My Impression on the new Google Plus (+) [pics] FREE invites

Previously Google has released its Google Friend Connect, Google Reader, Google Cloud Connect, Google Buzz and Google Wave.  Now, it just launched something bigger, its social media network called Google +.  It is currently on field trial and by invites only.  It's available for both android and mobile too.

      So what to look forward in Google +?

• Design 
• Clean and neat but maybe too clean?
• The toolbar on top is pretty handy
• The search bar is pretty cool search through Google profiles, Web pages and Images
• User-Interface
• I find it difficult to adapt.  I even had to find out how to invite friends.
• Features:
• Stream -similar to Facebook status/comment
• Limited - According to the description: "If you initiated a post in the stream, clicking Limited at the top of that post will show you the profile pictures of everyone you shared with. Only the person who started the post can see this information. If you chose to share with your extended circles in addition to other people, clicking Limited will only show that you shared with your extended circles--specific people won't be identified."
• Edit Post - you can edit post and it will displayed  (edited x:xx PM)

•  Photos -sorted accordingly for easy viewing:
• Photos from your circles
• Photos from your phone
• Photos of you
• Your album - my blogger photos showed up here

•  Profile
• Posts
• About
• Google Maps integrated in places lived
• Photos
• Tagging
• See Photo details - flips your photo so you can see the photo details
• Video's
• +1 - Your +1's appear here. +1 the things around the web you like, agree with, or want to recommend to others (similar to Facebook's Like)

•  Circles - you can create groups called "Circles" and Drag-and-Drop your friends inside it.  Through this we can control and limit our privacy.
• Friends
• Family
• Acquaintances
• Following

• Sparks - be updated regarding contents of your interest (Like an automatic Google Reader filtered by interest)
• Hangouts - Virtual Voice and Video Chat Room (Requires Google Voice and Video Chat Plugin)
• You're webcam and mic will automatically be activated 
• You can select the friends to invite for your hang out
• Clicking the green "Hang Out" button transport you to the hang out page
• Once you go into Hangout:
• You're stream will show "your name is hanging out" below it is a button that says "Join this Hangout"
• You can chat with friends
• You can watch You Tube videos
• Notification - updates you on who invited you and who commented something related to your post or comment.  I find this too complicated and confusing.  It extends into mini windows on the upper right of the screen until you get lost where you are.  It would be better if it just directs you where the updates are instead of opening a new one through that small window.  
• Post Functions: 
• Mute this post -hide
• Report Abuse - same with Facebook's
• Block this person - same with Facebook's
• Chat - similar to Facebook's Chat
• Suggestions - same as Facebook's Suggestions

         Overall, I'd say its pretty neat start.  But could use an improvement on the user-interface or they could provide more instructions, description and guides.  It's success also depends on the how well it will integrated with other mediums like Web Pages, Twitter and more because its greatest competitor Facebook has already surpassed that.   It would also be cool if it would have notifications from other Google apps like Google mail and Blogger.  I hope they will also offer apps like games,groups,docs,events, poll, discussion, notes and more?  It pretty bare right now so we'll just have to wait and see what they can offer next.

How about you?  What do you think?

Movie Review: Life as We Know It Movie

Life as We Know It is a romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl as Holly Berenson and Josh Duhamel as Eric Messer.  The story revolves around the two main casts as they are force to handle the responsibilities of taking care of an orphan girl.  They have to cooperate with each other despite their conflicting personalities. 

The chemistry of the casts is pretty good.  I liked how the plot went.  Although it was quite predictable, it was still very fun to watch.

This movie is not the typical romantic comedy.  It give us a glance of the hardships of parenting, the dedication required for work, loyalty to friendship and more.  

The show was realistic because life may really go beyond our control and yet we have to face it.  But we always have a choice.  Every choice, of course, will have its consequences.  

Watching this certifies my belief that it is better not to have kids if you can't afford it yet or can't dedicate the time to raise one.  So if I were to assess myself, the chances are almost nil=)

Korean Movie Review: The Housemaid

Last night, we watched a Korean Movie called the Housemaid.  It was a melodramatic thriller film.  It was based on a true story about the a man having an affair with a housemaid.

      The way the show was presented was very unique and creative.  The revelation was done in a particular method.  Up until the end, I did not expect the story to turn out that way.

The setting was made perfectly for a thriller film.  All through out the movie, I felt that there was something really creepy about the story.  

Overall, the movie was good but there were some dragging or unnecessary parts to it.  I highly recommend the movie to everyone especially guys because it teaches a good lesson.

Taiwan Drama Review: Happiness is Like a Sunny Day

        Sunny Happiness sometimes named as Happiness is like a Sunny Day, The Sunniest Day of Happiness or Sunshine Day.  It is a romantic comedy starred by Mike He, Janine Chang, Li Yi Feng and Zhou Zi Han.  At first glance, this show made it look interesting because all the main characters are good-looking.  Well, first impressions last because all 25 episodes were really good.

       The story mainly revolves around the past and present love of the four main characters.  The plot is really exciting that I could not resist watching the next episode up to the next.  It is unique, fun and romantic as well.  This is not the typical Taiwan drama that is too childish.  This drama proves that Taiwan dramas can be mature and yet funny too.


       It is a must-watch drama.   After watching it, hopefully you can answer why the title is such.  I really liked the title and its the message of the story.  

List Games that Will Present at Electronic Entertainment Expo E3 2011

Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3 has become one of the largest event for the gaming industry. In the event, held annually in the United States has become the proper arena for game developers and publishers to introduce their latest products. With so many rumors that spread in the industry, E3 is also a source of qualified information confirmation. So, what is interesting and worth waiting in the arena of E3 2011?

There are so many quality games that promise for us to enjoy, especially with rumors presence newest Nintento Console and Xbox 360 disc replacement media. Is that all will be confirmed at E3 2011 next event? There is no certainty about it. But it is certain that there will be a lot of introduction of new games, either already developed or newly to be developed. What are the games that we should wait?

Multi-platform

* Aliens: Colonial Marines (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Assassin’s Creed Revelations (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Back To The Future: The Game Episode 5 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Bastion (Xbox 360, PC)

* Batman: Arkham City (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Battlefield 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Binary Domain (PS3, Xbox 360)

* BioShock: Infinite (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Bodycount (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Call Of Juarez: The Cartel (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Cars 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, DS)

* Catherine (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Dead Island (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Devil May Cry (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Driver: San Francisco (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Duke Nukem Forever (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (PS3, Xbox 360)

* El Shaddai: Ascension Of The Metatron (PS3, Xbox 360)

* F1 2011 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* FIFA 12 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* From Dust (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, DS)

* Gotham City Imposters (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Green Lantern: Rise Of The Manhunters (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS, DS)

* Hitman Absolution: (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Jurassic Park: The Game (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Madden NFL 12 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

* Mass Effect 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Metro 2033: Last Light (Xbox 360, PC)

* NBA 2K12 (PS3, Xbox 360)

* NCAA Football 12 (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Need For Speed: The Run (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, 3DS)

* NHL 12 (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Ninja Gaiden III (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Prey 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Prototype 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Puzzle Agent (PS3, PC)

* Rage (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Rayman Origins (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii)

* Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Risen 2: Dark Waters (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Rocksmith (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Saints Row: The Third (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Serious Sam 3: BFE (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Silent Hill: Downpour (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, 3DS)

* Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Soul Calibur V (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Spider-Man: Edge of Time (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

* SSX (PS3, Xbox 360)

* The Cursed Crusade (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* The Darkness II (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Tomb Raider (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* uDraw Studio (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* UFC Personal Trainer (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

* Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* XCOM (Xbox 360, PC)

* X-Men: Destiny (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS)

Playstation 3

* Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One (PS3)

* Resistance 3 (PS3)

* Starhawk (PS3)

* Twisted Metal (PS3)

* Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3)

* White Knight Chronicles II (PS3)

XBOX 360

* Forza 4 (Xbox 360)

* Gears Of War 3 (Xbox 360)

* Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster (Xbox 360)

* Star Wars Kinect (Xbox 360)

Nintendo

* Kingdom Hearts 3D (3DS)

* The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii, Project Cafe)

* Super Mario 3DS (3DS)

* Phineas And Ferb: Across The Second Dimension (Wii, DS)

PC

* Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)

* The Sims 3: Generations (PC)

RUMORS

* Ace Combat: Assault Horizon (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Animal Crossing 3DS (3DS)

* Armored Core V (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Backbreaker: Vengeance (Xbox 360)

* Captain America: Super Soldier (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS, DS)

* Codename Kingdoms (Xbox 360)

* Dance Central 2 (Xbox 360)

* Dead Rising 2: Off The Record (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Devil’s Third (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Doctor Lautrec And The Forgotten Knights (3DS)

* Dragon’s Dogma (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Far Cry 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, DS)

* Harvest Moon: The Tale Of Two Towns (DS, 3DS)

* Insomniac Games/EA Partners Title (PS3, 360)

* Inversion (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)

* Kinect Sports 2 (Xbox 360)

* Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympics Games (Wii, 3DS)

* Mario Kart 3DS (3DS)

* Metal Gear Solid: Rising (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D (3DS)

* Resident Evil 6 (PS3, 360)

* Ridge Racer Unbounded (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Rune Factory: Tides Of Destiny (PS3, Wii)

* Sniper Elite 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Sonic Generations (PS3, Xbox 360)

* Spec Ops: The Line (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Super Mario for Project Cafe

* Tekken X Street Fighter (PS3, Xbox 360)

* The Walking Dead (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

* Wrecked (PS3, Xbox 360)

So,which game are you most looking to forward?

Restaurant Review: Bento & Snack in Adriatico Malate

My mom has been craving for Bibimbap for days and kept asking my younger sister to cook her some. But my sister said she'll just treat my mom out instead so we searched for a nearby Korean Restaurant.  We thought about going to Haru in Malate and found out it was closed so we ended up trying Bento & Snack instead.  

      It was a small restaurant with a take out counter beside it.  At first, we thought it was a Japanese restaurant but we observed that the pictures posted at the shops wall were  composed of both Korean and Japanese Cuisine.  Out front, we saw its delivery bike which looks similar to the ones we've seen in Korean Dramas.  

The staffs were very friendly.  All of them accomodated us as soon as we entered.  The place was small having a seat capacity of 20 at most but it was neat and decent.  We were handed out the menu which was identical to the menu hanged at the wall of their counter and we started to order.

Bibimbap

Bibimbap after mixing

Ganma Jorim, Bean Sprout and Kimchi  

Stock Soup

My mom and sisters ordered Bibimbap (Mixed Meal) (250 php).  Now, this was ordinarily only served for lunch but the staffs were so considerate that they allowed us to order.  Where their bibimbap came, we noticed that it was actually vegetable Bibimbap.  Sliced carrots, beansprouts, eggplants, lettuces, cucumbers,  and gosari (bracken fern stems) surrounded the fried egg on the center which covered the gochujang (chili pepper paste) underneath it.  A fun fact about Bibimbaps is that the ingredients are not mixed out of random.  Each of the vegetables included have their own nutritional benefits to provide a healthy dietary meal.  Eager to eat, they mixed it until the gochujang was spread over all the vegetables and rice.  Their version was very delicious.  The carrots, beansprouts and cucumbers were crunchy and fun to chew.  The gochujang was a little bit spicy but the rice and vegetables were able to neutralize it to an adequate amount.  They also served this with a complementary bowl of Stock Soup and three kinds of side dishes: Ganma Jorim (potato with soy sauce), Bean Sprout and Kimchi (fermented cabbage).  The soup was too salty so we couldn't drink it.
  

Kimchi Stew with Mackarel with side dishes

Kimchi Stew with Mackarel 

My brother ordered the Kimchi Stew with Mackarel (200 php).  It was serve in a bento tray with four side dishes: Ganma Jorim, Bean Sprout, Kimchi and Jeon (deep fried pancake-like dish with sliced vegetables).  The stew was dark red in color which explains it extreme spiciness despite him requesting for the milder version.  

Korean Ramen

 I ordered Korean Ramen (200 php).  It came in a big bowl.  As I saw the orange color, I knew it was spicy.  But I don't mind at all.  I enjoy spicy foods.  It had sliced of potato, bits of mushrooms, sliced onions and green leeks.  It was delicious.  It was flavorful and the texture of the potato goes well with the noodles.  The noodles were adequately cooked.  They did not have the dough-like taste as if undercooked nor were they soggy.  

Kimbap

Spicy Rice Cakes

For our center dish, we ordered Kimbap (similar to Sushi in Japanese Cuisine)  (100 php) and Spicy Rice Cakes (200 php).   The Kimbap was delicious.  It had yellow raddish, cucumber, egg and luncheon meat.  Though, you may have to try it out for yourself since I love this korean dish and may be biased towards it.  Their spicy rice cakes were mixed with fish cakes and topped with sesame seeds, sliced carrots, raddish, green leeks and cabbage.  The rice cakes rolled like sticks had a smooth, soft and chewy texture.  The fish cakes which were thinly sliced were a good complement to the rice cake in case you want to chew on something a bit lighter to chew.  

Overall, the food and the service was excellent.  The cost was average for Korean Cuisine.  The venue was decently clean and homely.  You can even watch TV or read Korean Books.  They are also good with take outs and deliveries.  They also have lunch menus and Filipino dishes.  It's definitely worth trying for.  Try it out and let me know what you think.  If your not fond of spicy foods, we suggest you ask first whether it is spicy or not because the spicy ones are really hot.
   

Bento & Snack 
Beside 168 Adriatico Malate
In Front of Star Bucks
(02) 567-5819/474-1856

Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2011

The Football game from Konami Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 PES 2011, officially released by Konami, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 will experience some reforms coupled with several new features. "It is time for the PES to change, and PES 2011 will be a redesign of the most ambitious in the history of this franchise," commented Jon Murphy, PES European Team Leader from Konami. The main changes contained in the control system, where Konami is promising players can perform a total control on every element of the game.

Also for the first time, Konami will include online game features in the so-called Master League mode. This franchise will officially display the Copa Libertadores, South American premiere football championship.

Konami also invites fans of Pro Evolution Soccer game in 2011i to participate in providing input to an online site KonamiSupport.com. The survey results that will be used as the basic idea to improve this new game.

According to Konami producer Shingo Takatsuka, ideas that can not be implemented for PES 2011 can be saved for another PES series in the future.

Latest Features PES 2011

1. Control system

Control the player on his character increasingly enhanced. Now gamers can control all movements such as kicking, dribbling, mengocek opponent with great precision. Of course, the movement system can still be adjusted again.

2. Estimator stamina

Stamina gauge in the form of 'levels' are now more detailed. Too often the ball was running and mengiring will reduce the stamina of the players in PES 2011.

3. Better defense

The defender now has a better defense styles with movements so natural. Now they are not just chasing the ball into the area, but also attempt to steal the ball without making mistakes.

4. Animation diverse

In PES 2011 Konami has completely overhauled animations that will be issued for each player. All the movement seemed more evident now, even more so Konami immerse Physics in PES this time.

5. Play speed settings

With a new control in it, gamers can set their own how quickly he will play.

6. Aesthetics

The faces of the players now have more updated than PES 2010. Konami has now include at least one thousand new animations based on real movement that has been recorded for approximately 100 hours.

7. Tactics and Strategies

Mechanism of tactics and strategy setting in PES 2011 is 'Drag & Drop'. Not only limited substitution settings and change players, this setting will also be given a short animation about potential strategies to be used.

8. Online League

For the first time in the PES series, Konami gave Master League features that can be played online.

9. 3D Support

PES 2011 also has brought 3D technology that will make this game feel 'alive'. Use special glasses, so gamers will find 3-dimensional look like on the big screen movie

Developer: Winning Eleven Productions

Release: 11/2010

Genre: Sports

Platform: PS3/X360

Publisher: Konami

Minimum system requirements:

* Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP (SP3) / Windows Vista (SP1) / Windows 7

* Processor: Pentium 4 2.5 GHz or equivalent Athlon performance

* Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce FX or ATI Radeon 9700 128MB with support for Pixel Shader 2.0

* Memory: 1 GB

* Sound Card: Sound Card compatible with DirectX 9.0c

* Hard disk: 8 GB