Monthly Archives: September 2009

On Thursday 24 September, Mining group Petra Diamonds has discovered a 507.55 carat white diamondat South Africa’s Cullinan mine, one of the largest high-quality rough diamonds ever found. 

Initial examinations of the diamond which weighs just over 100 grams (3.5 ounces), have shown it to be of exceptional colour and clarity.

The diamond is undergoing colour grading, but is believed to be a rare Type II diamond,

 

The newly discovered dinosaur Anchiornis huxleyi, shown in an artist’s reconstruction below, is the oldest known bird-like dinosaur.

 

Scientists in China have discovered the oldest dinosaur that had feathers. Thought to be between 1 to 11 million years older than the first known bird, the dinosaur, named Anchiornis huxley, was about 28 centimeters tall at its hip.

 

Source: ScienceNews and BoingBoing

I was so mad that I have pay $20 fee for overdue books from the library. Usually, I would get an email like a week prior to the due date, so I could do the renewal. Grrrr…rrr.. not this time! So, I called the library and complained about not getting the notify email like I normally get. She said I had to stop by the library and she might be able to bring the fine lower than $20.  We’ll see about that!!

 

At least, I still remember that I have to renew my books, but I couldn’t remember the due date.  I’m also glad that they don’t fine me per book per day.

 

Anyway… I found an useful article on Yahoo wrote by Dr. Mao who is a health expert. He gave out 4 tricks for less serious memory loss. He mentioned that aging causes neuron loss, which can impact your memory of recent events. Yep… I feel old already!

 

The 4 tricks are

1) Don’t forget to be aware – Basically, you need to pay attention to what you do. Become aware and be observant of everything. Wherever you put your keys, be aware of it. Be conscious of every little action that you do.

 

2) Organized in life, organized in mind – When you are organized in your house, you are organized in your mind. Designate a special area for all items. If you take the tool out of the toolbox, always put the tool back in the toolbox where it belongs. Choose a space where you will collect bills or checks — and put them in the same place every time. Having this organization will not only help you remember, it will save precious memory space for you to fill with more important things.

 

3) Seeing is remembering – Many people are visual and remember better with a visual reminder. If there are certain things that you need to work on, put the document out where you’re going to see it and remember to work on it. Or leave yourself a note on the breakfast table where you will be sure to see it. Keep what you need within your visual field and you won’t forget!

 

4) Herbal teas to remember: Many herbs and supplements have been researched and found to help improve your cognitive capabilities. Sit back and let these herbs keep your brain young and your memory sharp. These herbs are such as green tea and the leaf of the ginkgo tree.

 

Have you ever apply these tricks in your life before? If not, you better to start now!

OMG… I’ve never thought I would see things like this on the news. At first I thought it was a joke, but no.. it was real. Sydney’s Sky turned red due to the dust storm in the early morning and became orange when the sun started to rise.

 

 

Here is some fact behind the incident. 

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jane Golding says that the color comes from an exorbitant amount of dust that has collected in the area, saying:

“The reason for the dust is we had some really strong winds in the inland areas of NSW and in South Australia for a sustained period yesterday. That’s lifted a whole lot of dust off the ground because it’s quite dry out there, many of those areas are still drought affected…I’ve not seen anything like this before.”

She also pointed out that the reddish haze is expected to fade as the sun gets higher in the sky, changing from “a crimson red to orange by about 7am.”

 

 

Read more: Yahoo

According to Gizmodo, the Microsoft is confirming that they are working to create a dual-screen tablet, called Courier. Courier is more like a “booklet” than a tablet as it folds together and has two interactive touch screens side-by-side with loads of fast functionality.

 

 

 

 

 

The Climb is the OST from Hannah Montana The Movie, which I had a chance to watch it during the road trip from Salt Lake to Las Vegas. I heard the song before watching the movie. At first, I thought the song was just alright. But, after watching the movie. I think it was kind of growing on me. Odd enough to say.. I like the movie too. Hahaha.., I watched the Disney channel sometimes and Hanna Montana could make me laugh. I thought the show itself was funny, silly, and entertaining. What about Miley Cyrus? She was OK. It would be better if she could avoid those bad press. It has affected how I think of her which I couldn’t help it. Of course, I don’t know her, but the press has been trying to portray the dark side of her.  However, we cannot avoid the fact that how talent she is!! I admire her that!! She has just turned 18 and look how much money she can make!!

 

Here is The Climb song

 

Now, I would you to watch another version of the Climb sang by Kelly Clarkson and her backup singers.

 

Which version do you like better?

 

The latest product and services provided by AT&T (one of the major cell phone network operator in the US) has been released. It is MicroCell.  Basically, you will get a device called “Femtocell” that will allow you to use your land-based broadband internet connection (that you pay another company for) to make calls and use data on your cell phone.

 

So,… what exactly Femtocell is?

 

Think of Femtocell as WiFi router!! They are similar, but of course different technologies. According to Airvana, the Femtocell is like a Wi-Fi access point, but specially designed for cell phones; it uses a low-power integrated antenna to transmit voice and data cellular signals within a home or small office. It connects to your mobile operator’s network through your broadband Internet connection. 

Unlike WiFi, these devices use licenced radio spectrum, so must be operated and controlled by a mobile phone company. Thus it will work with only one mobile phone operator, and thus encourages all users in a household to switch to the same network operator.

 

With AT&T 3G MicroCell, the users will experience full 3G service at home. What are the benefits? When making phone calls through 3G MicroCell, your airtime minute will not be counted. That means you can make unlimited phone calls, plus you don’t need to worry about “dead zone” in your house. If you have other 3G device available, such as iPhone and Netbook, you can even use 3G to browse the Internet.

 

AT&T will offer this MicroCell service for either$10 or $20 a month depending upon your service plan. So.. what do you think? Like it?

The New Moon (Twilight’s sequel) trailer has been premiere on Sunday during the MTV Video Music Award. Here is the latest trailer!

 

 

I got this synopsis below from the Twilight’s official YouTube:

 

 

In the second installment of Stephenie Meyers phenomenally successful TWILIGHT series, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as BELLA SWAN (Kristen Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of—only to find herself in greater peril than ever before.

Following Bellas ill-fated 18thbirthday party, EDWARD CULLEN (Robert Pattinson) and his family abandon the town of Forks, Washington, in an effort to protect her from the dangers inherent in their world. As the heartbroken Bella sleepwalks through her senior year of high school, numb and alone, she discovers Edwards image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy. Her desire to be with him at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.

With the help of her childhood friend JACOB BLACK (Taylor Lautner), Bella refurbishes an old motorbike to carry her on her adventures. Bellasfrozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob, a member of the mysterious Quileute tribe, who has a supernatural secret of his own.

 

When a chance encounter brings Bella face to face with a former nemesis, only the intervention of a pack of supernaturally large wolves saves her from a grisly fate, and the encounter makes it frighteningly clear that Bella is still in grave danger. In a race against the clock, Bella learns the secret of the Quileutes and Edwards true motivation for leaving her. She also faces the prospect of a potentially deadly reunion with her beloved that is a far cry from the one shed hoped for.

 

 

Look at the car!! How cool is that??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is a BMW’s 4-seat Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. BMW claims the Vision EfficientDynamics concept would be capable of hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and could easily exceed its electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

 

For more details about this BMW car and Photo Slide, please visit RoadandTrack.com

Apple has just released a new generation for iPod Nano. Now, it comes with video camera!!

The latest iPod nano looks almost identical to its predecessor, but this player packs so much more into its small frame: A video camera, an FM tuner (a first for iPods!), a pedometer for joggers, and a larger screen. Priced at $149 for 8GB and at $179 for 16GB ($20 less than last year’s 16GB player).