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My Thoughts on the Apple iPad
By tangenghui | February 7, 2010
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The highly anticipated Apple Tablet had been ongoing in the internet arena for quite a while, with many rumours, diagrams, views, wants etc floating around the forums, blogs & websites. Finally, the gadget came to light and it was officially launched, known to the world as the iPad.
Watching from the live presentation by Steve Jobs in the early morning wee hours Singapore time and looking through the features and tech specs on the Apple website, analysing it over a bit of time, I decided to pen down my thoughts on the Apple iPad. Many websites and forums would have already given out their views on the Apple iPad and my blog post would probably be the slower ones already. Some people have called the iPad the giant iPhone and it’s true to a certain extent.
Before going further, all the information of the iPad can be found here.
Pros
- Awesome for travel and leisure use
- For a photographer, this would be very useful and wonderful, upload photographs taken and it can be viewed nicely, doubles up as a digital photo frame too!
- Light & slim in design
- iBook ~ a revolutionary change in e-book reading !
- Maps ~ iPad transforms into a giant GPS !
- Giant iPod
- Light & portable reader for news on the internet
Cons
- The name iPad doesn’t sound too nice
- No camera
- No USB port
- Not designed for business usage
Possible Future Additions that I dream of
- Camera
- USB ports
- Run on Mac OS X instead of iPhone OS ?
- Bigger flash drive capacity ~ especially if I am traveling overseas and I have lots of photographs to download
Hopefully, one day, I would be able to grab hold of the 1st Generation iPad and give it a try for a few days. As much as I really like the specs and design, I am sure Apple can improve a lot on the iPad design, features and specs and I am very likely to hold back and wait for 2nd Generation iPad, however, if I get the iPad as a gift, I would be more than happy !
Why I would buy the iPad NOW
The iPad would become my leisure, travel and photography tablet. From that 3 perspective, this current iPad is great. Being a slim and light weight tablet, travel on the road with e-books, iTunes, photos, internet surfing with 3G data & WI-FI is not a hassle anymore.
Why I wouldn’t buy the iPad NOW
For a business user, I feel a netbook or notebook might be a stronger proposition than the current iPad. A Windows 7 powered tablet is a strong opponent (in my humble opinion). Besides, would love the additional features to be implemented inside the 2nd Generation iPad too.
Being a 1st Generation gadget, I strongly believe it will only get better, the question is “Do you want to get it now ?” or “Would you and are you able to wait for the next generation iPad ?”
Topics: Apple, Information Technology, Latest News & Updates, Personal Stories | No Comments »
My Horoscope Forecast for Dragon in Tiger Year
By tangenghui | February 6, 2010
Chinese Lunar New Year is arriving very soon, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year would fall on 14th February 2010, that is Valentine’s Day as well !! While I am preparing to welcome the Year of the Tiger, I came across my Horoscope Forecast for the Dragon in the Year of the Tiger from Razor TV.
Adelina Pang, a fengshui consultant, presented the horoscope forecast in the the video above. It was an interesting forecast and somehow, I felt it was invaluable to remind me constantly for the Year of the Tiger !
- Strategise and work your way to Success !
- Stop Worrying !
- Watch Your Health, Learn to Relax !
- Maintain Your Well-Balanced Lifestyle
- Let Your Mind & Body Rest !
- Cherish Your Loved Ones
Awesome tips for the Dragon in the Year of the Tiger !! I would keep these few invaluable tips in mind !!
Topics: Dreams, Life Experiences, Personal Stories | No Comments »
Becoming a Mentor/Teacher
By tangenghui | February 3, 2010
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”
These wise words came from Bill Gates, a person that needs no further introduction, somebody who had helped to change the world that we live in today over the past 20-30 years. How does this line of wisdom impacted me ? Well, simply, as I started moving into the arena of teaching and mentoring, with the confidence, skills and experiences in the field, it would be an easy trap into
~ “We think We Know Everything, in fact, We Don’t” ~
Does success make us so much better than the rest that we don’t seek to continuously improve our current skills and knowledge ? Do we think too smart of ourselves ? Have we grown too complacent ?
2010 has been earmarked as my year of mentoring friends and in 1 field of my skill and expertise, I took up the challenge with pride and honour, accepting students in photography, from a National Youth Achievement Award candidate to friends who recently entered into DSLR. Till date, I would have 4 students 
However, that does not mean that I know everything in photography yet, now I am exploring lomography, studio lighting and portraiture photography. Besides that, I have helped out with junior photographers that just entered the industry.
What other areas have I been involved in mentoring ?
- Blogs setup and advisory , SEO, Social Media
- Blog shop setup and advisory, internet marketing
When I stepped into this arena, it’s not daunting, it’s like a pilgrimage, a journey of an entrepreneur, Pay It Forward, Helping and teaching people, sharing the skills and knowledge. By transferring, teaching, guiding and mentoring, I will bring my current skills and knowledge to the next higher level too !
Topics: Blogging Business, Dreams, Essential Planning, Financial Advisory, Fitness Training, Goals, Information Technology, Latest News & Updates, Leadership, Life Experiences, Marathon, Mentoring, Personal Development, Personal Stories, Training and Development | No Comments »
Return of (Mini) Power PT Running
By tangenghui | February 2, 2010
On the 1st day of February 2010, I decided that my running needs to kick start for my long distance runs in May 2010. After I stopped running and training for about 2 months since the Singapore Marathon 2009 in December, it was back to zero or square one again for me, I reset my training and running mileage clock back to zero, starting fresh again for a new target.
Looking for Jack Lan and he asked me to go Power Physical Training (PT) Running first with Brian Lam and catch up after that. Since it had been a long time since I went through Power PT and quite some time since I went running, I thought, why not ? Returning from work, packing up some stuff and went off to meet the runners to Telok Blangah Hill Park.
Power PT Running today was running the uphill road followed by downhill road, a loop around the summit of Telok Blangah Hill Park. The time target was 2min 30s for every loop with rest time of 3 minutes, repeating over 5 times. Being an unfit person as of now & a slight age gap, I think my timing was between 3 mins to 3mins 22s for every run.
Whether I am training for sprints, short distance, medium distance or long distance running, Power PT Running does have its place in a physical training regime and must be part of any sports training regime. Reflecting back the time when I learned the techniques of Power PT, the training runs were like 4 rounds of 100m run and 4 rounds of 400m run, within a stipulated time frame, aerobic training and anaerobic training.
A return of (Mini) Power PT Running, I used to be a much fitter person, as age catches up, we have to train harder to maintain the level of fitness that we desire when we were younger. I confess that I have to train more and harder than my younger counterparts, I will push myself, improve my own fitness and I run my own race !
My training philosophy is to train together for a common target – Run Your Own Race and I am NOT here to race against people.
Let this be a start of my regular training runs towards my May 2010 running goal !
Topics: Dreams, Essential Planning, Fitness Training, Goals, Life Experiences, Marathon, Personal Development, Personal Stories, Sports, Training and Development | No Comments »
2 Days Helping out at Flag Day
By tangenghui | January 31, 2010
For a weekend of Saturday and Sunday, I was brought back to a time when we would be helping out in Flag Day through our Scout Group, Gan Eng Seng School Dragon Scout Group. The tradition in helping out at Flag Day is in our blood and it spanned over more than 20 years as my senior, former leader in charge quoted to me.
I confessed that for some years, helping out in Flag Day or going down to help out in some form of community service was lost in me. Over the years working and looking at how the economy prospered, there were still some fellow people who was not able to catch up with the fast paced growth and were left behind by the rat race or they were suffering from illness, disabilities or issues that caused them to be less well off too.
While growing, learning and expanding as an entrepreneur, a lesson learned was Pay It Forward, helping people without expecting and asking for anything in return, especially those in need. Therefore, when my senior, another former leader of my scout group told me about helping out at Flag Day, I arranged my time to help out on both Saturday and Sunday.
Different people participating had a different role to play and each and everyone is important. There were those volunteers from schools who were helping out to go out and raise funds during the Flag Day on the Saturday, there were those who were stationed at centres across the island to distribute and collect the tin cans at the end of the Flag Day, the drivers and collectors to pick up and deliver the tin cans to the society HQ, volunteers at the HQ to account and sort out the tin cans.
On the Sunday, the volunteers would come back to open up the tin cans and count the money, sort it out into the correct bags and amount before the security firm arrives and pick up the funds raised for delivery to bank for deposit. The staff at the society would have more paperwork to continue with the necessary procedures for filing and reporting.
The recent mistrust in charitable organisations did place a bit of mistrust and anger, people kind contributions to the needy were misused. With the laws getting stricter that I feel it is good, the people would trust the charitable organisations and donate generously to help those really needy people.
As I reflect back on 2 days of community service, I am very glad to be back doing something meaningful and helpful, with my fellow alumni mata of young and old of the Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group.
Topics: Dreams, Latest News & Updates, Leadership, Life Experiences, Mentoring, Personal Development, Personal Stories | 1 Comment »
A Summary of Many Thoughts, Ideas, Feelings in Me
By tangenghui | January 28, 2010
While I am waiting eagerly for the Apple Launch Live on 28th Jan 0200 hrs local time, there were many accumulated thoughts inside me that had been bottling up for quite some time already that I wanted to blog and write down here. Given the potential magnitude and wide diverse range of topics, thoughts, ideas and feelings, I decided to write down in point form or short synopsis, reminding myself to write in-depth in the next few days.
~ Goal Settings for Consultancy Business ~
- Still fine tuning my goals, directions and breaking down into smaller bits and pieces that would be more easily “digested” for my goal setting and achievement.
~ New Business Opportunities ~
- Helping a good friend in blogging and online blog shop setup, guiding them through and would be a good reference and testimonial for my future projects in blogging.
- Invited to join my friends in building up their business network and expansion.
- Travel writing for travel websites and tourism bodies, opportunities arising from there.
~ Running ~
- A serious need to start kick off my running for 2010, enhancements needed to my training regime or else my improvements would not be great compared to last year.
~ Mentoring ~
- Got about 5 people of different age groups, coming under me to learn photography, how well I do here would help me to improve my expertise level of photography too. Need to learn how to teach people and transfer my knowledge across to them.
~ Social Media Networking ~
- I am a slow and late starter in social media networking, the world today has embarked on revolutionary growth and changes in media and communications. Social Media Networking would be a very powerful channel and I must make sure that I learn as much as possible and apply them to my blogging and bring my blogs to a higher level.
~ Pay It Forward / Giving / Community Work / Charity Work ~
- As our society advances, in terms of prosperity and wealth, not everybody was able to ride on the waves and rise up high to enjoy the growth and prosperity. I do not know whether is it me, there seems to be more old and elderly people selling tissue papers, collecting junk, living off food scraps. How can I help ? How can I make a difference ? For now, I may not have the answer yet. Nevertheless, I would think of ways to give back.
Taking a step forward
Topics: Dreams, Essential Planning, Fitness Training, Goals, Information Technology, Latest News & Updates, Leadership, Life Experiences, Marathon, Mentoring, Personal Development, Personal Stories, Training and Development | 2 Comments »
Of Entrepreneurship & Mentoring
By tangenghui | January 20, 2010
Entrepreneurship – An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome (via Wikipedia)
Over the past 4 years, it had been a very exciting, challenging, physically, mentally and emotionally demanding journey that I embarked on, kind of marathon after marathon. What started off from a small step, turned into bigger steps and wider steps, entering into different fields of businesses, to the extent whereby some friends said I wasn’t focused enough.
Looking back, reflecting and taking stock of my journey and achievements, hits, misses, mistakes and failures today, I had grown so much and still growing everyday. I always learned something, from my different experiences and “there’s is always a 1st time”, incidents and mistakes happening, asking peers for their advice, it dawned upon me that, those experienced friends also went through some of the same mistakes too.
Moving ahead in the year 2010, time to take charge of the opportunities arising
- Growing and maintaining my client relationship management
- Embarking on business projects/assignments/portfolio
With entrepreneurship spirit, there is a quote that had been indoctrinated inside me over the past 4 years,
~ Service ~
“Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness – great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation and great joy.”
Remembering Jim Rohn and his legacy of teachings and mentoring.
Service, or servanthood, to me, it encompasses Mentoring and the signs were directing me towards Mentoring friends 2010 in the fields of
- Leadership
- Blog setup, internet marketing, SEO 2.0 and a bit of social media
The year 2010 is going to be a very exciting and challenging year for me, rising every step I take, every fall I rise again and again. Learning, improving and mentoring, will 2010 be better than the years before !
Topics: Dreams, Essential Planning, Goals, Information Technology, Leadership, Life Experiences, Mentoring, Personal Development, Personal Stories, Training and Development | 2 Comments »
Blogging Review 2009 & Blogging Goal Setting 2010
By tangenghui | January 15, 2010
In the year 2009, for both my personal and photoblog, there had been quite a good improvement and growth in my 2 blogs, especially in my photoblog. Reflecting back in 2009, there would be quite a lot to write about and hopefully, I don’t miss anything out.
Embracing Social Media Networking
Starting my blog from a passion and interest, the growth of my blogs were based on SEO 2.0 and internet marketing guided by my friend Jack Lan. However, due to the nature and features of my photoblog, I embraced and expanded the usage of social media networks such as
- Flickr
- Networked Blogs via Facebook
- Ping.sg
- Search Engines & Blog Directories
- MyBlogLog & BlogCatalog
As time goes by, when I was approached to take up my 1st blogger project in the LG Viewty Smart camera phone, it was the start of many more things and stuff that I never thought would be possible that social media networking can bring to me and my blogs.
After that, it was followed by the reviews of the electronic gadgets SONY VIAO W and Nokia N97, invitation to Microsoft Windows 7 events as media and a very memorable experience was the official Windows 7 launch for media and partners and I had a great time there.
At that point in time, 4 different PR agencies in the year 2009 and everything was going great for me ! Something that I didn’t thought or ever dream of being possible ! The milestone for me was a joint event co-organised with 24seven, to lead a photography walkabout known as Snap Snap November Outing and it was great to know more bloggers especially those who love photography.
The engagements with the PR agencies and bloggers showed the power of social media networks and social media networking. This area would be a hot topic of discussion for business on how they can use to make their business grow or are they worried about engaging the social media, the power of the internet or are they too worried about their ROI from using the social media ?
With the Hat-py Party in December 2009 and the recent BBQ party by 24seven, I am slowly getting to know more bloggers from different interests and backgrounds. Great to know more friends too !
Goal Setting 2010
For 2010, I am looking forward to grow my blogs further and hopefully able to
- Take on more blogging related stuff, such as gadget reviews or testing.
- Organise with partners in PR/Social Media in regular photography shooting events
- Grow my blog traffic and publicity further locally and internationally
- Obtaining media pass for events photography in major events
- Mentoring friends in photography
- Mentoring friends in blogging
- Writing for travel blogs & photography blogs
- Knowing more new friends in blogging & social media networking
- Grow my social media networking
Looking forward to an explosive 2010 growth in my blogging, social media networking and photojournalism ! Let’s grow, expand and social network together !
Thank U to all my friends in blogging, social media networking, tweeting, flickr, facebook & many many more social networks !
Topics: Blogging Business, Dreams, Essential Planning, Goals, Information Technology, Latest News & Updates, Leadership, Life Experiences, Mentoring, Personal Development, Personal Stories, Training and Development | 1 Comment »
Thankful for the Birthday Gatherings Celebrations!
By tangenghui | January 14, 2010
As I grew older every year, birthday celebrations became different and less party style. Passing through the 30s, it seems like birthday celebrations for myself would become more of a gathering and catch up since friends had settled down with family and have children.
I was very fortunate that close friends, colleagues and relatives helped to celebrate my birthday over a few days, having dinner and gathering in the evening. On Saturday 9th Jan, it was with my fellow Dragon Scout Group batch of brother scouts, knew them since 1990, a span of 20 years, very long friendship and bonding. Had a great night out with them !
On my birthday 10th Jan, my big uncle, auntie, cousins & my 2 nieces met for a very nice zhi char dinner at one of the local heartland coffeeshop, think I had too much of rich and oily food. Love the dishes and I probably won’t be eating too much again.
Monday 11th Jan lunch time, met another fellow Dragon Scout Group batch brother scout, discussed about sports and triathlon. 11th Jan evening time, met up with my classmates from SAJC, had gathering at our classmate home and it was a good catch up & chit chat.
Tuesday 12th Jan evening, dinner with colleagues, celebrated with another fellow January birthday colleague from the same batch that entered the company together, shared a mango birthday cake.
Over the past few days, although the group gatherings were small, I am very grateful and thankful for their time spent together. Many well wishes and birthday greetings came through facebook and SMS.
For that, Thank You all for making my 33rd birthday a fun feasting and gathering over the past 4 days !
Topics: Dreams, Latest News & Updates, Life Experiences, Personal Stories | No Comments »
Sports & Running Goal Settings 2010
By tangenghui | January 9, 2010
In the midst of a new year, a new beginning, I am busy setting myself plans and strategies for my new year 2010. Goal settings are currently underway in the various categories that I split into smaller categories.
First thing first, my sports and running goal settings for the year 2010. I haven’t finalised my running events for the year 2010, due to the non-availability of the final running dates by the various organisers. Nevertheless, the runs that I would be looking at to run for the year 2010 would be
- Passion Run
- Sundown Marathon
- Army Half Marathon
- New Balance Real Run
- Nike Real Run
- Singapore Marathon
Besides running, I pledge myself to make a return to make up for my failure to complete my number 6th full marathon in 2009 Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon – I will continue to run and finish marathons. Therefore, I am looking at my training schedule, to be finalised at a later time, whereby I would set myself a schedule to train myself in a more consistent and disciplined manner and program, achieving and improving personal best running times.
Beyond Running – Embarking New Arenas
Triathlon – Moving beyond running, I am planning to enter Triathlon, to challenge myself further, personally, physically, mentally and emotionally. For a start, it would in the sprint category, from then on, I would decide how I would advance or explore in this field. Before everything, I would likely go for a medical checkup to ensure I am able to participate in a Triathlon.
North Face 100 – From my roots in scouting and outdoor activities, the North Face 100 had been beckoning me all these few years and I didn’t enter. Finally, I managed to convince another old mate of mine from my fellow batch scout to embark on this North Face 100. Trail running, enjoying the outdoors and it would be tough, tiring and demanding yet fun !
Overseas Marathon – Had my fair share of local marathons and I would like to go abroad and experience how marathons are like and different from us, experiencing different cultures too. That’s many marathons around the region, would take a look and decide to embark on at least 1 overseas marathon in 2010.
Beach Volleyball – This sports had never really caught my interest due to my staunch support for football, basketball, rugby league and rugby union. My friend is a volleyball coach and is running volleyball and beach volleyball classes, and it does gives me a new sports to try out and learn.
Sports Science / Management – Studying and staying in Australia for 4 years during my undergraduate days, I had first hand of how fanatics the Aussies are in sports and the emphasis of sports science and sports management. Till today, I still had strong interest in the field of sports and sports science, if time schedule allows, I might go for a basic sports coach certification.
Cycling – Loved cycling when I was young, somehow or another, didn’t sustain the interest and recently, would like to add on cycling to compliment my current sports training and addition of a new sports/hobby too. This would also help to prepare me for the triathlon eventually, something that I have been looking forward to. Looking ahead, I am looking at a 2nd hand road bike and 2nd hand mountain bike too.
The above goals had pretty much been split into smaller categories, however, each sub-set goal would need more thorough planning and strategy and I look forward to share my training, experiences and knowledge along the sports and fitness journey in 2010 !
Wishing all of you a Healthy and Sporty lifestyle 2010 !
Topics: Dreams, Essential Planning, Fitness Training, Goals, Latest News & Updates, Life Experiences, Marathon, Personal Development, Personal Stories, Sports, Training and Development | 1 Comment »
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