Life: Internet & I

Internet, like some other people, already part of my life and can't be separated from it anymore now. I still remember the early days of internet with dial-up modem speed of 14.4K, 28.8K and 56K (max)... with its typical sound while connecting, and the pain of being disconnected at anytime while surfing using the now-extinct-Netscape. Now, in broadband era, surfing speed is amazing and it keeps growing...

It always be my dream to be able to surf internet anywhere with acceptable speed and affordable price. It's only after 5 years living in Singapore, the launch of Wireless@SG fulfilled part of my dream... and it's free! But, it's only available at certain places only. WiMax gave some hopes but it still not commercially available till today. GPRS gave a slow and expensive mobile internet experience using PDA phone... then, came 3G with faster internet... and now 3.5G (HSDPA) with even faster speed.

It was M1 who is the first offering mobile internet... it immediately catched my attention. Quite keen to subscribe, but in the end, I decided not because I still think it is not the right time yet... the speed still not acceptable for me... need to wait until this new technology stable. Besides that, I am StarHub subscriber so it just a matter of time that StarHub will offer the similar service. So, when StarHub launch its MaxMobile subscription, my waiting is over... When my MaxOnline contract expired last month, I downgraded it to MaxOnline Express Plus (from MaxOnline Premium) which bundled with unlimited 1Mbps mobile broadband. It comes with Huawei E170 USB Stick and Data SIM Card (not free though, need to pay for it). The SIM Card (3G) can be used in any 3G Phone but can only be used for data, no voice call. Since I only have one 3G phone, no choice that I have to interchangeably the SIM Card... not conveniece but it's OK. Well, wish can upgrade to dual SIM Card Windows-based PDA phone (none in the market at the moment), or get another 3.5G phone free... ha ha ha ... dream on it!

Using my new LG KS20 - a slim, beautiful, and affordable Windows-based PDA Phone which support 3.5G - I start experiencing the convenience of internet browsing anywhere at last. But wait, not everywhere I can surf at 3.5G speed ("H" indicator)... most of the time still at 3G speed ("3G" indicator)... worst at GPRS speed ("G" indicator) in MRT!

Based on my early mobile internet experience, at 3.5G speed, video streaming runs quite smoothly with minimal disruption. Well... not sure whether it will be still same speed if later on more and more people starts using mobile broadband internet, since - in the end - all should share the limited bandwidth... sigh!

FYI: Cute Baby Polar Bear

Source: National Geographic on Bear Beginnings: New Life on the Ice

FYI: Nice Quilt, Mike

Source: bbc.co.uk website Daily in Pictures 24-Jul-2008

FYI: Don't Let Your Dog Drive!

Source: Today Online, 26-Jul-2008

FYI: Ngaben - One of Balinese Great Tradition

Source: bbc.co.uk website Week in Pictures 12-19 July 2008

Life: Me & Singapore

This month, I've been 7 years living in Singapore. That time, I decided to land my feet into Singapore soil after my previous company, a life insurance, was acquired by Prudential and I chose to leave the company under 'golden shakehand' scheme then took couple of months break... Well, Singapore was such a new experience and different both life and working environment than I used to.

But, it was not the first time I've been in Singapore.... it was back in 1993 when it was the first time I came to Singapore. At that time I came to install payroll program in one of Singapore company which had factory in Batam. The office was located at Bukit Timah Road near Kandang Kerbau Hospital and the building where at the ground floor there were car & motorbike showroom. I stayed in Hotel Asia @ Scott Road (now has been demolished)... and it was also the first time I step into Orchard Road which is just a walk distance away from the hotel.

Since then, I've been to Singapore several times... once together with my previous boss visiting one of telecom company to explore the possible of joint venture and then twice accompanied my mother seek treatment and had surgery in Mt Elizabeth and Gleneagles Hospital. Hmm... a bit coincidence that now I am working in healthcare company...
I still remember that during that time was the era of 'dot-net boom'... where I can see along the Orchard Road, some companies launched their new website and people so keen and curious to see. And also, that year was the launch of free 'TODAY' newspaper, if I was not wrong, because I still remember that I can get that free newspaper distributed in front of Orchard MRT station...

And, it was in the early years of me in Singapore, the 911 attack took place (Channel News Asia provided 24 hours live coverage), saw the twin tower collapsing, the rise of terrorism, and the worse... the second round of asia economic crisis... and at least I've been experiencing the property cycle... the property crash following the asia economic crisis and then its boom last year.

Well... now I am looking forward to live for many more years here in Singapore.

FYI: Beautiful Place - Gonna Go There Someday

Source: National Geographic on 8 Natural Wonders Added to UN Heritage List

FYI: Unicorn Fish

Source: National Geographic on Unicorn Fish

Sports: Rafael Nadal - Wimbledon Title Dream Comes True

After 3 consecutive years reach Wimbledon final and meet the same opponent, Rafael Nadal finally grab his first Wimbledon title and ends Roger Federer's dominant in grass court.

In a tiring and longest 5 set match in Wimbledon history, interupted 3 times by rain, Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7.

After Rafael Nadal's convincing first 2 sets, Roger Federer fought back in an incredible way in the next 2 sets with his thunder serves and brilliant strike. He escaped couple of Nadal's championship points and look like the last year drama will repeat again. But hard-fought Rafael Nadal finally be able to break Federer's serve when the final set score is at 7-7 to make it 8-7 in his favor and serve for championship. With no more mistake, he be able to get the crucial points and bring home the Wimbledon title and trophy. Surely he can bit the trophy as often as he wants (see the picture)... he he he.

It such an incredible and entertaining games by the two top tennis players. It worth of watching it till early in the morning.

Congratulation and bravo Rafael Nadal!! And yes... my wife is very happy that her favorite player wins, especially if it is against Roger Federer!!

KSImage: Bird with My Favorite Color's Feather

I took this picture during one of my visit to Jurong Bird Park. I am not sure what kind of bird is this but its feather color is very nice... one of my favorite color. Furthermore, its feather color match the color of the rocks.
(c) KSImage

Life: My Photo Image Gallery Blog

I posted quite numbers of my photo image pictures in the beginning of this blog and don't do that anymore since then but I still have quite number of pictures to share, so I decided to create another blog just to dedicate it to all pictures I have taken since I owned digital cameras. Only selected pictures will be posted in this blog.

If you interested to see my photo image collections, visit this blog: http://ksimage.blogspot.com

Well, there will be no 'Me' in the pictures. It will only consists picture of objects. I don't like be in picture because I will not look good in it, not photogenic... looks even uglier...

Hope you will enjoy it...

FYI: Twin Red Pandas (Tai & Pip)

Source: bbc.co.uk website Daily in Pictures 19-Jun-2008

FYI: Young Snow Leopard Cub in Zurich Zoo (Indeever)

Source: bbc.co.uk website Daily in pictures 20-Jun-2008

Sports: Rafael Nadal - Definitely King of Clay Court

After convincingly winning his 4th Grand Slam title, all in French Open and clay court, Rafael Nadal - World No.2 in ATP Tour ranking - is definitely King of Clay Court. He crushed Roger Federer (currently World No.1) 6-1 6-3 6-0 in an almost perfect performance. Roger Federer still can't find way to beat Rafael Nadal, even after employed clay-specialist coach, and now have been beaten in 8 of 9 matches between them on clay. Only this French Open title still keep Roger Federer out of a perfect tennis career.

Rafael Nadal is a very kind and humble guy - never see him loose temper during the match - and also a very hard working and tough player, never give up until last point and always be able to make incredible comeback when left behind quite far in scoring... patiently collect point-by-point to win the set. 

Rafael Nadal's trademark is biting every trophy he won, see the picture!

He still have quite long way to overtake Roger Federer, who still shows the best of him in most of the tournaments he participate. He needs to prove himself in other surface and the next challenge is Wimbledon which he almost win last year after exhausted 5 sets match with Roger Federer. Still he has to keep his pace and not let Novak Djokovic (World No.3) pass him. Fortunately he still be able to hold Djokovic after 2 wins, both in semifinal, in clay court this year.

My wife is Rafael Nadal's big fan and can't miss any of his match!

Sports: Ana Ivanovic - She is No.1 now

After the retirement of former No.1, Justine Henin, the defeat of Maria Sharapova in 4th round, important match with Jelena Jankovic in semifinal, Ana Ivanovic wins French Open to capture her first grand slam title - after failed in two previous grand slam finals last year French Open and this year Australian Open - and subsequently for certain she will become the world women tennis No.1.

Ana Ivanovic convincingly beats Dinara Safina in the final 6-4 6-3. Credit to much improve and stunning performance of Dinara Safina for her way to the final by beating Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva, and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

So, my prediction in my previous article about Ana Ivanovic in no nonsense and turn to reality in only two-and-half months! And, with her young 20-years old age, she has very bright future ahead.

Congratulation Ana Ivanovic... go and get the rest of the grand slam titles!!

Freeware: GMail Drive Shell Extension

If you are looking for free online storage, consider GMail Drive shell extension. By using this useful utility, you will be able to make use the generous GMail storage size (6.7GB, as of this article written) to keep any file sizes not more than max. GMail attachment size (currently 20MB).

GMail Drive creates a virtual filesystem on top of your Google Gmail account and enables you to save and retrieve files stored on your GMail account directly from inside Windows Explorer. GMail Drive literally adds a new drive to your computer under the My Computer folder, where you can create new folders, copy and drag'n'drop files to. So, it will very convenience to use because you already familiar with Windows Explorer and its functionality.

For detail you can visit this website and download the setup file and install it when you think it is useful for you.

FYI: Little Clawed Otters (cute)

Source: mypaper online, 3-Jun-2008

Life: Memory of Living in Choa Chu Kang

I went to Choa Chu Kang's Lot 1 Shoppers' Mall last week with one objective... having lunch in my favorite Japanese food stall there where I haven't been there quite long already, but only to face disappointment. Lot 1 Shoppers' Mall is under renovation and expansion including the basement Food Junction (it moves to 4th floor) and as result, some of the food stall were closed including my favorite food stall, Sumo Japanese Cuisine. It is special for me because it is where I started my appetite on the Japanese sushi & sashimi, especially the raw salmon... so sweet & tasty (even bears like salmon!). Since I am quite particular on food, I order almost the same meal each time I ate there, so they will know automatically what I am going to order... So sad that it is no more there, probably it has been closed quite sometime already... because can't compete with those established Japanese restaurant chains and rising rental. The front stall which sell my favorite bubble tea, nasi lemak, and fried banana, also has not been there anymore...

Five years ago, I live in Choa Chu Kang area, Northvale condo specifically for three years... it was my first time living in condominium in Singapore, thanks to the affordable rental cost at that time due to property downturn. The condo is very near to MRT station, bus station, and mall. So, I enjoy living there so much. Since the mall is just across the street, I can go there anytime to eat, window shopping, watch movie, and visit library.

Well... like people always says, the consistent thing in this world is change, so there it goes. I am not sure whether I will still go to Choa Chu Kang since I have lost the 'link'.

Japanese Drama: Takako Matsu

Takako Matsu is absolutely my favourite Japanese actress. She is very cute... just look at the picture and you will agree with me.

First time I watch Takako Matsu is in Love Generation where she plays an interesting role as a girl who just being dumped when she meet her unexpected true love, played by Takuya Kimura. Takako Matsu and Takuya Kimura forms a perfect pair in that drama. And, the partnership continue to the Hero, another interesting drama.

I just finished watch her latest drama, Yakusha Damashii (a.k.a At the Soul of an Actor), a very touching story about relationship of an orphan lady who get used to live alone, an old and selfish theatre actor who also live alone in his older days, and two little children who abandoned by their mother. A bit plain story in the beginning episodes but getting more interesting along the way, especially when the interactive between characters start take place. In my view, she acted very well in this drama.

She is also has singing career, but I haven't found any song of her that I favourite so far... well I will keep searching. But honestly, I love to see her in drama as actress rather than her as a singer, so I am looking forward to her next drama.

Japanese Drama: I Watched Them Before

Before Korean Drama spread their wings to the world and conquer my interest with their trademark and sweet love story plus beautiful love songs OST, I used to watched Japanese Drama. Japanese Drama has their own characteristic... well... love still part of the story, but in my view, the dialogs and conversations is the most interesting part because sometimes it is quite philosophical, deep meanings, and surprising. I envy the sound of  maturity of those conversations and I learn a lot from it.

In term of story line, the Japanese Drama that I watched, was quite different to Korean Drama. While Korean Drama most of the time exploited to much on the fate, destiny, complex past life affairs, cinderella-like love story, and complicated love web, Japanese Drama seems not exploit those kind of story line, it shows more on the personal relationship issues, personal characteristic, change of heart, change the way of thinking, and sometimes even try to step into unfamiliar and controversial zone. So, even though the love is not the central of story, they still interested to be watched.

I watched Great Teacher Onizuka, Forbidden Love, Love Generation, and Hero. The first two have Nanako Matsushima as lead actress, while the last two have Takako Matsu as lead actress. Both are pretty.... but I like Takako Matsu more, she has great chemistry with Takuya Kimura in those drama. Nowadays, once and a while I still love to watch those drama and probably would like to watch some other more once I feel boring of Korean Drama.

FYI: A Rare Breed (Tapir)

Source: Today Online, 2-May-2008

FYI: Happy Birthday, Spam

Source: Today Online, 2-May-2008

FYI: Giant Squid

Source: Today Online, 30-April-2008

Korean Drama: Chae Rim

I've written about several Korean actress in my previous articles, but it is not complete without this actress. Yeah... she is Chae Rim. Not the prettiest but very cute and her trademark smile is one of her main attractiveness, a smile that can make people happy. She look young and pretty with her straight short or long hair, but can look that old and ugly with her curly hair.

No matter what, she is still special to me because she is the lead actress in the first Korean Drama that I ever watched, All About Eve. Her acting role in that drama as a nice and pity girl has catch people heart and make her easily to remember.

Chae Rim has quite long and successful career as an actress. She starts acting when she was 15 years old and has been involved in many drama. In most of her drama that I have watched, she got role as a girl who experienced beautiful love life and have a happy ending, but quite pity that it was not applicable in her real life. She has quite short 3-years marriage life... but don't worry, she still very young and still has so much time to find her true and everlasting love and live happily ever and after.

FYI: Monster Big Fish - Mississippi Paddlefish

Source: National Geographic on World's "Monster" Fish

Music: Michael Learns To Rock

Michael Learns To Rock (MLTR) is my favourite band in the 90's and still valid even until now. They started well-known through their 1st hit single, The Actor, which was featured in MTV channel where I can still remember how they looked like especially the costume and hair! The band name was a bit strange and unusual but probably it was the one that might make people curious to know about it and pay attention.

I like almost all of MLTR songs, all such beautiful love songs. Songs like Sleeping Child, 25 Minutes, Breaking My Heart, I'm Gonna Be Around, Out Of The Blue, Paint My Love, That's Why, and You Took My Heart Away are always be in my music playlist. But among those, 25 Minutes is my most favourite one.

They started with 4-members group band but then one member left the band for a solo career in 2000. The lead singer, Jascha Richter, is the one who wrote most of popular MLTR songs.

Music: Queen

QUEEN was my next favorite band. They are one of most well-known British band after Beatles era. It was during my senior high school time, in the 80's. I like most of their songs. They were among the first band which using modern sound effect in their recordings which quite distinct at that period of time. And their music not just pure rock, it's what I called sweet rock because it quite colorful, rich of melodies, and full of variances.

Songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and We Are The Champion are their signature and most popular songs during that time and still nice to hear those songs nowadays, especially Bohemian Rhapsody which very strongly associated with their success. And, We Are The Champion, become one of a 'must' song to sing to celebrate a winning.

It's a pity that their lead singer, Freddy Mercury, died due to AIDS which was quite shocking. One of his song recorded before he died, Too Much Loves Will Kill You, probably a warning message to other people not to follow his path.

Sports: Ana Ivanovic

She is one of the talented young tennis player, currently No.2 in WTA Tour ranking, and in my view, it just a matter of time for her to win any of GrandSlam title and even capture the No.1 spot from Justine Henin.

She plays beautiful tennis, pretty, feminine, and won titles, such a rare combination that I have never seen since Chris Everet era.

The picture was taken from her Official website.

Visit this link to see more of her pictures.

FYI: Tears for Porpoise

Source: my paper online, 27-Mar-2008, page A12

Music: Air Supply

Air Supply was my first favourite group band because they have many beautiful love songs.

It was interesting on how I knew this group band. It back to the early 80's when I was still living in Bontang, a new small town in East Kalimantan, follow my parents who worked there. One day, on my way back home from Youth Center, I spotted spoilt cassette tape on the road side. Curious, I took it and brought it back home and then I moved the tape to another casing and then played it... the first song that it played was American Heart. I immediately like most of the songs so I wonder which singer or group band had these nice songs. That time, information was scarce and internet still not exists, not even PC. TV was still in very early stage, so no way I can find the information.

It is only when I moved back to Palembang, my hometown, for my high school, that I had chance to look for information. I went through the music shops and browse through till I finally found out that it was Air Supply. And, I found that they had many more nice love songs... Among them, Lost In Love, Even The Nights Are Better, All Out Of Love, and Without You are my favourite ones.