Tired.... But some accomplishment...

I am damn tired after that 10 days out of town... Had to fly again for work and doing a 5 day 24-hr shift work is no joke, what more immediately the next day fly to another location and drive 2 hours to the next location. The worst part of it all? I am flying again on Mon early morning, first flight out again!!!

However, I am proud to say I was able to drive from Penang International Airport, out to North-South highway and up to Alor Star without map & GPS! Sadly, it did take about 40 mins driving round the town area to find the hotel as there; in the midst of finding the hotel, I also found the customer site as well, so it was easier for me, the following day to get to the site. So I was driving in Alor Star for about 5 days. It was back to the airport on Thursday to drop off my colleagues who had the earlier flight, then drove to my cousin place for a very, very short visit and having food like Assam Laksa and Cendol. Was feeling good that I managed to get to her place without any map/GPS system, and get back to the airport too! So, kind of feeling good with my accomplishment this week.

I think it was also these driving trips that leads me to start looking for the right GPS car system which I could use. While driving there and back without much detour was good for the system, we had some issues in finding places to eat, that were good and cheap, well, at least it has to be good, price-wise, it should not be issue, since company is paying for it. However, since no of us have really stayed or been to that part of Malaysia, it was kind of difficult. Wonder if the malsing maps would have recommendations for food in Alor Star and Sg Petani.... Meantime, it's a tousle between Holux and Garmin. I have been told to get Garmin as it has more maps than Holux. However, Holux is able to show/simulate a route without GPS, which Garmin does not do. The other plus for Holux is that it shows the list of roads which you would have to take to get to the destination, so, it's easier to ensure you are turning to the correct lane.... Garmin, for the higher models, is able to show the road that you should be traveling, only when you are about to reach it. Another plus for Holux is that Mapking has SLA approved maps which allows to search by postal code, which Garmin is not able to. However, Garmin uses malsing maps which is updated very regularly by GPS system enthusiasts and this ensure the maps they have are very up-to-date. Still weighing the pros and cons, and deciding on which system to get. If course, price wise, Garmin higher models are more expensive, while Holux is currently $499. Wonder if there would be a drop in price during the upcoming PC Show in June. There are 2 other models that I found - Packard Bell (which is using asiagis, and not certain how updated the maps will be and any other compatible maps available) and also Shinco (saw it at the airport. Uses mapking as well, but like Packard Bell, not certain how updated it will be). So, I am still mulling over this. Kind of hard to find good sites which reviews these GPS systems. Most of them have Garmin, but not the rest. Kind of hard to make decisions based on not much information at all...

Sigh... Have to fly again on Monday... ARGH!!!

Flattered...

Got my parcel of DVDs this week on Thursday. So now I have the complete set of Thunderbirds (1 - 6) and for my Robotech collection, I am left with Legacy set 6 (which currently is damn expensive to get, amazon selling at USD45) to purchase. The collection does not include the Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles as well.

Tested with Borderlinx shipping company which was given free registration for Citibank CC holders. Paid about $30 for my shipping charges of 5 different parcels - 1 box and 4 small bags which contains 5 DVD sets and 1 CD. Seems to be ok for shipping charges considering it took only about 4 days to ship over...

Saw my UK photos in print form - No, I did not print it, but my cousin did and placed into an album. She was showing all the photos from the UK trip as well and had some good comments about my photos. One of my colleague wanted to have them as wallpaper as well... Apparently she also printed more of the MU ones and give them out like souvenirs!!! Happy to hear that! Makes me feel proud of the photos... But, well, being me, comparing my photos to photos of people like Ron and the others, still feel there is a huge need to for improvement... Then again, I guess that's why I am still in my day job and they are the pros! :P

Oh well... My cam will be neglected for the next 2 months as I will be very busy at work, and traveling up to our neighbours. In fact, heading there tomorrow... Back on Thursday. Sigh... Maybe I could meet up with my uncle and family while I'm there...

Meantime, there is another load of DVDs that should be coming... I am finding lots of USD10 or less DVDs to get... Hehehehe :D No, I am not turning to BR yet... That's in the pipeline, and since no $$$ to get a BR player as well as a good AVR and speakers for it yet.... Looking at Yamaha AVR-863 and Morel Satellite Stream MkII speakers for the moment, not sure if I should get that....