Dropbox
I love Dropbox. And these are the reasons why.
1. We have come into the age of cloud computing. We have multiple devices — phones, tablets, computers … what better way to get our documents across them all than to use cloud computing? Dropbox does this in such a seamless manner and is available for Apple, Android, BlackBerry, Windows platforms. And if we don’t have our personal devices with us? No problem, we can just log in via the web interface.
2. My MacBook Air is my travelling device. It has limited storage and I only put work files on it. So almost everything on my MacBook Air is synced on Dropbox, which acts like a back-up facility. I have the peace of mind knowing that if this Mac goes down (TOUCH WOOD!), I still have everything on my iMac at home.
3. I can attach documents easily when sending out emails from my phone. Just log in, open up the file, click either ‘Generate Link’ or ‘Send by Email’, and voila, your work is done. It makes mobile computing so much more easier and no more do we need to send out emails that say ‘I’m out now and I will send the documents to you when I get back to the office.’
4. File sharing is also made so much easier. When working on projects with people, I don’t have to keep on re-sending files and my project mates can go into the folder and grab the latest version of it. I love how easy it is to have a common photo file for loved ones, and it just cuts out the some steps for reogranising things, etc.
However, as beautiful as this app is, as big a fan I am, I just realised that it lacks a very important security tool.
When you add someone to share your folder, you have NO CONTROL over this person sharing the folder with someone else. This happened to me recently, and to be honest, I felt raped. It was weeks till I found out about it, and while there weren’t any big security breaches, it just felt disconcerting that someone had access to MY folder for so long without MY KNOWLEDGE of it.
So apart from Dropbox having to work on this security feature (they say it’s on their Road Map), I think users ought to practise a bit of decorum with regards to file sharing.
DECORUM FOR FILE SHARING
1. Do not put every single last information on it. Most users do not want to see every single photo you took, just the ones they need to see. And please, for the limited space they have on Dropbox, on their Mac, and the amount of time spent syncing it, re-size your files. Do not dump photos fresh off the camera on it, and trim down your videos.
2. If a user has invited you to share their Dropbox folder, it would be polite to check first if it is alright to share it with someone else. Regardless if that someone else ought to know the contents of it, regardless of whether it seems harmless, regardless whether you trust that someone else. This Dropbox is not yours to share, without the inherent permission of the creator.
Dropbox is a great app. With further tweaking, I think it looks set to take over the world!
Techie Wallets
I’ve been popping my head into the local Alfred Dunhill stores to have a firsthand peek at the biometric wallet. It hasn’t been available though. :/
It opens only with the touch of your fingerprint. It can also be linked via bluetooth to your phone, and it sounds an alarm when both objects are separated for more than 5m. Doesn’t matter that this is actually for men, I’d get one for myself in a heartbeat.
If that wallet is not techie enough for you, how about this one – the Geode from iCache.
This megatech phonecover-wallet-thingamajig not only has the fingerprint unlock function, it comes with the Universal “GeoCard” that can be used at any point-of-sale terminal, which magnetic strip is rewritable to any of your credit card that you register with the website.
The drawback — lose that and you lose both your phone and your wallet.
iPad Bags
I love tech. That’s no secret.
I love bags. That’s even less of a secret.
Tech + bags = Joan’s idea of heaven.
Am going to start a category for my blog posts that are related to fashion and technology, because I’ve stumbled on quite a few yummy things.
I think it’s great these days, that fashion designers are recognising that technology is so integrated in our lifestyles, that it only makes sense to integrate the two, or just design pretty accessories to accompany our tech products, because, who says that it should be boring?
First up, is Diane von Furstenburg‘s Harper Connect Leather Bag.
I have this in grey. I love how you can carry this bag in three ways – the short handle, chain strap and the long strap, messenger style. I am not that huge a fan of chain straps in general, but I feel that it adds a feminine touch, in otherwise what would have been a ‘computer bag’. It’s fashionably tech, I say. Oh, and for those who also have the 11″ MacBook Air, you can easily fit this in the bag too!
For the men, no fear. Hex also has a messenger bag with a special iPad slot.
The Fleet Messenger Bag for iPad also fits a full sized MacBook.
Anyone has anymore iPad bag finds to share?
Stop and Breathe
Do you remember the bad dream you had as a child, where you find yourself stuck in a deep pit, trying to claw your way out? And no matter what you do, you find yourself nowhere near the surface but drowning in dirt at the same time?
Well, that was my week last week. Except that it was in real life.
Clare recently developed (again) a crying habit when having to go to school. It’s no secret that she always struggled with the first few weeks of school with each new school year. This time though, we are well into March, and suddenly, the crying bouts begin. You would think that four years of school (and actually having fun and friends) would have done something to change her mindset.
It was really hard trying to do the right thing. Be a good mum, teach her to be independent, reassure her that I love her but that school is good for her (and fun!) and fight the urge to bundle her home and hug her to death. Instead, I just go home, cry, then get ready for work. Rinse and repeat the next day.
Then the crying got worse. She started crying at everything. From picking her up after work (when she suddenly insisted she had to walk the dog first), to being picked up by my parents to spend the day with them … it was driving me despair.
I would have big chats with her, telling her how much I love her, she would apologise for the crying, we tell each other even more how much we love each other. By and large, she really is a great kid with very high EQ. She communicates well, and is sensitive towards others too. But it was a huge emotional roller coaster ride of peaks and troughs.
What I didn’t realise also, was that I was fast sinking into depression. I am in the midst of preparing for another huge show (I love my job, and I also love being with Clare). I am trying to spend time with the kid. I am trying to spend time with family. I am trying to be a good mum.
And I felt that nobody understood, yet was expecting everything and anything from me. It seemed, that [a] it was my fault that I do not live up to being the perfect mum; [b] it was also my fault for being a working mum and not being able to live up to being the perfect worker.
And at one point, I thought maybe it was best that I drop everything and check myself into some wholesome, green-living, aura-healing, zen-loving, mind-settling, stay-in programme somewhere.
Anywhere. For as long as it takes to make all the bad feelings go away.
But I screeched to a halt and closed my eyes. And stopped. I tuned out the world for a bit. And just stopped. And healed.
I’m breathing easy now. Clare burst into my room this morning, proclaiming that it’s CRAZY HAT DAY in school (last day of school before term break festivities) and got ready quick. While she was sad about being separated from me, she didn’t cry. That is improvement.
And I feel (somewhat) ready to tackle the world again.
Clare at 5 years 5 months
Took out my camera gear for a photo shoot last night, and realised (with some guilt) that I haven’t taken photos of Clare properly, in a while. (Heaps more taken on the iPhone.) My little girl is already 5 years and almost 5 months. Where has time flown?
Yes, she is a lefty who sometimes does serious damage when left alone with the scissors!
The photo shoot this morning was really good, and completely re-energised me, which is what I needed. Haven’t taken photos in a while, and was feeling quite bad about it.
And speaking of photos, I have set up an Instagram account for Clare. You can add her here (username: clareelee). She went round the house taking photos yesterday, so I thought it would be a good time for her to get on board!
More Clare-isms
Me: Oh, I don’t remember that.
C: Of course you cant remember. Old people always forget things.
Me: DID YOU JUST CALL ME OLD?!?!
C: Nooooo…
Me: You just did!
C: Nooooo… I didn’t. Why would I do that?!
—
My daughter. She doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Clare-ism
Recording this for posterity’s sake.
Dropped Clare off at school in the morning. I am extra upbeat to put her in a good mood for school.
She said: Ok mum! Goodbye! See you!
Ran off.
Then yelled, ‘OH WAIT!!’
Ran back.
Hugged me.
Said, ‘I miss you, mum.’
Ran off to class.
This mum nearly cried.
—
We had a chicken rice Valentine’s Day lunch today, at her request. I asked her if she knows what Valentine’s Day is.
C: It’s a day of love.
M: How do you know that?
C: Mum, I’m quite clever.
I Don’t Know How She Does It
The movie, ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It‘ is a comedy about a working mum, who tries to juggle it all. I finally found time to watch it (the irony of it all) during a recent break in Bangkok, where I did nothing much except to catch up on sleep, eat good food, drink great wine, watch an insane amount of shows on my iPad, center myself and re-connect with my partner.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
For those of you who have not watched it, and intend to, please skip this blog entry.
The premise of the show centers around Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Kate Reddy, who is a financial executive in Boston. She recently landed a big account that has her flying to New York weekly, which significantly increases her flying time, not without protest from her family, especially her children. She does get support from her husband, who also lands an attractive job, and the show trails her difficulties in trying to balance it all — particularly, work and family.
This show is almost the story of my life.
Work life
We see humourous scenes of working mothers being belittled by what I affectionately call ‘Nazi Mothers’ — stay-at-home-mums who are nothing short of perfection and parent with very strict rules with little or no room for deviation. I always feel that Clare’s teachers go out of their way to make me feel less of a mum whenever I speak to them and they talk about my work and how it impacts on Clare’s education and well-being. Particularly with raised eyebrows and the whole ‘Oh yes, you haven’t really been around’ routine.
We see Kate having to keep up with work doubly as hard because the singletons judge her otherwise and others are ready to pounce on her weakness. I always feel that the working world can be quite unforgiving to mums because we are seen less than capable, especially when we have to attend to a family emergency. Or we have less time to commit to work, even when it’s after work.
Family life
We see Kate having to deal with her children being upset that mummy is not always there. Sometimes, she misses out on the ‘firsts’, such as her son’s first hair cut. I haven’t been able to send Clare to ballet class, since she started it about a month ago, and when I come back from a long work trip, she lets me know about her unhappiness for a day or two. Can’t blame her.
Personal life
But the very heart of it all, Kate loves her job and is unapologetic about it. She understands the difficulties that comes with it, but it is who she is. What I really like about the show, is that it kept away from fairytale endings, which would probably have Kate quitting her job and everybody live happily ever after. But she didn’t. In fact, she told her husband that she understands the limitations, but does not want to give up and want to make things work. She promises to try even harder, work even harder, be a better mum and wife.
That’s what I strive to be too. To always be a better person, better mum, better everything and to excel in all areas, as much as I struggle with bits of it. Sometimes, I wonder what my life would be like, if I chose a different path. I could do things differently, but will I be fulfilled? I don’t want Clare to learn that life should be lived in mediocrity. Instead, it should be lived to the fullest!
Most days, I wake up feeling very lucky for having the life that I have – great job (super stressful most times!), great kid (super cute and super wonderful, but can also be super trying), great life experiences (some super painful). But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Adieu 2011
A little more than 4 hours and counting down to a brand new year. I’m sitting here, watching a couple of my sisters play with Clare and feeling blessed.
2011 was a big year for me in terms of personal growth. I never thought that there was much more room of developing who I am, but I was wrong.
I’ve refined, fine-tuned, stretched the boundaries of being a parent. I’m thankful that I have great support in that department and that T and I work in strong partnership in raising Clare.
In relationships around me, I’ve mended some, strengthened some, revived some, stretched some, destroyed some and gave up some. None of which I regret.
I’ve learnt to understand others better, accept things better, understand me better and become a better person by changing the bits of me that need to be changed. I’ve also learnt when to put my foot down, when to say ‘no’ and when to say ‘it’s not alright’.
I’ve been pushed to extreme limits again, and it always serves to be a great reminder about the depth of my strength and how, no matter what, I will always make it through fine even when it most certainly does not feel like it.
I got to travel around the world, two and a half times. I’ve seen more, experienced more, understood more than I ever did in my lifetime. For that, I’m grateful. I used to be apathetic about the on goings of the world, but now I love reading the news, I want to know more and I want to live more. Some of the new places I’ve been to — Dubrovnik, Croatia; Budapest, Hungary; Krakow, Poland; Koh Samui and Bangkok, Thailand (yes! I finally made it to Bangkok, after trying to get there a few times). I went back to Hong Kong and Prague, Czech Republic again, spent wonderful time in Noosa, Australia and quite a few trips to Sydney and Melbourne. There were so many more cool places I’ve been to this year, which I can’t wait to share about when that show goes to air next year.
This was a year of extreme highs and extreme lows, and lots in between. There were many firsts for me, many new achievements, many more milestones reached. I loved lots of 2011 and hated bits of it.
I’m looking forward to changes and growth in 2012.
One of my favourite places – Dubrovnik, Croatia.
I took more airplanes than any form of public transport this year, something which I am actually very thankful for.
My family — am so grateful for them.
Hot Wheels Wall Tracks
After a month of being on the road for work, I came back home to a daughter who has forgotten how to pack her toys (because grandma’s house has hired help). Clare’s idea of packing up her room was to push all her toys against the wall. Which I found less than funny, of course. I had a mini showdown with her to get her to put everything back onto the shelves, which has been rather effective since.
For Christmas, the lovely people at T\PR gifted Clare a set of Mattel’s Hot Wheels Wall Tracks. Best invention EVER! You stick the tracks on the wall (using 3M’s Command Strips, so your walls don’t get destroyed) and keeps the clutter off the floor! (Except when the cars go zooming off!)
Clare was very excited to play with the toy, flipping and turning the movable bits of the track. And this mummy is happier too, for not having to nag the little one to pick her toys off the floor.
