My Grey World

In case you didn’t know, I actually use a Nokia E72 now. I bought it for myself, as my own 21st birthday present.

And I have nothing but good things to say about it! Firstly, I love how elegant it looks. Countless people (usually Indonesians) have taunted me with questions “Why didn’t you buy a Blackberry instead???”. And I said to them “Hello! Didn’t you see how mine looks much better than that brick of yours??”.

Elegant

Brick

Secondly I love its very touch-sensitive Optical Navi Key! Granted it’s not a trackpad, but it works well in navigating menu and stuff. Works great in web browsing too. Thirdly, its shortcut buttons (contacts, email, home, calendar) is fast and really saves me time.

Oh and one thing that Nokia didn’t really promote (and I think they should!) is the super-awesome QWERTY keyboard. It has the same proportion as computer’s QWERTY keyboard. What I mean is, some QWERTY phones crowd a lot of additional buttons (usually at the last row, the row with Z-M) and it messes up the proportion – some keys are a lot further to the right/to the left than it should be. I tried using my sisters’ QWERTY phones (one from LG, one from Samsung) and I had difficulties because I keep punching the wrong keys! Not with E72. My transition from the usual numeric keypad (mind you, I’ve been using it for at least 10 years!) was smooth and painless. Oh and, the QWERTY keyboard makes really really minimal sound. Typing is not noisy at all and even enjoyable with the smooth keys.

Sis’ Samsung

Nokia E72

Sis’ LG

Unfortunately I can’t yet use the most hyped Nokia Messaging feature since I don’t have a post-paid plan (yes I still use prepaid!), and thus unable to use the extra feature. I’ll sign up for the post-paid plan when I have found a job!

You can see how Nokia Messaging works in Nokia’s very own reality show though – which is entitled “The Rookie“. Basically this show is The Apprentice-style (remember Donald Trump?) reality show. Contestants fight with each other (not physically, of course!) to get internships at 4 big companies: Nokia (of course!), Standard Chartered Bank, Zouk, and Microsoft. The best-of-the-best intern of the final 4 will be crowned “The Rookie” and get a cash prize of SGD 5000!

The contestants are divided into two teams (Alpha and Bravo), and each week they have to go through different series of challenges. One member of the losing team will then be eliminated each week.

They all looked so happy and close during the photoshoot. Who knew what drama would happen.. Hur hur.

Ok I was talking in present and present future tense, but actually The Rookie has already been crowned last Saturday in Zouk! There was a contest that asked you to predict the winner and you could win a Nokia E72 yourself. Unfortunately, the contest also already ended. Nevertheless, I hope one of you reading follows my Twitter (@sylvdoanx) and entered the contest, and hopefully, will win the AWSAM Nokia E72!

You can also still catch up with the episodes of The Rookie online. Watch them go through interesting challenges such as designing a print ad, organizing a fund-raiser, and many more. A lot of drama, of course *wink wink*. And also the showcase of Nokia E72. If you’re still thinking of buying one and you don’t trust reviews, you can watch The Rookie episodes to see how it works in real life! The Rookie website also includes several behind-the-scenes videos. Oh, and, dunno if it’s relevant, but I think The Rookie’s host Bobby Tonelli is hawt! Quite an eye candy, I must say… Hehehehehehehe.

See..

(Images from Bobby Tonelli’s website)

Ok, signing out now. Hope you guys check out The Rookie, and of course try/use Nokia E72 eventually!

PS: I have a Skype iPhone cover giveaway. Enter the contest!

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CommunicAsia 2010
Skype at CommunicAsia 2010
Giveaway!

CommunicAsia2010 and BroadcastAsia2010 is Asia’s premier business event for the global infocomm technology (ICT), broadcasting and media industries. It’s held at Singapore Expo from 15 – 18 June 2010.

The exhibitions feature almost 2,000 exhibiting companies from 57 countries and regions, keen on unveiling their latest offerings.
(info from CommunicAsia’s press release)

On June 16 I had the privilege of attending the blogger’s session from Skype at CommunicAsia 2010. I have Daphne from XPR to thank for that.

I was so in love with the Skype booth. It’s so cheery, with sky blue and rainbows all around!

Isn’t that just pretty?

We were guided around the booth by Peter Parkes, social media lead of Skype, who explained to us the new features/functionalities of Skype.

Yes that’s me listening. Hehe.

Basically what Peter informed us is the availability on Skype on other platforms other than the more traditional computer (PC/Mac alike). Skype is now available for mobile devices (Symbian phones, iPhone), and even TV!

Yes, TV!

It actually supports HD video, and the camera/microphone combo has 4 microphones and is able to pick up sound from 45 metres.

Example of the video:

There was very little grain/noise. It was quite impressive.

However the Skype on TV is only available as embedded software within select TVs. Currently Panasonic Viera HDTV supports it, with the requirement of a communication camera (sold separately). Not sure whether it’s required to use Panasonic’s own communication camera or it’s possible to use other compatible cameras. Peter also mentioned Samsung and some other brand of TV to embed the Skype software. Not sure about the details.

And then of course there was Skype for iPhone and Symbian phones. Skype in the Nokia N900 is not even a separate application, it’s actually seamlessly embedded in the phone. When you scroll through your contact list, for example, you can see the option “Call using Skype” appear. Interesting! After the event, I just had to download Skype to my Nokia E72 and it’s pretty easy to use! It can also merge the Skype contacts and the phone contacts together, but it’s not yet seamless like N900′s.

Screenshot:

Peter also talked about Business usage for Skype. Basically Skype will help businesses (Peter mentioned especially small and medium businesses) save costs on communications. Makes sense, because Skype can enable people to call, chat, send files, and even do conferences/group callings at the same time! The new feature available at Skype Business is Skype Manager, which is a web application you can use to manage the usage of Skype inside your organization. For example – if you want to manage how much Skype credits to give to your employees. You may go to Skype for Business website for more details.

Oh, and I think the Skype Manager ad is so cute!

By now you might be wondering – even if it’s on mobile phones, how exactly can I call people without Skype? Understandably, Skype has traditionally been used for free Skype-to-Skype calls but apparently it can also be used to call landlines/mobiles. You can purchase Skype credits to do so, or even better, you can use Skype subscriptions for unlimited calls to countries/Europe/World. Pretty good deal I think! Sadly, the Skype subscription worldwide that I got excluded Indonesia (my home country), so I said good bye to my unlimited calls to home. Sigh.

Giveaway! (updated!!)

Yeay! Now it’s time for the giveaway!

I have 2 Skype iPhone covers to give away!

(They both have the same design, only different colours – white/black)

To enter the giveaway contest is simple!

1. Leave a comment at this post with your name and (valid!) email, stating what you use/you can use/you plan to use Skype for.

And that’s it! Yes, it’s that easy.

You can also have another chance by tweeting about this giveaway. Please see the directions at the first comment below!

Some T&Cs:

1. The last entry of the contest will be accepted at 23 June 2010 23.59 PM 25 June 2010 23.59 PM. Winners will be announced at latest by 30 June 2010.
2. This contest is open to people who reside at Singapore or have a Singapore mailing address.
3. Postage fee will be borne by me a.k.a postage is freeeeee
4. One person (with one e-mail) is allowed one entry via comment on blog post and two entries via Twitter (directions at the first comment below!).
5. There will be 2 winners. Winners will be chosen by random numbers (Random.org)
6. Colours will be determined by random too.

Looking forward for your entries!

Note:  A number of other blogs will be having the same giveaway, I’ll post links to their giveaway’s so you can have more chances of winning one!

Here I am again, at my comfort zone. In a house where I don’t need to worry about food on plate and dirty laundry or room.

For how long should I be here, I don’t know. I haven’t even bought a ticket back to Singapore. It’s like I’ve been home for so long I almost forgot how Singapore looks like.

I think I have to convince myself to just go, to just dive in, to just step out and face it.

I’ve done it before when 4 years ago I came into Singapore, without anyone, without knowing anything. I survived.

But I dunno if I want to prolong it…

Found this brilliant comic by Stuart McMillen that portrays exactly how I feel to finally finish an education.

Though reluctant, I realize that to challenge myself, rather than overcoming challenges in education, is definitely my next step.

I can’t believe I cried while reading the comic.

Below is only the thumbnail of the comic (original comic is huge and long).

Please enjoy the full-sized comic at Stuart’s site : Recombinant Records

Please tell me I’m not the only one who found the service level in Singapore is like 6 feet under. It sucks.

Almost every time I sit down in a restaurant, or simply ordering food at hawker centres, the server/hawker will only ask “Yes, order?”. Sometimes there is not even a question. They will only take out their order pads, or the best one – raising their eyebrows at me. It’s as if we have a telepathy going on.

Whatever happened to “Good morning/afternoon/evening, may I take your order?”?

That's not food, by the way

Pardon me for being particular. But I come from the land of smiles and I mean that literally. Doesn’t matter if it’s a restaurant, a fast food joint, or an undignified “WarTeg” (small diners providing basic food, usually for lower class citizens), people always greet me with a smile and chirpy voice. Ok, not always, but most of the time.

Perhaps it’s the tips thing? It’s always customary to give tips to service staff in Indonesia, when it’s not a common practice here in Singapore. Already included in the bill, they say.

Small fact: I pay 21% service charge in Indonesia, and I still tip anyway. (we are all expected to)

Does tips really make the difference in service level?

Does service matter in the first place anyway?

For me it matters, a damn lot. I don’t care if the food is gourmet, if the service is bad the food will taste bland. I stopped going to MOS Burger at Novena Square because there is this super annoying auntie who doesn’t even speak when I’m ordering, or even look at me for that matter. That is despite my unrequited LOVE for MOS Burger. At the food court/hawker centre near home, I only buy sugarcane juice from 1 stall, just because the owners are nice, smiley, and always remembers me.

How about you? Does good service matter in your choice of where to eat?

Photo by remittancegirl, under Creative Commons NC-SA 2.0

My new thumbdrive is so small and thin I put it in my wallet.

Really.

Cost me SGD 20 for 4 GB of storage. Good deal, I think. I mean, look at how pretty it is.
I was actually walking around Challenger Funan to look for a webcam for my siblings, but I saw this and I just could not resist.

This is a huge upgrade from my previous thumbdrive (which is my very first thumbdrive) which can only hold 128 MB of data. How long ago was that? Unfortunately I lost that thumbdrive.. A lot of important things inside, including my short stories. Ugh.

I think I’m gonna love it having this.

Before I even stepped in SMU, I had already prepared a post in my mind to release when I’m about to graduate.

It would talk about my feelings. About my takeaways. About how I treasure the opportunities I have managed to attain. About how all my previous struggles had been worth it.

But seriously?

I actually don’t know what to feel right now. I know for sure, for years when I finish school after school, there was only joy. I couldn’t wait to move forward. I couldn’t wait to leave the past behind.

And yet now is the first time ever when there is no certainty after the finish line.

I kinda realized that it’s the last week of school really late. I just realized earlier this week that I have no exams. Only a final test this Saturday (3 April), summary and reflection paper due on Friday and Saturday, and then a short story due on next Monday (5 April), and then I’m done. Done. Finito.

I was like, really? This is it?

I suppose it’s the case with many people. You don’t really realize what you have been through until the last minutes of it. And right now I wonder whether I haven’t savoured the experience, the last days, enough.

And I still don’t know what to feel….

Some days ago I wrote to my fellow choristers that people can help them sing better by singing the notes to them, giving tips and tricks for better sound production, making recordings/midi files to listen to, but no one can magically transform them into a songbird overnight.

And I thought, heh, isn’t it also relevant to other stuff beside singing in choir?

Maybe I, or you, or other people, depend too much on other people to change ourselves. Perhaps it’s rooted in the education system (Indonesia’s or Singapore’s at least) where we were conditioned to expect our teachers to spoon-feed us with information and knowledge (and test and exams!). We become so passive, believing that we will change once we find somebody who can help us.

But to change ourselves need the conscious effort, just like the conscious effort I took in practicing for my choir singing. The effort I took in utilizing my back muscles, positioning my voice so that it resonates, raising my eyebrows, and every single little thing to make my voice clearer.

But sometimes the bigger question lies in whether you want to do the conscious effort. Thinking of doing it and really doing it are two different things, and taking action to move from thinking to doing takes quite some time, or even bravery, for some people.

So, have you moved from thinking to doing yet?