Watch The Legend!

I've watched 12 eps of The Legend - 20 more to go. Alv and I really like it and we've been staying up late to watch it. It's not draggy like the typical Korean drama; the plot is fast-paced and engaging, with lots of action. I must say that BYJ looks better as the show progresses. I prefer him with the ruggard period look (esp with that warrior armour) than the modern suave-gentlemen look.

The last time Alv and I were so engrossed in a tv serial was Shen Diao Xia Lu, the China/Huang Xiao Ming version. The novel was my fav Louis Cha book of all time (thanks to my mama, I can read traditional Chinese) and I must say the director did a good job even with some plot changes.

I will try very hard to stick to watching only 1 ep tonight...

Pandamonium begins

Watching movies used to be a once-a-week affair for Alv and I before Ian came along. Now it is a rare treat - ok maybe not so rare since we watch one every month (thanks to a great parent-support system!). It is especially nice when Alv splurges on Gold Class tickets for us. Wah watching movies is never the same after having done it at Gold Class. The plush reclining seats ala the old-SIA biz class seats, the comfy thick warm blanket, a hot delicious latte (doesn't come with the $30 per seat price)... But I digress.

I can't wait to watch Kung Fu Panda. The trailer is so funny already. I think part of its charm lies in its "copying" of the Chinese/Cantonese kungfu tv serial/movie scenes I grew up watching. Yes I love my kungfu shows though I may not look it. There is one scene when Po and his shifu fight over a dumpling with chopsticks - that's so classic kungfu!

Anyway here are some fun facts about the movie - made possible with HP technology:

• The weirdest animation control was for Po’s uvula (the piece of tissue hanging down from your palate)
• Po’s cheeks were rebuilt during the film to allow him to stuff his mouth with more food!.
• The Jade Palace is made of 88,100 different surfaces/pieces.
• Master Crane has 6,019 feathers on his body.
• Viper has 120 bones along the length of her body.
• Number of arrows that shower down on Tai Lung during his prison escape: 1,500 arrows.
• When Po and the Five eat together, there are 64 noodles in each bowl.
• Number of acupuncture needles in Po’s back while talking to Tigress: 133.
  
  

My boss said something quite interesting the other day. He said Shrek and Po have the same body shape, so Dreamworks could have just changed Shrek's skin and clothes to create Po. Ha ha

The Kangs' new home

Come June 26, I will be moving from the bustling city centre of Cantonment Close (10-15 mins drive to town, Suntec, office) to the breezy, idyllic east where Alv grew up.

People ask me why I can give up central living. It wasn't a difficult decision at all. It was great living in central as a married-with-no-kid couple. Going out was so easy on weekends especially during the early years when we had no car. We weren't the type to stay home to cook our own food and eat; we love to watch movies and eat out. But with the birth of our darling son Ian, and as we plan to grow our family, priorities change. We wanted to live closer to one set of parents and the east is great for weekend activities for the family. Bedok Reservoir is just opposite my new place; perfect for evening walks with my husband and son. Plus there are five primary schools very near my new place. Haha.

The Lord blessed us with our new home faster than I imagined. I asked Him for a condo which has a water view and the size and price were what Alv wanted. There is a huge pool and a kid's pool which is perfect for Ian. My in-laws are coming to live with us which means I'll get precious help with Ian. Jesus is so very good to us. I believe our move will be smooth as well because our Lord is with us. :)

First HP employees on the Southern Ridges bridges

Those of you who have already taken a walk on the Southern Ridges bridges will recognise this as Henderson Waves - the tallest bridge in Singapore. It is really a very cool infrastructure that provides a panaromic view of the Southern Ridges hill parks, the city, harbour, and the Southern Islands of Singapore.

Along with Daphne, Boon Yew and Kelvin, I had the privilege of walking the bridge before its official opening, at the invitation of NParks; that's why you'd notice that there wasa hole in the bridge since the workers are still putting the finishing touches to it.

After this bridge, we walked on the Forest Walk - "a step-free elevated walkway and ground level earth trails through the secondary forest of Telok Blangah Hill." It was a refreshing walk as we enjoyed the cool breeze of the late afternoon and the sights of the flora and fauna around us. There was even a family of three monkeys that "stalked" us. The walk ended at the Alexandra Arch which is in HP's "neighbourhood". We then proceeded to HortPark, Southeast Asia's first gardening hub and a place Kelvin says is "even lovelier than Tokyo's gardens". HP is doing some exciting stuff at HortPark but more on that in another post.

My funny little boy

Other than my husband, my darling two-year-old Ian is the one who makes me laugh a lot, not just when he's happily laughing and playing but also when he does funny things - like wearing his shorts on his head and calling it a "hat". I gave him his "real" cap but he threw it aside and opted to wear this pair of shorts instead. After which he started posing in front of the mirror. I also like this photo because here you can see his features very clearly. My good-looking little boy. :)

Hooked on The Legend

I just bought the DVD set for "The Legend" (seems like that's the name), the latest Bae Yong Jun drama serial. Alv and I are hooked after watching a few eps on tv, and decided we don't want to wait until the weekends to watch it. Another reason: I don't want to confine Ian to playing in our small tv room while I try to catch important scenes.

I'm not a fan of Bae or modern Korean drama serials - they are too slow-moving and I always end up fast-forwarding (I can still tell what's happening from the subtitles!). That's why I can't understand why people like "My Sassy Girl" so much; I find it highly irritating.

But the "traditional" Korean drama serials are a different matter and I always like "martial arts" or historical stuff. "The Legend" is pretty exciting so far although I admit Bae looked hilarious as the "luminous" (literally speaking!) messiah character. I also bought the one about the Korean giseang after catching a few eps on tv.

I've made these observations about Korean drama serials from the few I've watched:
1. They love to start the stories when the protagonists are children
2. All the characters can tear on demand
3. They love to recap scenes with some heart-tugging music in the background

"The Legend" has 1 and 2 so far. Let's see if they'll have 3.