Kindle Kindle, Double Double

I once had a task from my oDesk job  to write a product review about the popular Amazon Kindle products. I was asked to compare the products from Kindle 1 to the latest one. So I did a little research and all and as I made the product review, I began to like it's features. And the next thing I had in mind... was to actually buy myself one. LOL. Who'd think that a product review pretending to have the actual product would be the one to actually want the product?

Luckily, my sister knew someone who wanted to sell her Kindle 3/Kindle 3G + WiFi because she wanted to upgrade to Kindle Fire (which is the latest and a much better version of Kindle). That was lucky of me I had it for just about half the original price.

And special thanks to the special participation of my sister Cham2x (visit her blog at www.cham-my.blogspot.com <--- just returning the favor. LOL).

And so, just a couple of weeks ago, I finally got my Amazon Kindle 3. Now, that I finally have one, I can do my own product review GENUINELY. haha.

So here are the things I find nice and maybe not-so-nice about the product:

1. Lightweight and Easy to Carry

This is the very first thing that I liked about Kindle. Imagine yourself carrying a library with one hand. It's true. My Kindle is loaded with about 100+ ebooks (as of the moment) including novels and medical textbooks that are very heavy in their actuality that I even almost stumbled in our school library carrying one; not to mention, the Schwart'z Principles of Surgery. But with my Amazon Kindle, I can open books instantly and continue reading even when lying down.

However, the sad thing is that not all medical ebooks are available as a pdf file and Kindle only reads pdf and prc files. Most of my medical textbooks here are under chm file and I'm still finding way to convert the file to pdf (Good luck to me on that. lol).

Nonetheless, the novels that I got (which were actually downloaded by the original owner), are bunches and I read them when I feel lazy reading medical terms. Ho! Ho! Ho! 

2. Easy and Comfortable Reading Experience 

Now I finally have the first hand experience of how the thing they call the "Ink Pearl technology" looks like and feels like. It's true-- it's like reading from a piece of smooth paper. But the thing is, everything is black and white, even the pictures. Still, what matters more to me is the content, not the color <---- (Getting my spirits high.. lol)

Next, with it's non-glare screen display, I can indeed easily read the ebooks under the sun or any source of bright light without glare. The downside here, however, is that I can't read in the dark. =( Oh but let's just look at the bright side: It's always better to read under the light to protect the health of our eyes, right? hihihihi..

And turning the pages back and forth is easy too. All though it's nothing compared to the comfort of swiping your fingers to the touch-screen technology of iPads, Androids, and Tablets. The good thing about the Kindle not built with touch-screen technology is that it doesn't easily get damaged when the screen gets wet plus you can touch your fingers to point on the words or pictures without any sensitivity at all. There's about 0.5 second lag when turning into pages or selecting ebooks though. But that's really negligible compared to the easy comprehension with built-in dictionary wherein you just point the cursor on the word you want to clarify and the meaning will automatically pop-up at the top or bottom of the screen. So you don't need to grab your pocket dictionary to learn new vocabulary!

If you still like to try touch-screen but want an affordable one, try the Kindle touch 3G! It's obviously a touch screen version of Kindle. See? Kindle is keeping up with touch-screen technology too! <--- (An obvious fan of Amazon Kindle).

3. Amazing Power Supply

I say the battery is doing good so far. I charge it once a week and it doesn't drain so fast given that it's already a second-hand techie gadget. It easily drains though when you turn on the Wi Fi and/or the mp3 player and/or the text-to-speech features. And speaking of Text-to-Speech...


Text-to-Speech feature:
Before, I gleefully thought that when I get to a point of feeling lazy reading, I'd just turn on the text-to-speech and the Kindle will do it's thing. But, uhm.... well, I honestly would rather do the reading. Haha. Not being mean here but, either the male or the female version can't project what the text is supposed to point out. With the text-to-speech, the text is completely emotionless, and worst, pointless. So never mind this feature and just think about what other books you want to read in the future.

In general, I totally like the Kindle 3. If we can explore the world through reading, it's even much better and more affordable with Kindle 3 plus we get to have the privilege of saving more trees. And if you want to save more money, buy a second-hand. I'm a fan. lol.

Thanks to Kindle, I'm more enthusiastic in reading now than ever before! 

Earning Money While Studying

A few of my friends are curious about my sideline as a med student. Well, here it is (Wait for it...) My secret to financial freedom: oDesk!

Now, can you really earn money while studying? You're kidding!

...but why not???  0.o

It's all thanks to oDesk. It simply means an "online desk". Meaning that you can work virtually and make your home your office or make your office your home. Either way, you get to earn money and you're even able to control your own time and convenience.

Well, I say the website has given me an opportunity to share my skills and talents to a lot of employers while at the same time learn more from them and in the long run, earn money.

If you want to work part time and earn while studying, or even just earning,
Do More with Less on oDesk.

All you need is create an oDesk account at www.oDesk.com, create a partial profile and take the oDesk Readiness test and other test that assess your skills and qualities. The tests will increase your job application quota so that you can apply for more than 2 or up to 20 job postings per week. The more entries, the more chances of winning, right?

Now, once you pass the tests, complete your oDesk profile (view my oDesk profile to see what I mean), build your resume and impress a lot of employers! Follow the easy step by step guide or video tutorials from the site and learn how to become an excellent contractor!

Some categories with high job postings and top rated jobs that you can choose from include:

Web Development         Writing and Translation       Design and Multimedia

Software Development    Administrative Support      Search Engine Optimization

Click on the links above to find out more about each job category. You need to have the appropriate skills for the appropriate field to apply to. If you think your skills match any or some or even all of the job categories listed above, then finding jobs and making money will be a lot easier for you.

I currently work under Writing and Translation Jobs as a blog poster, article writer/rewriter, researcher, and link builder. It's a lot of work but the financial freedom is worth it.

As a student, being able to sustain myself financially is already a fulfillment. I hope a lot of people out there are realizing this opportunity too.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR BEGINNERS:

Upon completing your profile, you are privileged to show your rate per hour. That's the amount of money that you demand for every hour you have worked. It will display on your profile so employers will know how much money they could spend when they hire you. 

TIP # 1: Since you are new to oDesk, provide a low rating (e.g. 1.00/hr). This will entice the employers to hire you. However, you have to make sure you do the work well and to the best of your abilities so that employers will give you good feedback. 

A feedback is your rating as a contractor (which include 6 factors: Skills, Quality, Availability, Deadlines, Communication, Cooperation) and the employer's comment on how well you do your work. If employers are impressed and you do perfectly well with your jobs, you might get a 5-star rating and a good feedback. 

TIP # 2: The more 5-star rating you get, the more likely you will easily be hired for another job. So, do your first jobs very well and make a good impression. Remember, we only have one chance to make a good first impression so better make sure to do it well. 

TIP # 3: Once you have established yourself in oDesk, you can start increasing your hourly rate and earn bigger. 

So best of luck and wish you all the best!

And I Thought I'm Gonna be a MILLIONAIRE!!

I mean, who in the leaning tower of Pisa wouldn't want to be a MILLIONAIRE? 

Take a serious look at this... This is an email sent to me just a couple of hours before I posted this.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congratulations!!!! "You have won US$2,975,000.00 from CASH Online Promotions” 
(My first reaction: SPEECHLESS but eyes bulging like they're gonna drop! LOL.)
For Claiming, Urgently call or contact;
(Mr. Harry Antony Dominic)
Tel:             +27-76-381-2455      
Fax:+ 27-86-631-2886
E-mail: cashclaimsdepartmentza01@gmail.com
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
We wish you success in our new CASH Online Promotions/Email Internet Program made today 17th of November 2011 which was drawn on October 11th 2011.
Your Email Address was attached to Ticket No: 01-07-11-33-36-40 (Drew the Lucky No): 19-23-34-52-57-21 PP: 5. This is an Email Internet Program were winner were randomly selected from U.S.A, Canada, United Arab Emirates,Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africa through Computer Draw System and extracted from over 322,000 Email Addresses from Unions, Association and Corporate Bodies listed online.
(My reaction: Blink, blink. Errrr-- Excuse me? Come again?)
You have therefore been approved to claim a Star Prize of $2,975,000.00 in cash credited to File No04-15-32/COP/2010 in the 3rd Category of our new CASH Online Promotions. Below is your Winning Details.
Powerball No: 10-19-23-03-45-22 x3
Pick No: 02-02-23-35-50
Plus No: 18-23-24-33
Jackpot Amount Won: US$2,975,000.00
"The Vadlidity period of the winnings is (10) Working Days, of your reply to the Agency; hence you are expected to make your claims immediately, any claim not made before this date will be returned as UNCLAIMED."  To claim your winning prize, you are to contact the appointed agent for the immediate release of your winnings:
(Mr. Harry Antony Dominic)
Tel:           + 27-76-381-2455      
Fax: + 27-86-631-2886
E-mail: cashclaimsdepartmentza01@gmail.com
1. NAME:...................................................................................................................
2. ADDRESS:...............................................................................................................
3. OCCUPATION:.......................................................................................................
4. AGE:........................................................................................................................
5. NATIONALITY:...........................................................................................................
6. PHONE NUMBER AND FAX NUMBER:.....................................................................
7. EMAIL:.......................................................................................................................

Then pooooof!! What the F! You're asking me my email address? You're serious right? Asking for the email address of someone you sent an email to?

IMPORTANT, Remember to quote your POWERBALL Numbers and PICK Numbers and other information provided above and below in every one of your correspondences with the Agent. For security reasons, you are strongly advised to keep your winnings and any correspondence strictly confidential from public notice until you claim your prize. (Well, your advise is not that strong enough to make me keep it confidential. This better be published you know! LOL) 
Congratulations" once again from all our Staff and thank you fro being part of our Promotions Program.
Yours Truly,
Mrs. Shelly C. Bowen
Promotions Manager
SOUTH AFRICA

OHH! JUST SHUT UP PLS!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then the next thing I did? I googled that "CASH online promotion" thing they're trying to talk about. And if it were true I would have fainted. But I wasn't surprised to know it's actually...

A SPAM!! 

A frustratingly freakin' SPAM!

 Well, nice try there though!

And then everything started to sink in...If only I was a millionaire.. I would surely finish my medical course and then build a hospital.. Big dream it is..=D

So take this as a precaution: These spam emails usually ask for money to give you the cash prize and in return, you actually get nothing. So take it, or...

FORGET ABOUT IT!

Because even if you're email is perfectly filtered from spam contents, there are still those who can crawl through and that email above is such an oh! so perfect example. 

OFF TO YOU:

If you were a millionaire, what would you be doing and why?

Bora Explorers: Boracay Island Escapade

So here I am trying to justify the saying: 

"Huwag tayong maging dayuhan sa sarili nating bansa." 

(Let's not be a foreigner to our own country.)

My first time in Boracay Island was totally AWESOME! And again, I was with the same company when we went to Guimaras Island in our Guimaras Island Adventures. In this post, let me give you a taste of Boracay perfection and some good traveling tips.  

Bora Explorer: Where's the map? 

BORACAY ISLAND is a small island in Caticlan in the province of Aklan, Philippines. Aklan is the northern part of Panay Island which is part of the Western Visayas Region (Region VI). 

The Island provides one of the most captivating beaches in the world, known for its continuously very long and wide white sand beaches which cover approximately 4 km. So long that it will take you almost half of the day strolling along the beach.  Yet you don't actually feel tired of walking because of the captivating scenery and the fun of...

photo shooting.

Boracay Island, Philippines, 2011

Bora Explorer: So how did we get there?

There are three ways of getting to the island: through land, water, or air. Of course, if you're from Manila or other parts of the Philippines, the easiest way to get there is by plane. Flights are available either via Caticlan or via Kalibo. Caticlan flights are rare and expensive so you might want to fly via Kalibo at a lesser price. If you fly via Iloilo, it's a much affordable way; however, just prepare yourself for a very long 6-hour journey. 

My older sister and her company from Manila took the flight via Kalibo and my other sisters with their companies from Cebu took the Iloilo flight and suffered the excruciating pain in their buttocks. LOL. And since I stay in Iloilo, My classmate and I travelled directly from Iloilo to Caticlan and consequently suffered the similar pain too because of the long hours of tedious sitting. 

The least expensive but the most time consuming travel is via boat from Cebu to Iloilo. And then, travel by land from Iloilo to Caticlan which takes about 18 hours total of travel. This can be practical for those who love to waste time but spend less money...=)

So, the reunion was quiet an amazing race among sisters. Of course, the ones who took the shortcut have arrived first. 

Finally, we're together again!

And as USELESS, 

this was supposed to be another STUDY OUT activity.

...but then again, it turned out to be a time of LUXURY!

DELICIOSO!!!! Nyumnyumnyum!!!

AWESOME fire dance at night! We couldn't miss this...

TRAVEL TIPS:

• If you want to go to Boracay on a budget, then timing is a factor. That is, don't go during peak season (ie. Christmas season, Summer). All though summer in Boracay sounds engaging, it's a lot expensive so better prepare enough budget. Anyway, going to Bora on a sunny weather already seems like a summer vacation. Hihihihi...
• Before you schedule your trip, check the weather forecast. You don't want to go skin dipping in a cold rainy night, or sun tanning on a rainy day just like what we had experienced. Nevertheless, rain or shine, the whole trip is still enjoyable when its Boracay.
• Check for promo flights and promo accommodation online. This helps a lot in budgeting. 
• Lastly, the more people you'll be with, the better. Aside from enjoying each other's company, you'll surely be cutting expenses and that'll surely be a lot of fun! 

Funny Doctor-Patient Conversations

Despite all the hassles and the stress of being a med student, we still find time to laugh it all out loud. Here are some conversations of patients with their doctors that I find kind of funny. Some are real conversations I've heard and witnessed.


Doctor: So, how are you feeling right now?

Patient: Doc, I think I have a CONTINENTAL heart disease...

Doctor: ???
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor N: Okay, breathe in.. breathe out...

Patient: Well, it's really difficult for me to DEEP BREATHLY doc! It hurts you know!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

A doctor was trying to perform CVA punch or kidney punch during physical examination.

Doctor: Does it hurt?

Patient: What the F!! Of course it hurts! You PUNCHED it!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

A doctor was examining a chest x-ray result of a patient and found out some radio-opaque infiltrates.

Doctor: So can you see this xray film of your lungs? What do you see?

Patient: (Staring blankly at the film) Er--- my lungs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

A cheezy conversation...

Patient: Doc, are you a cardiologist?

Dr. D: Er--- well, yeah.

Patient: Oh, so this is why you're mending my broken heart.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, that's all I've got as of now.. I'll be addin' some more when I encounter funny conversations again.

Did you have some funny conversations with your doctor too? Or had heard any funny dr.-patient conversation? C'mon and share it and let's share the laughter.