Acer One 10 (S1003-1671) Tablet Review - My New BFF

Acer One 10 (S1003-1671) Tablet Review - My New BFF

Oct 23, 2019

By the time I started this post, I just finished Zodiac (the movie, not the book) and I have also finished the Kite Runner yesterday so now I'm feeling that gaping hole as we resume life without me needing to catch up on those two very interesting things. My body is tired, as always, which means I don't feel like doing anything physical but it is also too early to be sleeping. It wasn't even nine. So I thought, hey, let's get on to that one review that you should have done ages ago now.

Alas, I only publish this like two months after starting the post. haha.

In the spirit of wanting to blog more, I decided to buy a tablet so that I can easily carry it everywhere but I specifically needed it to support keyboard assembly. It can't be too expensive since I just need it to write on the go and watch Netflix comfortably. The not too expensive bit was a bit of a wild dream and it was hard to search for review that shows if a tablet can work on Blogger platform. I was so sure that I would buy Mi Pad but apparently, it wasn't licensed under Mi Malaysia which means a sample of it wasn't made available in their branches. Then I stumble onto this fella, Acer One 10 (S1003-1671). 

that charger head for size comparison

another size comparison and showing you it can be detached

To be honest, I'm not quite sure how to really word out the name. The name is a bit weird, isn't it? Is it one or ten like get it together, please.

I bought it on the 19th of March so I have been using it for about six months now.

So what is it? 

It states that it is a tablet/laptop but it is more of a really good netbook/tablet actually.

Anyway apart from the ease of a screen touch (lazy me is happy), I actually bought it for three main reasons which is actually a wonder for a mere RM1099.

The not so mini but mini size

The 10-inch screen is so satisfying. It gave a good wide look of the blog and even better-viewing experience yet still a good size for ease of portability. It fits into my work bag and only weighs about 1.3kg. I thought of forgoing the keyboard if I wanted to travel with it since it is still a comfortable size for me to use the virtual keyboard but apparently it doesn't bother me at all plus it is a really good stand.

It supports Windows 10 

What this means is that it will work like a laptop. It was equipped with the function of a laptop which means it will still give me that laptop vibes when I update my blog plus the familiar interface made it easy for me to navigate through the folders and stuff. I needed that laptop vibes when I update my blog or else it didn't feel as accomplished. I'm weird like that. It is also equipped with Microsoft Office (the mobile version) in case  I needed to do anything that requires it (which I still don't, just fyi). The Windows 10 interface is also a big yay because I don't like it much seeing an android interface on a tablet. It looks tacky somehow.

Window 10 interface on laptop mode 

Window 10 interface on tablet mode

The drawbacks?

1. Sound - It is barely audible if you're online like watching Netflix or hearing to Spotify. This is, however, can easily be fixed with the help of a Bluetooth speaker since I don't like to watch movies with earphones. If I'm watching offline, I'll use VLC player which helps in giving a louder volume.
2. Can't support android -  I can't use android apps at all. It only supports those from Microsoft Store which is so limited. I am quite annoyed that there isn't any aesthetically pleasing note-taking or diary apps available. I have also tried android emulator and it won't run it.
3. Long battery charging time - I think I have only seen it fully charged if I left it charged overnight. I'm not quite sure how many hours but I guess it needs a solid five hours to fully charge it. It can last about three hours or more on a fully charged battery, even longer if I'm offline.

I got so used to the screen touch that I sometimes "tries" to scroll my laptop screen using fingers too. I looked stupid.

Journaling to Self Love

Journaling to Self Love

Oct 11, 2019

Firstly, I should be writing all the none mental health topic that has been waiting since forever but then here I am.

Secondly, I'm writing during my night shift, again, and I wasn't even going to write at first because I was so enthralled with In The Tall Grass but then my conscience got the better of me. 

Thirdly, I have so many things to do but I keep playing BT21 games instead

I don't know why I need to number those but let's get things moving now, shall we?

What is journaling?

It's pretty straight forward, it means that you write a journal and in this case a journal of your own life. A diary is a journal but I'm not sure why the term "journal" got spread around. Probably because people got used to how diary seems a bit mood-ish oriented only.

So if you're like me, which means you always Google stuff for things that are supposed to make your life a whole lot productive and then got an A+ for mental well being, you'll come across this quite frequently. Apparently, journaling your life is a good way to, rather highly claimed as well, live a better life.

It makes sense. It helps you to think through your day and reflect on it. It also helps to keep track on things so you can plan the next day better. Writing it every day also helps you see a clearer picture like - if you feel stress out today, by journaling it, you can pin the exact stressors which will help you to manage it better in the future. It also helps to see the bigger picture like if you're planning to lose weight, journaling your day will help you analyzes your eating pattern thus planning a better diet. Psych Central did a better job explaining the benefit of journaling HERE and they suggested to spend about 20 minutes per day for it.

As for me, I always have a problem disciplining myself (aren't we all?) and writing such a journal just feels too much of a work for me. I tried it for a couple of days and although it feels great to see my progress daily, it just feels too much when I think of things I didn't do and things I shouldn't do. For that, it kinda makes me feel bad so I just stop it and I think it's better for me to just keep doing my monthly blog's update instead.

Yet, I still want to do a journal. I just love the feeling of writing with a pen on paper about my life so I came across this idea to journal every day but on a specific thing. This way, I will not feel overwhelmed by the need to write about everything and at the same time helps me focus on that one thing. 

So now what should I focus on? Since I'm trying to write more about mental health well being, why not journaling about self-love. To my surprise, it is quite a popular practice.

Just look on "self-love journal prompts" on Pinterest and they will give you tonnes of suggestions. Most of it consists of 30 prompts so it will serve as a good one month challenge. I choose to do the prompts from The Petite Planner.

Now, the big question is, to write it manually or use a device like your smartphone, tablet or laptop?

Go on a manual labor guys. I think by engaging your hand more will help you to focus better and it is therapeutically calming as well. Plus, the stark light from devices is just too much. I also feel like I'll never get anything done if I'm on my devices as my mind will always get associated with the need to open my Twitter or scroll through 9Gag or worse, playing BT21 games.

So, why not you guys share your answer for the first prompt - What is your favorite personality trait?

How Are You?

How Are You?

Oct 6, 2019

I ate cereals and milk at my night shift the other day because I always got hungry and my milk is nearing expiry. We even have plastic bowls. This is written way before it was published.

So, how are you?

Let's get real, how are you? 

By "how are you' I really mean - How are you feeling these days? Is there anything fun you just did? What was the last book you read or the last movie you watched? Did you get sick recently? How did you feel waking up this morning? Is tomorrow exciting? How's your favorite celebrity is doing? How are your parents? Is there anything bothering you? Are you tired? Is the last meal you ate is good? 

Can you answer all of my questions? If you can, how are you feeling right now? If you can't, what question and why?

Those are the things that just struck me when I was looking through my own life so that I can figure out what will be the relevant questions to ask and thus so that I can understand "how are you" really is.

As for me, I'm currently doing my night shift and there isn't much patient. Probably because of the rain. So now I'm writing while eating my cereals, with milk, from a plastic bowl.  I just knew the day before, that I didn't get a permanent placement as a pharmacist in the government hospital. So, unless I got another job, I'll be jobless exactly one year from now. 

Yesterday, my colleagues randomly plan to go shopping for these cute baju kurung at this cheap shop so now I got one new pair of baju kurung and two new scarves. I wore one of the scarves right now. We even went to dinner together afterward eating my favorite food, chicken rice.

It was funny because I am devastated for not getting the permanent placement but at the same time, I just can't really get sad or mad because it was something that we all have been expecting for the longest time. Yet, a sliver of hope is cruel. Still, I just finished shopping and hanging out with my colleagues which is quite something. I watched A Star is Born a few days before and finished Ilusaniti last two days. These are two things that shouldn't happen in close proximity.

Today's update - we wore the baju kurung today and took some photos. It was fun until the staff asks me to go a little bit behind so that I will look slimmer. She means well but shit hurts you know.

What I want to say here is that, are you aware of what really been happening in your life lately? Is it good? I'm not asking it to be good as in "you did something for the world" but just, is it good enough for you? Count the blessing, even the littlest one, and if it doesn't feel enough, why? This isn't a motivational call to help you become the best etc, etc, this is just something you need to be aware of.

I've worked exactly two years now and I realized that everything gets mundane one day. It wasn't really a bad thing cause what we're doing now is essential for the nation's health and for that, I'm proud of what I'm doing. I'm glad that my work doesn't bother me after working hours and the mundane of it made it easier to just go to work, focus and just leave it once the clock hits 5. I still got time to read, write and spend a leisure weekend. 

Reading that about me what do you think about yours? I love this part of myself. Where I notices these things and how it affects me and what I needed to do if I need to do anything. Even when I can't do anything, I can at least, figure out what I can do to just make it bearable. Sometimes, acknwoledging those feeling is good enough.