Only Aesthetics update

I have been to quite a number of sessions of QPX underarm.

I must say that I feel that their service level has improved tremendously since I first started.

It is easier to make appointments. Previously, they dont accept bookings 2 months in advance. I had to call at most 1 month before my appointment date. My QPX is at 2 months interval so I had to set reminders to make appointments. Their phone lines were also always engaged or calls were unanswered. Now, I can make my next appointment after every QPX session.

Their beauticians are friendlier and more detailed. In my first few sessions, I encountered a beautician who I felt wasn't too friendly and did a slip shod work. Recently, the beauticians are more patient, more detailed and generally more friendlier.

Less hard-sell. Even when they promote their packages, they are sweet about it. I didn't feel pressured to sign any packages.

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Ibeauty & Slimming centre - massage

 Just went for a 60 minutes massage session at Ibeauty (Ang Mo Kio branch) after I bought the $20 deal from www.bestbargain.com.sg

I won't be going back.

I don't like how the masseuse kept asking me to upgrade the massage from the 'relaxing' one to a better one. She said that an additional $20 will get me a 'better', more targeted treatment massage and cupping or gua sha. After I declined, she lowered to $18 which I declined again. Initially, I wanted to ask for more attention on the neck and shoulder. After hearing her promotion of the more 'targeted' treatment, I didnt as I wanted to avoid further hard-sell.

After the massage, she offered peach tea which was nice and she promoted her packages to me. She then said that the massage that she did was only 抚摸式, which literally means gentle strokes. There were times I felt that she was just touching me. Perhaps I would have gotten better treatment if I upgraded the massage. Personally, I don't think it is a nice marketing technique and I didnt want to support it.

During the talk, she also admitted that she was actually better at giving facial and that she would recommend me their better masseuse if I sign their packages. To my mind, I wondered why she would confess such a thing. And why did the company get a facial lady to give a massage to a first time customer. Shouldn't they assign a more experienced masseuse to convince the first time customers that their bodies would be in good hands if they buy the packages?

When asked about the prices of their hot stone massages, the masseuse initially said that if I sign the package it would be $48 per session. However, subsequently, after hearing that I used to pay $80-90 per session, she said the hot stone massages are $88 per session if I sign the package. After I showed hesitation, she introduced a CNY promo where the sessions are $88 for 1.5 hours.

If you are interested in going, the parlor is  located near Ang Mo Kio MRT, above KOI. The staircase is behind KOI. It's hard to miss the signboard once you go behind KOI. It is simply decorated with mandarin music playing at the background. I'm not too sure if the masseuse speaks English but she is definitely more comfortable speaking Mandarin.

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Android on HP touchpad

Idiots Guide - How to Install Cyanogenmod 7 Android Alpha on HP 

After going though numerous videos and websites, i find the above video to be the clearest and least complicated. Enjoy. 

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Review: Samsung SyncMaster B1930

Got a new monitor for my laptop from Hardwarezone. It is clear and good enough for normal use.

I got it for $80, brand new in bag. Good deal!

Advice: Dont buy too big a monitor if your computer's graphic card is not good!!! Might get fried. 

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Review: Sony Cybershot TX5 - underwater camera - Update 1

Blue cap is loose. :(

After using the camera for a few months now, i must say that it is not very durable. I don't use it often, only on special occasions. And yet, it is showing signs of break down. The blue thing which is supposed to keep the battery in place is loose and does not secure the battery. :(

Link to first review: http://iseeitryireview.blogspot.com/2011/05/sony-cybershot-tx5-underwater-camera.html

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Review: HTC Incredible S

I lost my Iphone 4 last month so I got a HTC Incredible S.

What I like about it:

1. Android system - the android system is so easy to play around. i could change the theme and lock screen easily. I did not have to jailbreak the phone to customise it.

What I dont like about it:


Function/Usage: 

1. TOOOOOOO laggish. I have yet to try other android phones so im not sure if its the software or the hardware of the phone. Regardless, it is starting to piss me off. Even something as simple as typing an SMS is sooo frustrating. it lags so badly at times.
2. it is soo hard to take a screenshot. I have yet to find out how. i went through some forums but it seems too troublesome. :x it is soooo much easier on a iphone
3. the iphone camera has a wider angle... no more group shots with this phone. 
4. i cannot see the name of the carrier. if i put my phone on silent i dont know if im roaming or not. i dont know if this can be solved with a rooted phone tho.
5. music apps cannot be switched off easily. in the iphone 4, music apps can be switched off by holding the home button and flipping to the right. however, in htc incredible S, only the music player can be switched off that easily. the music player can be switched off by pulling down the menu and tapping on the pause button. However, for all other apps, like the radio, i need to tap into the app before i can off it. a bit too troublesome for my liking.

Personalisation: 

1. HTC sense. some really love the system, but not me. i prefer to be able to customise the bottom row of standard icons like in a iphone. i would also like to see what apps are in a folder. fortunately, i could easily download a app to change the theme and customise the home page.
2. i also dont like the fact that i cannot customise the quick setting in the pull down menu. I had to download a app which is triggered by holding the search button to customise the settings that i wanted.

Form:

1. Battery life. really sucks. worse than Iphone. sometimes, it cannot even last 3 hours. i have to carry the cable everywhere and i bought a spare battery.
2. the casing is plastic which is a lot less classy than the iphone (i do feel less guilty when i drop my HTC. haha.)
3. Ultimately, HTC incredible S is not a flagship model. It was meant to be a cheaper alternative. I can live with its quirks for its price. I only paid $58 with a 2 year Starhub contract. :)

Love it? Hate it? Want to go try it? Leave a comment!

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Review: Brainwavz M2 IEM Earphones - MP4 Nation

 MP4 Nation

My main complaint is the delivery time by mp4 nation!!! On the order form, it was clearly stated that delivery only takes 4-14 days. I ordered mine on 18 Apr 2011, item was supposedly shipped on 26 Apr 2011 BUT i only received it on 30 May 2011! 

The lack of tracking by Hk post didn't help either. I could not confirm if mp4 nation did ship my order. Mp4 nation should seriously look into their shipping policy!! They should really change the 4-14 days to a more realistic time. Highly doubt that I would get anything from them anymore!

Prices are also not competitive. I bought the M2 for USD59.50, I just realised that I could have gotten it for SG$65 minus the wait! There was also a promotion on a singapore site; M2 only cost SG$56.50!!! ROAR! 

Brainwavz M2 IEM Earphones

• Some spelling and grammar errors in the instructions manual affect the professionalism of the earphones.
• The case is also not very appealing, it reminds me of the one from Sonicgear.
• Mine did not come with ear gliders although the package stated that the gliders are included. 

• For me, earphones need to handle acoustics well. Some earphones just can't handle simple and clean music.
  The m2 does good in acoustics. It is detailed enough for the casual listener.
  The bass on dance/club music is better than usual.
  Sound isolation is good. I couldn't hear construction work going on near my house at half the volume level on a iPhone.
• Wires are unique; it seems to be braided underneath. It really seemed to prevent tangling. This is a big plus for me cause I am not too gentle with my earphones and that has caused me a few earphones already.
  Compared with Soundmagic PL30, the wires on M2 seemed sturdier and more durable.
• 3 silicon and 1 foam tips were included in my package. Currently using the foam tips, simply because it looks cooler and it is featured on the box.
  Read other reviews and realised that some reviewers received more tips. Do check before purchase if that's a factor for you.

Check out Amazon for more reviews:

Amazon is also selling at the same price as MP4 Nation. Those who are interested in the M2s should try Amazon to possibly reduce the shipping time. :)

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Review: Sony Cybershot TX5 - underwater camera

The Sony TX5 is a waterproof (up to 3m) and shockproof (up to 1.5m) digital camera. I LOVE IT! The colours on the photos are vivid and detailed enough. The lens, is also wide enough for group photos, which comes in handy for overseas shots when you need to capture both the people and the landscape. Battery life is also goood; able to last for a entire day out. 

We had a lot of fun with the underwater function in the pool. It was hard trying to pose underwater but that was part of the fun! :) 


The camera also does night shots well. My friends commented that the flash is pretty strong. 

However, it is VERY prone to scratches and nicks. I dropped the camera while squatting and there are visible nicks already. I wonder how the camera will deal with a 1.5m drop… After dropping it, the camera hanged for a little while. When I tried to on it, it said system corrupt or something like that. I had a shock, but it was revived after I took out the battery, waited for a lil while and put it back in. I now put it in a hard case to protect it. J

If you are wondering why my TX5 looks a bit funky, that’s because the paint on the sliding cover peeled when I accidentally left it in water overnight. You see, the instructions recommended a soak in clean water after usage in pool/sea water. I totally forgotten about my camera when I was in Bali and the paint was ‘bloated’ when I came back. I got a HUGE shock!! The paint had lost its ‘stickiness’ so I just peeled it off. Fortunately, the camera was still working! the sliding cover is like a mirror now.

Moral of the story, please follow instructions and soak in only for 30 mins. And mask your camera if you are into its looks. 


Oh, sometimes there will be a popup reminding you to close the cover tightly and check if there are any particles in the cover. It almost always appear after I open the battery cover to charge or remove the SD card. Not too sure if it means anything or just a gentle reminder but I just press the shoot button and use it as per normal. 

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Review: Data plan

Most would think it's stupid to have a smart phone without a data plan. Well, not me!

My first smart phone was a htc diamond, I then changed to nokia n97 and now I'm using a iPhone 4.. I have never gotten a data plan and do not have any regrets!

As a student, I do not need to check my emails 24/7. I figured that my data plan would be mostly used for Facebook. Sure, i might read the news occasionally. But I still prefer newspapers. They are more substantial and detailed.
So I asked myself, if Facebook were to charge me $10(cost of data plan) to use their services, would I accept?

Since i am always either in school or at home or at some mall, data plan isnt essential! I can always tap on my schools network or wireless sg.

Alternatively, I can just use the old school method and call up a friend in times of emergency.

So save some money and cancel your data plan today!

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