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| Okay, some of the dancing is off and reminiscent of somebody's duck dance tracks, but this fusion performance is kinda cool.
Why do I know this song? Too many Kdramas.
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| My husband likes action, but I like romance. What do do? Watch Hong Gil Dong. This fusion historical drama doesn't have fancy costumes and the protagonist dons a bad hair perm, but the acting by Kang Ji Hwan as Gil Dong is great. You do feel for GD's predicament of being an illegitimate son of yangbang high ranked officer and having a rough time finding his place in a world where caste systems override even family ties. And even Sung Yuri as Enok's exaggerated mannerisms, though initially annoying, over time becomes almost credible as we witness her steadfast "I loob you" to GD. But then, I'm a sap, and saps suspend reality and bad acting to wholeheartedly feel the flow of 'love.'
Incidently, Hong Gil Dong, famous legendary Robin Hood of Korea is actually based on a real person who actually was the illegitimate son of a yangbang that grew up to thieve from the rich and share with the poor. But the drama writers liberal use of their creative license have received some backlash. According to Dramabeans, there have been criticism on how they have portrayed the king who in reality wasn't that bad. True, he killed a few blood members to secure his throne, but historical fact proponents also argue that he was good with foreign policy and backed up Hujun's immortalized Chinese medicine book. On the other hand, this is fictionalized original plot based on the big "What if" the young prince did not die based again on a novel, supposedly Korea's first novel in print.
So, I even learn a little a history from my dramas! I can't wait until this drama ends and Gil Dong and Enok are together and chasing after tigers together. The good thing about a drama based on a legend is that it's guaranteed a happy ending. My only complaint besides those nasty Techno geishas is that sometimes the mini-plots are longwinded. True, I usually watch several episodes nonstop, sometimes several videos at one sitting, but if I, generous K-drama fan is getting a little antsy, that's not a good sign. Aside from that, I have to herald the genius of the writer duo Hong sisters. I just love how they spiked this drama with modern references. Who could imagine that text messaging via Chinese calligraphy drawing would be in a period drama? I also find it hilarious how they weave their take, the expos'e on how this dusty legend actual came to place in conjunction with the original legend itself all throughout this drama. All this and a competitive monk with a high-pitched hyena laugh reminiscent of the "Buddha bless you!" eye-poking flying monks from old Chinese flicks make this a fun, fun drama to watch.
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| I first heard of BPA (bisphenol-A) when I bought a sippy cup in Korea. In very small print, a whole side of the box was devoted to a detailed explanation on how this product did not have BPA released even in high temperatures. Later I received an email update from the authors of Baby 411 and Baby Bargains retracting their approval of Avent and Dr. Brown bottles because of the new research that supported that the BPA chemical released in these baby bottles made from polycarbonate might cause harm to infants.
In animal studies, BPA has been linked to developmental, neural, and behavior issues. As of now, the danger of BPA to humans is still purely theoretically because the labortory results in animals do not always apply to humans. From what I have read, we all more or less have some level of BPA in our bodies, but as with chemicals in general, it seems to pose a greater risk in vitro and in babies. With the recent news that boiling polycarbonate bottles releases 55 times more BPA, it might be wise to be on the safe side, and at the least end of the spectrum, to not boil or microwave any plastic.
If you have a baby, you might want to go further and buy BPA-free teethers, baby bottles, and sippy cups. I actually went ahead and bought a few BPA-free items and will write reviews soon. Z Recommends has also written a comprehensive report on this subject.
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| I always felt guilty that somehow I inadvertently caused my kids' milk allergies. After all, I gorged on a surplus of dairy foods all throughout my pregnancy and gained almost forty pounds both times. And with my first having such a limited diet almost her first two years of life, I did cheat and give her shrimp and other taboo foods even though you're not supposed to until they're over three.
But ha, ha. Turns out that delaying highly allergenic foods does not actually prevent allergies. So bring it on with nuts, egg whites, and seafood. Of course, taking caution if you do indeed have a family history and making sure your baby does not choke on her new bounty.
Here's the link to the AAP's clinical paper: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;121/1/183
Incidently, I have personal good news to share with you all: My second just underwent allergy testing and has outgrown her dairy allergy. As soon as I found out, I did a happy dance as my kids watched me with great interest and then delight. But then it dawned on me-- I, too, can once again partake in dairy banquets. It's been 10 months being on this stinking dairy restricted diet. Yay!
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| Yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Lurkess and I tried our hand(s) on frying Korean chicken. The Mr. is an extremely talented deep fryer :) but boy, was it time-consuming though the eventual product delicious.
The only glich was that the drumsticks were still a bit raw even though the crust was all done. We ended deep frying those again to chicken bliss. It was worth it being that the drumsticks were tastier than breastmeat that we also fried. But after our chicken party, I remained puzzled why the drumsticks were so bloody. Apparently, there is a specific frying method for Korean chicken that could have prevented yesterday's nastiness. Check out this link that now works! (Thanks, dpac)
http://nytimes.com/2007/02/07/dining/07fried.html?ex=1329541200&en=802c10c98dle86b3&ei=5124&p
Just another reason to visit the big apple! Finally, a fried chicken related question: should I buy a deep fryer versus a iron cast skillet and if so, what brand would you recommend?
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