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,

Morning has broken like the first morning... 



It was the first time in a looooong time that I saw the sun rise again. Pretty sure it still shines in the east. Took the photo on our way to Tacloban last Monday. I was supposed to do a photo blog about this trip but of all things I left behind for our 2-hour drive to the capital city, I forgot to pop in the memory card of my camera. So... boohoo! I had to make do with the iphone's camera to capture the memories. (It's not the pana, it's the Indian!) Alas, I didn't get enough to make sure this blog post  rock your socks!

Anyways, for the sake of blogging and preserving this memory forever in the blogosphere, I'm writing about our journey from Ormoc to Tacloban and back that lasted an entire day -- approximately 12 hours.

So why did we go on this trip? For one sole purpose. To buy cheese. HAHAHA! As if that ain't cheesy enough... that and we wanted to watch a movie in Robinson's. LOL! The provincial life is not too far behind with all the modernization and urbanization of the world, but when the whole city suddenly runs out of an ingredient, you'll feel like you're done for. Alright, maybe I'm exaggerating but hey, it's an excuse to travel!



We left quite early, just before the sun shone with all its glory and with just the right temperature to drive off with the windows down and feel the refreshing pollution-free air of the countryside. Can you picture it? I ought to kick myself just for leaving the memory card behind as I'm not sure I can accurately describe everything I had seen, felt, and experienced.



Tip: Don't camwhore if you're running on more than 100kph. Especially if your camera doesn't come with shutter speed controls.

We arrived an hour before the mall opened so we hit Andok's for some breakfast. Yes, we drove 2 hours to eat chicken. HAHAHA! Too bad I was too famished to even take some pics of our heavy fried chicken & liempo meal. But as soon as our tummies were satisfied, the idea of walking around the airconditioned mall was perfect. Of course, I would have wanted to catch some Zzzz's but there was too much (window) shopping to do!

After going to the groceries, we loaded the stuffs back to the car, stretched our muscles and got ready for some real action. By that I meant, hitting National Bookstore (my favorite store ever!) to feast our eyes on books and those cute, perfumed, and fancy office and school supplies. Is it just me or does anyone else feel like being on a bookstore is like being on Disneyland? There's just too many things to discover in there. Like a whole new world... ^_^

We got the supplies we needed including a 12-inch cashbox. However, who can resist a book when it's 40% off?! Even though I've already read the PDF version almost a year ago, Noodle Boy gave the nod, whipped out his card, and got it. *twirls in front of the cashier like a kid on Christmas eve!*



Again, it was on sale. And it's hardbound! Umm, I really don't have to justify anything here. Tee hee!

Since the movie we decided to watch wasn't going to be shown for another hour or so, I asked Noodle Boy if he wanted to grab some lunch. Just a little so we don't have to buy food and eat at the theatre, which btw smelled gross with a mixture of sweet/sour scent. How can I eat with that? He entertained that notion and so off we made our way to The Gustavian and... voila!



The teeny weeny fillet mignon steak for my lunch! Honestly, I think the serving was enough for me, but the boif wasn't too happy when he saw it. Well, for the price... yep, I think it was pretty overrated. They didn't even have wifi connection there. Tsk!

After the movie, we decided to go home... but only after Noodle Boy and I grabbed some Twister and Funshots at KFC. LOL! Yep, this was pretty much a FOOD TRIP slash ROAD TRIP!

The drive home was anything but boring. I didn't even sleep on the way home, thanks to the crazy playlist we had. Took random photos of motorists, too.



See that guy with all the gallons on his bike? Those are, ummm, I think the ones they store tuba in. You know, the sweet coconut wine that's quite famous in this part of the region. My dad drinks that a lot, but I don't like it a bit. It reminds me of vinegar... Well, that's where vinegar comes from, too, I think.



And here's a modern day knight in shining armor... errr, shining bike and shining helmet, riding off into the sunset. Again, I imagined kicking myself in the head when I saw the sunset as we were heading home.







FML! Is it beautiful or what?!?!? It doesn't get any more splendid than that. I tell you, man. Anywhere in the 7,107 islands in the Philippines, you're sure to get one helluva an amazing sunset! That's precisely why I love living here. I mean, I really cannot, for the life of me, even begin to think of having to live in a place where I cannot see a shoreline... or smell the ocean breeze. Yeah, well, you get the picture.



Cheese. Check. Ramen Girl + Noodle Boy cheesiness. Check.

All in all a great trip. :)

If you're bored and got nothing else better to do than bloghop, well, you're in luck because tonight I'm doing a review. I was a little confused where to place this Multiply entry -- in the Reviews section or my Blog. But what the heck? I'm blogging anyway.

I should be somewhere else right now. In fact, I should be partying the night away downing all you can drink Tequila at my niece's debut in Cebu but the forces of nature are soooo cruel. Thus, I am stuck here in Ormoc because as much as I would want the fastcraft ferries to take me to the next island, alas, nothing can't be done. Now I wish I have superpowers so I can fly... or maybe have that "lana" of the aswang. Whatever.

Enough of that now, here's the real story. Back in late September/early October, I was feeling the charming mixture of glum and glee. I was happy about my savings but I was having a dilemma looking at my list of Things I Don't REALLY Need But REALLY Want To Buy:



It was funny because I group SMS’d some of my friends and 6 of them replied I should get a laptop; 3 of them said I should just save my money. *sigh* Come to think of it. I don’t need any of them actually. The Material Girl in me is such a bitch.

So then, a month later (approximately 5 days ago), I was browsing online and checking my emails before I started working and chanced upon Sony's website. Somewhere along the endless clicking of the mouse, I saw the T700 Cybershot model from Sony.



And just then, I fell in love with it <3. I got so attracted by its features even though I swore never again to purchase anymore Cybershots since my last one died on me. Actually, it was my fault that I got it all drenched when my water bottle decided to flood my bag with ice cold H2O. But it was more distressing back in 2005 when the Sony Service Center said it would cost me a whooping 17K to get it fixed. So I bid adieu to Sony then.

Anyways, here's a quick history of the digital cameras I've had in the past:

1. Kodak DC3200
2. Sony DSC-U20
3. Panasonic D-Snap SV-AV50S
4. Sony DSC-L1
5. Casio EX-Z60
6. Casio EX-S880
7. Nikon D40x DSLR
   

So much for that, let's fast forward to the present. Since I've had some experience with various digital cameras over the years, I still didn't find one that really dazzled me. Even my DSLR doesn't quite astound me. Well, it did at first but still, my kikayness wasn't that impressed. But here comes the T700 and I was at a loss for words.

Wait, have you seen the T700 yet???





So pretty!!! And check out these amazing features:

• 10.1 effective megapixels
• 4GB internal memory, stores up to 40,000 photos
• Extra-large 3.5” touchscreen LCD (like the I-phone!)
• Just 16.4mm slim (15.2mm at thinnest point)
• Slim, beautiful design with choice of five fashion colours
• Powerful album functions to store, organise and share your photos PLUS a built-in editor that really makes the photos interesting... and you know, I like doodling my photos ;)
• Smile Shutter automatically captures smiling faces
• Beautiful portraits with Face Detection and Anti-blink technology
• Easy web upload for sharing images on social networking sites

I couldn't get enough of it (yet!) but I knew I just got to have my hands on it. So goodbye to my dilemma and shoutouts to Kim (of KimStore) for being my fairy godmother or should I say my Santa Claus for the early Xmas gift!





Yep, I got the red/rouge alright. It's soooo HOT I tell you... And check out these initial test shots.



Quite the SLR effect, huh!? Yup! Yup! Yup!



Camwhoring at its vain-gloriest! (Wait, is that even a word?) ^_^ I'm just so happy!!! Obviously...



And yeah, so you noticed, I changed tee-shirts... Tee hee :) See how vibrant the colors are!?!?

 

Love love love... <3>

Even the night shots are really cool. If you noticed, regular digital cams when used with flash at night, your background tends to get so dark, you don't see what's behind you anymore.



But that's a thing of the past now! See??? And apparently, the photo editor comes really handy! ;) The doodling is my ultimate favorite thing to do with the cam. Also, when night shots are activated, it takes double shots as per Anti-blink feature. Cool, huh? No more accidental blinking!

And now, I've also got a big reason to smile!



If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! :) So what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a Sony Cybershot T700! :)

Note: This isn't a paid advertisement, okay? I'm just really ecstatic with my new baby... I call her, Shanti.

That's all folks!

⋆✌㋡ღ⋆ 陳美西