Apple iPad - is it for you?

photo courtesy of http://www.techacid.com/2008/11/18/my-five-favorite-apple-products/

I have always drooled about having an item from Apple's wide array of gadgets that you can choose from.

When my cousin got me an iPod Nano. I was over the moon!




Image via Wikipedia

I immediately took it out of the box and started tinkering with it. I was so fascinated with my iPod that I have stored it with lots and lots of songs, played with the 'name that song' game, checked the calendar and the other features that came along with it.

When I came here in Dubai, again my fascination to own a Macbook got revived that I even begged a friend to sell his 10-year old Macbook Pro to me so that I can have a 'see and feel' kind of thing.
I was there when the same friend who owns the Macbook got his iMac delivered to his home. I watch in amazement how this product dominated the US and is now slowly dominating the UAE.

After seeing the computers, I moved my fascination to the Apple iPhone. Imagine having almost everything that you need in one device - music, documents, emails, contacts and more! It was like bringing everything with you.
Just recently, Steve Jobs, CEO for Apple launched another equipment for Mac Addicts and Mac Addict-wannabe to rush and buy - the Apple iPad.

photo courtesy of http://www.apple.com/ipad/

I have seen it in the news... and to be honest, I was not that impressed. I guess it is Apple's answer to most of the computer companies who manufactured and design, a touchscreen device.
It did not appeal to me because 1) It does not have any use to me at the moment and 2) It looks like a big and I mean BIG iPhone prototype.
I was browsing the news for more information about this device and I saw one comment made by a 'Mac Addict'. He has mentioned that he can use the iPad to sketch his drawings and save them.


Apple's Answer to Amazon's Kindle?
The Kindle has been a big hit everywhere as not only are we saving Mother Earth by not printing books but it has also been handy for bookworms / newspaper readers to have all of what they want to read in one device. Oprah has been gushing about it in her show about how she love! love! Kindle.
However in Apple Insider, Oprah has I guess, found another love - Apple's iPad. With the iBookstore's launch, the iPad is now even more in demand! Imagine taking your lightweight computer with you to read books and then when you get tired of reading, you can play games.
Like what they say, big things comes in small packages :p

With where our technology is going, I think the iPad will probably go a long way... It's just not for me at the moment. I have not convinced myself that I want to use the touchscreen for typing my emails or doing my blogs. I still prefer the old-fashioned clackety-clack sound of a keyboard. 

Ukay-ukay vs. Online Auction

I was just watching one of the entertainment shows in the Philippines online when I saw one of their segments wherein KC Concepcion, National Ambassador Against Hunger, opened an online auction for her stuff which she labelled ' KC's Closet'.

In the interview, she said that all the stuff that is being auction are literally from her closet.

Now is this different from an ukay-ukay?

photo courtesy of http://www.lyndsaycabildo.com/ukay-ukay-fashion-in-the-philippines/

For the regular people, we would go to ukay-ukay stores and haggle (instead of bidding) the price from our suking tindera (sales person). People who are in a budget or just want to buy but cannot afford the designer items in stores now, will be there.

The main objective of people selling their clothes are:-

• They have too much in their closet already 
• They want to buy new clothes
• It does not fit anymore
• It was part of a past they don't want to remember 
• They were forced to do so by their family because their things are eating up space in the entire house

photo courtesy of http://minglanillacebu.blogspot.com/2009/11/used-clothing-in-carbon-cebu-city.html

During the old days, we usually just give our old clothes to our extended family, relatives, church, charity, etc. There was no price attached to it. We give it away because we know that it will either help them or well we just give it away for the same reasons mentioned above! :P

Now, someone must have seen this as a business opportunity because, at time, people are willing to pay any amount just to get 'that' thing - like when a comic fanatic sees a limited edition copy of Superman or Spiderman - they need to get their hands on a copy. No matter what the cost is.

Ukay - ukay or online auction - give it a try. It will surely leave a good feeling since you are selling items for a cause and besides being a celebrity has its perks. One way or the other, a fan would want to own 'something' her favorite movie star once have.

Happy Shopping! :)

To Strategically Get Myself OUT There

I think I have been writing this blog for a year now and I just noticed that my readers / fan base has not increased - I think it has not moved at all :(

True enough, I have not been promoting this blog as I should. Why? Hmm... I think it's more on the fact that I do not consistently write :(

I might need to start reading e-books, hardbound books and more articles about promoting myself and my writing as well.

Inline with that, I should also include in my goal / to-do list the fact that I need to write a post twice in a week... and make it personal.

While reading through my blog posts, some were personal and some were stiff. I think the posts with personal experiences or where I inject something about myself, that's the time I get people to react or comment about the post.

I guess, at times, I end up like a newspaper (and I have to say the newspaper is more interesting than my posts).

I need to learn more about reaching to people and make them read accounts that will either make them nod or shake their heads (because the post was crazy) or shrug their shoulders because they do not have anything to say.

Maybe I should not waste my time making my blog look attractive to the viewers... that can come later. My readers should be treated with respect because they would like to read more about content rather than appearance.

I should focus more on interesting topics and not post about things just because this blog needs 'some' content.

I know... so let's get it on! :-)

Dubai’s foot-sucking fish spa launched at Wild Wadi - Travel & Hospitality - ArabianBusiness.com

Dubai’s foot-sucking fish spa launched at Wild Wadi - Travel & Hospitality - ArabianBusiness.com

Now what do you think about this?

An added attraction (I guess) for Wild Wadi as it's competition, Atlantis Water Park is gaining more attention to the tourists of Dubai and its residences as well.

It may be a first in Dubai but this kind of attraction is already visible in other countries like Turkey and Singapore.

The price is for Dhs. 55 for adults and Dhs. 40 for kids. I guess for the experience people might want to try this like the viewing deck of the Burj... but I am not sure if this going to hold up that long.

We will see how this goes :D

Paying our respects to the Royal Family

Breaking news reports were released in all the newspapers and news agencies as well regarding the update about Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed.

The body was already found in Morocco.

A three-day mourning was declared by the UAE President.



*source from Arabianbusiness.com

Valentine's Day

When I was still in school, aside from the Junior-Senior Prom and the Foundation Day (your school's anniversary), the most awaited celebration is Valentine's Day.

During this time, friends who want to be 'more than friends' try to express it by having a bunch of flowers delivered to classrooms, poems are written, restaurants are jampacked for couples who believe that the Heart's Day is worth celebrating.

Aside from that, other couples would wear matching 'red' shirts either to signify that they are a couple or just because they want people to know they are very much in love with one another.

Nevertheless, restaurants, flower shops, candy stores, etc take advantage of this occassion... I think this includes the movie production outfits as well.

A feel good movie is a perfect way to either start that 'fire' (in expressing your love for one another) or to end the night (which can be sealed with a kiss).

Enter Valentine's Day - the movie which has an all-star cast led by Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner,Jessica Alba and more.

Seeing the preview of this film, I thought this is actually the same as 'Love Actually' but I can be wrong. I have not seen the entire movie trailer though I feel that this will definitely one of those movies that you might watch this Valentine's Day (warning for the guys .... suggestion for the girls).

**Image from Timeout Dubai

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I heart Kindle

Image via Wikipedia

I was just browsing through the internet when I saw the Kindle DX.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2N2TFVJ0S1JXM

(Click the link above as it gives you more information about the Kindle DX)

I fell in love.

I have seen Oprah promote Kindle in her show. The device is really amazing! I know it will never replace the smell of paperback but with it being slim and portable, who would not want to have one?



The price is around $400++ (not including shipping)... it kind of made me think but the Kindle has 3.33GB storage so you can read not only your books but also if you have any document that require your undivided attention while you wait for your husband or kids from school.

Another 'add-in' is the fact that the Kindle can read to you. So imagine, driving yourself to a meeting but you did not get the time to read through the material... if it's in a .pdf format, put in your Kindle and let it read the notes you have prepared for the meeting - viola! ;-)

I want to add this in my wish list for 2010. I hope my secret Santa can read this and give the Kindle to me as an early Christmas present!

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Expatriates

While browsing my emails, I saw this news alert from Maktoob Business:-

Expat_workers_threaten_Gulf_existence

In a nutshell, the article talks about the role being played by the expatriates in the country and how it has greatly affected the working condition for the locals.

If you think about it, in every country, there are expatriates and at times, if the rules & regulations of the country allows it, people from other country can be known as an immigrants or retirees. 

I think, that is a fact of life. All of us wants to have a decent life - in a country where we can do what we want, earn what we think is right for us and live the way we want to as long as we adhere to the country's laws.

I don't think the expat workers poses a threat to the locals - though if they do, the people should see it as a healthy competition. An expatriate was hired by the company because he  / she has a certain skill set that will be beneficial to the company. If the said position was also available to a local, bearing the same skill set, the company have to deliberate who should be hired - that is healthy competition.

Expatriates are visible in most of the countries because there is work being offered to them - with a decent salary which can support the family they have left behind or the family that they have brought with them.

Taking steps
The UAE government has already started implementing boundaries on which industry can an expatriate work , including defining the salary package, accommodation, etc. The government has even open doors for the younger generation to see the importance of work.

The decision is left with the labour force - are they willing to spend their time working or would they rather be somewhere else?

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

Expatriates are hired because they are determined to earn every centavo to survive and provide. 

Making that bold move
The younger generation should be encouraged to work. The families should be able to allow their children to work - having a strong local labour force would be able to help the country's economy.

They need to make that bold move so that the country will also move forward.

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Editorial: Yes, it's about jobs: Now get to work - The News-Herald Opinion : Breaking news coverage for Northern Ohio

Editorial: Yes, it's about jobs: Now get to work - The News-Herald Opinion : Breaking news coverage for Northern Ohio

Posted using ShareThis

I like this post because I'm hoping it will send the right signal to those people elected by the people.

In this crisis, we should all stop pointing fingers on who's to blame instead we should all try and see how things can be different.

Lawmakers should be able to pass bills that can benefit people who have lost their jobs - either local or abroad. There is no question that we need to work - so we can provide the needs of our family.

I feel sad for the OFWs who have returned home after being made redundant by their companies. There was not even a hint that it will be their turn but it happened. It was a bit difficult at first but they are now trying to end their misery and look for another opportunity - that's the spirit!

We should never lose hope because at times, it's the only one that keeps us going.

I just wish that Mr. Obama's speech can move the lawmakers of other countries as well to think about their constituents who have put them to power...who have seen them as someone they can count on to when the going gets tough.

I hope they start thinking about it.

Burj Dubai = Burj Khalifa

Dubai has just finished unveiling the height of the Burj Dubai which is now known as Burj Khalifa (why the sudden change of name - we still do not know). The tallest skyscraper stands at 828m.

The unveiling of this building was coincided with the commemoration of Sheikh Mohammed's ascension as Vice-President of Dubai.

I have watched the whole telecast and my oh my! Even on the television screen, the fireworks were spectacular! Another 'add-on' to the opening of Burj Khalifa was the dancing fountain.

According to the report made by Dubai One's reporter, it is a first for the fountain industry to incorporate coloured lights.

I can conclude that there are a lot of 'firsts' for this building.

I hope that with Burj Khalifa fully operational, Dubai will also be able to bring back the emirate's glory.

*image from http://www.ameinfo.com/213432-large.html