I Think It's Windows Phone's Time to Shine... NOW

Not to burst anyone's bubble or anything, but in my honest opinion Apple and their little ooo la la products are seriously starting to get on my nerves. It's overrated and treated as if it's a gift from God, Whoopty Doooo, who cares? I dont.  I want to hear more Windows Phone news, I also could care less about Android, it doesnt interest me. Windows Phone has my heart so here's some news for the Windows Phone lovers like myself.  

IS IT TIME FOR WINDOWS PHONE 8 YET?

 I dont know about anyone else, but me personally I am anticipating the release of Windows Phone 8 which is  also known for it's code name "Apollo". When Windows 7.5 was released onto the WP (Windows Phone) market it was also referred to as its code name which is "Mango".  


After initially being transformed into a new line of technology in late 2010 from it's old form Windows Mobile the last one of which was Windows Mobile 6.5. Finally then Microsoft knew it was time to start over after releasing the disastrous fail the HTC HD2. Dont get me wrong the screen was like no other at the time sporting a 4.3 inch sized screen. In 2010 if you had a 4.3 inch screen, which meant you either had the HD2 or the HTC Evo  by Sprint , you knew you were the bomb. 


Unfortunately the HTC HD2's aesthetics just didnt cut it. It was a living joke, I had it my self and grew to hate it and discovered I wasnt the only one dealing with this madness. Everyday it froze or had some type of malfunction. When I heard the news of Windows Phone 7 being released that upcoming November I was ecstatic. Back to news, when Windows Phone 7 was released, the appearance and performance was much different. Now forwarding almost a year later in late September and early October of 2011 Windows Phone was ready to release Windows Phone 7.5 aka "Mango". This update included over 400 new features and tools to make the user experience much more pleasurable. Features such as Facebook and Twitter integration, internet sharing, app search, multitasking, visual voice mail, new internet browsing experiences, and so much more.


 Now it's time for the talk of the Windows Phone 8. According to Pocketnow.com and other techy media sites, WP8 will feature new things such as  3 different types of screen resolution displays, multi processing, and removable storage. Also, the Zune integration will be put to rest and get replaced with a seamless, richer version of ActiveSync. As for the X-box integration it will still be there and will have a partner client with the Desktop Windows 8 for a better user experience without having the need to constantly sync back and forth constantly. Marketplace wise, by the time its time for WP8 to be released, it is expected that 100,000 apps will be readily available to WP users. These are some of the Golden Nuggets that I mentally consumed and I cant wait for the entree (WP8) to be released. With that being said...... adios :)

The blah post

Today, my post won't be like the others but to just express my feelings in a brief summary about somethings I want to get off my chest. Okay so this week, I was bombed in numerous ways in different aspects. School, relationships, and home. School  can be a bit overwhelming as not only myself knows but those who are embarking on the journey as well to finish high school. At my high school MetEast we have exhibitions all the way until Wednesday,April 4,2012. During that time not only do I have to prepare for mines but work on additional assignments such as reading 100 pages in a short amount of time and complete other seminar work. Yea that's some of it. Relationships, won't be in one for a while, I just cannot deal with imbecilic people who lie, that's childish. At home, I wasn't bombed in a bad way, it was very much the opposite, my mom surprised me telling me that she will pay for half of whatever car I want, yipee lol. Also my best friend from my old church made me laugh so hard I forgot a lot about my worries. That's all for now I guess. :)

Making Roti

Soooo like I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, here is an actual video of my mom making Roti.....yum

Etiquette at the table

 So today I want to talk about table etiquette more so some tips on how to eat properly and why its important. What inspired me to write this was because on Saturday March 24, 2012 I went on a trip with my college prep program (Upward Bound) to Shady Maple (The Smorgasbord) and to see West Side Story: The Play in Hershey PA. While we were dining in at the Smorgasbord which is basically an all you can eat buffet in other terms, they were serving New York Strip Steak fresh off the grill. Honestly I think it was the bottom of the line quality because the top notch steak is usually thicker with a lean cut and less fat around the sides. So my friend Tariq decides to get a piece of steak that I noticed had quite alot of fat around the sides but im sure he didnt have any knowledge of the steak because if that were me I would have put that back. As he sat down, I was already into my meal and I couldnt help but notice his flimsy piece of steak. I glanced at my steak for a brief second and looked over at his and watched him cut his steak but, the funny part is he wasnt cutting the meat itself, he was cutting a piece of fat. I cannot lie, I watched this boy shove a large piece of fat into his mouth and I begin to die into laughter immediately. I couldnt believe it but it was so hilarious that I had to say something and he eventually spit the piece of fat out. I was literally shaking my head for 2 minutes and decided that I had to blog about this. With that being said I would like to share some pointers on how to have proper table etiquette.

Table Manners Tip #1 - Excusing Yourself

 When you feel the need to use the restroom or do something simple like make a phone call, its not your obligation to tell the guests where you are going but to easily say something along the lines of " excuse me, ill be back" does it. Even sometimes in certain situations you can also give a brief explanation saying something like " Excuse me one second while I check on my little brother" is also appropriate.

Table Manners Tip #2 - Posture

 Slouching back in your chair (which makes it look as if you're not interested in the meal) is bad table manners when eating with others.

Table Manners Tip #3 - Elbows

 When I was younger, my elders would always get on me about this, maybe it was that I couldn't reach the table all the way. As for not putting your elbows on the table applies only when you are actually eating. It's a different story a meal isn't being served; in fact.Putting your elbows on the table while leaning forward a bit during a mealtime conversation shows that you're listening to the person you are engaged in conversation with.

Table Manners Tip #4 - Fidgeting

When waiting for the food to arrive or after the meal, you may want to keep your hands in your lap, if only to resist the temptation of playing with the utensils. Try not to  tap your fingernails, jiggle your knees, or other fidgety habits, and always keep your hands away from your hair.

Table Manners Tip #5 - Cutting Food

 Cut your food into only one or two bite-sized pieces at a time. Doing this prevents your food from drying out too soon, also a plateful of cut-up food can look unattractive. (The exception to the rule is when you help a young child cut his food.)

Table Manners Tip #6 - Seasoning Food

When at a dinner party or restaurant, proper table manners dictate that you taste your food before seasoning it. When people do things like  sprinkling a dish with a bunch of salt or drowning it in ketchup implies that you think the cook's dish needs improvement.

Table Manners Tip #7 - Chewing Food

Once you start to eat, don't  bite off more than you can chew. Not only can you choke but it can make your jaws tired.Take a bite that you know you can handle, chew it completely, and swallow it before taking another. Keep in mind that smacking, slurping, and burping are no no's. When you have a mouthful of food, it is bad table manners to do two more things: taking a drink and talking. If you have more than a few words to say, swallow your food first.

Table Manners Tip #8 - Reaching

I don't care if it's a biscuit, you should not reach over another person's food just to get what you need, that's really inconsiderate. If you're not within easy reach of your arm when you're leaning don't lean past the person sitting next to you. Asking the person to pass the item to you is much easier than risking putting your elbow in someone's plate of mashed potatoes.

Whats in your wallet Wednesday?

 As a teenager and soon to be young adult, money is very important thing to have. Today, I received my debit card from TD Bank which was exciting for me for the simple fact that TD Bank is very convenient and reasonable. Additionally, I currently have a bank account with Wells Fargo and can be a pain at times.Unlike most people, I do monitor my online banking and have noticed some fees that seemed kind of bizarre like an excessive spending fee.....boink $15 on the charge! >.<. I went to the bank to have this non sense sorted out and explained to me thoroughly cause this wasnt going well for a sistah lol. Thanks to the kindness of the representative I had the fee reversed and an explanation on what happened. With this being said, I would like to encourage teens to save money and prepare for the future along with myself with some tips that I have listed below. :)
                         TIPS ON HOW TO SAVE DOUGH AS A TEEN

• Try to save half of what you receive. Personally my mum taught me the 80/20 rule which is deposit 80% of your check into the bank and use 20% for personal use
• Try to start saving young. Its paying off for me and Im glad I started when I came into High School its amazing to have money
• If you know you cannot handle large amounts of pocket money, do the safe and honest thing and deposit most of that money even if you think you are responsible enough, continue to try and  make deposits, and remember to keep only as much money as you could reasonably need for the day
• Use debit cards insted of credit cards. Credit card companies have a tendency to target college students because of their tendency to spend spend spend but get overwhelmed when its time to pay back. Credit Card companies love this scheme in hope of getting you to make late payments so they can stack on interest, leaving you paying more than you really should  be

Credit Cards and Budgeting- What's in your wallet Wednesday

Whats in your wallet Wednesday :Money Advice for Teens

Tasty Tuesday

Another aspect of my blogspot is to focus on my taste for food which comes from my passion for cooking. Today what I want to share with you are some of my favorite recipes that reflect on who I am With that being said here goes my taste buds:

                                                                   TOP 3 RECIPES

1. Yellow Tail Sushi

Yellow tail sushi has a delicious soft texture; it has almost no fat, and has a firm flesh. Due to the fact that sushi is naturally low in fat, high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals it is a much better choice of consumption rather than eating a big mac at Mickey D's.

2. Blazin Hot Buffalo Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings

  Now these are personally my favorite from Buffalo Wild Wings, these in fact the hottest wings available in that joint. These wings feature some of the spiciest ingredients available for consumption. The ingredients are:

 

6 fresh habanero peppers (with seeds)
5 lemon drop peppers (or other small hot pepper)
8 jalapenos (with seeds)
2-3 garlic cloves
2 cups white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
fresh ground black pepper
salt                            

 

3.  Roti

   

  Roti is a dish from the West Indies specifically from Trinidad and Tobago made with curry powder, tumeric, and a few other spices. Roti itself is a round, flattened unleavened bread that can be made into a sandwich like meal eaten with curry chicken, potatoes and chickpeas. I love this meal because my mom makes it maybe every other month not on a daily basis but to keep that craving every now and then. Roti should only be eaten on Sundays when family and friends are able to part take in the consumption of this tummy filling food.

Techie Tuesday

                                      The HTC TITAN 2 is Coming Near You

        
 For all of you HTC lovers or Anti-Apple Fans, the Titan is bringing back the heat. Once again AT&T will be carrying the HTC Titan 2 as it did its older brother the HTC Titan. While Windows Phone is pretty much considered a world of its own, the Titan 2 will be the first LTE 4G which is an awesome add on to something that already rocks. Recently in 2011, HTC has made some major improvements in the camera aspect with example models such as the HTC T-Mobile Mytouch 4G slide. This phone is just one of the many examples that HTC is using to prove just how good they are. Then, the HTC Amaze really amazed us HTC fans because of the simple fact that it featured more camera features such as Burstshot and a few other camera modes which made it great for taking pictures in low light scenery. For someone like me, who has over 5,000 pictures backed up on my Zune software from my Windows Phone, (HTC HD7) all of which were taken within a year in a few months, CAMERA DOES MATTER.  Now the Titan is here, and here to stay with a new and advanced camera on its new model the HTC Titan 2 with a 16 megapixel camera, backlit illuminated sensor and 720p resolution video. Unfortunately, the Titan 2 cannot support 1080p resolution because of the single core processor. Nevertheless, let us not forget the other awesome features the Titan 2 has such as a 4.7 inch display, 1.5 GH processor and increased battery life( from 1600 mAh to 1730 mAH). Ready for this???? Be on the lookout for the Titan in April ......Ciao

The Weather Proof Express yourself

Just when you thought you had to put your notebook away, when the rain comes down......nope. Just keep writing.

Tuesday March 13, 2012

Guess what today is?..........It's Techie Tuesday. Updates on upcoming technology and ideas that'll get you amped for more electronics.

Tech News of the day

             

  Real-time face recognition comes to                your iPhone camera

        Tired of tagging your friends in a photo...after you snap the pic?

     

 According to Apple, tagging after you snap is considered soooo last week. Well, now there's a new app on the IOS market called Klik; what is does is scans the user's face and automatically displays a select list of possible names by connecting to Facebook and skim through the user's friend's photos to identify the person in view.

   When a user takes the picture, the person is automatically stored and has the option to either store it in the phone or upload it via Facebook.  This magnificent app was released on March 7,2012 by Face.com

   
Klik has a certain level of privacy built in,  the app can only identify people a user has previously tagged or people in a user's social network who have already agreed to connect and share with the software's owner.
 Although like other new apps, Klik has is not accurate and based on accuracy tests, only a quarter of results were proven accurate. Just like every other app, there's always room for improvement

Mission Statement

Welcome to The Oprah Keys blog! I created this blog to keep you informed on topics such as culinary arts, gadgets, and sharing information on how to save your money. I feel these topics are some of the most popular subjects in today's society and because of this,I believe that I will be able to successfully keep you updated on these topics.