The Secret Life of Bees

Director : Gina Prince-Bythewood
Cast : Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo
Release Date : 17 Oct 2008
Running time : 114min

Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping.

Verdict : Read this novel by Sophie Monk some time ago .Touching story with strong performances, worth the watch. Not too many movies like this around.

Tom Yam hotpot

Weather these whole week is in the 50's, pretty chilly. Had Winnie and Gina over for tom yam hotpot. Too bad Jim and his wife couldn't make it. Cantonese speaking gathering :D

Spicy tom yam

Chilled freshly cut kiwi, strawberries and mango

29th San Diego Chinese New Year Fair

Went downtown this morning with Ikuko and baby Kenkoh (soon to be 1!) to check out the 29th San Diego Chinese New Year Fair. It was on 3rd Ave and J street, where the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum was. Stalls selling Chinese trinklets, clothes, art, food etc were set up there. Manage to see the lion dance, dragon dance, Kung Fu demo, Qi Gong demo and er-hu performance (Robert was performing! What a coincidence to see him). Fine weathered day. Took the trolley back...first time for Kenkoh to ride on it and he was pretty excited :)

Ohayou Kenkoh! Let's go!

 Lil lion lazing on the sidewalk

 Bargain sale in front of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum

Such curly hair!

 Tong, tong, tong chiang!

 Lettuce is fed by city officials

 Curious to see who's underneath

 With Ikuko and sleepy Kenkoh

 Walking the streets to the beat of drums to rid evil

 Wow!

 Kenkoh very interested

 San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders was there too

 Dotting the eyes of the lion to awaken the lion

 Performance by the USCD Southern Sea Lion Dance troupe

 Gong Xi Fa Cai! Kong Hei Fatt Choy!

 Feed it with a red angpau

 Robert (right) performing a duet on the er-hu with Dr.Ren

 Jade stamp chop

 First emperor - Qin Shi Huang

 Time to check out the stalls

 Caligraphy and paper art

Dragon in front of the 100 year old building

Dr.Sun Yat Sen Memorial Garden

Trolley back

It's time for Superbowl

Bad snowstorms made it hell for fans to get to Texas for the biggest football game of the year. But surprisingly weather was awesome on the day of the Superbowl XLV. Had the feeling that the Green Bay Packers would win...and they did! But really close game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Final score Packers 31 vs Steelers 25. Big controversy with Christina Aguilera messing up the national anthem.

Superbowl XLV at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX

Black Eye Peas performing at half time

Usher joined too

Trophy time

Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, with the MVP trophy

CNY steamboat/hotpot

3rd year away from home during the CNY festivities. Not too much of an atmosphere here, so you just need to create your own. Had some friends over again this year, but for steamboat dinner this time. Haven't seen some of them for months, some were in Japan, and just busy with their own lives. It's good to have them over to have a good home cooked meal, enjoy the celebration and catch up on things. Had a surprise for Yumi, Ikuko and Yuka who had birthday's in Jan.

福 fú/fook - Good Fortune

 Lots to prepare

Tonight's dinner set up

 Thank's for the flowers Yumi

 All ready to be cooked

 Haven't seen each other for months

Putting Yumi to work :P

 Round 1

 With Ikuko

Chatter, chatter

Handmade art by Ikuko's uncle from Japan

 My surprise to the Jan babies - Yumi, Ikuko and Yuka

 Thank you for coming!

 Happy Belated Birthday to Yumi, Ikuko and Yuka!

 My home made chocolate biscuit ice cream goes well with Ikuko's matcha pudding

 Oranges and angpau for everyone

Upside down 福 fú/fook means good luck came

Honey Joys

 Sugar, butter, cornflakes, honey

 Mix butter, sugar and honey in a pot and stir over mid low fire till frothy

 Put in cornflakes and mix well

Scoop into paper cup and bake in 350degF for 10min

Childhood favourite :)