A nice piece from Sassy Lawyer (even sweeter as she's practicing what she wrote) - Artists rock. I hope we all parents/mentors will internalize and really practice this in guiding our young ones.

Highly recommended also to watch the mentioned TED presentation of Sir Ken Robinson on education and creativity.

I fully agree that we need to rethink how we educate and raise our kids today.

I recommend this book (half-way, I'm reading right now) by Seth Godin - Linchpin - this book basically tells you how to be an artist in your work.

I hope our kids in the future will not require this book, as we already nurture them today to be creative thinkers rather than good workers.

Finally, after some speculations and little bit of hype as many are craving for the “next one” to Apple iPhone, Google announced last night their new flagship Nexus One phone. Powered by the latest Android 2.1 OS and manufactured by HTC. The unit sells for $529 unlock with free shipping but only in US and I think as of now UK, Hong Kong and Singapore – not here in Qatar or in the Philippines.

Just for curiosity, I tried immediately ordering and here’s how I did it.

First, you need to use a US proxy or VPN service. Use Google search for US Proxy or VPN. Just be careful in selecting this service as anything in the middle of your session to Google server can sniff your data. If you can go for some premium paid services, I think it is a better option since you’ll be using your Google Checkout to complete this order. I’ll not personally recommend what service to use just be extra careful and do some research first.

Once you setup your US VPN or Proxy, go to www.google.com/phone, login with your google account and there you can order your Nexus One.

Last year was one of the most significant and I think the most difficult year in my life. Thanks to many people who guided me and supported me.  

Until now, I’m still in the stage of accepting and realigning how I live my life in general. I’m not pushing myself as the more I control myself, the more I feel that I’m lost.  

I’m lucky that I experience this now. I don’t think I can handle this if it happened in my younger age, and maybe I’ll be too old or it will be too late for me to recover if this will happen in the future.

Miss you Mama.

A pretty balance year for me this year. Many new learning, ideas, awareness and changes in my life. Still, I know, I can do better – realization is already there. This makes me more excited for 2009 as I’ll continue what I started this year and push myself a little bit more. Continue to improve myself. Give more unconditional love and values to others. Keep learning new things. Enjoy every bits of my life. Back to basics. Keep my life lighter and simpler. And have the courage to live consciously.

Thanks God for a great year.

Happy New Year to all!

I’m so thrilled today as my favorite Task Management apps Things is now syncing - both in my Macbook Pro and my iPhone.

It’s so cool, I can easily capture all my ideas anytime, anywhere as my iPhone is virtually always with me; and then use later my Macbook Pro to organize those stuffs by putting right tags (context), Areas, Projects, deadline and schedules.

Looking forward for version 1 in desktop app and other more features like location aware in iPhone app.

Things really transformed how I get things done.

I’ll be in Dubai next week for SNPA (Securing Networks with PIX and ASA) Training.

The training will be in Fast Lane Dubai from August 24-28. And I’ll stay in Towers Rotana since its very accessible - only 2 minutes walking distance to Fast Lane.

It will be interesting if I can meet someone there who reads this website :)

I missed to post this here - last August 12, I passed my 30 days trial without drinking tea and coffee.

I decided to try this experiment, because I found out lately my intake of coffee and tea was really getting high. It gives bad effect to myself - I’m not able to focus and think clearly, seem like my mind is cloudy. And in my nature of job I need to have always a clear and strong mind ;) so I decided to start this 30 days trial if I can quit drinking coffee and tea. In this period, I want also to know if there is any benefit in my mental performance.

In my first week, I had detox, specially the first 3 days. I suffered severe headache and I was really craving to drink.

Beginning of 2nd week, that was the start where I felt the difference between the mind free from coffee and mind intoxicated with coffee, hehehe.

Now almost a week already past in my 30 days trial, and my longings of coffee is not there anymore. I think, I’ll continue this practice for life - I’ll try to completely avoid coffee and tea as I don’t want to experience again a cloudy head :)

For couple of weeks now, I started going to Gym. It’s really fun as more than using Wii Fit, I found how physically unfit I am :)

I don’t go there regularly as I’m giving priority to Dimpz. We cannot go together as someone should take care of the kids.

So far my goal in achieving my ideal weight is in steady progress. I hope in 1 year period, I’ll not only achieved my ideal weight but also build some muscles :)