My new toy - ASUS Fonepad 7 16GB (White) hands on review

TWO and a half years ago, I bought my first smart phone - HTC Incredible S (bundled with Digi Smart Plan) from PC fair 2011 at the cost of RM1394. During that time, the smart phone industry still at its infancy. The cost of ownership was also very high. 

Time has passed so quickly and in just 2 years almost everyone now carrying a smartphone in their pocket, some even carry two or more smartphones, plus a tablet in their hand carry bag.

I follow the tremendous growth of smart phone sale since early days. HTC was a more popular brand during that time while Samsung was rapidly catching up by introducing a series of smart phone line-ups before dominating the smartphones industry not long ago.

Back to basic - Certified in ITIL® Foundation

I am computer science graduate with 13 years of experience in IT field, and 8 years in IT management. I gained a lot of skill as my pursuing my career in IT line. Now I am in IT management position, taking on a comprehensive IT team, assuming my duty as a true leader.

For all my work life, I have never thought I need any written qualifications to move forward. For me nothing beats work experiences. I since learn a lot of hard skills (programming, networking, server administration) and soft skills (ie: communication skill, leadership skill) during work. Besides, I build good relationship with peers, suppliers and friends as they are very important for your career.

Therefore I have never been certified on the paper except my Degree. I have no professional certificate of any kind, until recently I started to figure out how important it is to get certified. I searched in various job seeking web sites and found out that plenty of hirings now requires some kind of certifications, especially for IT positions.

Exora as a workhorse, anyone?

Many of the Exora owners wonder, whether is it suitable to take Exora to work?

My experience for past 2 weeks driving Exora to work showed the answer is a big - YES!


Why?

After owning the Exora for almost a year (I bought December, 2012), I was reluctant to take Exora to work due to its size and weight. I drive my old Iswara 1.3 manual to work for its light clutch and agility. It is until recently when it got a bad lower arm bush and bearing problem and I have no time to fix it.

Same as many people, the biggest reason of not taking the monster to work is, I afraid of its maneuverability in the drastic morning traffic and its capability to keep up with cars. Still, I have not much choice.

The next day, I took my 7-seater to work and I continue to take it to a ride for 2 consecutive weeks.

And... time proves me wrong. YES indeed this car is a bit heavy, but when you are taking it to work, its slow pace acceleration actually calms you in the stressful traffic. The good thing about the Exora is that, it has great sound proof and nice stereo system. Its has great suspensions thus making sure you sit comfortably in the cabin while enjoying your favorite music. It gives a sense of calm to start your work day. And, surprising it is no slouch either, at least not as bad as others complaining about its power.

Looking at the cars from the mirror, the Exora has no problem throwing cars behind. Its accelerates steadily and linear, and able to achieve your desire speed fast. This is especially true when there's only driver in the car. It feels lively (perhaps manual transmission) and mature.

The serenity offered by the Exora immediately injects anti-stress hormones into your bloodstream. It will make sure you stay calm and relax to start your day of work, and to go home with smile in your face.

So guys, why not start driving your Exora to work, and confirm what I say is true.

Best bet to counter fuel price - Switching to two wheeler?

Fuel price for RON95 has been increased from RM1.90 to RM2.10 from 3rd Sept 2013 onward, that's sad news, but that's the fact and we can't do more to revert it.

Yet what we can do is to switch our thinking, and to change our lifestyle to cope with the burden.

There are many ways to do it. But what makes a direct impact is that we should stop using fuel wherever possible, or minimize its usage all the time. But for workers like us, we cannot save beyond the traveling distance to workplace because we have to travel. So bring down traveling expenses within the working distance is the key to save fuel money.

Malaysia's most popular bike - Honda EX-5 Kapchai

We use highways, we use tolls and we caught in jam all the time. This had caused us fatigue, stressful and costs us a lot of money to pay toll and petrol. Imagine travelling all the way from Kajang to Damansara workplace in a box with a 30km route will cost you about RM6 in fuel and RM1.80 toll fare per trip. Added up with the same return route will cost you RM15.6 in total, for just to go and back from work!

Morib-Tanjung Sepat trip with Exora

Yesterday and a day before, we just had a 2-day stress-releasing fun time at Gold Coast Water Theme Park Resort, Morib, Selangor.

We booked the ticket through LivingSocial at the price of RM198/2pax. We purchased 2 tickets that includes one night 2 rooms with breakfast and dinner for 2. We went 7 persons in total with 4 adults and 3 kids under 12 years of age, so the kids need to buy their meal voucher, with the exception of Louis because he's not more than 90cm, he he he! All of us made ourselves comfy in one big heavy monster.

Lemon - The best weight loss super fruit

If you are suffering weight problem and don't have idea to get rid of the GERD, stomach upset, and stubborn belly fat, today I am going to introduce you a proven, highly effective and a natural way that I have tried and tested - the lemon water.

GERD stands for "Gastroesophageal reflux disease". This disease is a result of poor diet and damaged stomach lining, where too much of gas got produced in the stomach. Stomach upsets are mainly indigestion. This is a common illness in Malaysian society due to our spicy, oily and sour food nature, where it causes our stomach unable to digest the food efficiently, leaving the food behind in the stomach and produces discomfort.

Welcome My New Property @ Semenyih Parklands

Last Sunday, on 22nd Sept 2013, I have made a booking for my new house at Semenyih Parklands. Priced at RM418,500 compared to the launching price of RM388,800 back on 7th Sept 2013. Which means, in merely 10 days, they increased the price up to a whooping RM30,000!

This is new phase 2B with new layout. The 20'x65' double story terrace house's layout is actually small compared to the current popular size of 20'x70'. Although the measurement is small, built-up is unexpectedly huge, at 1,943sqft. This project is developed by Amalan Setar.

This property will complete in about 2 years from now, hence expected to complete around Sept, 2015 but I was told it can be a few months earlier.

To book, simply place a RM1,000 booking fee and bring the booking documents to bank to apply for a loan. No hectic queue, no stressful balloting.

UPDATE: This property selling price has been increased to RM438,800 as of middle of Oct, 2013.

UPDATE (28/11/13): Semenyih Parklands will do second launching for phase 2B, Clover on 30th Nov 2013. Price is said to be another increase to estimated RM446,800 but offers discount on the downpayment. So for anyone who interested to take advantage before price hike please visit their show room before the relaunch. Their address can be found at http://www.amalansetar.com.my/contact_us.asp