Tiff's 19.

I love birthdays. I love the suspense, the preparation, the whatsapp groups before the actual date. What more with my favourite girls in Melbourne !

No mainstream 12am surprise, it's a surprise in bed when the sun is up kind of surprise !

If you look really closely, the 7 of us are actually dressed in rainbow colours lol. The cake really resembles Tiff's dog - Tofu.

Fast forward to South Melbourne for brunch at Chez Dre.
Read previous review here 
Had to wait for almost an hour before they had a table for 8, so we took the opportunity to roam around South Melbourne market. Great place for vintage finds !

Grand Petit Dejeuner $21.5
They've changed their menu since the last time I was there and I was a little disappointed with the food. Despite it being overall yummers, the poached egg wasn't poached perfectly and the 2 pieces of bacon on my plate was just pathetic. Nevertheless the tomato relish was absolutely yums.
I will definitely come back to try the pastries one day, and also peek at the cute waiter who looks like Captain America hehehehe.


Mocha of the day.

8 girls in South Melbourne can only spell : Camwhore.


#OOTD pictures outside Chez Dre
The little South Melbourne alleys looks so vintage and pretty ! Definitely coming back here for more pictures. Want to explore this place more !

More camwhores on the tram tracks !

I really had the best time of my life with these girls.
The crazy laughter, the loud conversations and receiving stares from the locals are oh so image damaging and embarrassing to some but with these people, I do not have a single worry that they would judge me, and the strangers who do does not matter.

I love these girls to the moon and back.
Just so you know all 8 of us are single. *grin

Orange.

#OOTD #notinelevator 

Credits to Fei 

Recently I have been posting a lot of OOTD pictures taken in the elevator of my apartment. Thus explains the hashtags.
Exams are coming. Winter is coming. I've been eating a lot. 

Explains my life now. 

Samsung S4 review.

I was surprised to read that Malaysia had pretty grand launching of Samsung S4 with circus performers, marching bands etc. Not many people even knew about the release in Melbourne. There weren't even many posters around the city. 

Switching from Apple to Android is like the greatest decision of my life (Excludes the time I had to choose which course to study in University) and therefore this review would be my personal experience on the change.

Why would I switch ? First of all, I was extremely frustrated with my iPhone 4 of two years. (Technically not mine, because I broke the lock and home button on my iPhone 4 so I used my friend's phone for half a year). But no, I have decided not to bitch about my ex-boyfriend so here is my Samsung S4 experience.

Everything in the box. When I first picked up my new phone, I was shocked, because it was so light compared to my previous iPhone. It was like a toy and till now I can't decide whether that's a good thing or not. If I have a really heavy handbag, a light phone would be a good thing but a plastic phone really isn't the classiest thing to carry around. Also didn't really like the earphones that came with it because I hate earbud earphones, which explains why I'm still using the iPhone earphones.

Size

In comparison to iPhone 4

Significantly wider screen. 

Comparing with Samsung S3

Wider screen


Flatter edges

Different position for speaker and camera flash.
Looking at the size and shape of the phone, I was not satisfied. First of all, the Samsung is wider compared to the iPhone. This makes typing with one hand EXTREMELY HARD. I am so used to carrying books on one hand and texting on the other. Apart from that, the speaker's position is also pretty annoying. For Samsung S4, the speakers are at the bottom back of the phone, differing from S3 which is next to the camera. This also means holding my phone while playing music would mute the sound.

Accessibility and convenience

This is one of the aspects that drove me into getting this phone.
Everything is at hand 


This is the 4 pages of my phone. The one with the time is the homepage.

Pulling the screen down gives me my notifications and settings,
Sliding the screen to the right gives me my calendar and my todo list.
Slide right twice and I get my weather and notes.
Slide to the left I get S health and instant settings.
Can also close all my applications with one tap.

I cannot stress how important the calendar and todo notes (that are instantly accessible) is to me. When I was using the iPhone, I had a calendar, but I had to tap on the app to open my calendar. I had a reminder list on my iPhone, but I had to set a reminder to remind me to check my reminder list and that just defeats the purpose but on the Samsung its different ! It's just a swipe and I have every reminder I need. No more double booking people, no more missing appointments, so much of organization !

Apart from that, I love that I get to customize almost everything ! I am using Go Launcher and I get to change the themes of my phone, FOR FREE. No need jail break, even tech noob like me know how to do !!!! I get to have a bigger app that says "ADD EXPENSE" that constantly keeps track of what I spend on. I even get to customize the opacity of my calendar !! Geng or not ??


Can also write notes on your lock screen. Important to me cos I always forget things.
(Not that fact that I'm pretty though hehehehe)

S Health

A new feature on the S4 is the S Health.

Health board with summary, walking mate, food tracker and exercise mate.
Didn't use the exercise mate because I just terminated my gym account *ashamed* and I didn't use the food tracker much because they didn't have a really wide range of food in the database but I love love love walking mate !!!
So technically walking mate counts your steps, calculate an approximate distance you've walked all day and the calories burnt. My goal is 10,000 steps a day and ever since I bought the phone, I've been trying to walk EVERYWHERE! It also makes me feel damn happy cos every time I hit 10,000 steps the phone will automatically play a victory tone and I feel like a champion.


Also can count comfort level, blood glucose, blood pressure, weight and sleep efficiency.

Camera 
I believe this is the most important function on a phone.


First picture with my new phone !

and to my absolute joy, Samsung S4 has so many functions on its camera !!

Dual shot

Which I am not sure who would use, but still a pretty cool innovation lol.

Sound and Shot 
Sadly you can't hear it even if I upload it. Technically it records 10 seconds of the background sound so that you can revive the mood when you look back on your pictures.

Drama shot
Haven't tried this out yet but I will. Soon ! Apparently it takes moving objects and combine all of them into one picture.

Background eraser
Removes moving objects behind you when you take a picture. Don't really find it functional because it requires the background object to be moving at a fast rate for it to be detected and erased.

Beauty Camera

Technically blurs your skin and makes it look like you have really smooth skin. #cheatone

Filters

Samsung has their own filters. Save time when I lazy edit !!
Front camera for Samsung S4 is also less noisy than my last iPhone, colours are also more accurate.

One more thing I love about the Samsung camera is the voice command. No more stretching my fingers trying to touch the capture button. Now I can say "Shoot" "Smile" "Capture" or "Cheese"  and the phone will take the picture for me !!! You will look a little retarded to do that in public though because it doesn't work around noise.

Apart from that, love Android also because of all the free photo apps I can get !! When I was using iPhone, Pixlr-o-matic was free but only one set of their filters was free. If you wanted the vintage/subtle/blackandwhite filters, you would need to pay 99cents for EACH set but to my amazement its all FREE on Android !!!!

Detects movements

Smart Pause
Samsung is really pushing the hands-free idea.
Smart Pause detects your movement and when you look away from the screen, it pauses your videos for you. Tried that out for almost half an hour cos its so magical. Just look away and your video pauses !

Smart Scroll
Tilt your head and let the phone scroll through your emails / documents for you. Not very sensitive and when I first tried it out I got a headache for moving my head around too much. Scrolling with a finger is much easier.

Smart Stay
Screen detects your eyes and won't auto-lock as long as you don't move your eyes away from it !

Air View / Air Gesture

One of the functions I believe is also on the Note 2 is the  function where you simply wave your hand above the sensor and notifications appear on your lock screen. One of my favourite functions as well !



Apart from that, a swipe of my hand and I can navigate through pictures and music. Wave my hand to answer calls immediately. Hover my finger above my emails and preview them. Hover my finger above texts and enlarge them. Some people find these pretty useless but I use them pretty often cos my hands are always sweating / dirty.

WatchON 

This, I just found out few days ago. 


TV remote control.
I can turn on the TV without hunting for the remote control.

Best thing also I can browse through what shows are on TV at the moment.
As you can see Australia has pretty lousy TV programmes, which is why this built in function is so useful ! No more missed episodes of The Simpsons/Family Guy because can record also !!!!

Battery Life
Another extremely aspect that I look into.
My iPhone 4's battery usually won't last me past 3PM. That was how bad it was. Charging twice a day would still mean my battery will die by 9PM. Not entirely the phone's fault because I'm on social networking sites almost every second of the day and I have more than 10 whatsapp group chats.
Which is why I was really waiting for a long battery life phone that is able to keep up to my usage. The Samsung S4's battery life isn't extremely impressive to me but it was better than the iPhone.

If my day starts at 7AM, my battery usually can last me till 6PM. Almost 12 hours and I think that is pretty good considering the fact that I turn on S Beam, Air View, Air Scroll, Air Gestures and everything even when I'm not using them. There is also a power saving mode to save my phone from dying when battery is low. Normal humans usage probably can last the whole day.


Phone Cases
Lastly I just want to say that I am really sad that all the pretty brands only manufacture iPhone cases. From cheap brands like Cotton On to luxury brands like Prada, they only manufacture iPhone cases and I think that is just extremely unfair.

That is all I have to say about my new phone. There are alot of functions on the phone but I doubt users would incorporate it into daily lives. I agree with the sites that say Samsung is overbearing their phones. I mean who on earth would use dual shot ? And smart scroll ????? Nevertheless I like the phone. It is a good change from iPhone to Android. Now with an Android, I feel like I've grown up, because it seems like the more you can do with a phone = the more responsibility you have (like accidentally downloading virus). Also it is really nostalgic because it brought back memories of my old Nokia (customizations etc) yet still have so many new and fresh innovations !

If you're looking to find a new phone, I would recommend the Samsung S4. So far I have not regretted changing from Apple to Android. 

GE13

5th of May, I was baptised, 5th of May, I was hoping to see my country getting baptised as well : cleansed and renewed. 

There is one thing you need to know about me, I don't do night owl. By 10 I would be yawning and by 11 I would be tucked in bed. But last night my housemates, who are all my cousins and I all stayed up till 3AM Melbourne time, hopeful that our country will fall into the right hands. I was skyping my cousin in Sydney on one window and my fat brother on another window. At the beginning, there was the excitement of seeing the numbers race up together with BN leading due to the East Malaysian votes but PR inching closer and closer by the second. I was so glad the results for Perak were looking hopeful.

The lights went off as they were counting the votes. Suddenly, wild ballot boxes appeared. I was looking at the results page with BN on 57 parliament seats and in a refresh, it became 97 parliament seats. Tell me Malaysians, is this the free and fair elections we have been fighting for ?

Previously I have decided not to blog about my political views, simply because I wanted to respect all my fellow Malaysians who root for BN. I didn't want to condemn them and I certainly don't want to be the one telling them what is right / wrong. I hope to see them have the same freedom to choose whichever party they wanted. This time however, the government has gone too far.

Everything that we have fought for in Bersih rallies, were totally disregarded. All the tricks were expected, but I had hope that this year would be different.

Honestly, if such a simple promise is not met, how are we suppose to surrender our whole country to these authorities ? It's a sad night for all Malaysians, not just PR supporters because its only gonna go downhill from here. It's the fate of the entire nation, not just a matter of which party wins. 

Yesterday Planetshakers church prayed together for Malaysia, and tears just streamed down my eyes. It was sad, looking at what my country is going through and yes it aches to imagine the things that will continue to happen from now on. Snatch thieves will not be stopped, corruption will not be stopped.

Joining the protest on Facebook. We don't want a dark Malaysia. 

One thing to be certain.

I am not disappointed in Malaysia

because what is Malaysia ? Malaysia is all of us, all the rakyats, all citizens regardless of race, united as one. Throughout this period, I am honestly so proud of my fellow Malaysians. Even though there were some dispute between party supporters but majority of them were united. What I am disappointed in is the government. Not for robbing us of the rights to vote, but for robbing our right to determine the fate of our nation. We could vote, and I am so proud of all the blue fingers on instagram, but we couldn't determine the results.

So I urge all sleeping Malaysians, to not fall into slumber and disappointment any more. It is even more the time to rise up. To those who had been oblivious to everything that is happening, wake up. To those who are thinking of migrating, rise up. Improve yourselves, then come back to this land in 5 years.5 years ago we had no Facebook and communication was limited, but now with technology, we have hope. I believe its not over until God says its over. God is not done with changing Malaysia.   Wake up Malaysians, we have another election to prepare for. 

Abercrombie and Fitch launching.

Yesterday, Henny and I were at Abercrombie and Fitch's launching of its first Australian store. I was pretty surprised that not many of my friends know what AandF is. All I can tell you is AandF is an American clothing brand and most of their clothing are really Californian-ish (think floral dresses, beach shorts, bikinis and sort). Also, they tend to have topless hunks that you can touch take pictures with during the launch.

30 minute bus ride to be at Doncaster, at 8.30AM

There wasn't a really long line cos it was only about 9AM in the morning. I reckon the queue outside Telstra for the Samsung S4 was longer. Actually spilled my coffee when one of the Abercrombie models walked over to our side to greet everyone. 

Almost our turn ! 

Honestly, I was a little disappointed because unlike the Singapore launching, this one only had 3 models, and they didn't really have extremely defined washboard abs that I was expecting. 

Nevertheless, the dude on the far right is super cute ok. 

Henny likes the one on the far left. 

Sad for the middle man. 

Free polaroids as well !

Says Hollister because its part of A and F.

In the store, still not really looking at any of their clothing. 

I like the clothes, especially the floral dresses and denim crop tops, but it was a little pricey, so we didn't end up getting anything though we did walk around the store at least three times. 

because we realized, not only are the models outside hot, everyone working inside is good looking. I would rate almost everyone (both male and female workers) an 8/10 for looks. The guy above actually looks a lot like Robert Pattinson. 

After feasting our eyes on good looking workers. 

The whole point of me travelling there was to look at the models, so of course I'm gonna have a million paparazzi shots of them.

Paparazzi until the guy I thought was cute realized I was snapping pics of him from afar, so he charmingly pointed at me and smiled, but I was so shy I turned to go, resulting in this picture.

I'm sorry I don't have a close up on the dude, if you really want to see, you can go facebook search everyone who works at Abercrombie (Y) (that was a joke if you didn't get it)

Thought it was a little too early to go home, so we shopped around Westfield, which brings me to my next adventure : Samsung S4 hunt. 

We stumbled upon Optus and I decided to go in to ask if they still have any Samsung S4. I wasn't very hopeful after looking at the line outside of Telstra earlier but to my surprise they had quite a lot in stock ! The only problem was that I had no documents required with me and there was nothing they could do. The guy at the counter called around and told me there was 3 more at Melbourne Central and if I really want it, I can try my luck to rush back and get it, which is exactly what we did.

Pretty Henny at the bus stop, waiting for the bus to bring us back to the city.

At this point you must be thinking I'm crazy for travelling back when I know I'm not gonna make it but Henny said something even crazier. "Go back and get your documents, then come back here again" but heck no am I gonna travel 30 minutes to the city then 30 minutes back here again for a phone.

The bus came, we rushed to the city and it was almost an hour later when we reached Melbourne Central. To my absolute horror, the couple in front of me took away the last of the 3 Samsung S4s left but since I've gone so far, I made the guy at the counter call around Melbourne, and he found out that there were 2 more at harbour town and he could hold one for me for at least an hour ! 

JOYYYYY. So long story short, I ran home, got all my documents and trammed all the way to Harbour Town with Henny. 

So that was how I got my new phone.

Not in white, but I figured I'm gonna cover it with a super chic pink case any way.

After so much of rushing, we decided to chill around Harbour Town.

Usually I like to shop alone. In fact, I hate shopping with people and would always push people who want to shop with me away, but that day was such a fun day with Henny ! 

Did a lot of damage to my bank account that day but I haven't relaxed like that in so long !

Camwhore session with the girl. 

You like the cool one ? 

Or the cute one ? haha ! 

Or super-vain-trying-to-act-like-we're-cool one ? 

Notice both of us changed our clothes, immediately after buying them lolol

Top : Valleygirl ; Skirt : Glassons.

On Henny : Glassons romper. Looks super good on her okk !
Extremely love this girl for accompanying me the whole day, going all the way to Doncaster at 8AM, just to rush back to Melbourne Central, then rush to Harbour Town. Love her !

Super eventful day for me. 

Lugged home a bag pack, 5 tops, 2 skirts, accesories and a new phone !!

Henny's dreamcatcher iPhone sticker is probably her favourite buy that day. 

and this is mine ! Aside from the new phone. 

Super love Diva's new pastel collection !!!!

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I know I know, no point nagging or feeling guilty now since the money is spent. BUT I'm not gonna be going for any shopping sessions until after semester 1. Lets hope that doesn't end up like my diet plan. Also, I'm not super rich to be having a Samsung S4 like many people perceived. It was only $7 a month extra from the plan that I had to get. Full Samsung S4 review soon when I get a hang of it. So far I love it !