather it on -- lots of it. You don’t want to skimp on sunscreen.

Check yourself -- and your loved ones. Regular skin self-exams can reduce your risk of dying of melanoma by 44 percent!

Start early. About 50-80 percent of a person’s lifetime risk of skin damage happens during childhood.

Yummy lunch at Lavender Market

Walk to Sembawang Beach

I was bored and did not feel like watching any Korean or Hong Kong dramas as i have not come across dramas that are as interesting as "On Air", "Powerful Opponents" or "Heart of Greed" that i have finished watching recently. I have not finish watching Korean drama "I Love You" online and have watched till episode 8. I feel that the drama is abit draggy at certain parts and i did not feel like watching it at the moment. The only drama i'm hooked to currently is "Spotlight" but i have only watched till episode 13 and is waiting for episode 14 to be loaded online. I'm also tempted to buy Korean drama "Heart of Nineteen" DVD which is selling at only $39.90 at Poh Kim and TS video stores but feel that it might be a waste of money as it is currently showing on Channel U daily.


I decided to walk to Sembawang Beach after going with my mum to Ang Mo Kio Central for lunch. It has been awhile since i walk to the beach and i took some nice pictures with my handphone along the way. It was really relaxing going to the beach and i'm glad that i do not have to travel long distance whenever i want to look at the sea and feel the sea breeze.