Back in October, way before the supertyphoon Haiyan (Yolanda) ruined my Christmas plans, I was in the market for an iPhone 5S. I actually applied for a new Globe postpaid subscription (though recently changed my mind about getting one from SMART instead). However, this Christmas wish will probably be put on hold until we get to recover from the mess that Haiyan (Yolanda) made.

So in the meantime, I'm going to share with you an infographic on the "Latest Mobile Phones Sales Statistics & Usage Trends". Here's hoping this will help you decide on on what to get (or ask Santa to bring you) this Christmas season.


This Infographic is produced by Coupon Audit (provides Express coupons) and Basta Igat Sikat.

 <br /> <img style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.couponaudit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Android-Dominance-And-Consistent-Increase-In-Overall-Smartphones-Usage16.jpg" alt="Latest Mobile Phones Sales Statistics & Usage Trends" /></p> <p> </a></p> <p> This Infographic is produced by <a href="http://www.couponaudit.com/coupons/express">Coupon Audit (provides Express coupons) </a> and <a href="http://www.bastaigatsikat.com">Basta Igat Sikat</a>. </p> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">
Feel free to copy/paste the code above to share the inforgraphic on your blogs and html pages. 

Looking at the images and charts, it's pretty obvious that Android OS and Samsung is leading the market. I, for one, will not be getting an Android device and even one from Samsung. Why? 'Coz you know I'm an Apple fan girl. LOL. No really, I am comfortable with iOS and I got tons of paid apps that I don't think I can live without.

What about you guys? Are you a die-hard Apple fan, too? If not, do leave a comment below with your current mobile phone brand and model then try to convince me to switch to Android or any other kind of smartphone. *wink*



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The primary reason why I started blogging was to be able rant about my feelings and thoughts on certain things (and some people). Writing has always been a passion for me. It's how I let off steam and a method of keeping my sanity intact. From diaries to journals, and over the recent years, to blogs. I had only a few readers then. Just a couple of close friends and acquaintances from work. Honestly, I knew nothing about SEO or a thing or two about the blogosphere. All I really care is a place where I can jot down type my thoughts and post pictures of myself and random stuffs. My blog is going to be my very first memoir when I die. And that is still my goal. I want my blog to be published into a book someday, even posthumous.

Now just like technology, ever-changing as it is, my blog with all its random posts and updates about my life has also become a tool for advertising and entering contests. Luckily, I got Lady Luck rooting for me, not always though, but most of the time I should say.

AHA! So now you're probably thinking, "Hmmm. What did this igat win this time?"

This arrived via courier today.





GUESS.



That logo is such a dead giveaway. PAK!



Need I say more?

Okay, this is not me bragging or anything (maybe a little!) but what I want to convey is that in order to win something -- yup, I won an iPad (again!) -- you have to be very motivated to win. So okay, how do you do that? Easy. Well, you have to believe that "you'll never win if you never begin". It goes without saying, if there's a chance for you to win, then by all means, grab that chance. Like join a contest if you think you're qualified. Like play a game but make sure you know the rules first. Like everything else in life, as Nike puts it, JUST DO IT. Honey, you don't get anywhere if you don't move... take a step forward and it helps loads if you put your best foot forward. Don't be lazy! Mmkay?



So how exactly do you win? Being born under the Zodiac Sign Aries, I tend to be pretty headstrong and all the time sometimes too aggressive. So I motivate myself in the words of Zig Ziglar, "You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win." Of course, I do keep in mind that a loser doesn't know what he'll do if he loses, but talks about what he'll do if he wins. However, a winner doesn't talk about what he'll do if he wins, but knows what he'll do if he loses. Gets?



WOOHOO! An iPad 2!!! And it's WHITE!!!

Now more importantly, you ask, "Where did this awesome prize come from?"



Where else? All the way from Sunny Singapore...



Thank you so much, MATCHMOVE GAMES!!!


You guys need to go right now and play their GAMES! Not only are they awesome (so many to choose from!!! FTW!) but you get to win from their contests, too! And it's REAL!!! I can testify... Tee hee.


Matchmove's website on the iPad.



It's just too bad that Apple doesn't support FLASH on the iPad, so I can't play PLINK or other MM games with it. :(



So anyways, I'm off to play with my new toy now and I leave you with this food for thought: "Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.” (-Wilma Rudolph)

AND THAT IS THAT. KTNXBYE!

P.S. God is good! (ALL THE TIME!)

xoxo,

 

I was going to blog a summary of my 2010 but I think everyone else is doing it, so I won't. ^_^ Besides, no point looking back... I got the entire 2011 to look forward to!

Not to sound totally ungrateful but okay, I'm glad to have been given another chance to live and try to make a difference. I'm glad to have ever supportive parents (in spite of the occasional bickering that comes with living with them). I'm glad to have the best boyfriend in the whole world... and having had one too many, I have every right to claim that Noodle Boy is THE BEST and I have no intention of leaving him, entertaining other guys, or continue dreaming of Ryan Reynolds. I'm glad I still have my sanity intact so I can plan for the future (which is about time!) and I got my iPhone and apps to help me get by.

Someone once asked me last year that I ought to blog about my favorite apps for the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. My memory is failing me, I'm sorry but I forgot who it was. (Please let me know if you happen to be reading this so I can credit you!) Then a couple of minutes ago I was asked by Sweet of the PensandLens fame over at Formspring once again about my favorite apps.

So now I will reveal to you some (just the ESSENTIALS!) of the 200+ apps I have that make my everyday life a breeze. Seriously, since I got an iPod Touch back in 2007, the  iPhone 3GS in 2009, the iPhone4 and iPad in 2010, my daily life has become manageable (since I'm such a scatterbrain). But I'm trying to change that, too, because I've made it my *ONLY* New Year's Resolution this year -- I SHALL NOT BE A SCATTERBRAIN. How hard can it be? It's just ONE New Year's Resolution. I ought to NOT break it! So, this is where my apps come in. They will have to guide me on this. And of course, the constant coaching from the love of my life, my Noodle Boy.




Okay, so with no further ado. I present to you, ang mga sumpay sa akong kinabuhi, the apps that keep me sane. (And yes, I do use them almost everyday!)

1. HootSuite and Twitpict for  iPhone / Osfoora HD for  iPad. This is for Twitter.

2. Facebook or Facebook Touch HD for the iPhone / Friendly or Friendly Plus for iPad because you can have multiple accounts logged in. Pretty self-explanatory. Pixelpipe or iLoader for iPhone. For when I need to upload pictures from my mobile and too lazy to transfer pics to the computer.

3.  Pages and Numbers should I be left with just the iPad to work on. Got the iPad camera connection kit to plug in a USB keyboard for faster typing!

4. MyPhone+ for iPhone to sync my contacts with Facebook. Saves me from getting individual pics for caller ID and input other info about my friends. ;)

5. Pingle for iPhone and Flipboard for iPad. Social networks integration. As far as they go, there's like an app for every social network and instant messenger there is. I got Foursquare, Tumblr, Chikka, Flickr, YM, Skype, Formspring, and even Posterous that I hardly even use! And best of all, they're FREE.

6. Ring It Up Pro is important for people who suck at Math and do business nevertheless. Like ME. I need it to keep note of the money that comes in and comes out each and every single day. I am so bad at finances, especially budgeting... you have no idea. Gosh! I don't even have a wallet for Pete's sake! This app helps me a great deal in running SALA Lounge + Café.

7. iPeriod for iPhone and iPad. Because the last time I checked, I'm a girl. DUH! I also used Woman Calendar before. Lots of other alternatives for menstrual calendars in the App Store.

8. iTeleport for iPhone and iPad for the times I am away from the computer and need to use it pronto. Also for spying. Hek hek hek!

9. iBooks for iPhone and iPad because I like to read. Especially when I'm in the loo. LOL! I got 600+ books and I don't think I'll ever finish all of them even in 5 years. Unless maybe if I poop a lot? HAHA! Oh and the quintessential Archie Comics, of course.

10. Skyfire for iPhone and iPad. Because a browser ain't the same without flash!

11. Tapatalk or Forum Runner because I enjoy forums.

12. I swear there's a million Flashlight apps in iTunes for the iPhone... but this particular Tiny Flashlight Pro works for me. Got lots of other lighting options, too!

13. Megaphone for iPhone. You'll never know when you'll need a microphone. ^_^ The same goes for Fone Home. Better safe than sorry.

14. WiFi Photo and PhotoToMac gets the job done when transferring photos from the iPhone to the computer via WiFi. No cable needed. Dropbox and DropImage for when I need to share my files with other users/computers.

15.  IdealWeight and Nutrition Facts or Nutrition Genius for the times I feel health-conscious. Throw in the Two Hundred Situps and Pedometer while you're at it.

16. I'm not really musically-gifted or inclined, but Noodle Boy is so I got Air Harp, Chord Play, Pocket Guitar, Finger Piano, Instant Guitar Solo II and Ocarina.

17. Word Lens for when I need the translations ASAP.

18. For photo editing and effects, since I love love love vintage photos, the apps that top my list are Hipstamatic, Instagram, Lo-Mob, LOMO, Infinicam, PictureShow, and CAMERAtan. Truth be told, this is the main reason why I wanted the iPhone in the first place. So that I can take all the vintage shots I want without film! ^_^

19. Movies HD for iPad for my movie database.

20. Weather Pro for iPad for when my mother bugs me about checking the weather. :)

As for GAMES and other ENTERTAINMENT/FUN apps, do you really want me to enumerate them all? Hmm... I'll think about it first. Seriously... There's just too many. Alright, I'll give you my TOP 10  games, not necessarily in order of importance:

1. Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior HD
2. Labyrinth 2 HD
3. Cut the rope
4. Fieldrunners
5. Phineas & Ferb
6. Stand O'Food
7. Despicable Me
8. Angry Birds HD
9. Family Guy Time Warped
10. Hangman RSS HD

The following camera apps are for the iPhone only. Haven't tried it with the newer iPod Touches with camera. Maybe they'll work. Maybe not. But check them out anyhow.

ProCamera to substitute for the built-in Camera app and also it gives the very good option for Fullscreen Trigger or Big Button. Just tap anywhere on the screen to take a pic. Very handy. Also lets me adjust focus and exposure. WOOT! I also recently discovered the Auto Portrait. For camwhores like me, this is a very essential app! You have to try it to believe me. ^_^ Full version lets you use the volume button as shutter!

Camera Genius and Burst for the times I just want to shoot A WHOLE LOT of successive photos. The Magic Shutter. Simply because it's MAGICAL! Check out their video.

The 360 Panorama is awesome! You've seen what it can do right? HERE. And how can you possibly ignore Toon Camera and Incredibooth? iPhoneography is all about having fun!



All this and more... don't you just love having the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch? I DO! And I'm not even getting paid for posting this. (Also I can't wait for the opening of the Mac App Store come January 6!!! WOOT WOOT! )

Anyway, I'm simply sharing what I have that I am also thankful for them because they really do keep my sanity intact. If sharing is indeed caring like what we've accomplished yesterday during the Three Kings celebration...



...then I've started my New Year just right!

What about you guys? Got anything to share? ^_^ Or if you have apps you want me to check out, leave your comments below. ;)





xoxo,

Around Christmas time last year, my friend Claire asked me to get her a white Macbook. I told her it wasn't a good time to buy it because there's a new model coming out and well, if you're familiar with Apple, you know what happens when there's a product upgrade. Cheaper prices, much better features coming up next, etc... so she waited.

Summer came and she asked me again if prices have gone down or if it was time to buy one. I told her... "Wait for it..." 

Then a few days ago I told her about the education promo and told her it was such a good deal. So we finally bought one.

With all the waiting and anticipating, I present you Kleng and her new macbook (which she hasn't given a name yet!)...





That's an ear to ear smile she got there! See what I mean? Oh, the joy! And the unboxing scents... ahhh, it's heaven. I just love the smell of Apple products first time out of the box. I mean, doesn't everyone? ;)



It's the new model, almost the same specs as my Mickey! And better battery life, too! Booo!



Oh, the pleasure of helping out somebody make a switch to Apple. HAHAHAHA! (Spoken like a true fangirl?)


I just love showing people the way of the mac. I should work as an Apple Genius. Really. I must admit I am a convert, all because I think that a mac makes everything so easy and you get to finish your work faster... and boy, does it unleash creativity... ^_^ Plus, you gotta hand it to them. It's a work of art... it's just beautiful.

End of blog post. Time to work now. Ciao!

With iPhone 4 coming, the price of the 3GS is significantly going down, if it ain't already had. I should say it was quite timely that I got to sell mine. So instead of getting an iPad, which was the main purpose of the sale, I think I'll go ahead and save money for the rainy days... ("-Ber" months are coming) and the iPhone 4 is going to reach our shores by then. So maybe if I can afford it, I just might grab one for myself.

But for now, I'll just drool over the photos at Engadget and keep dreaming of the iPhone. I just hope Globe doesn't get carried away with the prices... and of course, there's the micro-sim thing, too. So I wanted to tell you guys about the iOS4 but since everyone is talking about it (and blogging about it) already, I guess it's already gotten the attention it deserves... so moving on.

In other news, http://www.bastaigatsikat.com is finally mine! Yay for custom domain names! Please update your bookmarks. Hit ctrl + d now! *wink*

Just a couple of days from now I'll be giving away Havaianas pairs to 2 lucky voters of mine for my THANK YOU FOR VOTING Contest in Facebook... so watch out for that one.

Meanwhile, I'm busy with work, managing SALA Lounge + Café with my Noodle Boy, coming up with creative ideas, and finding other means to survive in this crazy dog eat dog world. Oh, and I won another contest. Will blog about that on a separate entry.

In the mean time, let's all look forward to our Independence Day come June 12th. Perhaps our country is finally going to have a president by then? Who knows? All this mumbo jumbo about the elections is still making news on TV, when it's the least of my concerns. Right now, I'm surprised (and not very happy) that bread prices are going up. So flour has gotten expensive! What's next?

In as much as I don't want to worry about things like that... I am getting old. I need to think of the future... and I am 110 pounds! Waaaah! Oh well... what did you see on your flash forward? I see myself tinkering with a new iPhone 4. Teehee! (Shucks! I am still not over the fact that ABC cancelled that TV show... We were soooo looking forward to Season 2! Tsk...)

Anyways, before I abruptly end this post, here's a piece of advice. The older you get, do yourself a favor and find one person you can still be a kid with. ♥




xoxo,

As you all probably know... Noodle Boy is back... in the flesh! Say goodbye to sleepless Skype nights! (Thank you so much, Skype, for everything. We love you!)

First question, how is he? He says he's happy to be back home and now, he is in good hands. ;) It sure seems so because he is looking as great as ever and of course, he's with me all the time. LOL!


So what did this dashing young man get me for Christmas? Memories. Literally. And then some...

Okay, so remember when I gave up Maki and cried a bucket of tears? Well, he felt bad seeing me all broken and all, so he said I should just get a replacement. He helped me decide on getting a MacBook Aluminum Unibody instead. We call him "Mickey"... and what do you expect from a laptop with 2.4ghz processor, 2gb RAM, 250gb HD, and NVIDIA 9400 graphics... with backlit keyboards!? Well, it's pretty much enough for me and just what I need. Well, it's a Mac running on Snow Leopard!



I don't have to preach about the Mac again because I can see the Noodle Boy rolling his eyes already. Initially, I thought about getting the MacBook Pro but seeing the benchmarks on Mickey, getting him was a great buy and it was just practical.

Mickey's XBench scores with the original 2gb memory:


Do I really need to spend more on an MBP when an Alum MB is enough? I could... but I used my head. As a reward, Cariño Mio offered to bump up the memory to 4gb so I could "unleash my creativity", that is according to him.


*Crucial is highly recommended for memory upgrades on a Mac.


to...


So that's from a 2gb to a 4gb RAM! How can you NOT be creative with that? Tee hee.

Watch the video below to watch us upgrade Mickey's RAM:



I guess you could say, we don't need tech guys to fix things for us. We'll just do it ourselves. So...


Ta-da! Mickey's just as fast as Maki now (see below) but the big bonus really between the two is that I can take Mickey anywhere! (Duh! It's a portable!)
Maki's XBench scores: (2.8ghz, 4gb RAM iMac)



Mickey's XBench scores AFTER the 4gb memory upgrade:

IMPRESSIVE!

And now, a pic of Mickey and Nadia (Noodle Boy's special edition HP) below.




Don't they look lovely together, too? Tee hee...
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!

His real present is actually the APPLE MAGIC MOUSE. Magic what? Yeah, you read it right. A MOUSE! But it's not just an ordinary computer mouse. Why? Because it's a Mac. *bleh*


Meet The world's first Multi-Touch mouse. Suddenly, everything clicks. And swipes. And scrolls.






I really can't even begin to describe how beautiful the mouse is. I've never been this enamored with a computer accessory *ever*. It's so ________ (insert adjective here). I wonder how many Clicks Per Second I can do with this. Gonna try that out when I can. By the way, there's just too many feedbacks and reviews out there from people saying they like and they don't like the MM. But hey, it all boils down to preference, okay? Best thing to do is try it first before you buy. In my case, I guess it's aesthetics over anything. Tee hee.

Now, it's confirmed. My boif is such a geek. But he's the sweetest geek of all. Why? Because even if it breaks his bank account, he was still able to score me a TEKKEN 6 game! Woot! Woot! You know, I'm such a big fan of Tekken... from way back during my PS1 and PS2 days, and even my mom has Tekken in her PSP! I think the whole Tekken series with the family feud for Mishima Zaibatsu, the G Corporation, and their King of Iron Fist Tournament is a great story. (Kinda reminds me of the Maguindanao Massacre now though... *shivers* But this one's just a fight among the family members themselves!) They really should make a proper movie out of Tekken! The animated film made a couple of years ago sucked like BIG time. Anyways, I heard great reviews and feedbacks about the latest game and told Cariño Mio about it. And whadyaknow? He got it! Ain't he just for keeps?


Time to flex those fingers, polish those rusty combination moves, and get ready for a lot of eye strain. ^_^

Wanna guess who's my fave character? ;) None other than...



Noodle Boy also managed to bring me a lot of other goodies, too... like my very first Zippo. Buying an expensive lighter didn't EVER cross my mind, but I don't mind owning one now. It looks beautiful and I got his message clear alright. It's emblazoned right there! Time to Google those neat Zippo tricks and learn them for the kicks. ;)



He also got me some other intimate stuffs and most notably these gorgeous butterfly amethyst earrings I have on me now.


Awww... aren't they totally kawaii?


It's so... ME. Purple. Butterflies. It's love.

Noodle Boy, you're the best! Gracias, Cariño. I really couldn't ask for more... ^_^ Especially because all I ever want for Christmas is here with me now.



I don't want a lot for Christmas... There is just one thing I need. I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is... You... Cariño Mio.


WARNING: Hit the play button only if you want to witness how tone deaf I am. :P
All you haters can laugh trip all you want. Guaranteed to give you nightmares the whole season!


Hope your Holidays would be as HAPPY as mine!!!


P.S. I also gave Noodle Boy a bunch of presents for Christmas, too... He's not the only one feeling generous this season. ;)

Just a couple of statement shirts, Lacoste Hot Play perfume, a Moleskine sketch notebook, LE 2009 Filipinas Havaianas, and Ray-Ban 3025 aviators (yup, like mine!)... It's not much compared to what I got from him, but hey, ain't it the thought that counts? =P