Blurred Lines

Years of observation has brought me to this. I have never written anything deep and personal. Perhaps it is about time I get it out of my chest. Some called it two cents, I am not sure what is mine. 

Seem cool and care less are probably what others always thought of me. Deep down I could care more than anyone can imagine. No one would know how long it will take for me to forget a subject that concerns me deeply. This thing has been going on for years. Experience and daily reflections on the matter have been the greatest teachers so far. 

Social networks and relationships these days can never go unparalleled. People connect with each other through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. They were created supposedly for good reason. Nevertheless, some took it too far that these social networks pose so much threats, especially on relationships. Be it friendship, family relationship or marriage. A study conducted by both University of Michigan and University in Belgium has shown that the more someone uses Facebook, the less satisfied he is with life. Both Dr. Kross and Dr.Verduyn have concluded that Facebook undermines well-being rather than enhancing it. Source Research also shows the most common emotion aroused on Facebook is apparently ENVY. In other word, jealousy. Tell me if you never felt that way while you were on Facebook! This explains why we all have our own haters, which sometimes can be interpreted as blessings in disguise. It means they do not have what you have, therefore be grateful with your life.

How often do you see some friends, relatives, husbands and wives are not talking to each other because of these social networks? Instead of solving our differences in real life, we rather vent it on status or post up some sarcastic quotes. Growing older made me seeing things from different angles. I realised not everything has to go public. Besides, most people are glad that you have problems. People are most comfortable when you are either their equal or have less than them. So, think a million times before you want to share your problems on social networks. 

I guess nowadays age does not define maturity much, what people post on their social networks reflected that. This is why I used the function "Show in news feed" a lot. If we do not like what we read, unfollow or unsubscribe. Trying to correct or barking back will not solve anything other than make things worse, the choice is yours. 

It has been a very sad experience lately seeing some friends are not talking to each other anymore. All I see are people keep blaming one another and widening the gap between them further till no longer possible to bridge it. Their personal desires beat the rest, keeping the friendship is no longer their priority. I certainly dislike the division they caused in the niche. Though the online fracas does not necessarily involve me, but at times I do feel the rippling effect. What I detest most is people who do not know the real story are those who try to offer advice and simply comment to show support bluntly. Rather than finding out the truth, they take the easy way out by making assumption. Needless to mention those with the "holier-than-thou" attitude, they can be the most ruthless social network Nazis you will ever meet in the cyber world. 

My only hope right now is that people can utilise the social networks wisely. I mean which is  more important, winning the verbal battle or keeping the friendship? It breaks my heart that we all cannot hang out in real life like we used to just because some friends who failed to resolve their personal issues but chose to Facebook it. Do their negative vibes need to affect us as well? Why do we let social networks determine our lives and make us slaves to pop culture? 

Johor Travelogue

The last time I boarded an airplane was going to Singapore with my cousin and Sherman Henry. We flew there with Tiger Airways. That was in December 2012. Recently I was presented with another opportunity to fly again, this time with Airasia. My team and I were heading to Johor Bahru to participate in a national expo organised by BPTV (Bahagian Pendidikan Teknik & Vokasional). I have been to some states in peninsular Malaysia but never to Johore. I was really looking forward to this trip though deep down inside I felt restless and flustered. I knew worrying would lead us to nowhere but somehow tolerable to certain extent because it was our first time joining Pertandingan Kemahiran Inovasi dan Kreatif (KIK). We totally had no idea how the presentation was conducted. We only found out about the  proper way of doing it after the competition. Besides, we were told other teams had attended a course related to KIK before they came for the competition. So, we were like lambs to the slaughter. "Saya yang menurut perintah", what more can I say. Nevertheless, we were grateful we could still make it to the final round despite some shortcomings. Experience is the best teacher. So, next time we will know what the judges might expect from us.

Let's forget that part. There's always room for improvement, aight? I enjoyed trying out some food while I was at Johor Bahru, which I have never tasted before. I ate the famous Kacang Pool (toast), Roti Arab and of course Laksa Johor. The best menu would be Kacang Pool. You gotta try it if you are in Johore. They said the trip to Johor would not be complete without shopping till you drop at Pasar Karat. I thought it was another typical pasar malam (night market). Man, tell ya, it was a super huge night market selling anything you would possibly want, just name it. It took us hours to venture into every corner of Pasar Karat. They sell stuffs that are at affordable price. For instance, shoes, bags, food, watches, shirts, fashion lamps, sunglasses, tongs, make-ups, used items and so on. My colleagues said Pasar Karat would open till 4 in the morning. Though the place was crowded but it was worth the walk. How I wish one day Kuching can have its own night market, I mean a really huge one like Pasar Karat. At least there is something else to do other than going clubbing or watching midnight movie.

Senai International Airport

Roti Arab and Maggie Goreng 

Laksa Johor and Kacang Pool

 I love how they recycled and converted the cargo container into a cafe. The cashier at Chaiwalla & Co. surprisingly could speak Bahasa Sarawak though he was a Johorian. He ever stayed in Sarawak for 6 months. 

 Pasar Karat

A fashion lamp I bought at the night market, only without the quote. Haha :D

BRINGING NINETOLOGY ONTO THE NEXT UPSCALE LEVEL

In conjunction with Malaysia’s 56th Independence Day, Ninetology Malaysia has officially launched its Flagship Touch Point at Plaza Low Yat, Malaysia’s Largest IT Lifestyle Mall, on 30 August 2013. With a concept like no other, Ninetology’s Flagship Touch Point offers consumers an experiential touch point for today’s lifestyles and culture as well as a product showcase. At the Flagship Touch Point, not only would the Ninetology products be showcased, it’s a place where consumers can learn how to use a smartphone to enhance their lifestyles and interests. The flagship Touch Point will serve as a youth and culture training hub to spread the urbanite culture that is cultivated by Ninetology. The Ninetology smartphones are not just communication tools, but a device that can advance one’s social visibility, thus opening doors to more opportunities. Eight more Flagship Touch Points within the Klang Valley will be opened this year with another nine outlets scheduled within Malaysia by next year. The Ninetology’s Flagship Touch Point is opened from 10.00am to 10.00pm daily.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to launch the first Flagship Touch Point. Gracing the ceremony were the management team of Ninetology Malaysia comprising of Sean Ng (Chief Executive Officer), Marco Beh (Chief Operations Officer), Shian (Chief Finance Officer), Vijian Chan (Chief Marketing Officer), and Eddy Tay (Head of Channel); Michael Lee (General Manager, Property Management and Operations of Plaza Low Yat), and celebrities such as Z-Chen, Iqwal Hafiz, and Sasi the Don.

Earlier last month, Ninetology Malaysia also launched their U9 series at KL Hilton Hotel, Malaysia. The “Unite-as-One” power-infused technology with the urbanite profile was presented in three models: The X1, Z1, and Z1+, which are new and stylish devices engineered to meet the human needs of speed, precision and high levels of engagement. For more information on Ninetology U9 smartphones, visit www.ninetology.com/u9

“We are very proud to be in strategic partnership with MediaTek Inc, the leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions.  MediaTek’s invaluable support in providing us with high performance and reliable information communications solutions, as well as highly integrated and customized solutions, has significantly shortened our time-to-market, enhanced our product competitiveness, and also bring a better overall user experience. We are currently second largest in terms of mobile device market share. With the introduction of the U9 series, we hope to further strengthen Ninetology’s position as well as to grab a sizeable share in the Premium Smart Phones category,” said Mr. Sean Ng Chee Heng (Chief Executive Officer, Ninetology Marketing Sdn. Bhd.).

Mr. Arthur Wang, Senior Director, Head of EMSM, Mediatek Inc. receiving the Certificate of Appreciation from Mr. Sean Ng, CEO of Ninetology Marketing Sdn. Bhd. 

The U9 series smart phones with 16GB ROM/1GB RAM of internal memory are ideal for viewing videos, playing games and other content with super-fast connectivity, are powered by Android 4.2 and a MediaTek MT6589 1.2GHz Quad-core processor, in which would deliver a richer smart phone experience at a competitive price. Customers enjoy access to more than thousands of applications including social network, productivity and utilities, entertainment, and appstore. They have display screens of 4.8” (X1), 5.7” (Z1) and 5.5” (Z1+) respectively. They are slim and light and would be a stylish and durable companion for upbeat lifestyles. (Please click on the thumbnail below for a larger view on the specifications)

At the launch, Ninetology also revealed their newly appointed Product Spokesperson, Z-Chen, a Malaysian Mandopop singer, also fondly known as the R&B Little Prince.  “As a singer and urbanite myself, I can truly appreciate the U9 series.  The U9 smart phones truly understand my needs as an individualist with various interests and a strong desire for freedom.  With the U9 series, there are unlimited possibilities to enrich my lifestyle and illuminate my unique personality, work and music. I feel that I am always united-as-one with my U9 smart phone in one seamless human-technology integration,” said Chen.

Mr. Leslie Loh, Chief Digital Officer of Ninetology Marketing Sdn. Bhd. (2^nd from right) introducing a gadget review program targeting all Malaysian bloggers – Tech Kaiju Arena. Along side from left is Kevin Chong TraxxFM Radio Presenter, Quah of quachee.blogspot.com, and Mark O’Dea from The London Boys. 

For those bloggers who are interested to review the U9 series smart phones, you can check out more on the Tech Kaiju Arena Program by submitting your name, blog link, email and contact number to publisher@ninetology.com early to avoid disappointment. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Terms and conditions apply. This program will be ongoing until December 2013.