People inevitably ask me, " So now that you are taking a break for a while, what are you doing to keep yourself occupied?"

Plenty, thank you.

Other than the usual SLEEPING (lovely!...) and GOING ONLINE and CLEANING THE HOUSE FOR MY MOM, I have actually been pretty occupied with quite a lot.

For example:

Ooh la la! For those of you who faithfully read my blog, you will know that I've been helping Sis Ann with the Cemetery Project, and after all the hard work the entire team put together, we got treated by Uncle Danny Chin to the Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel's Ellenborough Market Cafe for a dinner buffet. Yummy! The food wasn't fantastic, but it was still really delicious.

And of course, what is "yummy" without it's signature durian pengat? DOUBLE yummy! I think my dad's one is still the best, but this one is not bad.
And for the record, Malaysia's durian is still better than Thai durian (China, HK and Taiwan imports from the latter place). HK-er Pek Ching told us that she doesn't like the durian found in HK, I didn't like the durian in TW, and we both like the durian found here, at home.

For example:

Scouting out the museums of Singapore. Just yesterday, Jermaine and I went to the Singapore National Museum- OH MY WORD. It has changed so much and is SO COOL to go there now!

Granted, it was a bit pricey, even with the special package deal- all galleries for only $18. However, we spent 3 hours there and yet there was hardly enough time to even cover half the exhibits. It was kinda funny because we were practically "jogging" through the 2 special exhibits on display that I had specially come for- the Christian Lacroix theatre costume exhibit, and the Verner Panton furniture disply.

The Christian Lacroix exhibit was a bit small but it was fashion love-art right there. He is one heck of a designer! You know how some haute couture designs are just like... "Who in the right mind would wear that? Can you even wear that?" But Lacroix's creations are dizzy and complicated, yet still stunning, elegant and has that Midas touch there. I still can't get out of my head this one long sky-blue train of Carmen's dress.

His sketches were definite highlights.

As for the Verner Panton one... see the picture on the right? You could go in there and play and sit and enjoy the art. It was the highlight alright, but there was so many other cool furniture art pieces. Unbelievable. Simply super.
Check Facebook for more pictures.

Jerm's comment on Facebook pretty much sums it up- "Wish we had more time :("

Young Women General Conference Video Broadcast

The perks of being in the YW.
A few highlights from the inspiring talks given.

Sis Mary N. Cook, 1st Counselor in the YW General Presidency

• Just as the Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build, stone by stone, you are building a virtuous life, step by step. You have made covenants to be obedient. You have made some good choices. The patterns of virtue you develop now will help you to continually hold fast to the iron rod. You will never be alone on your journey because the Savior will always be with you, and you can repent.

Sis Elaine S. Dalton, President of the YW General Presidency

• One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “How does a mother of five sons and only one daughter qualify to be the Young Women general president?” My reply is always the same: “It’s because I have one perfect daughter, and I know all the boy secrets!” Tonight my sons have given me permission to reveal one of those secrets to you. It is this: virtuous young men are attracted to virtuous young women... A virtuous returned missionary is attracted to a virtuous young woman—one who has a testimony of Jesus Christ and is committed to a life of purity.
• What does it mean to return to virtue? We are calling for a return to moral purity and chastity. Virtue is purity. Virtue is chastity. The word virtue has also been defined as “integrity and moral excellence, power and strength” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Virtue,” at scriptures.lds.org; see also Luke 8:46). The core of a virtuous life is sexual purity, and yet this definition has almost been erased by the world. The prophet Mormon taught that chastity and virtue are “most dear and precious above all things” (Moroni 9:9). They go together. You cannot have one without the other, and “we believe in being . . . virtuous” (Articles of Faith 1:13).

Lastly, from our beloved prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson

• In the world’s view today there is little thought that young men and young women will remain morally clean and pure before marriage. Does this make immoral behavior acceptable? Absolutely not!
  The commandments of our Heavenly Father are not negotiable!
• Powerful is this quote from news commentator Ted Koppel, host of ABC’s Nightline program for many years. Said he:
  “We have actually convinced ourselves that slogans will save us. ‘Shoot up if you must; but use a clean needle.’ ‘Enjoy sex whenever with whomever you wish; but [protect yourself].’
  “No. The answer is no. Not no because it isn’t cool or smart or because you might end up in jail or dying in an AIDS ward—but no, because it’s wrong. . . (Ted Koppel, Duke University commencement address, 1987.)

I LOVE that "virtue" is added to the list of YW values. What revelation! We need more virtue in our lives and the world now.

And may I mention just how spoilt the YW are? For :light refreshments", guess how many dishes there were? At least 1 main course and about 6 different delicious lip-licking desserts. 6!!! *fainz* All the sugar made me feel so sick afterwards.

The perks of being in the YW indeed!

Fantasy Couple/ Couple or Trouble

Oh my oh my oh my! KUDOS AGAIN to dear Jerm. She is to be blamed for this. I'm so hooked on this!

This Korean show is FANTASTIC! It has got to be one of the best Korean shows in a long time. It has drama, romance, a very likable cast... and most importantly, it has COMEDY. This show is tops for some of the funniest scenes ever in Korean drama history.
I don't know how to tell the storyline. In short, Anna is a really pompous selfish brat (she really is- it's kind of hard to actually meet someone that selfish in this world), who through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, crosses with Jang Chul Soo and both of them turn arch enemies, swearing never to cross paths again. Or really? In a boating accident, Anna loses her memory (yes, this "amnesia" issue is way overused in Korean shows. but it magically works here) and in a twist, her husband Billy conveniently believes her to be dead, while Jang Chul Soo finds her and in revenge, takes her back to his home and makes her his convenient maid and babysitter to his three nephews, while teaching her a lesson about being more humble and kinder. But of course, how long can this farce keep on, especially when she starts recollecting back pieces of memories? Or more importantly, how long can it last with both leads slowly falling in love with each other?

Some highlights:

• The romantic parts of course! So sweet! The chemistry between the two leads is quite believable. It was SOOOOO FUNNY when Anna told Chul Soo that she could recall how much she loved him before she lost her memory... the look of hooror on his face- CLASSIC.
• Han Ye Seul (who plays Anna) is unbelievably gorgeous! Her complexion and skin... "luminous". The only other actress I would describe using this verb is Nicole Kidman, but Han Ye Seul holds her own here.
• The way Anna continues to throw her tantrum even after the boating accident. Her "prima donna" attitude is so disgusting but sure makes the show even more fun to watch, and it slowly grows on you.
• The supporting cast has, surprisingly, pretty good story lines. Some supporting stories are so lame and unnecessary. Here, the story lines are somehow woven quite cleverly into the main plot.
• The supporting story of useless (but quite pitiful) husband's, Billy, decision of bringing back Anna (or not) is very hilarious, very creatively written.
• The mandatory "ex-girlfriend" of Jang Chul Soo (sigh... one extremely predictable thing about Korean drama is you know that there has got to be an ex-girlfriend somewhere) is a weak plot, thank goodness, because her character isn't well written and so, the less time she's onscreen, the better.

It's no wonder that this show has won numerous accolades. And you know what- it deserves to!





And of course, what is a Korean drama without a DROP DEAD GORGEOUS HUNK in it?!

That's Oh Ji Ho- OMW! Eye candy for the show ok!

Well, after watching this, now you know what I've been doing these past few weeks. Ah ha ha!

Just to tell you how good it was: (Get ready) MY DAD who hardly watches any tv, was stealing a few glances at the show whenever possible, because it was so funny! *gasp* Yup, that's how good it was. And I just found a website to watch it. HOORAY! Then I can still watch it even in the States- SWEEEEEEEET!!!