Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous lunar new year of the dragon!

May the dragon year brings about an overflowing abundance of health, wealth, peace, joy and success in everything you do.

Huat Ah!

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I never thought I would be able to own it someday, but this was totally made possible thanks to a partial sponsorship from the bf. Its really really nice of him to help me out on this purchase, and also the sister for helping me getting it through her school, which makes the deal worth it.

Fortunately, the learning curve for the Mac isn’t too difficult, but learning other stuff like keyboard shortcuts could be a real pain sometimes. That’s alright, I can learn something new each day!

For the uninitiated, I’ve left the IT industry, and am now focusing pretty much on design, writing, arts, photography etc. But that does not mean I have completely stopped reviewing devices and gadgets, just that I have a whole lot more choices opening up for me.

Work wise, am getting way busier, and learning to cope with it will be a key to help me overcome it in the next few weeks… And yes, I’m happy with where I am now, and learning to work smarter and play harder.

I recently stumbled across some beautiful websites, which I will hope to share it with you real soon!

Nicole

I just came back from taking Angel to the vet for her annual checkup and vaccination. Well, it’s my first visit to the vet, and quite amazed at seeing the type of dogs and cats others keep. Angel is M’s cat, but I treat her like mine. My folks do not allow me to bring a cat home, or I would have done that eons ago.

As of right now, I think everything is getting back on track slowly, and I am very thankful and happy about it. Only time will tell, but I guess things are in a good start for now. I realized that there are small and subtle changes in my life, that’s making life bearable and giving me the courage to live on, and be happy. It still isn’t easy at times, though at least the thought of negativity is reducing. Its good to know that I’m surrounded by people who loves me, and care for me. That to me, is an important aspect of my life.

I’ve also learned that I cannot please everyone, but the first person I can please is myself.

Ok. enough of my random rubbish. Time to sit down and start reading.

Nicole

Of course, I did enjoy myself very much in Bintan, and I can’t wait to share photos with everyone.

Excuse me while I attack the work on my plate. Meantime, rock on with this tune from Jennifer Lopez. Have a good start to this work week!

Nicole

I’m heading there for a work / company retreat. Shall take this opportunity to also snap a few more photographs for keepsake. It is my first trip there and I am very much looking forward to it… Hehe. And very much looking forward to the activities that are planned in my itinerary.

By the time you are reading this, I would have been well on my way to Bintan.

See you!

So allow me to share with you one of my favourite Youtube videos – Firework by Katy Perry.

This video struck a chord with me, and I totally enjoyed her vocals… It also served as a source of inspiration to carry on even when I’m facing obstacles in my way. May this song light up your day too!

- This post is written and scheduled to publish when you are reading it.

Nicole

Time really flies. Since June 2011, life has quite not been the same for me… Sinking to the bottom of the pits, to the extent of requiring professional help speaks volumes of how shitty life was throwing at me back then. But it was also the moment that sparked a series of life changing, if not, minor changes that actually make life more bearable and enjoyable, despite having the odds in the way. Looking back, its as if I just escaped another crisis. Isn’t that wonderful?

Sometimes, I am overwhelmed by the motion of events in my life. Its too fast and too furious. Then again, I am enjoying what I am currently doing now. Riding with the flow that is. Don’t worry, at least now I’ve learned that it is important to pace myself out before being burnt out once more.

As I’m writing this, there are thoughts aplenty that is going through my mind, some of which are best left unwritten in the records. I’ll continue to work hard and strive to not let my learning stop for a single moment. Its just simply amazing of how much is there left to be learned, and the possibility of completing learning is endless. It ends till the day I drop dead and move no more.

Quite glad to say that I’ve started to regain my appetite, as well as being able to get a good night’s rest and feel energetic for the next working day. It feels good when the body is slowly starting to recover, and suffice to say, at most, a cup of coffee will do the trick. Reducing my reliance on caffeine has also boosted mood levels, and it makes me more cheery and positive… Coupled with healthy snacks on my table, I would say I’m halfway keeping myself in check of not snacking on crackers and chips. I usually will stock up dried fruit, as well as nuts for a quick source of energy, and oh, loads of fluids, especially plain water. Helps to keep the body systems well maintained.

Perhaps right now, my perspective towards life has changed. Whether its a good change or otherwise, time will tell. Though I’m feeling much more upbeat to what’s in store for me, than being bogged down by the past. Sure, the past remains for it has already happened, and one could draw invaluable lessons from it to move on and be happier.

Upcoming in September, I’ll be more tied up with work and other personal stuff, but I would still love to make time to meet up with my friends for meals, as well as coffee/drinks, or to even just hang out. And yes, I will be heading to Bintan (work trip)

In the meantime, stick around, because I will be writing more often these days.

Nicole

Yes, like many others, I too, decided to leave the IT industry, where I spent the last 10 years of my life studying IT and obtaining academic qualifications that was supposed to be my ticket to a career in IT after University. Sadly, after a year plus, I started feeling jaded. Even more so after two years, where I am totally convinced I’ve reach a stage of stagnation in my career.

When that happened, it left me in a state of disillusion as well as the struggle of having to stay or to go. There were also bread and butter issues to consider. For a recent graduate into the first job, there are always many first time experiences one has to go through.

Example: Submitting the first resignation letter, serving notice, and making the transition to the next job. Loads of jitters and stress in the process.

Its quite an experience for me, as a first timer, and I am glad that things went pretty well for me, with hiccups here and there. But hey, life’s not a bed of roses… so yeah.

There is no such thing as the right time to leave an industry, but the door of opportunity came when something I really wanted came along… and I decided to take the plunge and try it out. After all, one’s degree do not necessarily dictates staying and slogging in the said industry. I always am believer of being happy, in almost everything, including career. If one is unhappy, no amount of money earned can alleviate the unhappiness. Money don’t buy happiness, though it can buy the things you want.

“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”

Nicole

Thanks be to Him who sent the beautiful guardian angels to show me a light upon my path, and that He led me out of my messy circumstance, turning it all around with all things beautiful. Amen.

My eyes are opened, seeing things in different perspective, as well as learning to treasure myself even more. No more beating up of myself, but instead, learn to smile, and embrace every thing that surrounds me. There are things in life to let go off, and things to hold on to.

Each day brings new hope, as well as learning something new. Its been a challenge not to be overwhelmed, and I am glad to say I am still coping with it. Perhaps its how the hard lessons of the past are paying itself off.

I’m also glad to say that I’m at the tail-end of my loan repayment, and hopefully, the interest bearing loan will be cleared by May 2012. Now that would mean that I can start a proper savings plan!

And for now, all I can say is that, pet therapy, nature therapy, retail therapy as well as close friends and family have helped piece my life back together. I still have a tall mountain to conquer, but now, the steps that I take are firmer, gaining the confidence, and boosting my self esteem.

~A rough gem when polished, shines the brightest.

In this month alone, I quit my job of two years and three months, bidding farewell to the IT industry that I was trained to work in since in the Polytechnic and University. But at the end of the day, I realized that this was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. In fact, I did not do very well in my degree, getting by with a series of C’s and D’s, and at one time, even failing a module. So what if I hold a Computer Science Degree? Its like what the rest would coin the term as, “toilet paper”.

It is a known fact that at least 85% of the people who entered their chosen degree course end up doing something else, and yours truly is now part of this percentage too. However, I do not regret the switch to my new career path. Why? The fact that I am so unhappy with my first job that I had to do something for myself, or risk a trip to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). You could probably figure out how awful I felt, or never really understand. That’s alright. I’m learning to put the unhappy past behind me and move on.

I’ve also came to terms with myself, and it still is quite a journey, to realize something about myself every few days or so. I have not lost my temper that often as I used to in the past. And I am leading a much more satisfying and fruitful life than before. Perhaps, this is a fitting ending before the beginnings of age 26.

Whilst penning this post, I’m 2 days shy turning 26. It may be well be a turning point of my life. My counselor is right. I’ve to find something what I like to do and be happy doing it. It does helps me get through the low points of working more easily, and having a cheery office helps, with all that bright colors and an awesome smack in the city center location, I really can’t ask for more. The road ahead will not be smooth, but I am more prepared than I was a few years ago.

Nicole

Shall not bore you with the hardware specifications, which can be found at AC Ryan’s website

Setting up the media player was a breeze, as I took advantage of the supplied HDMI cable and hooked it up with my TV, and voila, switch on the media player and one just unlocked the world of favorite TV shows and movies.

One immediate feature that I like about the player is that, it wasn’t noisy, and the unit wasn’t very hot despite running it for at least 6 hours, jumping from movie to movie, etc. What impressed me most was that the player itself comes equipped with USB, SD slots, and even for Internet connection. Now isn’t that wonderful? I could download or even stream media content and enjoy them on the big screen.

Did I also mention that one could load a 3.5″ SATA/SATA2 HDD up to 2TB into the AC Ryan PlayOn! HD2 player? If one wishes to mount a 2.5″ HDD, note that the adaptor frame is not included in the package. (You might have to purchase it separately). The following file systems are supported as well: FAT, FAT32, NTFS, EXT3, HFS+ w/out Journaling.

Supporting many video codecs as well as audio formats, this media player truly allows a huge variety of media to be displayed and played.

My family and I fell in love with this media player, and enjoyed the crisp and vibrant display on our 32″ LCD TV.

Many thanks to Shann, from ACRyan for the opportunity to review such a lovely media player.

Nicole

It could do me a lot of good, to actually thrash the issues and face it head on, rather than just sweep it under the carpet and pray it disappear on its own. Even death will not change anything one bit.

Its no doubt a painful journey, but I guess it can’t be helped, for the road to recovery is no doubt a bed of roses.

As I walk on and figure it out along the way, things are slowly becoming clear and apparent. Sometimes its the ugly truth that sets you free, because sugar coated words and bluffy fluff just obscures the line of vision.

Not to worry, I will be alright.

Nicole

I’m accustomed to seeing monitors with the average thickness of 2 magazines stacked together, thus when I was tasked with the opportunity to review the LG E2360 Monitor, I was taken aback by the slim factor and that the weight is definitely lighter compared to other monitors of the same dimension.

With thickness of 0.5″, it is no wonder that it was love at first sight upon assembling the monitor. Assembling took minutes and hardly broke out a sweat lifting it out of the packaging. And with full support for multiple interfaces like D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI, it allows crisp display of graphics, enhancing the visual experience.

As we all know, the most power wastage device on PCs are usually the monitors. I’m pleased to learn that the E60 series consumes up to 45% less energy than normal LCDs, yet producing brighter and vivid display, in full HD-resolution. The monitor does not heat up too quickly, and that the eyes does not feel strained after using it for a gew hours.

Another plus point would be the ease of assembling and moving it around, without fear of dropping it due to the weight. The base shiny finish and the back of the monitor enhances the sleek factor, yet its easy to clean with a dry cloth to remove dust that gets attracted to the surface.

Now excuse me whilst I continue to be mesmerized and fascinated with the display, and I will let you know what I think of it. Check back soon for the full review!

Nicole

its no mystery to what has happened, just that the severity was quite unexpected. but i hope it will be a thing of the past soon… and so, this post will mark the start of a proper recovery.

as i slowly get back to writing gradually, i will also take time to indulge in more things that i want to do. its a good way to destress i reckon.

nicole

Sometimes, they all say its a mental state of mind. I agree. And lately this mental state of mine is sorely tested to its limits.

I would be lying if I say I don’t need a break. I do. And I would love to travel for a short holiday, though funding will be a question.

My mind has been protesting at will, demanding peace and a break. Someday, it will come. Someday.

With each passing day, hopefully, things will start to get better. I really hope it does.

Nicole

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