I’m now hooked on TVBS Asia channel every weekday night from 9pm to 10pm.  Nothing can pry me away from my TV set. 

First it was The Swinging Ladies, and now it’s Feels Like I’m Falling In Love (Houxiang Houxiang Tan Lianai),  a surprisingly modernistic China mainland produced drama complete with Beijing flavour. This is a feminist plot along the lines of Sex and The City and focuses on the romantic adventures of four swinging single Chinese women in their 30s.  But minus the saucy sex romps. 

It has an interesting cast including pop singer Na Ying and the production style is almost cinematographic.  The pace is snappy and the drama is well packaged with tasteful settings and clever dialogues.  Each episode examines different aspects on love, marriage, women as well as men and I especially like scenes of the ladies dissecting their relationships within the Book Bar run by one of the protagonists.  Hehe…definitely my kind of escapade.

Consider these dialogues and monologues:

All of us have a soulmate.  Unfortunately, like an apple cut into half and thrown into different parts of the world, some of us may not possibly find our other half in this lifetime.

Falling in love and getting married are totally different.  You may find love, but not marriage.  Likewise, you may find a marriage, but not necessary love.

The possibility of a marriage exists for all of us.  Well, it’s just somewhere around the corner.

We constantly pursue our notion of perfect love ignoring the fact that love in itself is imperfect. That explains why people are constantly disillusioned when they’re in a relationship. 

Newly married women tend to tell their single women friends that marriage is a wonderful institution, the passport to a lifetime of bliss.  In reality, that is (HAHAHA) far from the truth.

Older single women are always viewed differently in society.  Either they are considered a threat, or they’re considered frigid. 

Sadly, women are always judged by their looks.  Pretty women are never deemed capable, even if they truly are, and even by their own kind.

I’ve tried my best to keep the essence of these quotes but these are really better heard in Chinese.  Better still, watch the drama.  I like it particularly because I can relate pretty well with the women in the story.  I was like them a decade ago, looking for the perfect love and my soulmate.    I could never bring myself to date men just for the sake of trying out, not even when they were obvious marriage material.  The process of falling passionately in love was just too big a deal for me.  

And have I found it?  Heh.  I’m not telling…yet!

Cheng Tng is one of my favourite desserts.  Especially if it’s rich with ingredients and comes chilled with ice!

This one from a famous stall at Bedok Camp hawker centre has to be the best!  Both of us used to order four bowls at one go, so that we can each have two. This picture doesn’t do much justice to the taste but believe me, it’s good! But at $2 a bowl, it’s not exactly cheap. 

I’ve been tagged by Niceheart of Journey to Honeyville.  I’m to describe 10 of my life’s simplest pleasures.  I have to be as original and creative as possible and not repeat somebody else’s answers.  Well, here goes:

1. Checking out my son’s feet. 
2. Not having to rush through the day.
3. Lying on my bed to rest my aching back.
4. Enjoying a nice breakfast with my husband.
5. Having a good conversation with my mother.
6. Buying pretty Totoro stationaries for myself.
7. Watching or reading something on Takuya Kimura.
8. Eating something tasty like oyster omelette or smelly tofu.
9. Finding time to daydream and muse over a cup of earl gray tea.
10. Being able to watch 50 minutes of TV program without whines from the boy.

I’m not going to tag anyone but you may like to have a go if you find this fun.

This week’s topic for Illustration Friday is cake.  Haha…how apt. 

I thought I wouldn’t have a birthday cake but my husband still got me one.  My son was the happiest!  The excitement of singing a birthday song, blowing out the candles and of course, eating the cake. 

Oh well, a year older.  A year wiser.  *ahem* I hope…

FACIALS used to be an integral part of my beauty regime every month. However, I stopped going for them after Gavin arrived. One, because I could not afford the time and moolah. Second, because I couldn’t see immediate visible results. A more important reason really was because I discovered laser treatment and Intense Pulse Light therapy which were far more effective in correcting my skin problems.

But still, I would jump at an opportunity to go for one, especially if it’s a treat.

So yesterday, after being deprived for three years or so, I finally had a 1.5 hours facial retreat at the Slimming Santuary. This is the first time I’ve been there and only because my husband signed up a package with them. The branch at Tampines was surprisingly cosy with a rustic touch and the level of service was pleasant. Not that far from Renewal Day Spa or St Gregory Javana Spa that I used to visit. But of course, nothing to shout about if you’re comparing with those spa resorts in Bintan or Thailand.

I had the full works, from cleansing, steaming, exfoliation, massaging, blackhead extraction and finishing with a nice cold mask. It was definitely soothing and relaxing.

Compare this with my clinical Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy this morning.

After waiting a full one hour, the doctor finally attended to me. We did a minute of small chat and then I proceeded to lie down. After putting on protective eyewear and cold gel on my face, the doctor started to zap at the different parts of my face using the IPL hand piece. I felt heat all over my face, which got particularly intense at the pigmented spots. My body naturally jerked when light was delivered near to the skin surface around my eyes and nose.

I have to admit that the procedure was uncomfortable. In fact I prayed for it to be over ASAP. Fortunately IPL treatment is speedy. The entire zapping took no more than 5 minutes. After which the nurse cleansed the gel off my face and applied sunblock to it. I got up, paid and left. My face still smarting from the heat.

Uh ah…nothing refreshing about IPL therapies if I were to compare it with the facial. But don’t be fooled. If you’re into long term benefits like me, I’ll vouch for IPL anytime. It really rejuvenates my skin and each treatment keeps it glowing for a good 60 days or so. Despite the 5 to 10 minutes of discomfort and despite it being clinical and all.