NEW MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt I/O

Amazing news!!!



Yesterday, new MacBook Pro was released, incorporating Intel's new Thunderbolt (formerly codenamed Light Peak) technology into the device. Thunderbolt pipeline is more than 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and up to 20 times faster than USB 2.0! It can create a professional video setup for the laptop!



The laptop also includes two USB ports, a FireWire 800 port, mic-in, audio-out, ethernet, and a SDXC camera card slot, all of which are shown in one side and SuperDrive slot for DVDs and CDs on the other side!

No wonder, I will get this soon :D

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Creativity is the key to Business Success

Can I be proud of myself today?! LoL.

In 2001, I graduated from college with degrees in Fine Art and Business Management. Also minored in Computer Science.

Recently, I came across the post that refers to one of the Harvard Business School's Breakthrough Ideas for 2004: "The MFA Is the New MBA" by Daniel H. Pink.

Businesses have come to realize that the only way to differentiate their offerings is to make them beautiful and emotionally compelling - which explains why an arts degree is now such a hot credential in management. Meanwhile, MBA graduates are becoming this century's blue-collar workers: they entered a workforce that was full of promise only to see their jobs move overseas.

And in 2008, Daniel Pink again argued that "it’s time for our imaginative right brain, which sees the entire forest all at once, to take center stage." : Let Computers Compute. It’s the Age of the Right Brain.

I didn't master in my degrees, but before he formulated the theory, I naturally related the idea of an art and business while studying. Amazing, hah?! (I have nothing to be proud of, so let me say... LoL)

ART now seems one of the trends of the times. Even in the worst recession, it is highly appreciated: How High Can the Art Market Go?

Yes! Be creative!!!

But to add, I think moderate exercise is important of all things, because good health leads to vitality. I used to hate PE class, but now I love to exercise! I mostly come up with a new idea at the GYM. I hope I am on the way!!!

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Christchurch Earthquake

Yesterday (on 2/22), a strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch in New Zealand at 12:51pm local time, after 7.0 earthquake on 9/4/2010. Police now have confirmed that 75 people have been killed and still 300 people missing.

As you know, Japan is prone to earthquakes so it concerns us a lot. It is said that there are more than 1,000 tremors which people can feel, per year. All buildings meet the quake-resistance standards but we always live with the fear of earthquake.

I listed this before but severe earthquakes have hit Japan since the beginning of the twentieth century.
In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake (magnitude of 7.9) took place, which caused extensive damage over a wide area including Tokyo. Then in 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake (magnitude of 7.2) took place, which devastated much of the Hanshin area, including Kobe and Awaji Island. And in 2004, the Chuetsu earthquake (magnitude 6.8) took place, which ravaged the central region of Niigata prefecture. In 2007, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake (magnitude 6.9) and the Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake (magnitude 6.6) took place.

In Kanto region we have frequent earthquakes these days, so we are overdue for a large one! No wonder, I am nervous about our new home. I wish to live there at least a month! LoL. But more than that, I hope to be alive...

Natural disaster can happen anywhere at anytime. We live busy lives, but the news made me stop and think.

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Mac or Win

I am a Windows user. The latest Mac I own is ibook G3. LoL.

Nevertheless, I have used my FUJITSU desktop PC for more than 6 years, so now I am thinking of getting a new one. Maybe a laptop because I believe they are now fast enough to do the video editting.

MacBook Pro or Sony VAIO E



No wonder, I love pink, so I was thinking of customizing Sony VAIO E series, but unfortunately, I cannot select the hibiscus pink VAIO due to the system requirements for video editing... so I am more for MacBook Pro now.

However, my worry is the compatibility. Is Mac now compatible with Windows?! What I remember from ibook is if I create something using ibook, many stuff got garbled on Windows X( I know I am talking about old days. LoL.

Are you a Mac or Windows user?

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Weekend Shopping

On Saturday, my darling and I finally decided on getting home electric appliances!!! Before we leave home, we called the electronics retail stores to compare prices. In Japan, you can negotiate the price at any major electronics retail store if you can prove that the other store has lower price (even a penny!).

Of course, we bought HITACHI Frost Recycling Vacuum Compartment Refrigerator on our wish list! We went for 475L because it was the thinnest with great capacity ;)

As for the washing machine, we bought Sanyo's AQUA AWD-TQ900(W)! The attracting unique function is ozone washing called "Air wash". You can clean your clothes without water! Oxygen in the air is converted to ozone, using an ozone creation device, and is sprayed on clothing inside the machine. Ozone has a strong oxidation action, which either destroys or disassembles the cell walls of bacteria. This allows for eliminating bacteria, odors, and dirt (organic matter). With this machine, you can wash delicate clothing, business suit, stuffed animals, and shoes!!! Of course it has a normal washing cycle that uses water as well.



Then for air-conditioning and heating equipment, we went for Panasonic with nanoe (air purifier which at the same time hydrates your skin)! For the living room, we chose one with additional self-clean function that cleans the filter automatically!



We still haven't decided on the room lights, so maybe this weekend...



Anyways, after shopping, it was already after 10PM!!! We tried to order healthy foods! Matcha-hi (shochu-based beverage) and collagen salad with salmon and ikura for a starter ;)



I am eating natto because I heard eating natto before bedtime is good for the skin! hehe



No wonder we run out of savings... but why not enjoy our lives!!!
My excuse X(

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Do You Have Any Rival?!

I hate to admit it but many of my cooking friends are in great success. They inspire me a lot but at the same time I get frustrated with myself.

I always think I need to try hard (look for new challenges) to expand my possibilities... because what I see is what I can do, which means, without a new experience, I don't even have a chance to start.

However, within a limited time, I can't try everything, so I have to move through wisely!

Do you have any rival? What is your thought?!

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Happy Valentine's Day

This year, I got a small picture-book card for my darling for Valentine's Day. It is not about love but about my feelings that I always want to stand by him to support him. Actually, I got it a month ago because it was just the card I wanted! hehe :)

What did you get your honey for Valentine's Day?

Anyways, Friday was a holiday (National Foundation Day) and today I am taking a day off again. Unfortunately it is raining cold today, expecting snow in the afternoon X(

Will be back with our renovation updates the next time!

Bye for now!

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Cookpad VS Rakuten

Cookpad is the biggest recipe site in Japan, and have 920,000 recipe posts, 8 million visitors per day.

However, in October 2010, Rakuten (Japan's No.1 shopping site: currently 70 million users) have launched the same business called 楽天レシピ (Rakuten recipe) and now they have already reached up to 40,000 recipe posts, 4 million visitors per day.

Rakuten's strategy is an "added value". They give 50 Rakuten points (50 yen) per recipe post and 10 rakuten points (10 yen) per recipe report. Also they offer affiliate services linked to their Rakuten shops. On the other hand Cookpad offer nothing per post. Rakuten now say they will win out over Cookpad by the end of 2011. Their goal is to expand their food market throughout the recipe posts.

Blatantly, Rakuten copied the business style of Cookpad ... But that is the Rakuten's style... They simply snap at a chance to rise.

It may be the time for the change for recipe sites!?

Of course, I made my account at Rakuten to follow the growth of the recipe trade!!!

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pomera

pomera is a portable digital typewriter. With this device, you can ONLY write the text, so you can concentrate on writing!



I use pomera (DM20) to write my recipe. I can write faster without the Internet distraction ;) hehe!



Anyway, I always ask my darling to take my pic but he always presses the button when I'm not ready (while I'm talking like below...)



Why?! Because I mostly ask him before our meal, so he is hungry X( Needless to say, he has to take me again! LoL :P



BTW, who takes your picture?!

Anyways, the movers came on Saturday morning and got competitive quotes from them. Surprisingly removal in the morning costs more than in the afternoon... And the cheapest was $600!!! We need to try more to reduce our stuff!!!

Busy Monday! Take care :D

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The New Starbucks Logo

I finally got a chance to post about this! Did you already read about the news (on Jan 5th, 2011) that Starbucks would make a change to their company's logo, removing the Starbucks word-mark around the siren and enlarging the siren image itself from this coming spring?!



Are they just bringing everyone to the attention of their 40th anniversary (as a start) because of the economic slowdown?!

I know we can get used to it after a while, but I don't like this change since the new logo is not that eye-catching... I prefer it framed in the word-mark! or, I wish they don't serve bitter coffee anymore...



torresfelipe illustrated the future Starbucks logos on twitpic! A dot in the end?! LoL.



Anyways, what do you think about this logo change?!

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EVOLG

As I wrote before, EVOLG are the gloves that enable touch panel operation!

I got them online for my darling for Christmas (the black ones) and were really convenient, so I bought another pair for myself :D



Since they come in free sizes, they are little large for me, but at least I can take a phone call, it doesn't matter!



I love them!!!

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変身写真

For our next trip overseas, I wish to visit 台湾 (Taiwan)! Day before yesterday I had a dinner with my ex-coworker and she showed me some pics taken at a photo studio in 台北 (Taipei) and were amazing!!! It is called 変身写真. You can be like a different person! Cute, glam, cool, etc...! For instance, you can be transformed into a doll (princess) with gorgeous background!!! And they are done at a low price!!!

The above pic is from my wedding dress-up. I edited it with PhotoFunia. 変身写真 looks something like this but is much more gorgeous!

I know there are many studios there. If anyone knows a good photo studio in Taiwan, please give me an advice :D

Also, I heard food in Taiwan is pretty good. Any good place to eat is welcome!!!

Not knowing when to go, though. lol

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What's Your Passion?

Lately, I found this question on Kym's post with an awesome quote.

"Passion is a pre-requisite. Without passion, you won't be successful. But you can't be stupidly passionate, you have to do your homework"



Needless to say, I have a passion for cooking.
Currently for our new home, and last year for our wedding, too! And at any time, I have a passion for my darling! Some of you know that I had a hard time before the engagement. haha. Also, the gym and the hula dancing!

I always believe, my passion will bring me the chance to attain the ideal. In other words, even if things are not going well as planned, they result BETTER if I try hard!

That's why, I am mostly passionate about everything around me. (I try not to be stupid, of course...)

BTW, some people ask me why I don't turn my cooking into a career. Answer is easy. I want to be passionate about it freely (from my viewpoint)! I think it'll be my hobby for a while longer.

What's Your Passion?

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Distracted...

Distracted by my own thought for the renovation (flooring), I sliced my hand (my thumb) with a slicer. OUCH!!!



My darling says there is never any need for ME to worry about it, but the contractor... yeah... I know! I am always like this X( I once ran a blender without a lid and messed up my kitchen because my mind was somewhere else.

Have you ever done anything careless like this?!

I really have to be careful!!!

Anyways, this glittering pink color makes me happy :D



It's my pen case which came with the kitson magazine. Nowadays, there are many magazines that come with huge gifts in Japan! I never paid for those but this one. hehe

Bye for now :)

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