talkster: free international calls

Hmm... not sure if this is worth it unless both parties have monthly plans with xx amount of minutes to use.

Basically, it's like Skype To Go, where you are allocated a local number to call, so you're always paying at a local rate when calling overseas. But with Skype, you still have to pay $/min and a connection fee. Talkster is free!

With Talkster, both you and the person you're calling will be given a local number through text msg. To make the call, dial that number, ask that person to hang up and dial his/her number then you two will be connected through Talkster! Bit complicated eh? Here's a little animation to help you understand how it works. In this case, both parties will be paying for the call, but at their own local rates. So it's essentially free if the minutes is included in both parties' cellphone plans, rather than paying $/min (some local rates can be expensive).

Of course, nothing is absolutely free. Talkster needs to earn its money, and that is through advertising. Prior to connecting the calls, both parties will hear a 10sec local ad. But what is 10sec compared to "unlimited free" talking?? :D

So "busy" at work!! XD

Today at work:

I did shopping! Newegg.com has some great deals on USB flash drives. Got a 4GB one at only $17 (+shipping) for the company. Figured that while I'm at it, I might as well shop for one myself. And so, the shopping list just grew longer...

For myself:
Cute Mickey Mouse head-shaped USB flash drive, 2GB for $23. Even more expensive than a 4GB one, but for the design!! Can you figure out where the USB connector is?? =D

For baba:
Sleek looking 4GB flash drive for just $14! I like the white and green one better, but they were out of stock. Ah well.

For tim:
Heh another cute one and 4GB! In the shape of a Robot. $21 good buy!

P.S: Just had a haircut too. ^^

Set me free.

When you are feeling bitter and miserable about someone, and can't get out of the black hole, the best solution is to talk to that person, realize that nothing you say or think actually matters, and you will be freed.

Basically, get pissed.
It's a temporary relief. :)

鼠年鼠运

It's the year of Rat!!!!!

出生年月日
1900年01月31日 - 1901年02月18日
1912年02月18日 - 1913年02月05日
1924年02月05日 - 1925年01月24日
1936年01月24日 - 1937年02月10日
1948年02月10日 - 1949年01月28日
1960年01月28日 - 1961年02月14日
1972年02月15日 - 1973年02月02日
1984年02月02日 - 1985年02月19日
1996年02月19日 - 1997年02月06日

性格
鼠年出生的人， 直观力强、 环境适应力优越、 加上天性乐观，所以到处受人欢迎。 唯不善於表达才智， 定性不够， 也不适於担任团体领导人物。

属鼠的人容易相处，工作努力，生活节俭，除非他非常喜欢的人，他是不会慷慨解囊的。所以，假如你从他那里得到一件贵重礼物，那么，他对你的评价一定相当高。然而尽管他会精打细算，并以此来炫耀，但他从不需要崇拜者。
表面上，属鼠的人可能表现得沉默寡言，但实际上，他很容易激动，但他能控制自己。这一点是他为什么受欢迎，并有许多朋友的最好解释。
属鼠的人天性灵巧，勤劳而且注重积蓄，一般没有衣食之忧。中年后会有一笔可观积蓄，其胆小谨慎性格决定他们不会将之投向股票市场，而宁愿将此存入银行以稳定利息。
属鼠人的后半生仍然继续过着平稳的小康生活，或者比前半生过得更好。属鼠人的性格魅力就象沃尔特·迪斯尼笔下和米老鼠一样诱人。他们诚实、坦率、开朗、乐观，无论在多么险恶的环境中也不会意志消沉，在愁眉苦脸的人群中，如果有一个依然谈笑风生，那么此人一定属鼠。
勤奋、积极进取，意志坚如铁。有顽强的生存能力，灵活机变的适应能力，看似渺小，也不喜欢突出表现自己，没有虎虎生威的魄力， 不具咄咄逼人的气势，但他们不屈不挠，默默奋斗，为事业，为家庭，不达目的，绝不罢休。
表面沉默寡言，实际上从来是我们想象的那么安静。他们性格开朗、快乐，善于交际。很珍惜与亲朋好友的关系，并对之有着深深的依恋。受好结伙、集会、聚会，积极参与并成功地组织。在社交场合，属鼠人总是以自己的聪明机敏使气氛活跃，大家开心。
属鼠人很勤俭，爱储存，喜收藏。生活中属鼠人没有穷困潦倒的时候，把生活安排得井井有条，过着富足、和美的日子。
属鼠人直觉敏锐，能预示危险，并因此适可而止。但也有不相信自己直觉的时候，这时就碰得头破血流。不过一生中这样的例子只有一次。机警灵活的属鼠人也喜欢冒一点小的风险，也许受老鼠神灵的何佑，成功的机会很多。

命理
生年地支：子年生
五行：子属水
五常：水属智
吉祥方位：东南、东北方
吉祥颜色：蓝、金、绿；忌黄及啡色
幸运数字：二、三；大凶数字为五、九
幸运花：百合花,非洲紫罗兰,铃兰

优点
觉力强，反应快，有很强的环境适应力和应 变能力。 机智、点子多，善解人意。 有一副乐天命的模样。 多才多艺。 女性特别喜爱乾净，会将家务整理得有条不紊。 伶俐乖巧，具有样样都学的灵巧和乐天性格。 个性比较活跃多变化且利欲心强。 富幻想力，识时务，很会利用机会，爽朗活泼，讨人喜爱。 属鼠人感觉敏锐无所不能而且善於多角经营。 好奇心强对任何事情都想很快插上一手且能巧妙地处理。

缺点
缺乏胆识、做事魄力不够，缺适当指挥能力 ，不足以担任商业机构或其他团体之领导 ，欠威严。 有固执已见之性格，有见利妄行之缺点。 有晚睡习惯，因为鼠是夜间活动的动物。 本性善良但态度有些不礼貌。 具自私的本位主义或桀傲不驯的个性。 善於投机取巧，爱挑剔，心胸不够远大。 【以上各项缺点经修持是可以克服的。】

流年运势
生肖属鼠者在整年运势中好坏掺半，多变而不稳定。 容易出现意料之外的事情和突然发生的事情，需要保持处变不惊和稳定的情绪才能化 险为夷。同时当心人际关系上失误，不能过分计较朋友间的得失。财运和事业运却很好，有名利双收的机遇。

鼠人逢鼠年，其年财利正旺，事业高就，多有一鸣惊人之举。年中如遇丧葬之事，当有小病。本年之末，有极富刺激之事发生。少出远门，或可防止发生。

事业
将星带权，前景乐观。从政、警、军及企业管理层负责人，有升职的机会。打工族也将加薪。需要注意的是不能这山高看那山高，失去现有的佳机而转错运程。

爱情
感情方面会出现放纵、消极的情绪，爱情方面也不理想。虽然与异性投缘，但容易惹上桃色新闻，也容易欲火焚身而做出有辱名声的行为，切收敛。
大吉婚配： 龙(辰)、猴(申)、牛(丑)
忌婚配： 马(午)、羊(未)、鸡(酉) 、兔(卯)

财运
财星高照，财源茂盛。很适合投资和创业。若与人合资，只要选对项目并保持自己的权利，会有很好的回报。

健康
健康情况大有改进， 久病多能痊愈。 应小心饮食及留意肝脏之类的疾病。

造字因缘
老鼠是十二生肖中，繁殖力最强的动物，所以排在第一，在山上为最多，过去把山鼠叫山禾，古时代人们喜爱打猎，如上山打山禾打山猪打野猴 ，古人上山必带有训练有素群犬随行，人类打猎 吃野味最先听说以吃鼠肉开始，因为那时代遍地 皆有山鼠洞，古人以草枝点火熏鼠洞，山禾被迫 出洞，猎犬即予咬死，所以吃野味以鼠肉最易获 得，所以打猎的猎字系以犬与鼠组成『猎』字， 其道理在此。

A lot of these actually don't apply to me at all, unfortunately. >____< (I am just a half-ass rat.)

damn ants.

I can't remember when I fell asleep..but I awoke at 3:43am, feeling flustered. (I don't recall dreaming of anything. Though I most probably did.) This wasn't the first time I felt it this way, so I intuitively did what I always do. I walked to my computer and left an MSN message. Nauseous. I went back to sleep.

At 7am, I heard my alarm and snoozed it. Around 7:24am, I stood up. Had the same horrible feeling again, left another MSN message and went back to sleep. At 8am, I felt worse. Woke up from a nightmare. Kobe and I were running in a rural environment, lots of hills, water, trees, rocks. We were trying to get home. Everywhere seemed the same and yet different. We got lost. I turned, ran towards where we came from, not knowing if I still remember the way back. Then I realized Kobe wasn't with me. I stopped and shouted for him to come. I think I caught a glimpse of Kobe, but there were other dogs around. I think he was scared. He ran further and I lost sight of him. I woke up. Sent my third message.

I was getting ready. Chibi kept meowing for attention. There was still food in her tray. No wait. There was something more than just food. Something overflowing. ANTS! I quickly grabbed Chibi away. I hope she hasn't eaten any. Gross. I had to get rid of it quick. Damn the ants. I hate insects.

Gloomy Monday.

crunchyroll@work

What are the advantages of bringing your own lunch box to work?
1) You can save $$.
2) You don't have to commute to anywhere. Just stay at your desk!
3) The privilege of staying at your desk is so that you can enjoy your mini theater during that 1-hr lunch break.

I just started watching this Taiwanese drama (those so-called 偶像剧), "They Kiss Again". Some of you may be more familiar with the chinese title, 恶作剧2吻. It's a sequel to the Taiwanese version of Itazura na Kiss (aka 恶作剧之吻 or Mischievous Kiss), originally a Japanese drama (adapted from manga) starring Kashiwabara Takashi and Sato Aiko.

I actually never liked Taiwanese drama. Just not used to the way they talk, their dialogues, despite having lived in Taiwan for 2 years. But this is actually the second Taiwanese drama that I've watched. And I like this one. Not too cheesy, at least for now. In the first 2 episodes, 湘琴 (Kotoko) and 直樹 (Naoki) went on their honeymoon! And it was sooo sweet. It was that feeling that hooked me on to this drama. The life of newlyweds.

Envious.
Indulgence.
Imagination.