CNY 2018

2 weeks to CNY!
almost

I may just fall prey to the buffet spreads available this year.....too lazy to make dinner....too lazy to do marketing for that one meal....important meal.....but I might give in to this need to just enjoy the dinner and not concern myself about what I need to have on the table.

The only thing that is stopping me from making a reservation is, my indecision about how long it's going to take me to get home from the city......given that IF I do choose to dine out, it'll be in the city (of course).

The decorations for my home is almost complete....nearly there.....

By Sunday, I should have the planter stand and new plants all re-arranged - today, the artificial flowers were put in place - great stuff.  Need to change the CNY decor for the door area which is taking me longer to get since it'll be there until the next CNY.

Usually, I don't blog about CNY, but I have time to spare since the game I'm playing is on a long maintenance for an Extension PVP patch, which won't be ready until tomorrow evening....and it's too early to sleep, so I'm killing time - just as well. 

I heard today, that one of my son's friend, adopted 2 newborn kittens in Netherlands.  She already has an adult Russian Blue, but these two apparently were abandoned - I guess the plight of these strays are everywhere - because they are so young, the adult male wasn't hostile and has taken them under his wing.  That, is sweet.

So, these 2 will have a good life from here on - I'm glad.

My 2 kittens are now teenage rascals - but still adorable and still not getting along with the older 2.  We manage to get by with some difficulty, but no regrets taking them in.

Anyways, as the Chinese community celebrates CNY, my wish is that life will become better for those who are struggling.  I have been blessed, greatly blessed and I'm very thankful for that.  I hope the Lunar New Year will bring comfort to my friend whose wife is terminally ill.  There will never be enough words, to make that right for him and his family....therefore, quietly, I pray that they will find some rest and closure.

This time also reminds me of an old man, who passed away in Feb, years ago....a stranger I brought home for Reunion Dinner one year, the same month and year he passed. 

Time flies - it's been almost 10 years...or even more than 10 years.

Life IS fleeting - we should spend time with the people we care about while we can....

This 2018 CNY, is about hardwork and perseverance....it's about doing goodwill work and dedication.  Let's work towards that for a Great Prosperous Lunar New Year!

Korean Drama - Nothing to Lose / Judge vs Judge

Surprising is how I am rating this Drama.

The first few episodes were ok for me - I did smile and laugh - but it didn't strike me that I would be glued to the series.

After Scarlet Heart Ryeo, it's tough to find a drama, that will have my undivided attention.

This series, grows on you - perhaps also as the characters gain their footing.

Never did I expect the villain to be the villain.  I wasn't a tad bit suspicious - perhaps that's why I'm not a Judge!

The story line was actually very well planned out.  Flashbacks were useful - given that seldom, people get the whole idea, at the first sitting.  Especially not when at home and able to walk about, get coffee when the drama is being aired.  It's not like we can hit pause.

What I found disappointing was the last episode.
I felt that it was washed out - the ending was good - I'm sure Korean Drama fans will agree - but there could have been more personal interaction between the two.  I think that would have left us with a warmer fuzzier feeling. 

I bought a soundtrack, which was played in this last episode - not the Drama's ost but a song by a Korean Artist - An Chi-hwan.
It is a great piece - didn't have to think twice about hitting the iTunes Store.
Here is the title, in case anyone wants to buy the song.

An Chi-hwan: If I Were 안치환 내가 만일 영어자막

Now this guy, is not just cute, but very charming.
Clean cut.

Yeon Woo-Jin
 연우진

This has been a change for me - from Sageuk Dramas. 

It's tough to say I'm over Sageuk, after the heartbreaking The King Loves and Scarlet Heart Ryeo...I will go back to Sageuk, for the costumes and wonderful scenes....and basically to walk through history, even if it's never really the full history.

Nothing to Lose - great drama.....reminder of how the world has changed - how countries struggle to make the world more balanced.  It brings to mind, how difficult it is to actually pass judgement when it can and may affect the society.  It's easy, to judge another, as a lay person - karma aside, what repercussions does it bring?  This drama also reminds us of how, dangerous Power is, in the wrong hands of the legislators.  Power corrupts, when one is greedy and think that one is above everything.

But it also shows us how guilt can eat us up and if we have good seeds, it will sprout and put us back on the right path.  Of course, in this series, the guilty were punished - not so in real life.  But it doesn't mean we cannot hope for a day, when if one person wrongs another, and forces the change of life paths for them, that they will bear the brunt of their actions.