Sex really sells isn’t it? Even SPH found such a hot female model to do a photoshoot just for the article on the Sony PSP. Below is an attached scan of the ST’s article comparison chart of the current 3 hottest and latest portable handheld gadgets. Click on it for a larger version.

In my opinion, if I were Steve Jobs of Apple Inc, I would really start to panick right now and try to do something about my iPod franchise. Lately having seen the media and several online sites publishing news and doing comparisons btw Sony’s very own PSP and Apple’s popular iPod franchise, has definitely steamed up the whole tech-gadget scene, with industry analysts speculating that even before Mr Sim’s very own Creative starts to fight another round with Apple on the current portable music scene, Sony will emerge to be the sole winner for this round instead. Of course it’s just speculation, but it’s not biased without facts and reasons. One is a portable game handheld as well as an A/V player, while the other is solely just a dedicated portable music player, which makes them really on different league of their own. No doubt that Apple’s iPod franchise is really that popular and hot, that even they had managed to have garnered quite a whole dedicated music industry to support them as well, (the widely popular irish-band U2 did some marketing for them too) so it’s really hard to disregard and diss their capability in this particular market share. But it’s notable to mention that when such a new comer such as Sony enters a market and industry that they are new to, they can actually strike such a success with the public and media just based on the Playstation franchise. Honestly Sony’s Playstation franchise ain’t weak too, but I just didn’t expect them to do so well for the first time they are trying for the portable market. CNET did a review article on the Sony vs Apple issue as well, you can read up more about it here.

Ok enough of all this gadget talk, off to watch the latest episode of The O.C. before I retire for the night. Good night everyone.

Hey minna, I’m back for more updates before I head to bed. I promised to blog about some happier stuffs didn’t I? Anyway at such a sophisticated age like this, I’m sure many of you definitely have either a portable music player or gaming handheld, or maybe even a portable digital assistant aka PDA. Anyway I’m proud to announce, I finally bought my first portable gaming/video/music handheld which is the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) (my Nokia Taco doesn’t count btw, it’s more like a phone than gaming handheld to me), got it sometime after CNY was over, about 2 weeks ago. Pretty much splurged my whole ang baos on it, costs me $688 for the whole bundle consisting of the PSP Value pack, Martins Field Screen Overlay Plus and one PSP game (I got Lumines). And that is not all, cos practically Sony only included a 32MB Memstick Pro in the original package that can’t save shit other than serving for those game saves purpose. So I also got myself a brand new Sandisk 512MB Memstick Duo Pro for storing music and videos for another $130. *rolls-eyes* So all in all I actually spent about $818 for all these, zzz how’s that for a new year start, talk about spending recklessly heh.

Though it was an expensive investment, honestly I had to say it was quite a worthwhile purchase. Firstly, I was actually looking for a dedicated MP3-player, and secondly, PSP not only serves as a portable gaming handheld console but also functions as a portable PDE that plays music and videos. So while I was contemplating whether to get an Apple iPod Mini or Creative Zen Micro for that matter, it suddenly struck me that I could actually buy the Sony PSP to kill two birds with one stone. Afterall my Taco (Read: Nokia N-gage) was giving me some irritating problems with its music function; sometimes it simply refuses to skip to the next track after a track has played finished, or sometimes the player will just hang after looping a few songs, which is utterly irritating while listening to music on-the-go outside. So after I got my Sony PSP, I got rid of my Taco soon by selling it off for $250, so you could say I recuperated abit of my money that went into the PSP. Anyway Willie from Mega Multimedia was nice enough to give me a discount for e whole package, cos during that week the Value Pack would cost you $699 without e Martins Field Protector, with just one game bundled. So I actually got myself quite a good bargain, thanks to him. And also thanks to my Sony PSP, now I finally don’t have to endure boring moments while commuting via MRT or bus rides. *elated*

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Yes my friends and readers, I’m finally doing some updates for my blog (it’s right about time). This is turning out to be very ridiculous, it’s like I’m only doing updates twice per month, trying to cut myself some slack. OMG…where on earth did my writing enthusiasm go? This is seriously bad and I hate myself, but partly also due to the fact there’s nothing new to update about my life currently, yet.

Ok I admit. So I’m was just rather depressed recently. Trying to sort some things out in my life, particularly my studying route or path for that matter. On the contrary I may seem indifferent, nonchalant to matters like these. But recently I seem to have gotten some wake-up call from someone (Jesus perhaps?) that it’s really time to do some serious planning about it, instead of having that kind of uncertainty about my future. People who know me long and well enough, will usually just deem me as someone whom can take things easily, happy-go-lucky kind of person. People who don’t know me well, judging from my appearance and accessory that I own and have, will just view and judge me as an ‘ah sia kia‘, if you get what I mean. The truth is, I’m not. I really want to stand on my own feet and do everything by my own independence, but I just currently don’t have the strength nor ability to that’s all. Maybe that’s just an excuse, but I really wished that I could support myself, and not live off my parents. Not having to pay for my handphone/internet bills is truly a breeze and a blessing for many, but I really don’t feel good nor proud about it. I have a friend who is currently same age as me, just ORDed back in Jan this year. He did his private A’s at YMCA just before he went into NS, and now after NS he’s not even making plans to enter uni nor planning to step out to society for work. He’s basically living off his parents and yes he’s rich, no doubt about that. Gonna get his first car which is the Mitsubishi Evolution IX releasing in July this year, a prezzie from his mum. Compared to him, it’s like one heaven and earth. But my point is not this. I could never figured out why he doesn’t have his own dreams and ambition, to accomplish himself or succeed himself with a career or something. Am I thinking too far for my age? I don’t really think so. Then again, he doesn’t really need to worry about living expenses, so probably he wouldn’t feel the need to work unless his family ends up in dire need; dire poverty for that matter. *touch wood*

So matters aside, back to my story. I recently checked out several options for my studying route. My original plans was to head for NAFA, to study visual comm/arts. I have this strong interest in media and design and so far after doing some decent research, NAFA’s School of Visual Arts fits my criteria. But the problem is, I don’t fit their entry requirements. They recently had this open house thingy and I went, the environment and place is great. But my heart sank when I figured out I couldn’t fit for their entry requirements. This kind of feeling, it’s like I totally lost hope and faith in something I had always believed in. I’m utterly disappointed and angry with myself, for the fact that I didn’t study hard enough back then, and for not doing anything about it while I was serving my NS. I can still try for the special entry panel though, with my portfolio through the interview. But I seriously doubt I will make it, or you could just say I don’t have the confidence that I would make it pass the interview. So my plans and alternatives for now? To take up private O’s and sit for the O levels exam this year, or head for higher dip at MDIS or somewhere else. Just thinking about the alternatives, fucked my mind out of it. Firstly, with my current dip in IT with Informatics, I could never make it in the IT industry if I would to look for a job, and also I did’t really wanna go into IT, I have basically lost my interest for it, not going into programming or networking for that matter. Secondly, if I would to hold on to my original plans for my studies at NAFA, it would mean wasting one year, taking my O levels, and waiting for the 2006 NAFA intake, which would mean alot to me, since I’m not considered very young anymore. Which means, by the time I complete my dip at NAFA, I would be 26 years old. Following up with the degree route, if taken full-time it would mean I will get my degree after one year, if not two years if taken part-time. the 4 or 5 years route of studying would probably mean investing alot of my precious time and hardwork into it, not to mention my parent’s money too. So all these planning and time thing, actually kinda racked my brains. I seem to have made up my mind though, pretty much sticking to my original plan of heading to NAFA. But if I take this route, it also means I have to find somewhere to study for my O’s this year, and having to find a part-time job too (I wanna try to finance myself independently). Ahh just thinking and planning about all these sure has definitely killed aplenty of my brain cells and tickled my brains. But I figured that I really don’t wanna let myself down again, and also not wanting to disappoint my parents, afterall they were the ones who brought me into this world, so I should make them proud.

Sigh, guess I should cheer up. Been pretty much depressed for the past few days over this matter, but I think I’ve made up my mind pretty much. Just wish me luck and I hope I will pass my O’s this year with flying colors. (^ ^)” Ok I’m off for dinner, signing out adios folks!

First of all, Gong Xi Fa Cai, Wan Shi Lu Yi (Shinen Omedetto) to all my friends and readers reading this, it’s this time of the year again. The first day of CNY was good, collected lotsa ang baos, though I’m still quite surprised I’m not yet that eager to go open them up and count the overall amount I’ve gotten. (Yup I haven’t counted them!) Anyway I believe that Chinese New Year is not only about collecting ang baos and enjoying good food, it’s all about sharing the special occasion and having that bond with the family and relatives. So for the next few days I hope to spend some quality time with my family, my Mum has the whole week off till next Mon, so actually this is a good time to spend time with my family since I don’t get to go out with them often unlike my sis.

So CNY aside, today is also a special day for one of my closest friend, Priscilla. Hey happy birthday to you gurl, may all your wishes come true, bliss and happiness be with ya. Don’t forget to invite me to your wedding if you ever decide to get married this year with Weirong ok? *Grins* Ok ok no teasing, but after seeing you surviving a rough patch with him recently, I’m glad to see things are turning out fine for the both of you. Just take it easy and enjoy the company between the both of you while you still can ya? Life is short and if you trust him, just let nature take its course, eventually one day everything will be sorted out. Also on this very special day of yours, I just wanna say I’m really glad to have met you, it’s surprising how a simple stumbling upon each other’s blog can lead to a deep friendship like ours. You go gurl, enjoy yourself on this special day with him ya?

So happy stuffs aside, somehow I’m feeling kind of weird, especially during this time of the year. Somehow it dawns on me that this is still like last year. I still can vividly remember during this time last year, I was really looking forward to my ORD day. Samuel just starting clearing his leave I think, since he’s ORDing in April. Promised to catch up with him soon since he’s more free now, haven’t seen him in awhile. Anyway things aside, I’m really missing my friends. People like Jerm, Shaun, Janet, Cynthia, Ai Lee, Henry, Jon and alot more. It’s really been some time since I saw them and I really kinda missed them. But well life’s like that, you know friendships are bound to be afar at times, and it’s hard for friendships to survive like this, due to busy schedule and all. Somehow somehow, I really do hope I will appreciate my friends more in future, and vice versa. It’s really heart-wrenching to know some friends take friendships for granted, and it hurts you even more when they don’t treasure you unlike yourself. Just that day I was talking to Jerm online in IRC, and we got into a small dispute, a minor quarrel or debate actually. And can you believe it, it was actually over NS. Yes National Service, I can’t believe I spoke up and debated over this blardly stewpig topic. Granted I was engulfed in my own emotions and opinions, I still felt that he was kinda selfish, to push everything and the blame that he doesn’t have enough time to catch up with his friends due to his responsibility as an RP while serving NS. Ok so maybe I was alittle carried off with my words, but then again I meant what I said. Then again, like he said it’s just his unit, his very ‘fiaked up’ unit. With such a life in there, it would be understanding that one would turn mad under such a circumstance living a life like that in there. So perhaps next time, I should be more forgiving and understanding with my words. Maybe only the person itself would be able to understand it, on-lookers wouldn’t understand a shite about it. So am I in the wrong actually to comment about it? Maybe I am. I’m so often criticised that I rashly for my own actions, probably cos I get too carried away with my own emotions and feelings at times. Anyway Jerm if you’re reading this, no hard feelings ya? It was all for our own good, I just wanted us to catch up and spend time together that’s all, you know how I feel. (Boku wa kimochi desu?) Maybe I tend to be selfish with my own feelings at times, but you know the reason behind it. And probably like what you said, you would only be truthfully happy only after you’re out of NS. Then again I just want you to have a positive outlook while you’re still serving your NS, it’s still your responsibility as a NSF afterall. Hope you understand.

Awhile ago in IRC, I had a small discussion with a couple of my friends. Basically we concluded, some people practise ‘double standards’. Double personalities even, it’s rather apparent among your friends, if you noticed it carefully. Now my question is, why would anyone do that? Can’t you be more truthful to yourself? To your feelings? Then again, speaking or expressing yourself directly and freely, is often seen as an act of foolishness or stupidity. You’re just plain selfish to say whatever you feel like, without giving a damn shite about how others would feel about it, how people close to you would feel about it, maybe even getting hurted by your comments directly or indirectly. It’s just like love, we all understand that somehow throughout the process, we will expectingly be getting hurted in a way or the other, you or the other opposite sex. But knowing that still we will endlessly try and hope, working hard towards something known as our ‘perfect’ love idealogy. Sounds familiar to you?

Somehow, living in this world tend to make me wonder about lotsa things. I wonder why in life are we bound to have so much questions regarding life, and we have to go through various hardships, ‘ups and downs’ to understand the meaning of it. Doubts. Assumptions. All of us have had it. But we are still mindlessly searching the answer for it. Good gracious, it’s like a neverending storybook, except that when we die, the story comes to the end.

I should sleep. This kind of topic makes my heart heavy, my mind troubled. As much as one would like to live freely and carefree, so often are we bounded by circumstances or boundaries that wouldn’t allow us to, simply because we are living in this world. Even if living with an idealogy created by anyone…somehow one day a new problem or issue will arise. It’s then up to us again, to determine and wreck our minds on how to resolve it. Now do you understand, why there are such people, such as Hitler, mindlessly dreaming about creating his ‘ideal’ idealogy and world, as a dictator? Because if you don’t, I actually do. Good nite everyone.