In any case, between my last post to this post, I might as well note down what’s been happening with me as a way of releasing tension.

It’s “Glee” time!

After reading my sister’s post about this new TV series in the US, I decided to download all thirteen episodes during the Chinese New Year holiday.  The story setting is in a typical American high school with cheerleaders and football players as part of the popular group.  A young, Spanish teacher decided to relieve his high school days by revamping the almost gone high school glee club. 

The music is catching and the vocals of the actors are quite good.  Somehow, I don’t know why they didn’t join American Idol when I’m pretty sure they would win.  In any case, the story is a bit shallow or a typical feel-good story.  If you’re probably in your school years, you might appreciate it but for those who are working they’re a bit young for my taste.  Hahaha.

The song “Don’t Stop Believing” is currently being played in the radio waves here in Beijing.  Baidu also have the songs on their download sites.  Can’t wait to see Sue do the Madonna song come April.

Chinese Class

On my previous post “Decisions.. decisions..”, I was contemplating on studying several things.  In the end, studying Chinese went on top.  For the past two weeks I’ve been looking for affordable schools with good reputation and will fit my schedule.  Yesterday, I attended a class with Frontiers and I’m quite happy with it.  I just now need to put on my game face and really focus and study hard.

Hopefully by year end, I’d be able to watch a Chinese movie without resorting to the English subtitles.  Moreover, I could also attend the training classes our company offers which are usually in Chinese.

TravelFactor in Beijing

A college friend of mine joined a backpacking tour to Shanghai and Beijing organized by TravelFactor.  It’s the first time for this group to travel to China so it was more of a let’s see where we end up. 

This group was quite lucky as they were able to experience snow.  It snowed in the weekend and on the day they went to the Great Wall.  On Sunday, I accompanied the group to Jingshan Park and Forbidden City.  After a hearty lunch at Oriental Plaza, they got me curious with the moshi sweets.  I bought one to try and we headed to Silk Street for some shopping.

TravelFactor is a group of young professionals who pooled their resources to create this company.  They have regular tours to Sagada, Mt. Pinatubo, Indo-China, Kota Kinabalu and other places in the Philippines.  I’m actually thinking of trying their Indo-China tour this coming April.  We’ll see though.

Anyway.. that’s it for now for me here in Beijing.. I’m still here!  Still alive and kicking!

Full Leaf Brewed Tea

This morning at 10am, Starbucks offered for free a tall size tea drink to the first 100 customers.  This enabled their regular customers to sample their new products such as Starbucks Oriental Beauty Oolong tea, Starbucks white mu dan tea and Bi Luo Chun Green Tea.

Each tea bag are uniquely packaged in a triangular shape.  The tea bag can be used 12 times and contains full leaf tea.  A box of 12 bags costs RMB 80.  I tried the green tea and as usual, it’s bitter and needs a lot of sugar for me to drink it.  Chinese drink different types of tea for different seasons.  I’m not sure if Green tea is best for winter and white tea is best for summer or the other way around.  Oolong tea is nice to mix with milk.

Tea Latte and New Cakes

To replace their yummy honey orange latte and to go with their current theme, Starbucks launched Tea Latte.  Tea Latte is a mixed of tea and milk.  Hmm.. wouldn’t that be milk tea then?  Hehehe!  Anyway, you can either choose Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea as based for your tea latte.  Prices ranged from RMB 25 for tall, RMB 28 for grande and RMB 31 for venti.

Of course, what’s coffee or tea without cakes.   This season’s pastry offerings are Green Tea Tiramisu for RMB 23 and Original Ham & Cheese Ciabatta for RMB 28.

Merchandise

Besides the standard global icon tumblers, mugs and mini-mugs, Starbucks also sell seasonal tumblers, mugs, coffee beans, bears, tea pots, and tea bags.  For the tumblers, they have the cherry blossom design in sky blue and pink.  Another set in assorted flower design.  12 oz tumblers are RMB 85 each, 20 oz tumblers are RMB 110 each and 8 oz tumblers are RMB 75 each.

Our Starbucks bear mascot, is dressed like a gardener in green and pink and is selling for RMB 128.  Tea cups and pots are also for sale to complement the tea that you’ll be drinking.  There’s a colorful tea cup set of three in red, green and blue for RMB 160.   

A teapot with 2 tea cups set in white costs RMB 160.  This is commonly used with tea leaves and not tea bags.  There’s also a 12 oz tumbler with filter.  This is good for people who don’t like to remove each and every leaf that you might drink when you use a tea pot.  Also, this is good for individuals and in the office.  This tumbler costs RMB 150.

In-store Promo:

From February 23 to April 26, 2010, when you purchase a tea drink and RMB 48 worth of Starbucks products, Starbucks will give you a free coaster. 

Well.. I’m not sure if Chinese will be willing to pay this much for tea because when you eat in a restaurant, they normally give you free tea.  Who knows, maybe the way they package the tea will attract their customer’s attention and will help drive sales.  In any case, I’m going to miss the yummy honey orange latte.  According to the Starbucks staff in our building, you can still ask for it if it’s still available in that store. 

It’s the end of our holiday and what a good way to end it by watching a romantic movie ALONE (hahaha!).  In any case, I can’t wait to see if this movie will live up to the Korean version standards.

I’ve watched the Korean version of My Sassy Girl four years ago.  I know they’ve released the American version of the movie but it never was shown here in China or maybe I just didn’t notice.  I remember waiting for it and finding it on DVD today, made me buy this movie.

My Sassy Girl : American Version

My Sassy Girl started with Charlie (Jesse Bradford) standing in one of the trees in Central Park reminiscing about the love story of his life.  It started out two years ago with him studying for a business degree in college and finding out that his cousin suddenly died.  He met Jordan (Elisha Cuthbert) in the park who his friend dared him

to get to know.  He met the same girl that day at the subway station who was standing in the railings who almost got hit by the train.  That same girl passed out drunk in the subway and him being this good, country boy, brought her to his dormitory to let her sleep her drunkenness away.

This started their romance with him literally in love with her and her being a bossy lady with a charming smile and strict father.  They went out like boyfriend and girlfriend and basically just enjoying their time together.  On her birthday, he brought her to an amusement park where the day ended with them being hostage by a soldier and was later set free after Jordan related to him her experience about love. 

On their 33rd day together, she asked him to bring her a rose at one of the rooms in the university.  He didn’t realize that it was her piano recital until then.  Alas, it wasn’t meant to be as his father forbidden her to meet each other again.  However, being a stubborn young lady, she decided to meet up with him again.  She asked him to meet her at a restaurant in the park.  She didn’t tell him that she was with a guy who his father approved of.  Charlie gave the guy some tips on how to court her.  Jordan chased him and they went out that night.  At home, she called him and asked him to write a letter and bring it to Central Park. 

They buried their letters inside a cocktail shaker underneath the tree roots in the middle of Central Park.  They told themselves that they will meet each other one year from that time at 2pm.  To make the long story short, a year had passed and no Jordan.  Moving on with his life, he agreed to meet the girl his aunt would like to set up for him the previous year.  There he realized, the girl was Jordan.

Comparison

Between the American and Korean version, I prefer the Korean version.  I remember when I watched it, I fell in love with the movie and cried with the characters.  Though the American version has the same plot as the Korean version, it was light and like telling a story without being too dramatic.  The one thing I like about the American version is the characters are more wholesome than the Korean ones.

Line to Remember:  “Destiny is building a bridge to the one you love”

Verdict:  3 out of 5.  It’s a feel good movie and an ok interpretation of the original movie.

So.. let’s see who’s the culprit last year and maybe I’d learn how to minimize it this year.  As they say, if you don’t try to learn where your money went, you wouldn’t know how to save and budget.

1.  Canon Ixus 970is  (USD 406 or RMB 2780)

As I was getting sick and tired of my Olympus digital camera which drains battery faster than it can shoot, I wanted to buy my very own Canon digital camera.  My cousins and friends have used this brand for quite some time and were quite satisfied   with the shots they’ve taken and the camera itself. 

At first, I was contemplating of purchasing a SLR but I don’t  know how to operate one.  The only one I know how to operate    is my friend’s Nikon D50.  I hate SLRs because it’s big and  bulky and not friendly to put in your pocket.  I would admit though the picture quality is much better than a point and shoot.

Another reason why I want to purchase a new digital camera is I’m going on my first ever trip to my ancestral hometown in China.  So, with the help of the web and my friends, I visited several reputable shops in Beijing to find my perfect camera.  I was able to buy one at Carrefour for a discounted price as it was near Chinese New Year.

The purchase?  A Canon Ixus 970IS which has 10 megapixels image sensor, 5x optical zoom lens with image stabilizer, Motion detection technology, 2 gb SD card, face detection technology and other standard camera features. 

I’m quite happy with my purchase and enjoying the long battery life.  Now, I don’t have any reason to say that my camera is running out of battery.  I can also shoot to my heart’s content.

2.  Shishi, Fujian (USD 570 or RMB 3,900)

As I want to getaway from Beijing during the Chinese New Year as it’s so boring, I contemplated on visiting my ancestral hometown for the first time.  My grandfathers are both from  Fujian province and I’ve never even met them let alone visited     my relatives in China having lived here for 6 years already.

I was so excited as I didn’t know what to expect during this holiday.  As we’re not practicing Chinese, the Chinese New Year is a non-event back home.  Chinese New Year is giving out  sticky rice cake which I don’t even like to eat.  We don’t get red envelopes as we receive those during Christmas.  This trip would show me how Chinese New Year is spent in a traditional Chinese family.

When I arrived Quanzhou airport, my two uncles picked me up at the airport.  It was night already and the roads are all empty.  People are already in their homes fixing the Chinese New Year eve meal.  When we got to the ancestral home, it was already freezing and no amount of heat will make it warm. 

The fireworks were bland compared to the ones in Beijing.  Overall, the trip is quite boring and I don’t want to go back there.  One good thing that came out of this trip is the black Skechers boots (similar to the photo above) I bought for half the price.  With Uggs coming out, mine I think is much better than the ugly Uggs..

3.  Mom and Sisters Beijing & Shanghai Trip (USD 1,516 or RMB 10,385)

During holy week, my mom and two younger sisters visited me here in Beijing.  It’s my mom and youngest sister’s first trip to China.  I’m quite happy as this would be the first time since 2006 where the ladies in the family are together.  I was quite shocked with my mom as one day my dad just said she has her visa and bought the ticket already.  All I can say is “WHAT?!”  Oh well, I did offer to purchase her ticket but I didn’t expect it was that soon.

My two younger sisters will be coming from Manila via Shanghai.  As usual, I had to fly to Shanghai, pay for my ticket and hotel as well as pay for their roundtrip tickets from Shanghai to Beijing. 

I got to see the Shanghai Aquarium for the first time and we enjoyed it.  The weather wasn’t that great as it was cold and foggy.  I’m happy to visit the city again and was able to help my Starbucks collector friends in their collection.

My mom arrived the night when we came back from our Shanghai leg.  Her flight was direct to Beijing via Tokyo.  We visited the Great Wall and Summer Palace together and enjoyed the food in Beijing.  It was a memorable trip as I miss my family so much.  It was a sad day when they all have to leave and go back to reality.  It’s money well spent as it’s family.

4.  Seoul Searching in South Korea (USD 1,052 or RMB 7200)

For our 3 day weekend in May, Marco and I decided to go soul searching at Seoul.  Unlike our other holidays, this one is pretty relaxing but draining in our pockets.  We visited the mandatory sights and allotted the rest of the time shopping.  I was able to buy some beautiful dresses and work outfits which everybody loved. 

We stayed at Itaewon which is where the foreign bars are located.  Our location is quite good as there are several fast food chains in the vicinity as well as being in front of the subway stop.

We enjoyed visiting the palaces, Seoul Tower and shopping haven Dongdaemun.  We almost missed our flight as the alarm didn’t go off.  Luckily, we had enough won to pay for the exorbitant taxi cab fare. 

5.  Manila and Cebu (USD 1,695 or RMB 11,608)

Late August, I had to go back home unexpectedly as my grandmother took a turn for the worse.  It was a very sad occasion as I was already planning to go back home during the October holidays. 

I was sad as I wasn’t able to say goodbye to her when she passed away while I was on my flight to Manila from Hong Kong.  It was a very hectic week with the funeral services both in Manila and Cebu.  Since I was the only one who’s on a holiday, I was more or less at the funeral parlor all day long.

My dad and mom came from the US and it was really a trying time.  It was a mixture of sadness and happiness as people whom I haven’t seen for quite some time was there to give their condolences. 

6.  Acer Laptop (USD 899)

As my Dell laptop celebrated it’s 5th birthday last May, I decided   I need to replace it with a new laptop.  With the help of my   brother, we scoured the net for an affordable,  light, easy to carry laptop, with long battery life and will last me another 5 years. 

Our search ended with the help of numerous PC websites and Amazon.com.  Through amazon.com, I was able to buy a new Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T-6415 series for USD 899.  It’s all I ever wanted in a laptop except for the lack of DVD drive.  I don’t mind much about the DVD as I don’t use it that much.  The    speed is much better as I can play Pet Society (hihihi). 

 Currently, the model number of my laptop is AS3810T-8737.

7.  Singapore / Manila Trip (USD 1,606 or RMB 11,000)

During the October holidays,  I see to a point that I’m out of Beijing for a two week journey.  I only stay in Beijing if there are family or relatives visiting.  Also, October marks my birthday.  As it’s been quite some time since I celebrated my birthday with loved ones, I decided to go back home and celebrate it. 

Before going to Manila, I decided to go on a side trip to Singapore.  With a place to stay at my friend’s apartment, I enjoyed the different cultures that surround this small country.  I was able to buy a pair of shoes and boots which have gotten good reviews.

Singapore is a nice country but it’s too hot and humid to go around.  Also, there aren’t much things to see.  I’d probably go back when Universal Studios is open and eat my favorite cereal prawn at Jumbo restaurant again.

In Manila, I celebrated my birthday with my aunt’s family in my mother’s side and a post-bowling/dinner party with my cousins.  It was fun and nice to see everyone together.  I was also able to visit my niece but she was still in NICU. 

Since I was planning to search “actively” for a husband to be, I decided I need to learn how to be pretty.  Hahaha.. So, on this trip, I studied how to put on makeup.  Yes.. I don’t know how to put on makeup so I don’t wear any most of the time.  If I do have makeup on, that’s courtesy of the salon.

Conclusion

Hmm… This has been a very expensive year.  I’ve already finished computing my 2009 expenses and I can’t believe I’ve spent roughly RMB 9,400 a month (excluding insurance premium).  I really need to cut down my expenses.  So, does that mean I have to minimize my travels this year??  *sniff*  I don’t want to!!! 

Changdeokgung Palace

Changdeokgung Palace was built as a secondary palace in 1405, under King Taejong’s reign.  During the Japanese invasion of 1592, the palace was totally destroyed.  It was restored in 1610 and served as a main palace for 258 years.  It was inscribed on the Unesco World Cultural Heritage list in 1997.

Except for Thursdays during April through November, guided tours are only allowed while visiting this place.  The Palace is closed on Mondays.  Guided tours last for one hour and twenty minutes with specific time schedule for the languages it supports (Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean).  English schedule is 1130am, 130pm, 330pm only.  Chinese schedule is 1100am and 300pm.  If you miss the tour, then join the other tours but just admire the beauty of the place.

Changdeokgung Palace is not a typical European palace but an Oriental palace.  The grounds are huge and the palace itself looks like a mixed of Japanese and Chinese architecture.  It’s not as grand as the Forbidden City but it has a tranquility and serenity that you can’t find in Chinese tourist spots.  After visiting several palaces and temples in Europe and China, this place is a bit of a letdown.

Admission: 

• Guided Tours:  3,000 won for adults and 1,500 won for Children
• Non-guided tours:  15,000 won for adults and 7,500 won for children
• Additional tour to Ongnyucheon (Apr-Nov) :  5,000 won
• Additional tour to Nakseonjae (Apr-Nov) : 5,000 won

To get there:  Take subway line 3 and get off of Anguk station, exit 3. 

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung or Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven was built in 1395 and served as the main palace in the heart of the capital city.  It was torn down during the Japanese invasion and restoration only began in 1990. 

This palace is located to the west of Changdeokgung Palace.  A lot of students visit this place and Marco was lucky enough  to be surrounded by pretty young ladies in a picture.  We also got the chance to watch the marching of the guards ceremony and wear guards uniform for free.  The place is huge with charming sceneries all around. 

Visitor information:

• Hours  9:00 am to 6:00pm Mar-Oct / 9:00am to 5:00pm Nov-Feb
• Admission:  Adults- 3,000 won, Children- 1,500 won,  Group rate of 20 or more persons- 2,400 won
• Palace ground is closed on Tuesdays.
• Free Guided Tours:  English (11:00am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm)
• To Get There:  Take subway line 3 and get off of Gyeongbokgung station, use exit 5.

Chinese Language

Having lived in China for 6-1/2 years, one might say that I should be fluent with the language.  However, this is not the case as I cannot even watch a movie or speak to a person on the phone.

Learning by myself is out of question as I don’t have the patience to do so.  I thrive in competition that I learn more in a classroom setting than real life.  If ever I want to push through with this goal.  I need to set aside at least two hours, three times a week to achieve this goal.  Cost for this class would roughly be RMB 2000 every month.  I would love to take an exam and get a certificate saying what level I’m already in.

Chinese Cooking Class

I never was a good cook.  All I know is to fry and make soup.  Living alone is not really cost effective specially as it takes time and effort to prepare a meal.  However, as a woman, it would be nice to cook something for your boyfriend, husband, kids or loved ones. 

As I never know the basics, this would be a good start.  Class costs RMB 300 per session or if you can find someone who can teach you at the comfort of your home, that would be great. 

Creative Writing

I write a lot of reports in my job and if you notice my posts, they’re not really top notch.  I sometimes envy people who can write fantastic stories or articles without even having to re-write or erase it several times.

If I take this class, it will help me improve my writing skills and who knows maybe write more blogs in the future and make this as a good source of income??   I’m not sure where can I attend this class here in Beijing and in English. 

Custom Jewelry Making

I love buying and looking at jewelries.  I don’t wear them that often but I love giving them out as gifts.  I remember about two years ago, I saw this ad about this class online.  It was roughly RMB 2000 but the materials are all provided. 

It’s a good way to augment your income as long as you’re really into it and you know where to purchase the items.  If you’re creative and computer savvy enough, maybe this can be a good online business.

Piano Lessons

When I was a kid, my parents encouraged me to attend a piano class.  It was great while it lasted but without an instrument to practice it on, you will lose your interest.  Every now and then, I yearn to study this again.  Albeit not a piano but an organ as it’s cheaper to purchase and easier to carry. 

I don’t really need to study it but to continuously practice it.  I would need to purchase a Casio organ and some books to get myself started again.  Makes me want to play classical music again.

Adobe Photoshop

I want some good photos and how to edit them.  Sometimes I get frustrated as I can’t seem to get the desired look of my photo.  It would be nice to attend a class just to get the basics and let me explore on it some more. 

Well.. if I don’t stop now, this list might become longer.  So.. what do you think should I study?  I’m thinking of taking the adobe, cooking class and buy a piano.  Chinese class is also good for my career.  AAAAHHHH!!!  It’s really so difficult to choose.  I can’t do all as I’ll go broke.  Hehehehe…

As a citizen of the Philippines, I did my obligation and registered for overseas voting.  Up until now, I’m still waiting for the elusive voter’s ID.  The last time I voted was 1998.  I know I’m not being a good citizen but before I got the chance to vote in the previous elections, I saw myself uprooting myself to another place and it’s such a hassle to just vote knowing that the candidate I wanted to win, won’t win.

For overseas voters, we are advised to vote as early as April 16, if I’m not mistaken.  Hopefully, by then, I won’t see myself moving to another location and lose my chance to vote.  So.. who are the presidential candidates?  Here’s the list I got from COMELEC.

• Vetallano Acosta for KBP
• Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for Liberal Party
• John Carlos “JC” De Los Reyes for Ang Kapatiran
• Joseph “Erap” Estrada for PMP
• Richard “Dick” Gordon for Bagumbayan
• Jamby Madrigal as Independent
• Nicanor “Nicky” Perlas as Independent
• Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. for Lakas-Kampi
• Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva for Bangon Pilipinas
• Manuel “Manny” Villar for Nacionalista

Of the 10 candidates, I only know 6 of them.  Don’t shoot me for my opinion but for the 4 that I don’t know, you better have a good campaign manager to get people to at least recognize you by name.  Of the 6, here’s my take on them.

Joseph “Erap” Estrada

After being asked to leave the office in 2002, Erap’s appeal to the lower classes remains strong.  I remember the time when he was the President, our agriculture sector flourished under Sec. Ed Angara.  He was surrounded by good and able candidates but his womanizing ways was his downfall.

I’m not sure if he will win this election but he surely would put up a fight.  I hope he doesn’t win or else we will be the butt of the jokes again with his English skills and his lack of education.

Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III

Coming from a prominent political family, with a former President for a mother and an assassinated father, this guy doesn’t need to promote himself any longer as from his parents alone, he is already popular.

However, this isn’t just a popularity game.  My impression of him is someone who is soft and can’t stand on his own.  He is single and somehow riding at the coattails of his parents legacy and his sister’s notoriety.

I hope he can show his strength and character because right now he doesn’t stand out as someone who can rule and can lead the country.  He looks like a follower and not a leader.

Richard “Dick” Gordon

Now this guy is a leader.  He’s got the will to rule and the strength to enforce what he wanted.  He has a track record of being a good manager and someone who is not swayed by the opinion of others.  He’s educated (but so is Arroyo) and charismatic but he’s only downfall is his lack of followers.  He’s not very popular as others but he’s got followers from the educated sector.

As my friend said, he would like Gordon to win but he knows that he won’t.  Well.. I hope those people who already lost hope will keep on voting him.  Who knows, maybe he might win.  Everybody loves the underdog right?

Manuel “Manny” Villar – “Mr. Sipag and Tiyaga”

A man who was born poor and rose from poverty.  A person who is known for his helping hand and business acumen.  He’s got a midas touch in business and I hope it will transcend to the entire country if he wins the election.  He started his venture into politics in 1992 as Congressman of Las Pinas, he then aimed for a higher position as senator and to highlight his political career, hopefully a win as the most powerful man in the country, “The President”.

Will he be able to do it?  As election nears, so is discrediting your competitors.  Right now, he’s being put down by the media.  His well known in Manila, but I doubt the countryside.

Jamby Madrigal

I don’t know much about her but I know she’s a senator and comes from a family of politicians.  When she entered the political scene in 2004, I was already living in China and have not kept in touch much with what’s happening in the country.

She strongly supports the environment, human rights and is well known as a pacifist.  She’s quiet and I don’t know if I heard any bad news about her.  I know she can be vocal if people really hit on something she believes in.  I doubt she will win.

Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

I remember last year when I was in the country, a hot topic at that time was Typhoon Ondoy and how Gibo failed to be the leader in times of a crisis.  At present, he’s gaining a lot of followers from the student sector.  He’s young, charismatic and educated.

Educated both here and abroad.  He’s graduated with a Commerce degree at De La Salle University.  His sense of justice made him pursue a law degree at University of Philippines.  If that’s not enough, he went to pursue a masters’ degree at Harvard University.

If you think he’s not man enough, he’s also a licensed commercial pilot and a colonel with the Philippines Air Force reserved unit.

Who shall I vote?

I really don’t know who will I vote.  From the little or a lot of things I know of the candidates, I can’t make a firm decision on who to vote.  I’m currently tossed up between Gordon and Gibo.  More on Gordon and less at Gibo.  The others, I don’t even want to think about them.  I better talk to my friends in the Philippines or maybe yet, maybe you guys can share on who you’re rooting for.  April is just two months away for overseas voters like me and I really need all the info that I can get to make an intelligent vote.

The movie started with Confucius visiting the ruler of the Kingdom of Lu where he is the mayor of one of the cities.  The ruler is impressed with how he ruled his city as people were happy with how he govern and they are contributing much to the kingdom’s coffers.

With his rise in fame and how he outwitted one of the other mayors, he gained disciples who follow his teachings.  His disciples are well known for their intelligence, strategy and loyalty.  From mayor, he became the Minister of Law, then Interim Minister of the Kingdom.  A lot of government officials were jealous and upset with him as he’s merely a commoner and not a noble.  In the end, they were able to convince the ruler to let him go.

In his exile, he and his disciples wandered and teach from state to state and eventually he became known as a scholar and educator.  In the Kingdom of Wei, he met the consort of the ruler (Zhou Xun), who is interested in his teachings.  However, he didn’t stay long as he thought that the way they rule will not last long. 

After more than 10 years wandering to different states, the son of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lu tracked them down and asked his help in the war.  He sent his disciple on his behalf knowing his disciple can do the job.  He continued on his journey and lost one of his best disciple as he froze to death trying to save the scrolls.  He lost another disciple when the Kingdom of Wei asked for his help in changing the government. 

In the end, the Prime Minister would like to apologize in person to Confucius for driving him away out of the kingdom.  Confucius was too late to meet him but agreed to return.  His only condition is not to be involved in politics any longer but to educate the people only.  He died at 73.

All in all, the movie was just a history lesson about the life of Confucius.  The acting was just ok with no dramatic plots involved.  The action plot in the movie are few and far in between.  There are lots of quotes by Confucius but for those who can’t understand Chinese and who has to rely on the English subtitles, you’ll be frustrated on how fast they speak that you haven’t even finished reading the line, it’s already gone.   If you want to learn some Chinese tradition, you’ll get a kick out of this.

Verdict:  3 out of 5.  It’s just hype.  If you’re expecting a lot of Zhou Xun, you’ll be disappointed.  I think the movie they’ve shown was already cut as some of the scenes in the picture outside the theatre weren’t even shown in the movie.

Here are the steps in creating a Starbucks latte for half the price:

• Bring your own Starbucks mug at your nearest Starbucks store and buy a cup of espresso.
• At the condiments counter, pour 3/4 cup of milk into your own mug.
• Pour your cup of espresso into your own mug.
• Stir your concoction and add necessary flavors like cinnamon or chocolate.

Easy right?!  With only the price of an espresso, you’ll get your own cafe latte.  I haven’t tried it yet but I might do so in the near future.   Post your experience if you’ve tried the tip above and let other readers know if it worked to your satisfaction. 

Now.. where did my Starbucks mug go? 

Photo credit:  http://speedendurance.com

Make sure you’ve cleaned and moisturized your face before you do the following steps in putting on makeup in ten minutes:

• Corrective Concealer: this type of concealer hides your red spots, dark spots and under eye circle.  For myself, I use Makeup Forever’s professional concealing palette #5.  The lime green color hides my red spots, purple hides my dark spots and tangerine hides my under eye circles.  Since I’m in a hurry, I just use my finger to put it on my face.
• Skin tone Concealer:  using the same concealing palette, I mix the light shade and the dark shade to get a medium shade and put it on top of the tangerine, at the center of my nose from forehead to the tip, form a circle on my forehead and the sides of my lips.

• Two Way Powder:  this powder is a mix of cake foundation and face powder.  For my powder, I use Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation.  Dab it all over your face and don’t paint it.
• Facial Contouring:  grab your contour brush and contouring powder.  Since I don’t want to buy a lot of cosmetics, I just use the 3 color (brown, white, pink) eyeshadow of Maybelline.  Using a contour brush, dab the lower side of the brush to the brown color.  Tap it on your hand then from the upper ear corner of your face, brush it in a slanting motion down to the middle of your cheek.  This method will give your face definition and will enhance your cheeks.  To make your face look slimmer, use this method from the lower jaw near your ear down towards the lower part of your chin.
• Eye Shadow: you just need two colors.  Using the same eye shadow palette from Maybelline, with an eye shadow brush, first use the white color to shade your upper part of your eyes and below the eyebrow.  Then, use the brown color from the side of your eye all the way to the middle.  Brush it to blend.
• Eyeliner:  With a brown or black eyeliner, draw a line on your upper inner eyelid.
• Cheeks:  Using a powder brush, smile and brush from the cheeks to the side of your eyes on an upper slanting motion with a pale pink color to achieve a rosy cheek look. 
• Lips:  grab your favorite lipstick and put some color on your lips.

Well.. that’s it, it seems a lot but it’s not.  If you have flawless skin, you can skip the corrective concealer. 

Hope this helps!   and remember.. practice makes perfect!