(Disclaimer: This is from a non-techie's point of view, and so it's strictly based on my own opinions and usage. :D)

I've been a loyal iPhone user for many years and while it has its share of problems (like the battery life wtf), I'm mostly quite satisfied and I've been looking forward to the new iPhone 6. But after watching the Samsung GALAXY Note 4 announcement, my heart wavered... by more than a little. D:

Certain Note 4 functions will turn out pretty essential to my lifestyle.

The #Wefie function

I don't take #wefies very often but the panorama front-facing camera is a great function to have, as I'm also able to take photos of my surroundings. :D I mean, you can't see shit from any of our couple selfies overseas because there's no bloody scenery behind. Our faces are too big. 

Noise Cancellation

Okay, I have plans to write more professionally in the not-too-far future and I foresee myself using the voice recording function pretty often. There's the dedicated mic thingy too, so it's useful if I'm interviewing a few parties at once. Actually, this is a good function for secretaries too because I know that transcribing minutes is a pain in the ass. 

Note-taking

Eh this is not a new thing, but it's good to have if I'm switching over from the iPhone. I like to make lists a lot, though I don't really follow them. :D And I like to jot down ideas!

I know there's some hype over the AMOLED screen and such but to me it just means having a prettier screen to surf net and WhatsApp with lol. I don't even play games. I wouldn't even consider the EDGE version, because I don't really see the point. 

I'll wait for my hands-on experience before reaching a decision because the Note 3's camera is amazingly slow and awkward in terms of photo-taking. Maybe I don't have very steady hands, but iPhone 5's camera focusing felt a million times faster. Hopefully the Note 4 has a faster camera... :|

I didn't manage to watch the iPhone 6 and 6 plus announcement last night because I was too sleepy... but it was a good thing, according to the husband, because the streaming was super whacked. Anyways, the first thing I did when I woke up was to check the news about the launch. 

iPhone 6/6 plus

The rumours have been going around for the longest time that Apple is going to come up with iPhones that have bigger screens so no surprise there. Otherwise, no major upgrades? I mean, having a better camera (iSight - cute and slightly cheesy pun lol), display, etc. is all good, but how about wireless charging? :| So disappointed. 

Apple Watch

Apple has always been the one to introduce a new product category into the market, but it has lagged behind its competitors by a mile. But Apple being Apple, I was looking forward to them being able to at least refresh the category as smart watches are not yet seen as a commodity. 

From a marketing point of view, they did well with their mysterious-ish media invite and news (or rumours?) that they've also invited fashion editors.

In my naivety, I was expecting something like a Apple x Stella McCartney or Apple x Marc Jacobs collaboration (I still think it's a good idea!) but noooo. The design was okay-nice (I do like the gold edition), but my first reaction was 'meh' as I had really high expectations for this product since they've been dragging their smart watch launch for the longest time.

I wouldn't mind paying the premium price of 400 bucks+ SGD if it's a Marc Jacobs collaboration, but just for this? Hmm maybe not. The Apple Watch OS interface is not my cup of tea either... Like there're way too many things going on and many functions that will turn out to be a herd of white elephants.

These functions will do (for me, at least):

That's about it - I'm a really simple person. Everything else is redundant to me. And oh, it would be cool if there's wireless charging too because I don't want to charge so many damn devices. 

Conclusion

I miss Steve Jobs. D: With so much hype and anticipation over this event, it's like the hooha had been for nothing. 

There's still a 50-50 chance I'll get iPhone 6 plus though, because it will take a lot to get me out of my comfort zone and I have a lot of paid apps and cloud storage stuff that I'm too lazy to transfer over. 

Don't roll eyes at me ok. I'm just a fickle-minded woman who does not know better. 

I went through a rather dramatic episode last Thursday when I started having one of the worst cramps in my pregnancy career. It's not the screaming/hysterical type of pain but it felt much like painful gas... plus the excruciating backache. As the pain was constant and not in spasms (contractions, I mean!), I thought I was having a really bad case of indigestion or something but the position of the cramps made me wary... 

And so I gave my gynae's clinic a call and the nurse advised me to check it out BUT my gynae's away for a seminar. Grrr. The thing about my gynae is that he seems to have a lot of outside engagements and it's a pain in the ass when I need him. Not that having engagements is a bad thing (I know that it's a norm for doctors)... I'm just frustrated because these engagements always seem untimely. Or I'm just suay. 

Let's come back to my dramatic episode. 

The nurse gave me a contact for the covering gynae, Dr Fong Chuan Wee, so I could check out my cramps which "might be contractions" and they'll be strapping me onto the CTG machine. I was like "HAR? Contractions feel like this one meh?!" Then again I'm a noob preggie so I wouldn't know better anyway. 

I gave the husband a call and we rushed down to Dr Fong's clinic at Gleneagles. I started feeling really nervous, especially when they started strapping me on like some sort of science experiment in a room which looked alot like a dentist's office. The nurse gave me a button to press whenever I feel a contraction... which I didn't, because I couldn't actually feel anything extraordinary except for the constant soreness. But it turned out... YES, I was really having contractions and it was in constant 15-minute intervals.   

Dr Fong then made his grand entrance, saying that baby would be fine if I gave birth on that day but now's not a good time for the baby to arrive as it'll cost maybe 30k to 40k for baby to stay in the NICU, since I was only about 32 weeks few days pregnant. We were like wtf. 

I was then unstrapped and ushered to the doctor's office where he proceeded to do an ultrasound and a transvaginal scan. The good news was, baby's healthy (and sibei active as usual), his head's still down and I'm not yet dilated. HENG AH. The bad news was, I have a short cervix. 

Basically, it's something like this. 

Sponsored Review

Much thanks to the SampleStore.com for accepting me into the Seeders' Program! :) In this programme, "Seeders" get an early preview of new product samples and write reviews - a little something something to add into my slowly growing writing portfolio. :D And then get freebies at the same time, lol.

I'm really lazy when it comes to skincare so sleeping masks (to me) are a godsend. I will leave the paper mask on for say... HOURS, and forget to wash off masks that needed to be washed off because I almost always fall asleep while masking. I consider the sleeping mask invention relatively genius. :D

So stoked to receive the Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask (Retails at S$33.90/80g) in the mail.

Why Mask?

Because we need to combat skin problems, that's why. 

The Sleeping Mask...

1) Brightens Dull & Tired Skin

2) Regulates Oil & Moisture Level

3) Moisturizes Dry & Rough Skin

4) Refines Enlarged Pores

What's "Tri-Action"?

The sleeping mask performs THREE ultimate functions with 3x Hydration Power that works out to give you supple, radiant skin. 

1. Hydrates

Having a nano molecular size of 15 to 25mm, the mask can be effectively and quickly absorbed into the skin's pores, instantly providing the hydration you need. The powerful Hyaluronic Acid and Power Nano Hyaluronic Acid (may the powers combine!) helps to lock in the moisture to keep the skin soft and Q! The cranberry extract helps greatly with moisture retention as well, while improving skin elasticity and suppleness.

2. Nourishes

Do you have dull, tired-looking skin? Then this is great news for you, as the cranberry extract also provides excellent conditioning of the skin, helping you achieve that radiant glow you always wanted. The Bio Energy Fluid (another awesome-sounding ingredient in the mix!) further nourishes and refines skin texture.

3. Protects

The cranberry extract present in this product is high in antioxidants, which can protect your skin against the effects of the damage free radicals, UV rays and environmental pollution. 

Wake up and say hello to smooth, revitalized skin.

The Science of Bio Aqua Crystals

Saving you from the chim explanation, it basically means that aqua droplets form after lathering the mask on your skin... in a matter of seconds! 3 seconds, in fact, though I wasn't counting. 

The gel mask has some sort of a protective "shield" over the hydrating ingredients to prevent any moisture loss before the lathering process. The "shield" breaks automatically upon skin contact into fine molecules (which makes up the aqua droplets) to release all the hydrating stuffies onto your face. :D

Pat gently into your skin! Patting is a very important process for maximum absorption.

Usage

The Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask *exhales* can be used as both a moisturiser and a intensive mask. 

To use it as a moisturiser, apply a thin layer over your face, and you're ready to hit the road.

To use it as an intensive mask, apply generously all over your face, and let the hydrating actives replenish your skin while you sleep.

What I Love About This

1. It's a sleeping mask - idiot proof for non-beauty gurus like me!
2. My face is Q like a fishball the next morning - I don't even need a base to set my make-up.
3. The mask feels really light and refreshing on the skin... It does not leave a sticky sensation on my face when I wake up in the morning. 
4. I can also use it as a moisturiser... which is a plus, because I don't really use/buy too many skincare products anyway lol.
5. It works, and I don't have the flaky skin problem at the sides of my nose the next morning. *pops confetti*

I thought that this might be a little too early to consider, but I just realised that I'm only 8 weeks away from my EDD. D: wtf I need to get this sorted soon.

Cheapo Cotton On bag I always use for short stays at parents'/in-laws'/etc.

The following items are based on what I think I need. Feel free to let me know if I over or under pack!

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Random Pregnancy Update

I'm 32 weeks pregnant as of today! I look like I'm going to pop anytime, but I'm not - that's how big I am now. I look/feel like a cow.

As you can see, the old wives' tale of having a pointy tummy for expecting boys is a myth. Mine's so round! 

Little D weighed approximately 1.808kg as of 30th August, at 31 weeks 5 days - a pretty huge leap from his previous weight at 1.036kg as of 27 weeks 5 days! 

So glad he beefed up properly, because my appetite has been like shit. I gained 1kg from my previous scan, so I didn't gain much for myself at all... *phew* Was worried that he didn't take in enough nutrients from my lack of food intake.

Total weight gain for now: 9kg

Still enjoying the baby movements most of the time, but Little D's kicking is sibei strong. Often he knocked the wind out of me, and sent me gasping for air. Apparently this doesn't happen to all pregnant mummies, so I guess this little guy is going to be a really cheeky monkey. D: