I'm guessing that you already know about iPad ... I hope so .. well you need to be update with technology :) 

iPad coming to Singapore? well maybe not yet but soon.

In my opinion, after looking at the review and video regarding this new Apple product iPad - the Apple tablet and the starting price is USD $499.


For me this is just like a big iPhone .... and I dont see any reason why I'll buy this iPad, it's just look like iPhone for me only with a bigger and perhaps a better screen. Seems like this is just an ordinary product ... no flash, no multitasking, no camera .... and it's run on iPhone OS 3.2 ....

Some new things: iBook 

But maybe the future of this device will be more than what we know today ... maybe in the future you can swap one page from one device to another device like the tablet in Avatar ...

Here are some feature on what iPad can do according to Apple website

Safari

The large Multi-Touch screen on iPad lets you see web pages as they were meant to be seen — one page at a time. With vibrant color and sharp text. So whether you’re looking at a page in portrait or landscape, you can see everything at a size that’s actually readable. And with iPad, navigating the web has never been easier or more intuitive. Because you use the most natural pointing device there is: your finger. Scroll through a page just by flicking your finger up or down on the screen. Or pinch to zoom in or out on a photo. There’s also a thumbnail view that shows all your open pages in a grid, to let you quickly move from one page to the next.

Mail

See and touch your email in ways you never could before. In landscape, you get a split-screen view showing both an opened email and the messages in your inbox. To see the opened email by itself, turn iPad to portrait, and the email automatically rotates and fills the screen. No matter which orientation you use, you can scroll through your mail, compose a new email using the large, onscreen keyboard, or delete messages with nothing more than a tap and a flick. If someone emails you a photo, you can see it right in the message. You can also save the photos in an email directly to the built-in Photos app. And iPad works with all the most popular email providers, including MobileMe, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, Hotmail, and AOL.

Photos

With its crisp, vibrant display and unique software features, iPad is an extraordinary way to enjoy and share your photos. For example, the Photos app displays the photos in an album as though they were in a stack. Just tap the stack, and the whole album opens up. From there, you can flip through your pictures, zoom in or out, or watch a slideshow. You can even use your iPad as a beautiful digital photo frame while it’s is docked or charging. And there are lots of ways to import photos: You can sync them from your computer, download them from an email, or import them directly from your camera using the optional Apple Camera Connection Kit.

Video

The large, high-resolution screen makes iPad perfect for watching any kind of video: from HD movies and TV shows to podcasts and music videos. Switch between widescreen and full screen with a double-tap. Because iPad is essentially one big screen, with no distracting keypad or buttons, you feel completely immersed in whatever you’re watching.

YouTube

The YouTube app organizes videos so they’re easy to see and navigate. To watch one, just tap it. When you’re watching in landscape, the video automatically plays in full screen. And with its high-resolution display, iPad makes the latest HD YouTube videos look positively amazing.

iPod

With the iPod app, all your music is literally at your fingertips. Browse by album, song, artist, or genre with a simple flick. To play a song, just tap it. iPad even displays album art at full size. Listen to your music with the powerful built-in speaker or with wired or Bluetooth wireless headphones.

iBooks

The iBooks app is a great new way to read and buy books.* Download the free app from the App Store and buy everything from classics to best sellers from the built-in iBookstore. Once you’ve bought a book, it’s displayed on your Bookshelf. Just tap it to start reading. The high-resolution, LED-backlit screen displays everything in sharp, rich color, so it’s easy to read, even in low light.

 and another feature that you can find in iPhone.

Here is the video of Steve Job delivering the new product and if you have an iPhone, I'm sure you will not be impressed, at least for now.





If you are interested in depth detail about iPad you can read it at engadget:
Apple iPad launch day roundup: everything you need to know

For your information who knows that someday you are taking taxi from ION Orchard Singapore ... make sure that no extra surcharge :)

read below from more info:

    Overcharged for cab rides from Ion

    By JAMIE EE WEN WEI (straits times)

    Taking a cab from Ion Orchard?

    Beware, you could literally be taken for a ride. You might be asked to pay a CBD surcharge which the cabbie is actually not entitled to claim.



    The fact is that Ion Orchard lies outside the Central Business District.

    Human resource executive Ashley Chiam, 24, almost got cheated a month ago when she took a taxi from Ion. She noted that the $3 surcharge was indicated on the meter.


    But other cabbies had told her previously that Ion was outside the CBD. She got into an argument with the driver, then called the taxi firm, which said she did not have to pay.


    'I wonder how many people he has cheated. But the thing is, when I told my friends about it, many of them had no idea too that Ion is not within the CBD,' she said.


    The CBD is demarcated by Electronic Road Pricing gantries in the Orchard, Bras Basah, Bugis, Chinatown and Shenton Way areas.


    A $3 city area surcharge is payable on all taxi trips from the CBD between 5pm and midnight, from Mondays to Saturdays, excluding public holidays.


    Some taxi companies and drivers whom The Sunday Times spoke to agree that Ion is a contentious spot.

    With its taxi stand just metres away from an ERP gantry, some drivers - and passengers - mistake Ion as within the CBD.


    The stand at neighbouring mall Wisma Atria, which is located after the ERP gantry, is within the CBD. Taxis are often seen queuing up for customers outside Wisma Atria whereas fewer cabs are spotted at the Ion taxi stand.


    Last year, 11 cabbies were fined for collecting the surcharge outside the CBD, said a Land Transport Authority spokesman. The offences were committed in places like Orchard Towers, Scotts Road and Mohamed Sultan.


    Marriott Hotel has also been highlighted as a potentially confusing spot. Cabbie Nah Tua Bah, 70, said: 'The driveway is actually outside the CBD but because the hotel's in Orchard, drivers get confused.'

    Taxi companies said instances of customers being wrongfully charged are rare.


    'It's usually the new or part-time drivers who will get it wrong. Some of them see the ERP gantry and they assume they are in the CBD,' said Mr Foo Chi Yong, president of the Premier Taxi Operators' Association.

    Ms Tammy Tan, ComfortDelgro's group corporate communications officer, said its drivers are aware of the boundaries. The company does not get many complaints.


    An SMRT spokesman said it had only two complaints in the past three months and the passengers were reimbursed.


    Taxi drivers who flout the rules on CBD surcharges can be fined up to $500, docked 12 demerit points and get an immediate four-week suspension of their vocational licence.


    Ms Chiam thinks signs could be put up at Ion to state that it lies outside the CBD. A spokesman for the mall saidthat Ion had worked with all taxi companies to let drivers know of Ion's location outside the CBD.

SINGAPOREANS can look forward to nine long weekends next year as all public holidays except one fall on the weekend, Friday or Monday.

Out of the 10 public holidays for 2010 released by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) on Monday, eight fall on Friday or Monday, which means a three-day stretch.

The only one that falls on a weekday is Hari Raya Haji on Nov 17, a Wednesday.

Starting with the first day of the New Year on a Friday, long weekends follow with Chinese New Year falling on Feb 14, Sunday, and Feb 15, Monday. This means that Feb 16, Tuesday, will also be a public holiday.
Good Friday, Vesak Day and Deepavali all fall on Fridays, while Labour Day and Christmas Day will be Saturdays.

MOM also reminds the public that Deepavali this year will fall on Oct 17, Saturday, instead of Nov 15, Sunday, after verification against the Indian Almanac.

This year, seven out of the 11 public holidays were long weekends. - straits times

Check this out ... it can give you a rough idea about the renting prices all over the Singapore ... of course the price depends on location ... especially near MRT. But well just for a rough idea :)

info taken from hdb.gov.sg

Interesting Video .... A reversed walking ... please don't do it after you watch it ...



Looks like I have posted this before? ... I can't remember hehe

1. After you arrived at united square go to second floor and go to the office lobby and take the lift (1-21) to go to the 12th floor.

2. After you arrived take a que number on your left after the office entrance.

3. Quickly look for a red tray in the front for and reservation form (fill in application form if you have not register online as garuda frequent flyer)




Choose at least 2 choices or write something in remark if you prefer only one date.

4. Put your form on the red tray

5. Wait for your number to be called.

6. Dunno yet since I'm still waiting to be called -_-

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It's a story about Mari, A Japanese Dog.

It's kind of touching story ... so prepare some tissue ...




Tale of Mari and the Three Puppies (Japanese: "マリと子犬の物語") is a 2007 Japanese film based on a true story that happened during the 2004 earthquake in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

Left by the roadside as a puppy, Mari, portrayed in the film by a Shiba Inu, is taken in by a family which recently has lost its mother to illness. A year later she herself has three puppies, just in time for a major earthquake which strikes the mountain village where she lives. Although valiant herself in trying to rescue the family‘s grandfather, there is no choice but to leave her behind in the evacuation of all the village‘s inhabitants.

The film follows her adventures as well as those of the two children to whom she belongs during two long and arduous weeks of separation.

source: wikipedia

Oh my God .... they are definitely cute ..... look at the official website for more picture at here
http://mari-movie.jp/index.html

Chinese new year 2010 is getting near, if you are looking for ticket now maybe you'll have a slim change to get those hot spot date within a reasonable price

But dont worry there's alternative

We know that airasia .. valuair... giving cheap air ticket, but sometimes you need to look beyond that ... consider other options to get a cheap air ticket .. well even sometimes you can get a cheap air ticket from BIG name airlines such us Garuda or even Singapore Airlines.

For me, before I go to budget ticket usually I'll:

1. Go to air ticket agency, send them what you want..
2. Go to zuji.com.sg (look for the final price after tax)-
    choose flight only, tick the flexible date option
3. Go to asiatravel.com (look for the final price after tax)
    choose flight only, tick the flexible date option
4. Search for budget airline (airasia, valuair, tiger) - tiger is my last preference because there's many add on on top of the price displayed. Airasia come with "convenient mode" which actually ask you to pay extra for using credit card and make sure you untick the insurance...

Often time I get a cheap and non budget flight ... such as Garuda for only S$200 which I consider cheap because the budget airline sometimes is similiar / even more expensive if they don't have promotion.

So happy hunting ... remember to compare all the prices and when you get the cheapest just buy it away because the prices it's always changing and the sit is limited.

For your info, I have bought from both of the online travel agent (zuji and asiatravel) and there's no problem when I use their air ticket on te day... so rest assure they are not a fake :)

You've failed many times, although you may not remember. You fell down the first time you tried to walk.  You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim, didn't you?  Did you hit the ball the first time you swung a bat?  Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also strike out a lot.  R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on.  English novelist John Creasey got 753 rejection slips before he published 564 books.  Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs.  Don't worry about failure.  Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.

I've been using bluehost in the past for one year and with the price given, it's really worth it.  Last time it comes with 3GB space (read my old review here) but now it comes with unlimited space.

the best part it comes with free domain + privacy to protect from whois which other hosting can charge you up tp S$4.99.

Recently I sign up again with bluehost (hehe try to google who knows you can find my new website :P) because of the reliability. I've tried and compared so many web hosting like justhost, monsterhost, hostgator, godaddy...  but my choice in the end is back at my old favorite web hosting ... bluehost  ...

So if you want to host wordpress, website, etc etc with adorable price and you dont have to think about bandwith or feature, just choose bluehost.

For more info on what all the goodies that you'll get just click the link below

Don't miss the solar eclipse - Singapore, today 15 januaryy 2010  ! even thought it's only partial ...


this article taken from straits time

A COOL sensation will descend over Singapore on Friday afternoon with a solar eclipse said to be the longest of its kind in the next 1,000 years.

At its peak over the Indian Ocean, it will last for just over 11 minutes.
In Singapore, it will last from about 3.10pm to 5.30pm, with the best viewing time at about 4.25pm. The Singapore Science Centre will set up its giant telescope and host various activities to mark the event. It usually attracts a few hundred people to watch such eclipses.

It will also hand out free solar glasses through which the eclipse can be viewed safely.

'There will definitely be something worth seeing and people will experience a cool sensation on the skin as there will be a dip in radiation from the sun. It will feel like the sun in more temperate climates,' said the centre's outgoing chief executive, Dr Chew Tuan Chiong.

Friday's eclipse is an annular one - the moon will pass in front of the sun, but will not block it completely, as in a total eclipse. Instead, there will be a ring of fire, or a solar ring, visible around the edge of the darkened moon.

The next full Solar Eclipse that can be viewed from Singapore it will be at 2016

taken from Science Centre
The dates for eclipses visible in Singapore are as follows:

Date	Type	Mid-Eclipse Local Time	Magnitude*
16 Feb 1999	Annular	16h 05m	0.08
26 Jan 2009	Annular	18h 02m	0.85
22 Jul 2009	Total	09h 17m	0.06
15 Jan 2010	Annular	16h 29m	0.31
9 Mar 2016	Total	08h 20m	0.85
26 Dec 2019	Annular	13h 24m	0.97
21 Jun 2010	Annular	15h 58m	0.15
20 Apr 2023	Annular/Total	11h 57m	0.26
22 Jul 2028	Total	09h 41m	0.69
21 May 2031	Annular	16h 59m	0.85

* Magnitude is defined as the fraction of the Sun's diameter covered by the disc of the Moon at middle eclipse as seen in Singapore.


why? some explanation: from physlink:

You actually can safely look at a total solar eclipse while the sun is _totally_ blocked by the moon. It looks like the moon has a fiery white aura, and it is one of the more spectacular things I have ever seen.
So why do people say it's dangerous to look at a solar eclipse? Well, in general (during non-eclipse times), you've probably been told not to stare at the sun. This is because the sun simply outputs more power than our eye is designed to handle, and exposing our eye to that kind of power can damage the retina. And in a nutshell, solar eclipses are dangerous because the sun can come out from behind the moon and "surprise you" before you have a chance to look away. And this is actually even worse than when you normally look away from the sun because during the total eclipse, it is dark out, and your pupil therefore dialates so that it can let in enough light to get a good picture. Then, when the sun reappears and starts flooding the area with really bright light, not only are you staring straight at it, but your eye is in a state where it is wide open, and actively trying to let in as much light as possible.
This explains why it is easy to damage your eye when watching a total solar eclipse, and why you should either be sure to time it very carefully (and allow for a good margin of error), or just view the thing through one of those sets of cheap "dark" glasses they sell for the express purpose of looking at the sun without getting hurt.

This can be an idea to celebrate a birthday...

check this out promotion for Birthday boy or girl at Jurong Bird Park Singapore

It's called Wild Birthday Surprise

Wild Birthday Surprises - FREE admission for all birthday boys or girls of all ages 

• Valid from 1 October 2009.
• To present proof of identification.
• Valid on date of birthday only.
• 10% discount applies to regular priced items only at participating retail and F&B outlets. Not valid for any other discounts.
• Proof of identification is required to redeem the “Wild Birthday” badge.
• Not inclusive of panorail rides.
  

 
How to go to Jurong Bird Park? and how to go back from Jurong Bird Park 

Simply go to Boon Lay MRT, go to the Bus interchange and find Bus 251 or 194 alight infront of the Jurong Bird Park ... you wont miss it, ask the bus driver to stop of you are not sure ...

on the way back .... how to go back to Boon Lay MRT? simply alight at the same bus stop .. the Bus 194 and 251 is a loop bus, but it's better to take 194 on the way back.

So you want it quick, effective and simple to improve your English?

Try this one:

Read an English Book and pronounce it !

Yap, not only reading it with your mind but as well as pronounce every little words written on your book.

In this way ... you can improve your vocabulary (make sure you have English - English Dictionary as well), Pronunciation and Listening in one shot ...  

Happy reading .... :)

Like I often said to keep going on a certain thing you need your reason why you are doing that ...

How about Jogging ... I think it's the simplest way to do exercise.  But other than to have a healthy body and to lose your weight what other reason that can motivate us ?

Well for me ... why Jog and the motivation behind it...
1. To prepare for emergency ... you often watch movie .. those action movie ... 2012 ... avatar ... what's the common thing that they have? people are running ... yeah ... it's the basic survival thing to run ... so maybe this can motivate you to run / jog .. you don't want to be left behind when some dinosaur come out suddenly and you don't have breath to run.

2. To catch a thief ... let say you are in a date and somebody stole the hand bag of your girl friend to be ... you are trying to catch the thief but you run out of breath .. not a good picture .. but imagine how cool you are, running without difficulties towards the thief because you have been trained ...

3. If you are a photographer... jogging it a good time to scout surrounding area .. who knows you get those sweet spot to take your photos

Well hope this can motivate you not a little bit but a lot ...

You could share your own reason / motivation to do Jogging by post the comment below :)

The bad news is that there is no easy and fast in a healty way to lose weight...

maybe there is ... but so far I never heard of ... you can always correct me if I'm wrong and btw it's the mattter of perspective if one think that there is a way to lose weight in a easy and fast way. 

But the good news is that I'll share some tips to lose weight... is not a big think really but isn't it small things in life that added up become a big thing?

Okay, I'm not trying to put some fake title .. How to lose weight in Easy (soon enough it will be that way easier as you do it more often) fast (really depend on your body metabolism) and healty (this tips is a sure healthy thing to do)

0. Know your reason why you want to lose weight and don't lose your reason
Often time we stop in the middle and lose motivation because we forget why we do what we do, so take a moment and note down why do you want to lose weight ... for me is this two reason (and I believe for the rest of us as well)

First: to look better
Second: to have a healthy body

so what's yours

So always keep your reason in mind and let this be your driving engine when you're about to give up in the middle

1. Remove from your sugar daily liquid intake: Can drinks and sugar ... avoid coke, coffee, milk tea, teh tarik, pokka green tea, lemon tea, all those can drinks ...  just drink plain water and tea withouth milk or sugar ...

how about coke zero ... well it's still acidic drink with artificial sugar so ... please avoid it .. how about low calorie sugar ... well please avoid it as well. I know it's difficult especially if your company provide your with unlimited can drinks but ... For the sake of Losing Weight!

point number 1:  you will learn about self control. good for your teeth, good for your stomach and one step closer in losing your weight

2. Big breakfast, Medium Lunch and Tiny Dinner + fruits
Breakfast is the most important thing! but please avoid oily food such as fried bee hoon with eggs ... or fried popiah, carrot cakes. Instead eat oatmeal or non/low sugar Kellogs with low fat milk.

Medium lunch .. not to much and not to little, avoid oily food ... with fruits in between lunch and dinner ... not to much fruits.. anything that is too extreme is not good.

Tiny Dinner .... just dont eat too much for your dinner.  it's good if you can take your dinner before 7PM.

Strictly no Supper ... and don't leave any room for bargaining for the sake of losing weight!

point number 2: you will learn about discipline, good for your digestion and wallet and two steps closer in losing your weight


3. Exercise ... 
Sit up is not enough... please get outside your room and do some cardio exercise ... such as jogging ....
Ok if you never exercise aim at least once / twice a week.

point number 3: Less stress, good for your brain, muscle, lung, blood circulation, hand feet coordination and many more ... the most important is that you will see the effect in 1-2 month so dont give up in the beginning.

Well try this simple 3 steps .... believe me in 2 months time you will see that losing more weight in easy fast and healthy way is not just a dream anymore.

No pain No gain .... for the sake of healthier and better looking of yourself

just remind yourself that this 3 steps it's very simple but powerful way to lose weight .... so don't stress your self yet .. the real battle start now ... don't delay it....

How to Brush

What Is the Right Way to Brush?
Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that's right, 120 seconds! Most adults do not come close to brushing that long. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows:

• Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
• Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
• Clean the chewing surfaces
• For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too

Tilt the brush at a 45° angle against the gumline and sweep or roll the brush away from the gumline.	Gently brush the outside, inside and chewing surface of each tooth using short back-and-forth strokes.	Gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

Information taken from Colgate Singapore

Just a small e-book from Health Promotion Board.  There's a lot of info on how to start a healthy eating especially cater for people in Singapore

Eating does not merely satisfy our hunger - it is also a pleasant social
activity. Friendships and family ties are often forged over the dining
table. With more varieties of food available, it is easy to lose sight of
the principles that guide healthy eating. As the food you eat affects
your health and well-being, it is important to consciously choose a
healthy diet.

Healthy eating is selecting a balanced diet that is high in dietary fibre
and low in fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt. It also means having different
types of food in the right amounts and not overeating any one type of food.
If you are between 18 to 65 years of age, these Dietary Guidelines are for you
Use them to help you and your family plan and choose nutritious meals.
Start eating healthily today. Remember - you are never too young nor too old to start!

Click here for download

Well not exactly in a second ... actually this is not something new but it will be new for some of you :)  ... an effective way to fold a shirt in a second ... the Japanese way

Okay ... I know today is a the mother of all blue Mondays... first day at work after a long weekend in this new year 2010 ...

Maybe you lost your motivation to work and to do things but hey maybe the problem is that you don't have any goals to achieve this year so you probably do not have any motivation and expectation of this year!

Well you've got to do something if not this 2010 will goes by very fast and you will be trapped in the cycle of a boring year.

So don't delay it any longer!

Start small by making a New Year Resolution for 2010 or set your Goals... don't worry about whether you can stick on your resolution.

so how to set a new year resolution or goals?

First you must be realistic.. but it doesn't mean you can't dream BIG.

Second it must be specific and measurable ... dot write something like ... I want to lost my weight .. instead write something like this I want to lost 2KG every month. (put the action plan if possible - i want to lost 2 kg every month by 1. eat junk food once a month 2. jog twice a week 3.etc)

Third, after you write it put it on the mirror / places that you often see.... the best actually put in the eye level in front of the toilet bowl .... so every morning while puff you can track and internalized your resolution / goals.

to make it easier you can use C.R.E.S.H as a guidance.

remember cresh as your new year resolution :)

C for Career
what do you want to see in 2010, any new area you want to explore in your career, some improvement, or are you aiming some position?

R for Relationship
Not only between couple but as well to your family, friends or even your landlord. You can write something like I want to send encouragement once a week to my friends

E for Economy
What you want to achieve financially this year, you can do something like: I want to save $1000 per month - action plan: go to bank this week to set an auto saving per month

S for Spiritual
Don't forget about your spiritual life ... this is the far most important think that absolutely you can't miss it out.
e.g read one chapter a day from the Bible, learn a new worship song once a week, you can put your ministry goal as well and the action towards achieving that goals

H for health
mens sana in corpore sano - a healthy mind in a healthy body ... you need to have a good shape health to be able to achieve your dream and all your resolution so start simple .... determine! to jog once a week for half and hour ...

So hope this CRESH new year resolution and goal help you to trigger your excitement in this new year ....

Don't miss this one .... I believe that you want to have a great Year ahead... so be that man .. only you can decide how's your year gonna be...

Happy New Year 2010 by the way :)