My Blast from the Past Mobile Phones

Technology has really gone very far. Laptops, tablets, mobile phones, PSP or Xbox, LED or 3D flat TVs, and other electronic gadgets or devices – it is not unusual possessing one of those things. In one way or another, we admit it; they are already part of our lives. Take for instance, the mobile phone or cellular phone. It undergone a lot of changes and enhancement from the time it was first introduced during late 1990s up to this date. It is continuously innovating for perfection. The early mobile phones were first designed for the purpose of mere calling and sending text messages (or SMS – short message service) and nowadays their capabilities and functions are beyond human normal understanding. They are multi-tasking device at its best. Mobile phones or cellular phones are now called smartphones due to multimedia capacities.

Bosch Com 509

 I still remember the time when I used to own my first ever cell phone way back 2001 if I am not mistaken. I searched it in the internet and the model I used to own was a two-liner monochrome graphic-display Bosch Com 509. Actually it was a gift from my eldest sister after my first baccalaureate graduation. It was long, slightly heavy, quite big and bulky – very solid indeed. It has no other functions but for texting and calling only but it has additional features such as calculator and alarm clock. No radio of course. I have lots of unforgettable memories of this hand set because it witnessed some of my few disastrous eye ball (EB) ever when text mates were still very rampant and popular. Good old memories i can't forget.

Nokia 3315

Come year 2002. As a Christmas reward to myself, I asked my elder sister to buy me a new cell phone during her business appointment in Manila. She brought me a Nokia 3315 – successor of the most popular then Nokia 3310. I find it very indestructible, better than from my previous Bosch cp. What made this as a well-liked household hand set are its user-friendly features. Compact and simple, lighter than the 3210/3310, long battery life span, customized monotone ring tone composer, and its snake game feature made this so successful in the market. I also get hooked with the Snake game which I used playing for long hours. That hungry, slimy, and quickie snake which lengthens once it passes by the dot, captured my eagerness to beat the game’s highest score. I used this device until 2006 when I exchanged this to another Nokia model at the Greenhills – a place in Metro Manila famous for inexpensive yet new mobile phones or other electronic devices.

Nokia 6610

 Silver Nokia 6610 is what I got when I swapped it with my old phone. A more vibrant device due to its slimmer and lighter weight, 5-liner text and photo messaging (MMS – Multimedia Messaging Service), polyphonic ringing tone, colored display, and most of all its integrated stereo FM radio-support. Mp3s are not yet supported in this handset however I enjoyed listening to FM radio because of its clear stereo hands-free speaker. Usually, I used to tune in to my favorite FM radio station whenever my group was on night duty in the hospital or sometimes I used to play pre-installed java games during non-toxic duty hours. I used this one for more than two years until I lost it inside a tricycle when the phone slipped out in my pants’ pocket when I was going home from hospital duty. I never recovered it though I tried my best to look for it.

Sony Ericsson W760i

It took me quite some time in replacing my lost cp with a brand new one. My sister temporarily lent me another Nokia phone (but I could not remember the model) and I used it for few months. When I saved enough bucks for me to buy a new cp, I purchased the Sony Ericsson W760i – my faved mobile before the domination of smartphones. I have lots of reasons why I loved this device. First, being a walkman phone. It supports mp3 songs and by using a memory stick micro card, I could transfer mp3 songs from my pc via memory card to cp. Besides, its speaker phone is stereo. It has an integrated motion sensor wherein I could advance to the next track by just shaking the phone while I am holding its walkman button. It worked quite well to me. Second, its metallic rocky silver design looked very classical. It fits very well in my hand because of its curvy edges and slider design. Third, I enjoyed playing Java games like car racing using the motion sensor capability of this phone. Though the screen is not so big, its display is far excellent.

Samsung B7722

 I bought this one at the SM Megamall a week before I left the Philippines. My friends and I helped me to choose this model – Samsung B7722 because of its dual-SIM and popularity of touch screen. It is called as DUOS phone of Samsung. I find this very easy to use, allowing me to switch between the two SIM, either by calling or texting, which is always active at the same time so calling or texting has no hassle. Other features are WiFi support, an FM radio, 3G video calling, internet browsing, multimedia player (mp3 songs and 3gp videos), 5MP camera with flash and micro-SD support. As a smartphone, the whole package is practically satisfying when it comes to simplicity and usability. After using this phone more than a year, someone intentionally took my phone whilst I was sleeping in my room. I was in pretty dead sleep that time I never noticed someone took my phone which I usually put it beside me.

Samsung E1182

And this is my current phone – Samsung E1182. As much as I wanted to own another touch screen handset; however, I realized that at this moment I don’t need much for any smartphone yet. This colored-display phone is also dual-SIM, good enough for sending SMS and calling. The battery life span is incredibly long. One of the cheapest mobile from Samsung, the casing is made up of plastic and the keypad is from rubber. It is very light to carry. The phone is equipped with torch light, alarm clock, calculator, stop watch, and other basic features one finds in a cellular phone. It is very simple and very handy device for basic users.

Sony Xperia S

 Whilst almost everyone are going crazy with the latest and popular smartphones such as the stylish iPhone 5 or the trendy Samsung S3, my dream phone that I have been longing for is the Sony Xperia S. I am looking forward to own this phone before my work contract ends in my current company and definitely before I go back to Philippines.

Based from the Sony website, its video is full HD (High Definition) powered by Sony Mobile Bravia Engine (this makes the Xperia unique among other branded smartphones), with 12 MP camera, and with razor-sharp clarity in 4.3” display size. Other specs are almost similar to iPhone or Samsung series such as the memory, processor, battery life span, internet-support, applications, talking time, and so forth.

* All images were taken from the internet

Rain in the Desert Place

Finally, rain poured in Qatar yesterday! This is the first rain which rarely occurs during transition of season from summer to winter around the state. Since early morning, the sky seems dim then little by little; it continuously turned into gloomy and cloudy with few stroke of lightning and sound of rumbling thunders. And at about noon time, finally a heavy down pours of rain transpired. From a country where extreme heat temperature is normal, rain is considered as a blessings from above. Rain – a normal meteorological phenomenon which is usually taken for granted elsewhere in the world but a huge treat in the desert country like Qatar. Thus when rain comes, almost everybody go outside and enjoy the rare moment.

On the other hand, this event caused consternation especially to us. The rain poured for at least 2 hours so our room was filled with water from the leaks in the ceiling. Also, the front yard was flooded. We have no choice, instead to be upset; I just patiently gazed the Nepalese enjoying their own moments under the heavy rain shower. Here are some of my unusual sights:

closer look of floating slippers and bottles

slipper-swimmers

some enjoying the rain shower

during the rain

after the rain

Here in the state, drainage system is typically taken for granted because of the rare occurrence of heavy rain. Usually, in major highways, streets and public parks, drainage system is absent. Thus any heavy rain fall that lasts for more than an hour causes floods along the way. They (the authorities) just suction the floodwater afterwards. Anyways, experiencing rain amid the desert place is worth enjoying this kind of small pleasures of life. Typically, rain is symbolically meant sorrow or distress to some but for the gulf country like Qatar, rain symbolizes hope. That amidst long time season of scorching extreme heat, rain shall come no matter what.

Recipe 107: Fish Sweet and Sour

Usually, I do this dish once we have generous amount of left-over fried fish from our previous meals. The fish is usually a King Fish type, which is one of the very familiar in Qatar fish market. Unlike other kinds of fish, this one tastes good only once newly fried because if several hours passed King Fish typically hardens and losses its crispiness. So that the left over will not be put into waste, it is better for me to resort to another good menu – the sweet and sour using the left-over fried fish.

This one might be very far from the typical sweet and sour you have tasted in your fave restaurants but this too tastes very acceptable. I have been doing this for several times and so far I am satisfied to this dish.

Ingredients:

Left-over king fish: shred into considerable sizes

1 carrot: sliced into thin pieces

1 green bell pepper: sliced into thin pieces

Ginger: sliced into thin pieces

Cloves of garlic

1 pc Onion: sliced into ring size

2 pinch of Ground black pepper

Tomato paste 250 mg

1 tbsp of Sugar

1 tbsp of white vinegar

Considerable amount of flour dissolved in cold water (for thickening the sauce)

Fried Fish

Fried Fish with Sweet and Sour Sauce

   

How to cook:

1.       Refried the fish in the pan (to make it crispy again). Then place it in a separate plate.

2.       Heat another pan. Put cooking oil into the pan and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.

3.       Add the carrots until it turns tender then add the bell pepper.

4.       Pour a substantial amount of water and let it simmer for few minutes. Then add the tomato paste, white vinegar, sugar, ground pepper, and the dissolve flour. Mixed.

5.       Add the pineapple chunks (excluding the syrup) and season to taste.

6.       Pour the sauce into the plate with fish.

7.       Serve hot with rice.

       Enjoy your meal!

Blank

For a month long, vast ideas were lingering inside my mind and I wanted it posted in this blog. But these words were just hanging on and waiting for them to be released and be put into writing. These thoughts were never freed. Imagine those broken and complex unorganized thoughts that it is so huge my entire brain cannot comprehend and it simply freezes once I sit in front of my laptop. The outcome – a blank.

Perhaps, this is just one of the effects of having a cerebrum not trained or may I say not born into depth, fine writing and extemporaneous speaking. Ever since when I was in grade school, good command of English writing and speaking is my utmost weak point. At all times, I struggle in this subject. That is why I actually despised topic reports and essay type of questions in my periodic examinations during my high school years. My words are insufficient to express my point of views on a certain topic. I never known the words before that melancholy is synonymous with sad; omnipotence to power, and profligate to extravagant. Correct grammar is also not my thing. I had also a hard grasp on the effects of the subject to its predicates: the s-verb thing. Every time we had exams such this either in high school or college, I often burn my eyebrows beforehand. After years of study and understanding, the s-verb thing rule was somehow instilled in my brain cells: If the subject is singular, the linking verb or the verb is plural and vice versa.

I admit I envy others who could write good stories or articles. I know few of the good writers either in history or contemporary time, they were born with it. Such talent is in their blood (How blessed they are!). But, how about those some who are ungifted, including myself? My keen interest in writing is only just lately. Maybe few years back. I guess, I was inspired to read and write more by my own weakness for me to learn. By engaging my free time to writing and reading, I assumed I have given myself the best opportunity of developing my weak points. I gained self-confidence in every unfamiliar word I read in the newspapers, online articles or even in the books and I could apply it in my own writing – most especially in this blog, the online blog that I started just this year. This merely expresses my way of thinking about all things. I, being the official member of the semi-introvert-type of person since a kid and who was haply and subconsciously aggravated by the early demise of my loving mother when I was in grade school, writing somehow distances myself of being solitude and concealed. I remembered the times when one of our subject teachers in 4^th-year high school asked us to individually relay a message to each one of our classmates before we part away. Nearly all of them except those I used to be friends with wrote in a piece of paper saying I had a very timid personality – because I rarely talk with them. And I was aware of that thing. For my lifetime, I have been correcting my perplexed attitude towards relationship with others and strangers. Seriously, I need this change put into effect at full liberty - freedom of initiating a conversation with strangers without reluctance, insecurities, and reservation.

With all these weaknesses in my brain and my will of my heart to learn, a blank document is might be a temporary thing. I wish my continuous learning through writing and constant interaction with others will slowly alter my circumstances. In God’s time, I wish for no blank outcomes. By realizing this wish, maybe it’s enough for me to say that I have reached the peak of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Recipe 106: Chicken in Chilis and Bagoong (Bicol Express – Inspired Menu)

Here’s another treat for anyone who loves Bicol Express but couldn’t find any pork meat in this desert state. Qatar has permitted sole merchant the selling of pork products to non-Muslim people only but still it is very costly and regulated with very limited supply. However, other gulf countries especially the Kingdom of Saudi, pork are seriously a no-no. So to lessen one’s craving from Bicol Express (Bicolano dish cooked out of pork meat cut into small pieces and mixed with bagoong and chilis), I substituted chicken meat from pork which is as good as the original one. This dish does only need few ingredients which are highly available in the market and this is very easy to cook.

Ingredients:

Half kg Chicken: cut into small pieces

Chilis: either green or red – cut into considerable length

3-4 tsp of Bagoong (Salted Shrimp Fry)

Cloves of garlic: sliced into small pieces

1 onion: sliced into small pieces

Ground Pepper

Ample amount of cooking oil

Pineapple chunks in syrup (Optional)

How to cook:

1.      Heat oil in a pan.  

2.      Add onion and garlic and stir fry until onions look translucent.

3.      Put chicken meat; stir from time to time, until the meat becomes brownish and soft.

4.      Add bagoong, chilis, and ground pepper. Mixed. Cook for 2 minutes.

5.      Separate pineapple chunks from the syrup and add into the pan and mix.

6.      Serve hot.

(Pineapple is added to give extra taste to the dish but this one makes the dish spoil hasty if left in under a room temperature. So it's better to put this inside the fridge after your meal and if you want to save it for the next meal.)

Things I observed in the State of Qatar

I have been staying in this gulf country for almost 15 months now and at that period I have adjusted to the life of being in a desert country. Qatar is one of the very rich countries in terms of crude production and its people including the expatriates are benefiting so much for that. A former British colony, the State of Qatar is blissfully enjoying its sovereignty and freedom. High-end structures, towering commercial buildings, hotels, apartments, and landmarks are continuously proliferating around the city. There are so much to talk about this tiny state and so far I have listed some of these plain observations below:

• Ana is not my friend’s name, either of my colleague’s name or any woman’s name. Actually it refers to me.
• Khalas is the most used Arabic word in the conversation.
• Aiwa is not an appliance brand; it is basically yes.
• The most common private vehicle of the Qataris or Locals is the White Land Cruiser. You see them freely parked outside in every Qatari’s house.
• If you’re a boss or office staff in your work, everything inside is served. If you want a glass of water – you ask; if you need a tea – you ask; if you need something to photocopy; you ask again. The office has someone tasked to do that for you.
• A liter of gasoline and a quarter liter of water costs 1 Qatar Riyal each. Water is 4x more expensive than gas. And that’s a fact.
• Expatriates are larger than the Qatari Nationals – in terms of numbers.
• The largest populations among the expats are the Indian Nationals.
• The number 1 enemies of the people inside their house are the bed bugs.
• Summer time means spending your time inside your house or playing your favorite games in an indoor area.
• Highest temperature reaches as high as 50-something degree Celsius during summer.
• Every house has air conditioner (aircon). It’s a must.
• Ramadan is the best time for shopping.
• Date trees are everywhere in the city.
• If you want to buy something in a grocery store or fast food chain – just honk the horn of your car. Someone will come from the store to get your order. By the way, this is mostly done by Qataris. Just like a privilege enjoyed by the Qatari nationals.
• Holding hands in public by two lovers is not prohibited.
• People always bring with them their Qatar ID (Pataka in Arabic).
• Every mobile SIM used by the people is registered in the government.
• You see Indian nationals everywhere.
• Public parks from afternoon until night on Fridays are prohibited to persons who are singles unless he is seen with a woman or kids.
• Trees, plants and even grasses do not grow freely. They are being taken care of everyday.
• Markets (Souq) or shopping malls are livelier at night than in day time. People prefer to shop after sun sets.
• Pepsi products are popular than Coca Cola products.
• Chicken meat is widely consumed than any other meat livestock products.
• Public transport is solely run by the government.
• It usually rains when change in season is imminent.
• In driving, you will get used to round-abouts instead of intersections in the street.
• Say signal instead of traffic lights, flat instead of apartment, lift for elevators, fridge for refrigerators; petrol for gasolines
• When talking with other nationals (except British, Australians, Americans) – carabao english is more preferred than grammatically-correct english
• KFC and McDonalds don’t serve spaghettis.
• Rain is very rare. Maybe more or less 5 times it pours annually.
• Police officers don’t carry fire arms on their belts.
• Condoms are visibly displayed in the pharmacies.
• ...

I know this list is not yet over. Everyday's life here is a continues learning and discovery. I will go back to this post once I learned another something new and interesting about Qatar.

Me in the city center Doha