Goodbyes...

“We little knew that morning
That God would call you home
In life we loved you dearly; 
In death we do the same”

Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things. I remember when I was young I was often told, for there to be another meeting, there has to be a parting. That made it easier for me to say my goodbyes to close friends and relatives after each gathering.

However, I have come to know that the hardest goodbyes are the ones never said. On the morning of 31^st August 2011 that saying of ‘for there to be another meeting, there has to be a parting’ brought no comfort to me. It was the day Pa left this scene of life – never to return. 

We are never ready to say goodbye to someone we hold dear and if it were up to us, we would want to hold on to our loved ones and never let them go. Watching Pa slowly fade into eternity that morning was a heart-rending moment and I don’t remembering uttering the word ‘Goodbye’. That very hour is still so vivid in my mind but more often than not; I try to block any playbacks of that hour, as it brings back sad memories.

We never knew Pa was going to leave us that soon but somehow at that very hour, we all knew that we were losing him. We were all gathered at his side. It is believed that hearing is the last sense to go as one comes close to death and we spoke words of comfort and reassurance as he drifted off to a better place.

Losing Pa is painful because he had been an integral part of our lives and had always been our pillar of strength, our source of comfort, our walking encyclopaedia, our everything, as cliché as it sounds. As long as he could, he wanted to be there for us and for all important events of our lives and he never failed us 

In a couple of days it would be one (1) year since Pa has gone home to be with the Lord and not one single day passes, that we don’t miss him. Life is not as fulfilling without Pa. There will always be that void in our lives – his passing does leave a gaping hole. I can’t recall the many moments/times when there’s something I really needed Pa for or times when I have something I want to share with him and realized, he is no longer here. That said, I know that it is just such sweet release for him, no more pain, no more suffering.

Now that Pa is gone, we learn to carry on and we try think of the happy times we’ve had with him, in the hope that these special memories will slowly replace the deep sorrow that is within our hearts.

In closing, below is a poem that loudly echoes my feelings:- 

No words I write can ever say
How much I miss you every day. 
As time goes by, the loneliness grows; 
How I miss you, nobody knows! 

I think of you in silence, 
I often speak your name,
But all I have are memories 
And photos in a frame. 

No one knows my sorrow, 
No one sees me weep, 
But the love I have for you
Is in my heart to keep. 

I've never stopped loving you
I'm sure I never will;
Deep inside my heart,
You are with me still. 

Heartaches in this world are many
But mine is worse than any. 
My heart still aches as I whisper low,
"I need you and I miss you so." 

The things we feel so deeply 
Are often the hardest to say, 
But I just can't keep quiet any more, 
So I'll tell you anyway.

There is a place in my heart
That no one else can fill; 
I love you so, Pa

And I always will.

Author unknown

Presenting iOS 5 - Mobile Operating System Moving Forward

Apple has recently announced iOS 5 at WWDC 2011 which is rumoured to be released this coming September. Rumour is that it would be released to coincide with the launch of the next generation iPhone – Iphone 5! According to CNET UK, iPhone 5 release date is likely to be September 7th 2011. I am not getting up to do the hula-dance this time on hearing the news as iP5 was not factored into my budget; not this year at least *smile. I am saving and holding my breath for iPad 3 J - so share with me, be it rumour or otherwise, any news on iPad 3!

Since iPhone 5 is not going to be one of my prized possessions this year, I will now look into how some of the new cool features of iOS5 may enhance the functions of my current iPhone 4 – pathetic, I know :J. There are over 200 features to the iOS 5 but please note that not all features are available to iPhone (specially iPhone 3Gs) or iPod. Many are for iPads only.

Some of the new features which may interest and benefit me are as follows:-

1)  Camera

Instant camera access and use from lock screen! Yay! How often do we find ourselves losing precious time fumbling to unlock our iPhones with our passcode (for that very reason, I don’t activate password lock on mine) and then waiting for the Camera app to load (which normally take ages) At least now, we don’t miss D – moments as we can just press the volume-up button to snap our photos in the nick of time! ). It is the added convenience that comes from being able to access the camera application from the iPhone’s lock screen. Apple has also added grid lines to help frame photos and also photo editor which allows cropping, rotating, auto enhance features and etc. Photo editor is actually nothing new as we have these features through 3^rd party applications. The editing features will be a welcome addition for iPhone users who don’t have or normally use third party editing apps.

2)            iMessage

It’s a new data-based pushed notification which rivals Blackberry Messaging system. One can send text messages either via Wi-Fi or 3G. For those who have Whatsapp application on their BB or Iphone, iMessage works almost similarly, where you can send text, photos, videos, locations, contacts and group message. The difference is that iMessage would come free with the operating system and works with any iOS 5 users. I don’t reckon this message will cause bring about a significant change to my to my messaging patterns.

3)            Reminders

I was going to dismiss this supposedly new feature as nothing new until I read the word ‘location based’ reminders. Interesting. We use to key in our appointments and set the alarm to go off at a particular time, sometimes an hour or two before the appointed time or even a day before or even on repeated mode, just to remind and organize ourselves. With this feature, we can key in our appointments complete with due dates and times to alert us but at same time we can also tie these appointments and/or our to dos to locations. Reminders will then determine our current location and sound out an alert. Say we need to buy a pack of batteries during our next grocery trip. Because Reminders can be location based, we will get an alert as soon as we pull into the supermarket parking basement. I don’t often use Reminders on iCal simply because keying those data in itself is a task for me. Apple should come up with a ‘Getting Things Done’ application but with this added feature, I may give it a try once I have my OS updated.

4)            Cordless Syncing

Remember those days when we have to hook up our devices and use iTunes as the required middleman? Whether for activation, updates or even syncing and backing up files in our devices. Sayonora to those days, now Out of the box, an iOS 5 device can be activated or even updated wirelessly. Apple is cutting the cord. This is good news to people like my sister who don’t bother and/or want to depend on a computer to update her device. Now, iOS 5 will allow syncing with iTunes content, such as movies, music, and more, via WiFi.


     5)   Notification Centre

We get notifications every now and then, some welcome, some not so; CNN Breaking News, BBC Breaking News, Facebook updates; Whatsapp notification and etc. These notifications very often pops up at the wrong time, either when we are browsing something or trying to make a call, and it forces us to either view the message or close the notification. With the Notification Centre, these notifications are channeled to one main platform and the list includes our text messages, email messages, missed calls, facebook updates, whatsapp messages and any other push notifications. These past few weeks I find push notifications a nuisance, especially when I am harvesting my crops in Smurf Village. The whatsapp messages and/or sms which comes through often cause a lag in my game and that irks me really. But with this new added feature, if we are playing a game and when a push notification comes through, we get a little notification across the top and we can go back to it later.

For now, the abovementioned features are what interest me. However for a more complete list of the new features of iOS 5, you can access the same by clicking here! 

The Wedding of the Year!

Prince William, MY heartthrob and no doubt the heartthrob of millions of women  across the world, is taken and about to get hitched. ...

Check out live streaming on 29th April by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRoyalChannel

Aww... 

Apple iOS 4.3 released

It appears that the much awaited new iOS 4.3 software update has popped up - the latest edition of their operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices.With this software update Apple serves up new features and improvements. Just plug your iDevice into your computer, boot up iTunes and hit 'Update' and you would be on your way. I have just updated my iPhone 4 and it remains to be seen how this latest software update would improve my lifestyle. 


Here's an overview of some of the features offered:- 

1.   Personal Hotspot for iPhone 4

This takes tethering a step higher whereby you can use your iPhone 4 as a modem and this allows you to share your connection with up to three (3) – five (5) devices via USB or via Bluetooth (currently offered) or this time, via Wi-Fi connection.

It’s a feature that enables you to turn your iPhone into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot and share the data connection with your other devices for example your iPad or your macbook, times when there’s no Wi-Fi around. Having this iOS 4.3 installed you can enable this feature within the general settings, and surf up! However, just make sure your carrier supports it and that you have a tethering plan cause my concern is that we will run into the danger of data over-usage and end up paying for more!

The connection is password protected and secure. iPhone detects when your Personal Hotspot is no longer in use and turns it off to save battery life

2.   Nitro Javascript engine from Safari on OS X

     Nitro Javascript is an engine used in desktop version of Safari and Apple has    

      since ported the same to iOS so that web browsing is twice as fast.

3.   Home Sharing

This feature which was previously available only on the Mac and Windows PC has now extended to Appple iDevices. Now you can play your entire iTunes library from anywhere in the house (or workplace) over Wi-Fi from a Mac (or even a PC) to your ‘I’ devices, without having to download or sync. All you need to do is turn Home Sharing on. With iTunes Home Sharing, the audio from files elsewhere actually comes out of your iOS device, so you can listen to iTUnes while you are on your treadmill or stream a move to your iPad on the couch. Note that Home Sharing requires an Apple ID. One fun way to use this: try streaming music out to your dock in the bedroom. Your complete iTUnes library is now available anywhere in the house!

Home sharing is found in the iPod settings on your iOS devices.

4.   

        Enhanced Version of Air Play

Air Play now streams video from the Photos app – shoot a home video and instantly share it with everyone in the room on your HDTV, via Apple TV, or play a slideshow.

5.    

LEAKED: Iphone 5

Rumors about the upcoming iPhone 5 have started! Apple however isn't expected to officially announce its next-generation smartphone until early summer but this hasn't stopped these unconfirmed reports. 


If the leak can be trusted or is authentic, it is said that your new iPhone 5 will sport a larger screen (4 inch screen) and also an Apple A5 chip similar to the recently launched iPad 2 . So your iPhone 5  would probably going to look like this as compared to the current iPhone 4. If those are going to be the only changes, I am sticking to my iPhone 4. Apple why don't you look at increasing the storage capacity? Stay tuned! 

Bonne Année

Bonne Année will be the two words most uttered by the Parisians in about five (5) hours time i.e. at the stroke of midnight January 1st! My husband, Alfred and I were one of the lucky and privilege ones to be in Paris in 2009 to usher in the New Year, the city of lights.  Paris is indeed one of the most colorful and exciting and definitely romantic places to celebrate New Year's Eve, and both Alfred, my then boyfriend, and I, spent it cuddling at the foot of one of the world's icon, Eiffel Tower, sharing a bottle of champagne. French people start wishing each other cheerful Bonne Annees and exchanging small kisses on each cheek when the clock strikes 12. This is the link that i have posted on youtube clickhereThe only thing missing were the fireworks!! Let's hope she does better than last year, tonight! 


Years come and go - New Year's resolutions made but not kept. Countdown this year was done in the comfort of our 'new' home, surrounded by family but this time in Al's absence though he did the countdown with us through the phone. Fireworks went off in the distance with loud bangs - welcoming in Year 2011. This year has flown - there were ups and downs as like other years - let's just pray that this year will be a good year for all of us again - spiritually and naturally!

iOS 4.2 For iPhone and iPad Users

iOS 4.2 for Apple IPhone and IPad made its first appearance on Monday, November 22, 2010.

It’s actually a must-have upgrade for the iPhone and iPod Touch, even more so for iPad users. Want to multitask on your iPad? Now you CAN!! For iPad users, you would be glad to know that the latest software update enables multitasking! It finally brings the iPad up to speed and now the iPad is getting all the features we know and enjoy on our iPhones, features such as: multitasking, a unified email inbox, Game Center and folders.

This new iOS4.2 also brings AirPrint wireless printing and AirPlay media streaming to all current-gen devices (not for 3G users unfortunately). Our HP All in One printer at home is giving us problems – it takes 20 minutes to print one page – yup that’s right it’s 1p/20mins not 20pp/min! So now it’s perfect excuse to get myself an ‘air-print’ enabled printer :D – PC Fair in Penang is this week, so at least now I have an agenda – ha! But then again on second thoughts, it’s still too early stage to be diving into such a purchase – I’ll be patient.

Ok, I shouldn’t digress. As I am more of an iPhone user, in specific, iPhone 4, I shall be commenting here on the Pros and Pros of the latest iOS 4.2 software update more towards iPhones.

Yours truly updated her 2 month old iPhone on 25th November 2010 after updating her Itunes to version ... 10.1/2 (i can't really remember). The only hitch I faced during updating was having to stop the downloads halfway a couple of times - but that's cause I didn't take into account that it takes some time to download the software and being the restless person I am, staying put in one place for a long period of time, is not my forte. Anyway, I ended up leaving my trusted Mac to do the downloads while I drifted off to 'Slumberland' late that Thursday night and when I got up, I just had to run the updates and VOILA! my beloved iPhone is now running on the latest iOS!

The one improvement I welcome most is the feature of 'Find my Iphone'. This feature is only available for the iPhone 4, iPad or new iPod touch (fourth generation). You can access Step to Step setup via this link click here. This free feature comes in handy only during unfortunate times – but I have foresight J

Anyway, for those of you out there who are still in the dark about what 'Find my iPhone' feature really is, listen up :). Today this feature comes without a need for a MobileMe subscription.

If everyone is like me, misplacing things is a norm. But the good news is, today if we misplace our iPhones, this 'Find My iPhone' can help you find it - for FREE. The ability to remotely locate your iPhone is one of the most appreciated features. First you just gotta enable Find My iPhone in the MobileMe settings on your iPhone and do the usual set up and what not, then if and when you choose to unwittingly leave your iPhone behind somewhere then sign in to me.com from any computer or using the Find My iPhone app on another iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to display its approximate location on a full-screen map. I haven’t been able to really try it out proper yet since in this age and time, it’s hard to do without a phone – unless one of these days I consciously leave it at home J

If you remember that you actually left your iPhone at your friend's office or in your friend's car then, not to worry. You can write a message that will be displayed on your iPhone. Something like, “Hey, left my phone in your car/office. Can you please keep the phone till I see you next or can you please call me at 012-987654 and I'll collect it from you.” The message sent will pop up on your iPhone screen even if it’s locked.

And if the map shows you that your iPhone or iPad is nearby — say, at home under your pile of dirty laundry, yet you still can’t find it, you can tell MobileMe to play a sound that overrides the ringer volume or silent setting on your device - very useful.

The other feature of Find My iPhone that would have come in handy for me on that fateful night early this year, is the Remote Wipe feature. Losing an iPhone is like losing 'virtually' everything!!! When I lost my iPhone early this year, it was like losing 'a part of my life'. It could be because we didn't back up most of our data but in my case, it was just that my iPhone contained personal information, information and photos that I DO NOT want it to fall into the hands of a total STRANGER!!! I didn't have a password lock on my old iPhone, I was rather complacent - my FB, Skype, Mailboxes, Photos, Addresses, Videos n etc were totally accessible to that stranger! But today if you lose your iPhone or iPad and displaying a message on it hasn't resulted in its safe return, then you can initiate this Remote Wipe to restore your iPhone or iPad to its factory settings - so that these people would not have access to the information and/or pictures in it. But of course I hope that, that fateful day does not come for me – AGAIN! Touchwood J  This is the message you might just want to send to the stranger 

Find my Iphone App

[Updates: Find my iPhone app led to arrest - For breaking news and for those with second thoughts about downloading this app please click on this link click here

Ok…..now let’s look at the AirPrint feature. This feature will let you print from your iOS devices and their apps, over the air, to either shared or AirPrint-enabled printers. Kinda of like a ‘wifi’ printer – I think. Ok, this is me, a week after I started writing this piece. Today I can tell you more about this AirPrint feature. It’s a  REAL COOL FEATURE! Last Saturday, I got us a HP Photosmart Wireless All-in-One Printer - B110 Series from the PC Expo held over the weekend. It can scan, copy, print and best of all… it can be done wirelessly! Wireless stuff is good for lazy people like me who just don’t want to be ‘tied’ down to one place. Now I can just print from the comfort of my bed, or kitchen and etc… J It also has this ‘EPrint’ feature where it allows you to send an email to the printer’s address and the printer (connected to internet) would just print the email together with the attachments therein. You can be sitting in a café down the road, or in a café right across the atlantic ocean J Yeah, it’s pretty cool. And to top it all …. Photos, contacts can now be directly printed from iPhones and iPads. Just go download the ‘ePrint’ app for free! Ha! Yes it’s real fun!

Anyway not to bore you further and before I conclude, for those who are ignorant... about iOS 4.2 Software Update. In a nutshell, this update contains improvements, including the following:

• AirPrint

  - Print mail, photos, web pages, and more directly to

     AirPrint compatible printers on a local wireless network

• AirPlay

  - Wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos to

     Apple TV

  - Wirelessly stream music to AirPlay compatible speakers

     and receivers, including AirPort Express

• FaceTime improvements

  - Initiate calls with Voice Control

  - Initiate calls from an SMS conversation

  - Support for Bluetooth accessories

• Find text on the web page in Safari

• New fonts setting available for Notes

• New SMS/MMS text tones and the ability to set custom

   tones per contact

• Additional restrictions (parental controls) available:

  - Account settings

  - App deletion

  - Game Center friends

  - Location settings

• Ability to import .ics files into Calendar

• Bug fixes, including:

  - Eliminates sound artifacts occasionally captured in

     recorded audio with 4th generation iPod touch

  - Improves audio playback to car stereos via USB

Products compatible with this software update:

• iPhone 4

• iPhone 3GS

• iPhone 3G

• iPod touch 2nd generation or later

Please however take note that not all improvements apply to all models.

So AirPrint currently supports only to wireless printers, and to a very select group of wireless printers for now. For now the list is only seven printers, all from HP. Here’s the list as of today (11/22/10):

            HP Envy eAll-in-One series (D410a)

            HP Photosmart Plus e-AiO (B210a)

            HP Photosmart Premium e-AiO (C310a)

            HP Photosmart Premium Fax e-AiO (C410a)

            HP Photosmart e-AiO (D110)

            HP Photosmart Wireless e-AiO (B110)—Europe and Asia-Pacific

            HP Photosmart eStation (C510)

And so with everything you need to know, plug in your device and update away!