The Nokia Lumia 800 is the first child of the marriage of Nokia & Microsoft – the first true Windows Phone. Nokia Malaysia was kind enough to pass me a unit to try it out and what have I gotta say?

Simply Amazing.

Nokia Lumia 800 is a stylish and sleek smartphone with an easy-to-use & attractive user interface. It utilises ClearBlack display whose super bright display makes it perfect for people on the move. The AMOLED screen on the Lumia 800 is very nice to look at. It may not go as bright as S-LCD equivalents, but the colours are deep and lustrous and blacks are truly black.

It’s an amazing smartphone for social media addicts especially as it comes pre-loaded with Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms where you can integrate your phonebook contacts with their social media profiles and check their updates right from it. GPS is also available out of the box as its Nokia Maps is perfectly made for people who often gets lost in their way to a certain destination haha. It also has an extensive app library in the name of Windows Marketplace. Although not as extensive as Apple Store or Android Marketplace, they’re surely on their way there. Microsoft Office is also pre-installed in every Nokia Lumia 800 and it makes it convenient for people to check their documents/presentation slides/excel sheets/etc.

I’ve found the battery life to be no more than adequate. Even with no usage at all during the day, apart from being left on standby, I’ve seen the battery charge drop from 100% in the morning to 30% before the night ends. Some phone calls, web surfing and a few texts in the course of a day plus use of email account and social media updates have seen it drop down to 15% by early evening. But fret not, as I heard that Nokia came out with new firmware to help extend the battery life of the Lumia 800 (which I haven’t updated yet).

The Lumia has a well specified camera with 8 megapixel resolution via a Carl Zeiss lens and dual LED flash. It is also capable of shooting 720p videos. In common with other Windows Phone devices, the Lumia has a ‘touch to focus and shoot’ facility- tapping the subject on the screen can cause the focus to centre and then expose the shot automatically. Alternatively a half press on the camera button sets the focus and a full press takes the shot. My verdict for the camera? It shoots good daylight photos with natural colours (which is awesome), but in low light and macro shots, it definitely need more improvements as the camera from other major flagship phones out there definitely beat down the camera quality output from this Lumia 800.

Overall, the experience from the Nokia Lumia 800 is something worth holding onto. The Windows operating system itself is so engaging and enabling. This phone does pretty much everything you’d expect from a smartphone and more and it isn’t overly expensive either. It isn’t the lightest handset out there but its smooth curves make it a joy to hold. Yes, the phone has bearable imperfections but that’s how technology works anyway because you can’t have the perfect device otherwise there won’t be any upcoming better devices in future. That’s why Nokia is constantly providing support and pushing out fixes and updates.

Of course you may be too comfortable with your current iOS / Android platform, and I know that a change is sometimes too difficult to be made due to various factors. However if you don’t try to step out of your comfort zone, what would be your compasses towards future growth?

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Here are some of my peers’ feedback regarding the Nokia Lumia 800:

And since Borders is one of the many participating outlets for the BCard loyalty program, I decided to redeem a Moleskin for myself using the existing points in my BCard.

Sooo many types of Moleskin to choose from, all also sooo expensive! To be honest I’ve always thought Moleskin is just an overrated notebook that doesn’t worth the money spent buying it hahaha.

So, I went to the counter and asked if I could redeem my existing points in my BCard to purchase the Moleskin…

Fortunately they said yes! Happy because I managed to get a Moleskin without paying for it, all thanks to the accumulated BCard points woots!

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Shop and dine with BCARD at 300 stores nationwide!

Also, don’t forget to take part in the Bcard Swipe and Win contest from 2nd January 2012 to 29th February 2012 to win some cool prizes like an all expense trip to London!! Check it out on www.bcard.com.my for more details.

BCard hebattt!!

I have my favourite brands when it comes to buying pen; Paper Mate is one of them. Remember those Kilometrico ballpens? Those are pretty darn cheap yet long-lasting man! Back then it used to be like what, 50-80 cents each? It was quite value for money and because of Kilometrico ballpen, Paper Mate had gained my trust and reliability when deciding which pen to bring into the examination hall during test, which pen to recommend friends to buy, which pen to use for drawing and so forth.

And just recently, I had received a bundle of Paper Mate InkJoy pens to tryout! If I was still in high school, I would have cried to joy receiving so many pens with different colours for my own usage! Really… I really love having to see new pens in my stationary case, it gives me a sense of INKJOYfulness; don’t you too? :’)

The beautiful colours of Paper Mate InkJoy with different sizes – this is a new product line from PaperMate which are designed to be a lot smoother to write with than your standard ballpoint pen.

Although I have been a huge fan of PaperMate Kilometrico pens, I still wasn’t completely satisfied with the way it sits in the hand; it’s kinda skinny (like me lol) to be a truly comfortable pen to use. Especially during school exams, I would struggle a little with the Kilometrico because I’ll get a ‘pen mark’ on my fingers after using it non-stop for a few hours writing essays. Don’t get me wrong, they’re one of the best, affordable, long-lasting pens I have used! But fret not, I think PaperMate acknowledged the issue and their latest PaperMate InkJoy range eliminates that problem! InkJoy is a new inking system that mixes “optimized writing tips” with “ultra-low viscosity inks”. It is a great little pen, cheap and cheerful with a range of colours to satisfy any pen enthusiasts. It glides across the page without leaving messy blobs of ink, require less pressure to write with and is comfortable enough to use when writing.

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InkJoy 100

Features a triangular shape for comfort. Available in both clear and transparent colour-tinted bodies for classic or fresh and modern look.
(RM1.00/pc)

InkJoy 100 RT

Features a triangular shape for comfort with a retractable tip for convenience. The colourful tinted body and white refill give the pen a refreshing look.
(RM1.20/pc)

InkJoy 300 RT

A retractable pen that features an extended rubberized grip for optimal comfort and a metal clip for durability.
(RM1.50/pc)

InkJoy 700 RT

The perfect blend of understand elegance and modern style. Sporting solid metal accents which provide long-lasting durability, a retractable pen that features an integrated contour grip to provide both comfort and control while writing.
(RM3.90/pc)

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After using these pens for quite some time, I conclude that I do quite like these Paper Mate InkJoy pens and would recommend anyone who often uses ballpoints to give them a try. Probably you could get the InkJoy 100 if you see one; if you like it, pick up the InkJoy 300 or InkJoy 700 as your everyday pen because I think you’d like them if InkJoy 100 is your choice. My personal favourite? PaperMate InkJoy 300 RT because it has variety of colours that would make my notes much more interesting and JOYful!

Anyway, let me know if any of you wanna try out these Paper Mate InkJoy pens because I certainly can’t be finishing them all by myself. Sharing is caring!

Also, let’s join the InkJoy PicBadge Creative Awards Contest on Paper Mate Malaysia Facebook and See How It Feels™! The contest will run through 6th January 2012 till 2nd February 2012, stand a chance to win cash prizes + awesome goodie bags! Who knows you might get a big bag full of InkJoy pen variants too? I think that’s pretty awesome, so let’s join together!

SPRITZER Mini Dispenser is definitely perfect for home, office, campus room, hotel guest rooms, basically everywhere – you name it! Like I said, being the lazy bum that I am, now that I have this in my room, I don’t have to go ALL the way to the kitchen to get some water anymore. I realized how important hydration is to our body and having this SPRITZER Mini Dispenser in my room makes it so much easier! One of the things that appeals to me the most is its light-weighted body which makes it so much easier to carry around. Since I travel a lot and always out and about most of the time, SPRITZER Mini Dispenser portability allows me to have SPRITZER‘s premium water in just a fingertip away! How cool is that? By the way, if you think having to change the water bottles on the dispenser is a tedious job, fret not! I can assure you it’s really simple like 1, 2, 3! I did it myself, and seriously guys, it’s not rocket science at all. Any tom dick and harry can do it, and cheers to the JOY – there is no need to boil water and waiting for it to cool down anymore! Waheyyyy

Another plus point of the SPRITZER Mini Dispenser is its price affordability. Priced at ONLY RM32.90 for 1 dispenser with 2 complementary bottles, it makes owning this product much easier – especially for a student like myself! To replace the bottles, you can get SPRITZER premium water at RM13.95 for 6 litre bottles / RM20.00 for 9.5 litre bottles. You can get this awesome product at ALL Giant Hypermarkets, 99 Speedmart, Aeon Jusco, and Esso/Mobil petrol kiosk outlets. BTW, you can totally jazz up your room with the SPRITZER Mini Dispenser too because it comes with cool colours – Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, Green and Navy Blue! Multi-coloured baby!

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Another amazing line that I have been a huge fan of is the TINGE by Spritzer. As you all have read on my previous TINGE Save The Stars post, it comes with either Lemon or Fruit Fusion flavours. I, personally adore the Fruit Fusion flavour! I swear, I have never expected clear water to taste THIS good. By the way, I urge people who do not fancy sweet drinks to not worry as TINGE is only mildly sweetened.

As you guys know, I love playing sports and any outdoor activities. So, as a sports enthusiast myself, water is vital for regulating temperature, lubricating joints and transporting nutrients and waste throughout the body – what people (including my mom!) usually emphasize on. And TINGE is perfect for people like me! I love the fact that it is non-carbonated and non-coloured. I have been looking for a healthier choice of drink with a tinge of refreshing taste all these while especially during sports activities and I am super happy that TINGE is the way to go! I remember trying this drink out after having a long day of futsal and it tasted refreshingly tasty!

Also, I asked my followers on Twitter whether they have tried TINGE and what are their feedbacks…

Thanks all whom replied my query late night haha.

I’m a person who prefers change and things that are out of the ordinary – thus, TINGE basically gives me just that! It is trendy and exciting. I can finally kiss the ol’ plain and boring mineral water goodbye now!

For more info, check out these links:
http://www.spritzer.com.my/
http://www.facebook.com/Spritzer.Tinge

I mean.. we all need water daily, right? So here’s the thing: water container is in my house kitchen, so in order to get drinking water I had to leave my room and walk all the way to the kitchen (yaaah, as if it’s a super long journey lol) But still, I used to be so lazy that I’d rather skip drinking water just because of the inconvenience and the ‘extra miles’ haha. Thus, my mum had an idea to curb this just so I had sufficient amount of water in my body system (i used to fall sick often back then so yaa).

Yes, water bottles! My mum refills and stores water bottles in my room so I had no excuse not to drink. Until I found this…

Oh shit. Will I get cancer or something?!

Then I found out about Spritzer’s latest offering… a Mini Dispenser!

Most of us know that Spritzer water is always known for its quality bottled water. Being the leading mineral water supplier in the country, it’s pretty awesome that they launched their Mini Dispenser specially for urban usage, home, offices, outdoor activities or anywhere else. The Mini Dispenser Series will be able to support Spritzer 9.5L & 6L bottles, which is incredible!

Kind enough, Spritzer knew about my lazy bum issue (as if lol) and gave me one of their Spritzer Mini Dispenser to try out!

It’s actually pretty easy to set up; just turn the large water bottle upside down and place it directly on the water stand so that the needle-like base (don’t worry it’s not sharp lol) will pierce the water bottle lid for water supply to flow through!

There you go, awesome lah now I can drink good quality water! No more drinking from reused water bottles, I’m gonna get rid of them by sending it to recycle centre instead!

You can get one yourself too, it’s pretty affordable as well. Just check out the Online Shopping section @ http://www.spritzer.com.my/

Since it’s new, i would certainly not want any scratches on my beloved laptop. Thus, Hydraskins was kind enough to send me a free limited edition laptop skin in conjunction with the upcoming Apollo 18 movie.

Only 150 of this design was produced worldwide, and I heard it’s worth about RM80? Because one of Hydraskins‘ good feature is that the skin application on any devices is as easy as peanuts! You won’t have to worry about having air bubble or creases underneath the Hydraskins, it’ll be a super rare case if you do get any air bubbles lol.

1. Measure the skin according to the size of your laptop, draw a line on the grid provided at the back of the skin

2. Cut the skin accordingly

3. Peel off the skin and apply it on your laptop

4. Done deal! There you have it, a Hydraskins-pimped laptop!

Hydraskins product is water resistant, scratch resistant, reusable, and you’re able to remove it without leaving any residue! That’s one of the most important thing for me because Hydraskins offer a lot more other attractive designs which I might just change mine every month or something!

Check them out at Hydraskins Facebook page if you’d like to know more; they’re having a movie screening of Apollo 18 this week as well so look out for future interesting updates from them!

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P/S: Kidding, I don’t have a new laptop; this is my old one. Nevertheless, I’m still taking care of it by putting on Hydraskins on it!

Long awaited, the expectations were set pretty high for this device – MeeGo was supposedly tipped as the ‘savior’ of Nokia devices to replace the aging Symbian OS. However, Nokia had announced months ago that they are going to move onto Windows Phone 7 as their primary platform instead. From then on, many of us thought there won’t be much (or maybe nil) room for the allocation of MeeGo on Nokia devices; until… the birth of Nokia N9!

Nokia N9 is a stunning device – sleek, minimal, with curved glass front and no visible buttons. It operates as awesome as it looks! The software – MeeGo ‘Harmattan’ itself empowers the Nokia N9 even further because it is as great as the hardware. Some may perceive this phone as the iPhone-killer / or rather Nokia’s iPhone; the design ethos is really befitting a modern smartphone platform. The MeeGo OS feels so smooth and alive, the design language and iconography is a breath of fresh air, screaming device performance, etc. (you must try the device to be able to get what i mean!)

Nokia N9 holds three key principles:

“Bold, all screen design” – “The simplicity of a swipe” – “One home. Three simple views.“

And they really mean it. As you can see the phone consists of mainly just the screen without any main buttons. All you need to do is just swipe, swipe and swipe. And there’s no complication of many pages opened because at the end of the day you’ll only be swiping left – centre – right (three views only), trust me i’ve tried it and it’s possible!

Very (very, very) promising device by Nokia; hopefully they’ll consider revoking their decision of making Nokia N9 the one and only MeeGo device from Nokia because I could see lots of potential out of it and could possibly be one of the most competitive OS alongside Apple iOS & Android.

The Nokia N9 will be meeting the Malaysian consumers within these few weeks. However, they were still tight-lipped about the actual release date and the pricing details for the device. So, keep a look out for it! If and only if I have a chance to get hold of this device myself, all of you are welcomed to find me; I’ll be sure to make you feel the same way as I do (bored of the iPhone, wanting to try something new, etc)

The place looks pretty good and of course we were served with a variety of food choices in their buffet line. I was too hungry and went ahead grabbing as much food as I could that night and there were few pretty good dishes served in the line! I almost forgotten that we were going to have 11 different types of cakes and desserts after our buffet dinner so by the time I was finished and I saw the cakes being served, my expression was -> :O ‘oh no, i ate a little too much earlier’.

But anyway the cakes were very nice and there wasn’t any much problem finishing the cakes especially when it’s delicious!

We were first served with this Aloe Vera Chocolate Cheese Cake
(Cinnamon Coffee House’s Cake of the Month – June 2011)

Oreo Cheesecake

Red Velvet Cake

Mango Dome

Peach Crumble

Pave Pistachio Cake

Green Tea Opera Cake

Mixed Nuts Tiramisu

Black Forest Cake

Carrot Cake

Petit Antone Cake

I love this cake above! Petit Antone – if you like the taste of Ferrero Rocher chocolate, you’ll like this cake because it tasted almost similar! Their Red Velvet cake is also pretty good but I’ve tasted better somewhere else. As for the rest of the cakes, some were pretty good for me but some were just not up to par. It’s either a little dry for my liking (i like moist cakes lol) or something else. But overall, I went back home as a happy kid cos I love desserts & cakes and I got to try out 11 different varieties of cakes in a night!

The cakes are priced at RM12++ per slice / RM90++ for the whole cake; however they are having this Deli counter special offer where you can get a 50% discount on ALL breads & cakes at the counter from 3.00pm onwards daily. Thus, make your way to Cinnamon Coffee House @ One World Hotel for your hi-tea session after few rounds of shopping at the mall! It’ll be worthwhile seeing that you could get 50% discount on the breads & cakes after 3pm

Thanks Ms Florence & Ms May from One World Hotel for the hospitality, and thanks Rebecca Saw for inviting us – Hungry Female, Baby Sumo, Xiangcool, and myself for the makan session.

Was invited for a food tasting session few weekends ago @ Mikan Japanese Restaurant which serves some of the scrumptious japanese food available in downtown KL. The japanese restaurant is located within Maju Junction Mall, along the roads of Jalan Sultan Ismail (opposite Tune Hotel KL).

Here are all the japanese cuisine presented to us on that day:

Sashimi Moriawase
Assorted Slice Raw Fish

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Chawan Mushi
Steamed Egg Custard

Gindara Teriyaki
Grilled Cod with Teriyaki Sauce

Chicken Teriyaki
Pan Fried Chicken with Teriyaki Sauce

Teppanyaki Gyuniku
Beef Teppanyaki

Tori Katsu Curry
Breadcrumbs Chicken with Japanese Curry

Seafood Coroquette
Scallop, Prawn, Crab Meat & Edamame

Tori Tama Toji
Breadcrumbs Chicken with Egg

Jumbo Ebi Tempura
Deep Fried Big Prawn Tempura

Nigiri Sushi and Soft Kani Maki
Assorted Sushi with Soft Shell Crab Roll

Wasabi

Goma Ice Cream
Black Sesame Ice Cream

Overall, the food was pretty unique and tasty as they prepared some of the dishes in a different way than the conventional japanese cuisine; some had unique ingredients in it such as coffee in the curry and so on, the sashimi are freshly shipped twice a week (Tues & Fri), salmon fish being imported from Norway, Nishiki rice were used in their sushi and processed with Evian water, their Ebi Tempura prawns are BIG (twice or maybe more the size of the usual prawn you get in jap restaurants), even their ice creams are imported from Japan, etc..

Had a long 4 hours+ lunch on that day and our stomach were fulfilled with loads of japanese happiness. If you are planning to dine at Mikan Japanese Restaurant, just call them for reservation and they’ll provide you with free parking spot right in front of the restaurant!

Price range per pax would be around RM25 – RM50.

Address:
G11, Maju Junction Mall,
1001, Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2691 1001

Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday
11:30am – 3:00pm
6:00pm – 12:00pm

We had the opportunity to watch LAT the Musical aka Kampung Boy a day earlier from the official opening date during the preview night. Harith Iskander and Hans Isaac had done a fantastic job writing and directing LAT the Musical, not to mention great work to all the crews and casts such as Awie, Atilia, Douglas Lim and many more.

LAT the Musical is based on Lat’s famed work The Kampung Boy which narrates the tales of his life, beginning from his childhood right up to the peak of his career as a cartoonist as well as his ups and downs. If you know who is LAT Kampung Boy and you grew up reading his comics, I would recommended you to watch this show. Even if you don’t know who is LAT, do watch it too because it is definitely worth the effort, hard work, spirit and idea they had came up with.

LAT the Musical has multilingual dialogues using Malay, English, Chinese and Indian language in its play. The only complaint from me is that some of the Malay dialogues with Perak accent by certain casts were kinda difficult to decipher at first (even for a used-to-be-frequent Malay speaker myself) but somehow you’ll get what they’re trying to say anyway. Other that that, the musical show was awesome! The choreography was great, the set and props were awesome, and it is definitely… 1Malaysia hahaha.

Take a look at some of the photos that I have taken during the preview night show of LAT the Musical:

Also, check out the video below on some of the invited bloggers’ feedback after coming out from the theatre during LAT the Musical preview night:

LAT the Musical / LAT Kampung Boy Sebuah Muzikal will be showcasing at Istana Budaya from 16 March 2011 – 5 April 2011. For more info, visit their Facebook page OR head onto Ticket2U.biz regarding the show ticketing.