Adjust Your Brakes to Lose Weight

Here's one key change you can make to help get your high school waist back: Adjust your brakes.

What does that mean? Don't eat until you're full, advises Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones. Instead, eat until your stomach is 80 percent full.

5 Ways to Eat Less and Stop Earlier
Okinawans stop eating when they are no longer hungry, and they're one of healthiest, longest-lived people in the world. Here are some tricks that Buettner says can help you stop eating at the right time:

• Get new glasses: Choose tall and narrow over short and wide drinking glasses. You'll drink 25 to 30 percent less. Go smaller with plates and bowls as well. Check out this article to learn how to pick the perfect portion.
• Leave food in the kitchen. People who serve themselves at the counter, then walk away, eat about 14 percent less. Here are three more kitchen tricks that can help you eat less.
• Supersize with your eyes. Eat less and feel fuller by making your food look bigger. Make hamburger patties half the normal amount, and pile on the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions to make your burger appear sizeable.
• Sit down to eat. Do away with eating on the go, in the car, or while watching TV. Sit down and really pay attention to your food; you'll eat less and feel more satisfied. Here's how to practice mindful eating with a raisin.
• Weigh in daily. It sounds painful, but stepping on the bathroom scale every day may help you stay on track. Find out how they help keep weight off.

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/adjust-your-brakes-to-lose-weight)

Try This Blossom for Lower Blood Pressure

Tea brewed from lovely flower buds may help keep your blood pressure in check -- if those buds are hibiscus.

In a study, drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea per day appeared to help lower systolic blood pressure by an average of seven points in people with prehypertension or mildly elevated blood pressure.

Happy News About Hibiscus
Assuming you don't load it up with sugar, brewed tea is one of the healthiest drinks around. And the flavonoids and polyphenols in hibiscus tea may be the reason for the blood-pressure-busting benefits observed in the study, which was funded jointly by the USDA and the tea industry. More research is needed to confirm the findings. But here's another great reason to drink up while we wait for the final word.

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/try-this-blossom-for-lower-blood-pressure)

Never Ending Story Long Version - Yoon Sang Hyun

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsSjvgqJSB8&feature=PlayList&p=377E29112F425665&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9)

Story of Rain and You - Yoon Sang Hyun

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzzxJfPwKMM&feature=PlayList&p=59E2A357B8BBB5F3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=16)

More Retail Therapy At TS Videostore Sales At Northpoint Yishun

I went back to TS Video Store sales at Northpoint (level 1, outside Bonia/Delifrance) today and bought 5 more sets of Korean drama DVD sets as i could not resist its great offers :> I went on Thursday night with a friend and bought "Daughters-In-Law" DVD set for only S$19.92/- which is a real bargain!

I have been doing alot of retail therapy recently so as to motivate myself to work harder and clear as much of my work as possible before i go on leave for my Tokyo trip. I will also be going Bangkok next month with my brother and mother for more shopping hehe and eating of course ;> The TS sales will end on Sunday which is tomorrow!!! Fellow Korean drama lovers must go take alook at the TS sales at Northpoint if you are staying nearby as there are alot of latest Korean drama DVD sets on offer at super cheap prices! Below are pictures of the DVD sets that i bought and brief summary of the stories for those who are not sure what to buy.

Terroir (20 episodes)

Tae-min is (Kim Joo-hyeok) uncle loves wine and wanted to become a wine master but had to take over his brother is s company - Hangang Construction after his death. When he finds out that Tae-min likes wine too, he lets Tae-min take it up as a profession. When Tae-min was young, his uncle took him to France and let him explore himself in the world of wines. It’s there that he met Ji-seon (Yoo Seon), who was adopted as a baby, and Tae-min feels his wounds healing with the help of Ji-seon and the wine.

One day, Tae-min leaves for Bordeaux, France to grant the long-cherished wishes of Mir Trading President Yang Seung-geol and his uncle who is now in the final stages of his cancer. Their wish is to taste the 1945 bottle of Chateau Mouton Mayer. Meanwhile, Lee Woo-ju raised by her grandparents in a traditional Korean winery called Nancho, decides to leave for France after her boyfriend studying abroad in France hasn’t called her for a year. At last, Tae-min gets his hands on the wine, but the bottle ends up being switched with Woo-ju is raspberry wine. Tae-min finds out later and does not know what to do. He is sitting next to Woo-ju on the plane but Woo-ju begins to think that he is a pervert. After he arrives in Korea, Tae-min honestly reveals that he lost the bottle. President Yang thinks that Tae-min is hiding the wine from him because his uncle wants it. He becomes suspicious of Tae-min from then on. After a while, Tae-min’s uncle dies and Tae-min receives Nancho, a Korean winery, from his uncle’s will. Thinking that he’d like to transform it into a wine restaurant, Tae-min’s asks Woo-ju and her grandparents to move out.

Woo-ju’s grandfather has gone back to the country and Woo-ju secures a job by asking Tae-min to use Nancho’s employees as workers for his new restaurant. Tae-min opens up his new restaurant, Terroir, but is unable to buy any wine when President Yang gets in his way. Woo-ju constantly bickers with Tae-min as she works in the restaurant. She gets acquainted with Joy Park (Gi Tae-young) as well. Then one day, she finds out that her raspberry wine has been switched with Tae-min's wine and finds out from a wine magazine that the bottle is worth over $100,000

S$12/- with Chinese & English Subtitles (original S$29.90/-)

Celebrity's Sweetheart (20 episodes)

Lee Ma Ri is a famous actress that is actively pursued by four men. The four men come from different backgrounds and have different aspirations. One is a literature graduate student who dreams of becoming a writer (Yoo Ji Tae), another is a famous photographer (Choi Phillip), the third is the heir to a major chaebol family (Ki Tae Young), and the last man chasing after Ma Ri is a young executive who works at a media corporation (Lee Ki Woo).

S$19.92/- with Chinese & English subtitles (original S$24.90/-, 20% discount)

My Wife Is A Superwoman (16 episodes)

A bittersweet success story of a man whose wife does everything she can to help her husband get a leg up in society so that she can also reap the rewards from his success and become a glamorous housewife. But what is the real reason that drives her and her female friends to obsess about success?

A modern-day Cinderella who wasn’t able to nab a knight in shining armor! Here we have one woman who pours all her energy into making her husband a success in society. Another woman who is like a servant gets her hands on the glass slipper, which fits! Then there’s the woman who steps on a princess with the stiletto heel of her shoe. The realities of women’s social clubs! The power of their husbands determines the pecking order of their wives’ status in society. A real princess who has all the material things in life that she could ever want but remains unhappy! And a woman who wants to be loved.

S$15/- with only Chinese subtitles (original S$29.90/-)

Beethoven Virus (16 episodes)


Two musicians who retired from their musical careers for different reasons join together with a demanding and difficult genius conductor to form an orchestra against all odds. Although it requires a lot of hard work to form their orchestra, they keep chasing their dreams of doing what they love the most in the world and this gives them great satisfaction.

Three young and old people with different personalities and life experiences gather together under a common dream and they find love and the room to forgive each other as they eventually earn each other’s respect. The drama exudes a positive energy.

S$12/- with English, Chinese & Malay subtitles (original S$33.90/-)

Boys Over Flower (25 episodes)

The ‘Iconic Love Story’ for those who wish to stay young at heart forever! ‘Boys over Flowers’ is the highly anticipated remake of the famous Japanese comic book series. Jan-di, the Heroine, is the poor but bright girl who has a strong sense of justice and full of vitality. She transfers to an exclusive high school where only the rich go. In there, she encounters with the four rich and quirky boys and experiences love and friendship.

The storyline illustrates the supreme fantasy that a drama can bring out the most. Each of us probably has an experience of admiring or dreaming of something. The drama ‘Boys over Flowers’ is the concentration of the admiration.

S$12/- for whole set with only Chinese subtitles

Daughters-In-Law (52 episodes)

This family drama portrays the eventful life of an extended family: a stubborn grandma, a bluffing father, a mother with long-harbored ulterior motives concealed behind her ostensible obedience, a son who has been spoiled by his mother as the only child in the family, and a daughter-in-law who makes a hasty decision to get married. By targeting families, this drama interprets family and marriage issues in a heartwarming and hilarious way through the lives of three generations of daughters-in-law.

S$19.92/- with English & Chinese subtitles (original S$24.90, 20% discount)

(Source: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Terroir.php#synopsis)

(Source: http://www.koreandrama.org/?p=696)

(Source: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Celebrity__s_Sweetheart.php#synopsis)
(Source: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_My_Wife_is_a_Superwoman.php)
(Source: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Beethoven_Virus.php#synopsis)
(Source: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Boys_over_Flowers.php#synopsis)
(Source: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Golden_Era_of_Daughter_in_Law.php)

Great Buys At Sanrio Fiesta 2009 at Takashimaya

Don't miss the chance to celebrate the Hello Kitty 35th Anniversary at the Sanrio Fiesta 2009 at Takashimaya B1 (From Friday, 16th Oct 2009 - Wednesday, 28th Oct 2009). Look out for the exclusive Vivitix range from Japan as well as bargain deals, premiums and special buys from all over the world featuring your favourite Sanrio characters! Below are pictures of my great buys from the fair today :> I'm looking forward to getting more of my favourite "My Melody" stuff when i go Tokyo next week!

My Melody Sling Bag S$16.95/-

My Melody Water Bottle S$9.95/-

My Melody Pyjamas S$16.90/-

(Source: http://www.takashimaya-sin.com/events.html)

Korean Drama - My Fair Lady/Lady Castle MVs

I love this drama and its soundtracks :>

Hot Stuff MV



(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-dsyX2UUFg)

Dash Girl MV


(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im_Rfi3CVUg)

Helpless Love MV


(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af7VIC8JNL4&feature=related)

Romance MV


(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxkiRiZgVK8&feature=related)



[Teaser] My Fair Lady

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hJmI2eGVo&feature=PlayList&p=168B27BD6ADBEE52&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=50)

Jolin 蔡依林-偏见MV

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6KWeuIZh90)

Retail Therapy At Crabtree & Evelyn :>

Lavender Bath & Shower Gel S$30/-

India Hicks Island Living Casuarina Room Fragrance S$38/-, i was told by the sales staff that its their best seller and decided to buy it home to try :>

Free Gift - Jojoba Oil Milano Cosmetic Bag worth S$38/- with S$100/- purchase

(Source: http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com.sg/index.html)

TAYLOR SWIFT "Teardrops On My Guitar" Paul O'Grady Show 8th May 09 Interview

Another nice song by Taylor Swift.



(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_LS5SoOZ88&feature=related)

Taylor Swift Love Story Later Live with Jools Holland May 5th 2009 UK

I love this song :>



(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD6lgg76EK0)

Searching For Bag Storage Ideas

Recently i have been wondering how my friends are storing their bags and whether they have the same problem as me in trying to find extra space to store my bags. I know i should stop buying bags since i have run out of space to store them but i just can't resist buying when i spot a bag that i like :> I especially loves bags from Mphosis for its simple and nice design. I change bags frequently when i go to work or go out and most of my bags ended up stacked in my chair as i find it too troublesome to get them in and out of my wardrobe whenever i want to change bags and also because my wardrobe has no space for more bags!!! My hubby has been nagging at me to thing of a way to store my bags as he can't stand my messy bags and he cannot even sit on the chair to read as it is occupied by my darling bags hehe...

My messy bags!!! My poor Pooh Bear is suffocating under all my bags!!

I was asking some of my friends during lunch time recently about how they store their bags to get some ideas as i'm also quite sick of my messy bags. I have been thinking of converting one of my room to a walk-in wardrobe so that i will have more space to store my clothes, bags and other stuffs and it will be neater but i will need to spend alot of money renovating and is it really necessary?? Or maybe there are better and cheaper alternatives out there for me to explore??

Ikea Laundry Bag With Stand S$19/-

I have a friend who stores her bag in a Laundry Basket which is quite a good and cheap idea, another friend suggested using a covered box or container, some don't have the same problem as they do not have the habit of changing bags frequently and their bags are neatly stored in their wardrobe or storeroom. I tried searching online for some ideas and one idea i found was putting lots of 3M hooks on the wall to hang the bags but isn't that gonna be more messy?? I was thinking of buying a hat and coat stand from Ikea and using it to hang my bags. Maybe i can get 2 of them?? Hmm ....will it make my room even messier?? If anyone has any good bag storage ideas, do share it here and perhaps it will also be beneficial to other readers of this blog ;>

Bag Storage Ideas Found Online:

Ikea Hat and Coat Stand S$49/-

Ikea Hat and Coat stand S$99/-

From website: http://www.organize.com/parkapurse.html

From website: http://www.marthastewart.com

From website: http://www.furniturestoreblog.com/2009/08/10/handy_handbag_organizer_and_purse_rack.html

(Source: http://www.ikea.com.sg/catalog/catalog_display.asp?b=18)
(Source: http://forums.cozycot.com/bags/20397-handbag-storage-ideas-3.html)

Hong Kong Drama - ICAC Investigators 2009 / 廉政行動2009

This is another Hong Kong TVB Drama that i'm looking forward to watching. This 5 episodes drama is a co-collaboration with TVB and ICAC of Hong Kong. There is different cast and story for each episode. The drama is currently showing in Hong Kong and each episode follows ICAC Investigators (Independent Commission Against Corruption) and the crimes they solve. This drama will be have the same genre as the ICAC Investigators 2007 filmed by Ron Ng, Michael Miu and Shirley Yeung.

Jessica Hsuan, Maggie Siu, Miriam Yeung, Raymond Wong, Pakho Chau, Fiona Sit are all ICAC Investigators. Sonija Kwok will portray as a pregnant woman.

MAIN CAST:
[Episode 1 - Rigged Market]: Bowie Lam, Jessica Hsuan, Krystal Tin, Vivien Yeo, Raymond Wong
[Episode 2 - Nails (Urban Renewal)]: Sonjia Kwok, Yoyo Mung, Halina Tam, Raymond Cho
[Episode 3- Maintenance Predators]: Miriam Yeung, Pakho Chau, Kenny Wong
[Episode 4- Death Insurance]: Maggie Siu, Raymond Wong, Joe Cheng
[Episode 5- Public . Private . Car]: Andy Hui, Sammul Chan, Stephanie Cheng, Evergreen Mak, JJ Jia

EXTRA CAST
Derek Kwok [Sonjia's Husband]
Fiona Sit [ICAC Investigator]
Chiu Man Tung
Joey Mak [ICAC Investigator]
Mickey Ng
Martin Tong
Yeung Ching Wa
Gregory Lee [ICAC Investigator]
Lee Wing Han [ICAC Investigator]
Kau Cheuk Neng
Fanny Ip
Janice Shum
Jeanette Leung
Leung Ka Kei

Storyline (Translated by: aZnangel @ AEU)


Unit 1 : "Rigged Market"
Young tycoons, stock talents takes advantage of the market by manipulating and deceiving their shareholders, causing themselves to end up behind bars.

MA YAT MING (Bowie Lam) uses his wife LAM BOOI KEI (Kristal Tin) to become the Chairman of the company. Together with stock analyst WONG HOI (Ellesmere Choi) and finance manager HO LAI MAN (Vivien Yeo), they spread rumors about how good the company is and jack up the stock prices. Lam discovered that the company was under investigation by the ICAC, so she quickly fled Hong Kong. To avoid punishment due to the financial hardship, Wong jumped off a building commiting suicide.

While Lam fled Hong Kong, she discovered that Ma and Ho had an affair and decided to return to Hong Kong to surrender. Ma was afraid that Lam's surrender may affect him, therefore he attempted to murder her. The ICAC mentioned at the Lam Corp's lobby that they hope to find Lam before Ma takes action. In the end, the ICAC arrested Lam Booi Kei, but even more exciting was that they finally found out Ma and Ho had a secret transaction of stolen goods.

UNIT 2: "Nails"
Whether for love or profit, greed could be destructive to individuals who were originally living through a happy life.

AH CHUEN (Sonjia Kwok), ZOE (Yoyo Mung) and RAINY (Halina Tam) were the three golden sworn sisters since high school. When Ah Chuen's family suffered misfortunes, Rainy started bribing Zoe's boyfriend LEE CHI LUN (Raymond Cho) and found out the information about urban renewal in advance. Rainy took the advantage to come up with a compensation fraud to help Ah Chuen get through the hardships. This left the loving couple of 7 years Zoe and Lee with no money for their marriage. When Rainy offered a huge sum of money, Lee agreed to collaborate with her. All according to plan step by step, eyeing the compensation in sight as a winner. Unexpectedly, the ICAC had already received complaints about the frauds and eventually arrested them.


UNIT 4: "Death Insurance"
Magic reaches a higher level. No evidence for the death, but still the ICAC investigators detected the fraud and bribery.

CHAN CHUNG MAN (Johnny Tang) sells life insurance in Hong Kong all because of his sister in Mainland CHAN SIU KUI, however he benefits it all. Three months later he tried to get compensation from the insurance company saying that his sister in Mainland was struck by lightening, her body was burnt and buried. The insurance company felt that its unfortunate. However he was later suspected for broker fraud and bribery of the premium and was there under arrested by the ICAC.

Preliminary investigations discovered that there is no false claims on CHAN's file. But, the ICAC staff FUNG MAN YUI (Maggie Siu) sensitive sense of touch raced against time, in a short period, she was able to gather evidence in both Hong Kong and Mainland. She notified the Mainland authorities and finally crack the case.

UNIT 5: "Public . Private . Car"
The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. But those in power could eventually abuse their power for personal benefits.

Part of the Electrical and Mechanical Service Department MOK YAU KUEN (Evergreen Mak) received a contract from engineering companies to provide free shuttle services to several government buildings and for maintanence checks. But he took advantage of the shuttles to drive his girlfriend around for leisure. He also often accepts contracts offers of luxury entertainment. Eventually he was sentenced to prison. ...

(Source: http://asianuniverse.net/forums/TVB_M_ICAC_Investigators_2009_t146151.html&view=getnewpost) (Source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=615573)

I Love My Archie's, Betty & Veronica Comic Books

I bought my favourite Archie's double digest comic books at Popular bookstore recently at only S$10/- for 3 books and can't wait to find the time to start reading :> I loves reading about Betty & Veronica as it is so funny how they are always fighting over the same guy (Archie)! I have been an Archie's fan since i was small and will always be on the lookout for cheap deals so that i can buy more of my favourite comic book ;>

Books i recently bought from Popular

My Archie's collection

My Library, my favourite corner at home :>