Drama - 東山飄雨西關晴 (When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West)

** Cast **

Rate: 4/5 (Not to be missed)

Story takes place in the early 1930s in the city of Guangzhou, China and revolved around the rich and prestigious 潘 family.

莊鳳儀 (汪明荃飾) abandoned her eldest son immediately after he was born because she didn't want to be labeled as the woman who gave birth before she was even married. However, her son 穆興 (馬德鐘飾) manages to find his way back to her. Due to reputation purposes, she doesn't tell anybody about his true identity. His true identity of the eldest son of the family comes to light when he saves 潘卓華 (黃浩然飾), the young master then, in an accident. 莊鳳儀, has to admit unwillingly the fact that when she married into the family she was already pregnant. His true identity revealed, 穆興 changes his name to 潘卓興 according to the genealogical table of the clan. The mother and son have since been locked in a seesaw struggle.

Her younger son, 潘卓華 falls in love with 葉向晴 (佘詩曼飾) but because their different status and 鳳儀's objection, they cannot be together. 葉向晴 came from an influential family in Xiguan. She starts selling congee on a boat for a living with her elder brother after their family has fallen into decline. 葉向晴 and 潘卓華 used to go out but 鳳儀 did all she could to separate them.

Later, Ching opens a teahouse with the help and support of 潘卓興. Spontaneously, love blossoms between them. However, soon enough, 潘卓興 and 葉向晴 find themselves more than just friends ... what obstacles will await them this time?

Not long afterwards, the family runs into a lot of troubles. 鳳儀and 潘卓華 are unable to handle them at all. 潘卓興 seizes the opportunity to restore the prestige of the family. For the sake of the benefit of the family, he is prepared to sacrifice his relationships with other family members, his love as well as his friends. By doing so, he also involves himself in a never-ending bloody battle of power.

All alone again ...

JM is back in Brunei ... sent him off early this morning ... lonely nights again and starting to count down to his return.

Initially I'd got plans to head out dinner with him last night ... just the 2 of us ... but I guess all the running around during CNY kinda tired us out and my mind too lazy to brainstorm on a nice dining place. Ended up, I've replaced our dinner outing to dinner at home with the rest of the family. Of cos, dinner was prepared by me and serving JM's favourite meat ... BEEF !!!

Came across this Roast Beef recipe from my favourite magazine some time back. But to make that, I would need a meat thermometer to make that dish which I did not have. I only manage to come across one just before CNY.

With my new bought kitchen equipment and beef from my favourite butcher - Huber's Butchery @ Bukit Timah ... VIOLA !!!

** Click on picture for recipe **

Just a word of advise if you plan to give it a try ... be prepare to do OVEN CLEANING after the meal. Hee ... Hee ...

Drama - 溏心風暴之家好月圓 (Moonlight Resonance)

** Cast **

Rate: 5/5 (MUST WATCH !!!)

鍾笑荷 (李司棋飾) and her husband 甘泰祖 (夏雨飾) have been working hard for many years to establish a good reputation for their bakery. However, 鍾笑荷 discovers that 甘泰祖 committed adultery with her best friend 殷紅 (米雪飾) and she divorces him miserably.

鍾笑荷 brings along her children 甘永好 (林峰飾), 甘詠慶 (陳法拉飾), and her adopted daughter 孫皓月 (楊怡飾) to set up another bakery for a living.

This drama revolves around the human nature, family bonds, and love of the two families. I must admit I watch this show because the whole world is talking about it. Even the lady at the rental show told me is a show not to be missed. I guess in a way is it quite true, given the hugely talented cast with every popular TVB actor under the sun.

Visit to a Fire Station

Got to know by chance that the fire station is open to public on every Saturday and public holidays. (For more information, click HERE.)

The moment that JM confirmed that he'd got nothing special to do on Saturday, I took the opportunity to suggest that we make a trip to the nearest fire station - Bukit Batok Fire Station.

Oswald was all excited when we mentioned that we will be heading to the fire station. When we arrived, he can't wait to get out of the car. We were greeted by very friendly staffs at the station. An officer brought us around showing us the different types of vehicle available at the station and gave us a very detail explaination. After touring the area, we get to have some hands on experience too. Oswald really had a great time there.

We were hoping to head back there again with friends.

How time flies ...

The school holidays just flew by ... I can't believe that it is all over and Oswald is now attending his nursery class in a new school. It did not take him long to get used to in the new environment.

2008 was a quite a hectic year for me but I am glad that it is all over. Hope this coming year will be easier especially with the kids older now. I hope to have more personal time so that I can head out once in awhile with hub or even with friends. I'd been stuck at home especially at night cause got to nurse Owein to bed.

The only thing I don't like in this coming year is that hubby will be away 50% of the time. He's scheduled to head to USA for training from June onwards. He will be away for 6 long months. Can't imagine how I would be able to pass that 6 months. Anyway, that's is something I cannot avoid so just have to face it.

Hope I will be able to face whatever challanges that are planned out for me in the coming year with grace.