Blackberry vs Iphone

I had a BlackBerry 8830 World Edition. I had that phone for a year and I loved it. I love that it has the Facebook app and all the Instant Messenger applications and I loved the fact that I can receive emails instantaneously. It was easy adjusting to its QWERTY keyboard. It didn’t have a built-in camera but I liked my BlackBerry. It had that “busy executive” image.

Then the Iphone came. I always thought that the Iphone was overrated and just a product of good marketing. I still stuck with my BlackBerry. Until the time when I was forced to exchange my Sprint-locked Balckberry with my friend’s open line Iphone temporarily because my Blackberry.

For a couple of weeks I cursed my Iphone because for the life of me, I had a hard time texting and its predictive text had a hard time learning my Filipino words. I also hard a hard time with its controls. Then as days pass, my complaints about my Iphone lessened as I realized the convenience of its built-in Ipod. I have now realized the importance of listening to music while walking and commuting in NYC. The Iphone apps make the hours shorter as I wait in line or wait in an airport. And of course, the built-in camera is also a plus for me. The wifi capability of the Iphone saved my on my data charges, that’s for sure. The only thing on my wishlist for the Iphone though is BlackBerry’s push email technology. When my friend and I exchanged back our phone, I got my Blackberry back and she, her Iphone, I must admit, I kinda missed the convenience of the Iphone.

Thanks to Globe’s Iphone promo where you get an Iphone 3G 16GB at around $300 at 0% interest for 12 months, I got myself a white Iphone. Now I can say that although I still like BlackBerry, now I am an Iphone convert.

Relaxing at Home

Relaxing at home is difficult for me because I work at home.  I associate home with work.  Although I have the office in a separate room, but I bring work with me in the bedroom, kitchen and living room.

So I said to myself,  I must make an effort to do things other than working when I am at home.  So here are my other-then-work relaxing home activities:

1. Home Service Massage and other Spa Services

With so many massage parlors sprouting all over the metro I ddn’t know who to call. I want a massage service that is “stricly massage” only. I don’t want to have pretty girls and boys giving me a “pleasurable time” as one massage ad phrased it.

So I went to the Internet and found Asian Massage. Their service is good.  I especially love their Reflexology.  It relaxes and energizes you at the same ime (if that makes sense).  And the nice thing is, they are open 24 hours!

2. A glass of wine or a can of beer

Yep. They say that a glass of red everyday is good for you. So as I am writing this post, I am enjoying my glass of fave red for the moment, a Shiraz Cabernet. I love its fruity taste when it first touches your mouth, then that spicy taste when the wine goes down.
My beers,   for the moment are Thai (Singha) and Japanese (Asahi) Beers.

3. Magic Sing

I have to borrow Magic Sing from my friend.  Singing relaxes me – need I say more?

4. Cooking

I love to cook for other people.  I am especially encouraging my son to try different kinds of food. I like entertaining at home.  Eating with friends makes for a relaxing evening of good conversation and laughter.

5. TV and Books

I have to make an effort to stay away from my laptop during my off hours.  It is so easy to get sucked in the Internet even after work.  There are news, blogs, games, online books and magazines and movies 

But when I stayed away from my laptop, and went to my living room and watch TV from a television and read a a real paperback book, I felt more relaxed.

I am reading Thomas Friedman’s “The World is Flat” and I am addicted to CSI (Vegas, NY, Miami).  Oh, and there is the pleasure of reading coffee table travel and art books as well.

As they say,  all work and no play makes you irritable and less productive.  So make the effort of putting a little play in your schedule -  AND especially for us home-workers.. let’s try not to feel too guilty about indulging ourselves  and nah-uh.. let us NOT  open that inbox!