Streaming (RMVB) to iPhone iPad or Android anytime for FREE

This is such an awesome find that I have to share it with everyone. Now, I understand there's nothing special about streaming video, is such a standard nowadays that makes you wonder why I'm so psych about it. My dilemma is threefold, I want to stream RMVB format to iPhone for Free.  I can easily accomplish any of the above two combinations using various freeware such as Opera, VideoLan, Orb, with Orb coming closest to succeeding. But the free version of Orb only displays a random partial list of your media, and the video quality was mediocre at best during playback on iPhone.  

I sort of gave up hope but this past weekend, I purchased Seagate GoFlex Home NSS 2 TB (not quite a NAS) because my old external harddrive was choking to death.  In fact, I certified it last night, RIP, you have served me well.  GoFlex also offered web and iPhone access to your home NSS but once again, it falls short on streaming formats capability, useless to me.  

So I decided to do some searching and I stumbled across this website called, AirPlayit.  I couldn't believe my eyes, "Air Playit is capable of streaming 320 different video & audio formats to your mobile devices via WiFi and 3G/4G network"!  I kept searching for the price tag but I couldn't find it, no way, FREE too!  After a few quick setup/installation, with disbelief, it worked. It really worked, I was able to stream all different video formats, RMVB, MKV, DAT.  I was connected via WiFi so very smooth but I haven't tested it using 3G and 4G yet.  And the video quality was great, much much better compared to the days when I was testing with Orb. Airplay also offered other features such as live and offline conversion but right now, I'm just happy I can access my entire home media library at my finger tips. 

A lot of you probably don't care about the back story, LOL, below are the simple setup instruction. Happy Streaming!  If you have any questions, please feel free to drop a note.

NOTE: I cannot vouch for this company or software, please do this at your own risk!

1. Download  AirPlayit 
2. Install to your home computer (preferably the one that will be turned on and dedicated as a server at home)
3. Next, configure Port Forward in your router
4. Go to Permission tab, change all the passwords! (doesn't appear to be case-sensitive)
5. Go to Shared Folders tab and add your media location, click Apply
6. Go to Setting, check "Login when computer start",  click Apply
7. Now install the app to your iPhone, iPad or Android
8. Configure using the remote server option, I figured you wan to be able to watch remotely.
9. Remember to use your the correct Server Name, port number and Internet (public) IP, all circled in red below.  The green IP is your local home IP address to configure your router port forwarding.
10. I use Connection Type "Remote WiFi" but if WiFi is not available, then you can change it to 3G or 4G.

PMP passed 3/14/2012 :D

Sorry I haven't done any reviews recently, I've been busy studying for my PMP for the past three months, hence the hold up on my blog. But I've officially passed the exam yesterday, I'm free again to play with my makeup and skin care products. 

It's been a great journey and I shared my experience on PM Zilla.  I don't think people who read my blog will be interested about PMP but in case you are, feel free to use the link above to read about my preparation.

I have to say 2012 has been pretty good to me. I've done many first, fly a plane, shot a real gun (in a range), wall climbing and I accomplished one of my new year resolutions, getting PMP certified.  I won't say what my other resolution is, otherwise, I won't get it done...hahahaha!

I just purchased Miracle Worker Dark Spot Correcting System but I'll have to try this out for a full month before I can review it.  But don't worry, I have plenty of other things to review.  Stay tuned!

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum and Eye Cream

I'm really busy lately so this review will be short.  Also, I will combine this review for both Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum and Eye Cream since they are technically under the same family and I did use them together.


There's no special scent in either product, and the consistency is pretty much the same for both the serum and the eye cream. I would say is between a gel and cream because it's not as heavy as a cream but not as light as a gel. They absorbed quickly to my skin and didn't feel oily.  


Now, does it really work like Origins claims?  Well, I'm already done with both of the products so I think my assessments on how effective it is on fighting anti-aging are fairly accurate.  And, I consistently used the serum and eye cream for three months. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the results, hence the 4 stars rating.  First, no allergic reaction which is very important to me and second, I actually saw a reduction of fine lines around my eyes area.  Also, the skin do appear to be tighter and I definitely didn't see any new fine lines developing. But please don't be fool, this will not miraculously erase your wrinkles, if you have any that is.  For whatever reason, I have a few deep wrinkles in my neckline since my 20s.  Yup, unbelievable, neckline wrinkles since my 20s?!)(#$&$%)(  Oops...sorry about that.   I have not yet find a solution to that and I was really hoping for magic...silly me.  


But in any case, I think this works really great to smooth out fine lines and as a preventive measure against anti-aging.  This combination solution is around $90 and it lasted the winter season for me, so all-in-all is not too bad of an investment.  If you must choose one, give the eye cream a try!

• Consistency  
• Between Gel and Cream
• Moisturizing
• Yes
• Fine line Reduction
• Yes
• Wrinkle Reduction
• No
• Preventive
• Yes
• Price 
• Serum $55 (1 oz) at Sephora
• Eye Cream $42.50 (0.5 oz) at Sephora
• Rating (out of 5)
• 

My First Time Flying (AV-ED Sport Pilot Center)

My friend, Sze, is currently working on his Sport Pilot license and he invited me to the pilot school, AV-ED Sport Pilot Center, grand opening this past weekend. I've always wanted to learn how to fly, so I was pretty excited about this event. I understand that this is a very time consuming and expensive extra curriculum activity, so I have no definite plan taking on the license path at the moment.  However, I highly encourage anyone who is interested to at least try the introductory flight lesson, which is what I did.  The cost is just under $100, so it's very acceptable, remember we are talking about a flying lesson here.


What I loved about the introductory class is that the instructor actually made me walk through all the safety steps with him, checking the body of the plane, fuel level, fuel clarity to engine oil.  I actually feel like a real pilot!  I was surprised that the take off was nothing like my normal flight take off experience. This is a very small aircraft, it can only carry two people, so it didn't require much of a runway and it just lifted itself up like a bird, very smooth. And my instructor was really good, he gave me as much opportunity as possible to take control of plane during the whole flight.  For about ten seconds when he had to grab my camera and to take photos of me, I was completely flying solo, too cool.  The other thing was that I thought I was going to be very nervous, I didn't want to make a fool of myself.  But to my surprise, I was so occupied, constantly checking the attitude, the speed and tightly holding on to the control that I didn't have much time to worry about anything else.  I guess the only rough part of the entire adventure is the landing, it was a bit windy that day and the instructor had to swivel the control a bit to level the plane.  And first hand experience, mastering landing is really the toughest part of learning how to fly.


It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, time well spent!  And thank you to my friend, Sze, for adding such a wonderful and thrilling chapter in my life!  Below are some photos and a short video of the instructor showing me how to check the fuel.  Life is too short, you got to at least try this once in your lifetime!  :D

      

 

Shop Online for Korean & Japanese Cosmetics...Updated 5/19

My last post was about Korean cosmetics and today I came across a post with a compiled list of online places to shop for Korean & Japanese Cosmetics. I thought I'd share with everyone.  The post is a year old but I think the list is still pretty valid.  I recognize a few of the online shopping sites from the list (i.e. www.yesstyle.com, www.sasa.com, www.strawberrynet.com, www.shuuemura-usa.com, www.kose-usa.com). In fact, I have previously purchase from yesstyle, sasa and strawberrynet, so I know these are definitely safe.  And shuuemura-usa and kose-usa are the US company websites, so they should be fine as well.


And just a word of advice, if have any doubts or if anything looks suspicious to you, don't purchase from the website.  Happy shopping!


Oh! And I just purchased Skin79 BB Cream Miniature Mini Set (Black), I can't wait to get them and try them out.  I'll probably write a post comparing them to my Dr Young BB cream.

Updated 5/19/2012

My latest discovery to shop for Asian cosmetics and skin care products is Pretty & Cute!  Huge selections, free US shipping on orders over $50, free samples and fast delivery.  I placed my order on Thursday and received it on Saturday using just standard shipping option!!! 

Lioele All in One Gel Eyeliner

If you are into cosmetics, I'm sure you know that cosmetics has a huge presence and market in Asia.  Every time I visit NY, I will go search for new Japanese and Korean cosmetics and skin care products. When I went to NY Chinatown this past Christmas, I stocked up a few items and here's the first item I want to share. 


Also, there are countless Korean and Japanese cosmetics brands, I simply can't keep up.  If you are interested to learn more about them, do some research online and you'll be surprised what you'll discover.  Another off the topic comment about Asian makeups are the packaging, these companies really do spend time and money on the packaging, talk about marketing strategies.  Most women would be totally attracted by the package alone, they are all so pretty to look at!

So this is my first time trying gel eyeliner, well officially the second time.  Before I forget, gel eyeliner is the same as cream eyeliner. I bought L'Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in purple a long time ago, I hated it!  It wasn't creamy at all, very difficult to apply and the brush was impossible to use.  And since that time, I've never touched cream eyeliner until my last trip to NY.  Honestly, I had no expectation but I figured I will give it another try. But when the package looks gorgeous, it somehow translates to it will look beautiful on me too.  How silly but many times that's how I decide on which make up product to buy!  

OK, back to the cream eyeliner.  It's sooo crazy smooth and easy to use, I didn't know I can handle a cream eyeliner too.  The color is as dark as a liquid eyeliner and I could draw thin or thick line.  I included a couple photos below using this eyeliner, the pigmentation really is impressive. I was totally amazed, I've always thought that the brush would be very hard to handle, I was wrong.  I absolutely love this eyeliner!  And it stays on ALL DAY, girlfriends, this is very important!!!  No smudge...finally!  Now, of course, if you are looking for a smudgable eyeliner, this wouldn't be it.  Please go check out my older post for smudgable eyeliner.


I think the eyeliner is very reasonably priced and with an over the top result, I gave it 5 out of 5.  Give this a try and you can find this on Amazon.com, so it doesn't matter where you live, you can own one yourself!  ;)

If you've used other Korean and Japanese cosmetics, please leave a comment and share!

• Long Wearing
• Highly Pigmented
• Creamy
• Easy to Apply
• Price 
• $16.99 at Amazon.com
• Rating (out of 5)
• 

Wall Climbing @ Earth Treks

There was a crazy half price deal at Living Social last year to Earth Treks's introductory class that I just couldn't pass up on. I've always wanted to try it but it's not a cheap sport, the gear, the shoe, and the gym membership do add up. But I'm so glad I took up on this bargain from Living Social, otherwise I wouldn't know how much fun I'm missing!
     
I found the introductory class very informative and I learned all the basic skills today. We did two climbs during the class, but we can stay after class to climb for free for the rest of the day! My boyfriend, nephew and I took advantage of it and did a few more climbs after class. The class began at 3 in the afternoon and we didn't leave the gym until close to 7 in the evening. We are hooked already! My arms and legs were really tired, I felt like they were going to fall off but it was a great physical and mental challenge! It's not just about body strength, it's also about the strategy on choosing your next move. We'll definitely come back.

Oh! And the other good thing we found out today is that they have various visit-pass options in addition to the traditional membership, which are a lot more affordable and cost effective for us.

I only got two photos, I was too busy climbing or belaying. ;). If you are getting bored with you regular workout routine, give indoor climbing a shot, you might just get addicted to it!