Jill and the Books Talk

I wondered whether it was the character of Captain Ri or Hyun Bin the Hallyu superstar that I admired the most. In the end, without a shadow of a doubt, it is indeed the versatile actor that I found fascinating after watching most of his K-drama and movies. Mainly because he was not limited to a particular genre or role. He could do stunts on his own. Furthermore, he doesn't need to always be in a rom com to shine.  Here's my take on his major series and roles in the order that I have watched them: K-Drama: 1. Crash Landing on You  Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok's character was flawless. He will make you swoon and fall head over heels in love. Witness his character transition from an uptight military man, to a smitten loverboy to the playful and adorable "little" Hyeoky. He was musically inclined yet had to give up his dreams of becoming a world renowned pianist.  You could feel his desperation in his relentless ways of protecting the love of his life at all costs. Having...

While almost everyone else was binge watching K-drama over the lockdown, I was too busy working long hours, from 6am to 12 midnight. I didn't realize that I have allowed people to overstep the boundaries of my time. I would get frantic calls from anxious patients, caregivers and whoever needs me at an ungodly hour. I would do my best to help them calm down while I was crying inside my heart.  I was emotionally, mentally and physically burned out after 8 long months. I began to resent the internet (online meetings and webinars were too much!) yet oh so grateful for it because it kept me connected to the people I love and it enabled me to work while many have unfortunately lost their jobs. It was on my birthday weekend in November 2020 that I finally had precious time to spare after months of striking a balance between taking care of my patients, remotely working for my family's businesses, ministry, coping as much as I could (because I terribly missed my family) and keeping my s...

Won't last a day without experiencing the warm, aromatic, delicate and soothing (feeling mayaman) effect of tea? Then you must be a TEA-ta! Here are the telltale signs of being a TEA-ta: 1. Tea is your elixir for life You begin and end your day with tea. You take tea like your square meals (see tea time chart). Tea is medicine! A TEA-ta has a specific tea to prescribe for every symptom on earth. Sleepy? Perk up your senses with black tea. Indigestion? Have a cup of fresh peppermint tea. Sleepless? Chamomile will take you to snooze heaven. Early signs of aging? White tea is health-TEA for your skin. Cholesterol problems? Green tea is scientifically proven to unclog your arteries. As you get older, Pu-erh now becomes a staple in your tea box. Kinakabag ka ba TEA-ta? Hetong tsaa! 2. You are maTEApid The stash of tea you keep in your handbag is as valuable as your wallet containing your membership cards (Me rcury Drug, S&R, SM, Rustan's, Healthy Options, Landers , etc.), credit...

Early in 2019, I prayed to God to take me to to see the Canadian Rockies. I told myself, I will save up for this trip and in a few years time, I will be able to visit.  In April 2019, I got a call from my Uncle Albert in the US. He mentioned that since my parents and I are going to visit them in October, he plans to take us to Canada as a side trip. "I want to show you the Canadian Rockies!" Those words were like music to my ears. Since my parents already had their tickets booked, I immediately booked mine online. I am bound for Banff sooner than I expected. I was giddy with delight as I walked through the snowy pathway leading to the lake. I could see snow capped mountain peaks which grew bigger and taller as I got closer. I made a turn.  And there I was. Frozen.  Awestruck. Speechless. None prepared me for the majestic scenery of Lake Louise. Calm crystal clear, turquoise water. Perfectly reflecting the Canadian Rockies behind it.  Tears began to well up in my eyes...

From an outsider's perspective, my professional life revolves around the highly coveted (by quack nutritionists and dietitian wannabes) practice of being a nutrition, health and wellness expert.  Made even more exciting by the myriad of interesting people I get to meet in my office, my client's corporate offices, as well as, the lectures and media launches and appearances I engage in. A career that is not only financially rewarding but delicate and dynamically impacting the lives of people in many ways.  Little do people know about my life as an online English teacher which commenced in 2013 and concluded in 2018. A humbling experience that has taught me so much about the Japanese culture and how it is to truly work for something that does not entail much monetary compensation. Half an hour or two, sometimes more hours, several days in a month was all it took to give me that sense of pride in witnessing my students, who could barely speak a word of English during our first les...

Author: Caroline Roberts The setting was perfect. As you read through this chicklit's pages, you will be transported to a charming castle that is falling apart. The entire novel will surely evoke cravings for the sweet tooth. It was an entertaining read up until the author seemingly decided to try her luck in writing a steamy novel which turned out to be a total disaster. The descriptive sex scenes were unnecessary in the story plot, not to mention how badly they were written. I had to browse through the pages quickly. Finally, as if the author wanted to reward her readers for enduring those cringe-worthy pages, you will find something at the end of this book that will be useful in your kitchen. 

Author: Adrian Goldsworthy I have to be honest. I bought this book because I was expecting to read factual insights on the scandalous love affair between the Roman general Antony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. That didn't happen. The book turned out to be a fascinating historical account of the Roman empire, it's triumphs and weaknesses based on ancient sources and archeological evidences. A story beautifully written by Goldsworthy debunking myths about Antony's indisputable military skills and Cleopatra's lineage and temptress image. If you set your expectations right in the beginning, you are in for a lengthy fill of history, astounding facts and a completely different perspective of the Roman empire, Antony, and Cleopatra interwoven with the Egyptian and Greek cultures.