The All New Kindle

When I first logged onto Amazon today (yes, I log on quite a few times in one day), I was surprised to see a letter. I quickly scanned through it and was excited to learn about the all new Kindle Touch.

Yes! A Kindle that has a touch screen instead of the keyboard. I’ve been hoping Amazon would release one. But Amazon didn’t only launch just a Kindle Touch. They also launched Kindle Fire, a Kindle Touch with Color, something I’ve also been hoping for because I’d really like Kindle to have because I want to see book covers in color instead of just black and white.

From the looks of it, Kindle Fire will have the same capabilities of other tablets already in the market – the iPad, the Galaxy tab or the Playbook. It’ll have apps and media playback. It boasts of cloud storage, something I’m not quite sure if it’s available on the other tablets.

I’m quite excited for reviewers to get their hands on these new Kindles. From the reviews, I’ll decide if I’ll get just the Kindle Touch or go ahead with the Kindle Fire.

Your thoughts?

Remembering 9/11/2001

Thank God my family and I were nowhere near New York and Washington DC on that fateful day, September 11, 2001.

I remember that night vividly. I was sitting around in my dorm when George, my landlord said in a rather casual tone “World War III na” (World War III is happening now). I was alarmed and we immediately switched the TV to news.

And there it was, the scariest thing I ever saw: the first of the twin towers on fire, smoke and fire everywhere. Commentators were narrating that an airplane had crashed into the twin towers and that it was a terrorist attack.

Moments later, we were horrified to see a second plane crash into the second tower.

My dorm mates and I were staring at the TV stupidly. We were all kinds of scared. We watched in horror as we saw the first tower crumble down, shortly followed by the second tower.

I remember praying for the lives lost and for the people who were determined to rescue lives. I remember panicking inside and thinking about what I had read in the bible and wondered if this was really the start of WWIII. After all, everyone knew that the great country of America would not take this attack sitting down.

Indeed they did not.

Almost 3,000 lives lost. Families broken. Dreams shattered. Parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, fiances and fiancees, sons and daughters, friends and loved ones lost.

Luckily, more than 3,000 heroes emerged. Yes, these are the men and women who saved other lives in the midst of danger. Yes, these are also the men and women who stood up to against terrorism. And these are also the people who helped the bereaved and grief-stricken survive.

September 11, 2001 was the worst day and the best day of mankind --- so far. It was the worst as we have seen effects of extremism and the suffering and violence and evil that comes with it. It was the best day because on that day, we showed what we as members of the human race, are capable of. We are capable of great acts of love and courage and kindness and bravery and heroism.

#Wewillneverforget

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

I spent a few days and a weekend with Emily Griffin’s “Something Borrowed” and “Something Blue”. What made me read these books? I had just finished watching “Something Borrowed”, a movie that came out earlier this year.

As what it usually is, the book is better than the movie. No surprise there. The movie did have some nice quirks to it but not enough to compare it to the book. The book was well-written but had some dragging moments. Despite these dragging moments the book, it was infinitely more entertaining than the movie. I wish the movie was more faithful to the book. Now that I think about it, I hardly recognize the book after seeing the movie. Ethan wasn’t supposed to be that prominent of a figure in the movie. He wasn’t in love with Rachel at all. Claire wasn’t this crazy girl who was in love with Ethan. Somehow, Dex and Marcus wasn’t as annoying in the book. Darcy was likable in the movie but very annoying in the book. The confrontation scene was all wrong too. It might’ve been way better if they stuck with the book version.

The movie version keeps all the significant moments intact but I wish the scriptwriters found the perfect balance between movie writing and the book.

“Something Blue” for me is far more entertaining than Something Borrowed. I actually chuckled at one point. This is the book where Darcy realizes she’s been shallow and where she begins to mature and actually know what love is. Something Borrowed created the perfect back story for Something Blue. It’s definitely a better read. Funnier. More heartwarming. Ingredients to the perfect chick-lit.

My recommendation: Read the book, then watch the film and then read Something Blue.

Here’s the trailer for Something Borrowed, out on DVD since August 16, 2011.

Adele – Someone Like You

Tonight, a BBM contact was listening to Adele and I could see what he was listening to. So out of curiosity, I checked out Adele’s discography.

“Someone Like You” was the most interesting title to me and so I went to a site that could play the song for me.

Listening to the lyrics reminded me of my great love so far.

I was asked by a new girl friend last Friday night if I ever really thought of us (him and me) getting married some day. I answered truthfully and said that it did come up in the conversations we had then. I did like the idea but I don’t think I could’ve married him.

I didn’t believe then that he was the best match for me, hence our break up. Plus, thinking about it now, it wouldn’t have worked out anyway. I know myself. I’m secretly a workaholic but lazy at the same time. I’m thinking that I couldn’t have possibly fit him in with the life I had after graduation.

I had gone to Phoenix One where I met some of the most talented people I know. I wasn’t even able to finish the two year course because I went to the US for a couple of months. When I came back, I was expecting to go to the US again within the year so I decided to work in the BPO industry while waiting. I worked nights since I had to work US hours. What was supposed to be a few months working the night shift ended after four years and two companies.

I loved the night shift for a short while but I was tired all the time. I really can’t see how we could’ve fit each other into a schedule, especially now that I know that he works in the BPO industry as well. We probably wouldn’t have the same rest days, hence we couldn’t really spend time together.

I work days now. He still works at night. Knowing myself, we probably would’ve broken up sometime in the last three years. And I’m not just saying this to console myself. I know it. Because he tried really hard to keep us together but I wanted to do nothing after work. I still don’t want to do anything after work except Friday nights.

In the end, he is with the best girl for him because she gave him what I couldn’t or wouldn’t.

This realization, my friends, is what I can call closure.

What pops out most from Adele’s song? This part right here:

“Never mind, I’ll find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you two”.

And it IS over for me.

Suits

Suits, a new USA Network series starring Gabriel Macht (Because I Said So) and Patrick J. Adams.

Gabriel Macht plays Harvey Specter, a hotshot undefeated lawyer and senior partner at the Pearson Hardman firm takes on a talented and smart new associate Mike Ross played by Patrick J. Adams.

I am seriously loving this new series. The episode airs Thursday nights at 10 pm.

The episodes are cleverly written, full of wit, sarcasm and charm.

Currently, it’s six episodes in and will run until the season finale to be aired on September 8, 2011.

Really hoping it’ll come back really soon for a 22 episode Season 2. :)

Best Meal of The Week

If you’re like me and you just LOVE Chinese food, I highly recommend the following restaurants in no particular order:

• Mongkok (you can read my review of the resto here)
• HapChan
• Gloria Maris
• Super Bowl of China

Best meal of the week came from Super Bowl of China. :)

My family and I first ate together at Super Bowl of China just last week before seeing the “It’s Complicated: A Valentine Concert in July” by Jose Mari Chan and The Company (wonderful concert by the way) at the SMX Convention Center. I’d always gone to this resto with other friends but never with my parents.

My dad brought home some food from Super Bowl of China last night. Imagine my delight. He got us the following:

(pictures taken from Super Bowl of China website)

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Eggplant with Minced Pork Hot and Spicy

Steamed Fish Fillet with Garlic

Deep Fried Cuttlefish with Spicy Salt

You guys reading this, I’m telling you. The combination of these dishes, it was like an orgasm in my mouth. And you know what? We ate these unheated. And it’s been sitting in our kitchen table for at least 2 hours before we ate it. Add to that maybe an hour for traveling from the SM Mall of Asia to our home. It was THAT good.

By the way, if you order food for dining in or to go, you get a pair of coupons that you can use on your next visit. I don’t know how long this promo goes on but we’ve gotten it twice and the it’s the same pair. You get a coupon for free Yang Chow fried rice for a minimum order of P750 on your next visit. You also get another coupon for P200 off your next delivery bill for a minimum order of P1000. Fabulous marketing strategy, I must say. :)

Battlestar Galactica: Cylon

This is one of the best rides in Universal Studios Singapore.

If you’re visiting, I highly recommend that you go on this ride. In the meantime, here’s a first person view of the ride:

The Avengers Official Trailer

It’s basically nothing. But it’s the first one. I’m sure the succeeding trailers will be awesome.

 

Who else is excited??

I miss the days when I had nothing to write about yet I had a lot of blog entries.

Compare that to having a lot to write about and yet having no time to write.

Tragedy.

Singapore for the Weekend

So I went with two of my closest friends (Carla and Royce) to Singapore recently for the weekend. We had so much fun. At least I did. But I think they had more fun than I did since they got to experience the night life at Clark Quay.

But before I share what happened in Singapore, I just want to acknowledge God’s blessings on me and my friends for letting us take this Singapore trip. There are people who can’t afford a weekend in Singapore while there are some people who can afford a weekend but don’t go due to time constraints. My friends and I could afford it and we had the time to do it too so I just want to thank God for it.

So here’s what happened:

• Tickets: I got my plane tickets from Cebu Pacific who, at the time, was offering the lowest ticket price. I chose to pay for a specific seat going to Singapore (P100). I paid around P7950 in total. Don’t forget the terminal fee (P1620) and another fee that I forgot what it was for (P750).
• Taxi: I arrived at the Budget Terminal of Singapore at around 1 am. I had to go to Terminal 2 in Singapore from the Budget Terminal to meet up with Carla before going to the hotel where Royce was checked in. The bus going to the “main” terminal was free. It arrives every ten minutes, I was told. The trip was maybe 10 minutes short. After meeting with Carla, we took a taxi going to Little India. The entire trip cost $69.80 SGD. I was told that was pretty normal because taxi fares after midnight is calculated this way: Regular Fare + 50% of Regular Fare + Night Differential + $3 SGD.
• The Hotel: We stayed in Hotel Aspinals in Little India. The room was neat. The bathroom was really small but I’m happy to report that it didn’t clog. The hotel fee included breakfast for two. Let me warn you: eat your breakfast somewhere else.

Mustafa Center was right across the Hotel and we bought some chips and bread and some jam because we were pretty hungry. We got red wine at the nearby 711. We got bottled water too which cost a little over $1 SGD. We drank the wine and slept at around 5 am. Woke up at 10 am, got ready and headed on to Universal Studios.

• Cable Car: We took the MRT to Harbour Front and walked around and decided to take the Cable Car ride ($24 SGD for a one way ticket and $26 SGD for a roundtrip ticket) to Sentosa. We walked all the way to Universal Studios which was a pretty long walk.
• Universal Studios: I committed the mistake of just purchasing the Express Passes ($48 SGD for one) for the three of us thinking it would be cheaper that way. When we got there, we were told that we needed to buy the regular tickets and that the Express Passes were an additional service. We all decided to just buy the regular tickets. We did the following:
• Revenge of The Mummy (must!)
• Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure
• Lunch at Marty’s Casa Del Wild
• Canopy Flyer
• Shrek 4D Adventure (must!)
• Enchanted Airways
• Battlestar Galactica: Cylon (must!)
• Battlestar Galactica: Human (must!)
• Monster Rock

We ended up leaving the park a little past 7 PM and took our cable car ride home.

Carla and Royce went to Clark Quay for some nightlife and I opted to stay at the hotel because I was so tired from all the walking we did.

Sunday morning, we woke up pretty late and had lunch at a nearby Chinese stall. We then went to Sim Lim, the place where they had the Merlion, had ice cream, then to Lucky Plaza, Chinatown and then to Clark Quay for dinner. We headed on back to the hotel to get our bags by 8pm and we were at the airport by 9:30 pm.

Useful tips for Travelling to Singapore:

• If you plan on doing a lot of walking, wear the most comfortable pair of slippers or sneakers that you have.
• Change your money for at least $200 SGD ($1 USD is equal to $1.20 SGD as of writing). Believe me, you’ll need it for transportation, food and shopping.
• Book your hotel early.
• Go to Clark Quay. They have excellent food choices. They had like a tent full of food stalls for relatively affordable prices.

That’s it! :)

Planned next stop: Hong Kong with Carla and Royce. :)