Review of Nokia 215

 

My mother-in-law had this extra Nokia 215 lying around in her drawer so decided to give it away to me. I thanked her and said it will serve as a good backup phone. Although less than a year old, I had to buy a new battery. The seller advised to constantly charge any battery at least per 3 weeks or else it will die prematurely as with the original battery. Today, I transferred my SIMcard to the Nokia and had a go and found out a few things:

1. Facebook viewing is very limiting hence frustrating although it opens reasonably fast
2. Messenger could not be opened twice, time out so I gave up
3. Twitter was updated and opened quite fast but I didn't log in as I rarely use it
4. Weather app didn't open probably because I forgot to give my location
5. Internet browsers function well
6. Gmail functions well
7. No wifi
8. Tough case
9. Good clear radio reception
10. Takes photos off the computer quite well and clearly. Snapshots taken with it's camera are good and clear for its screen size
11. Messenger could not be opened twice, time out so I gave up
12. Twitter was updated and opened quite fast but I didn't log in as I rarely use it
13. Weather app didn't open probably because I forgot to give my location
14. Internet browsers function well
15. No wifi
16. Tough case
17. Good clear radio reception
18. Takes photos off the computer quite well and clearly. Snapshots taken with it's camera are good and clear for its screen size

It appears WhatsApp stopped support for Symbian phones since June 2017 so that another issue clear. This makes this handphone quite unpopular because WhatsApp is s must-have app in Malaysia. What Nokia 215 does well is makes calls, send sms and has a battery can last 5 days with ease though there are users telling me 6 days is a norm. Don't expect budget phones to compete with smartphones and you'll be OK in your assessment. 

My home renovation, so far...

Some time ago, I went into fenzy removing old wallpapers in the living and dining room and anything wooden was given a new coat of white paint, of course, with blessing and support from wifey. The old sofa was donated and a new one was contributed by her along with a wall mirror and a colour coordinated curtain to replace the previous one which we hardly ever change. Well, this is the finished look. I also had some white paint left so the bench outside also got painted. Yes, it was tiring work but being a pensioner, I had all the time in the world yet it did not take a month. Well, I am very pleased with myself and I cannot even recognize my house from inside anymore.

5s iPhone camera shots

Results from my trusty iPhone 5s camera. Flowers at mak's house. Slight breeze in photos so some flowers did sway. All photos are just point and shoot and left unedited. It's OK, I'm not complaining. Furthermore, if I were to edit a photo, it would turn out like this:

 

The lazyman's technique of removing wallpaper

Polyfilla was added to smooth out rough areas

Completed job

Tools of trade

Many articles on the internet unanimously state that removing wallpaper is a difficult task. I was not going to back off so was prepared. However, my trial and error experience shows that it can actually be very simple .... if you know the technique. Here, I share my smart (or lazyman) technique:

 All needed is a spray gun of plain water (Yes, no soapy water needed and a waste of money!) and a rag to collect dripping water. Start by placing the rag at the edge of the wall. Next, generously spray the dry wallpaper to soften the outer skin. Concentrate on the top edge. After 1-2 min. (the longer, the better) start peeling. The longer the wait, the easier it comes off as one piece (Err.. I have only some patience here). Next, generously spray the inner layer. Wait till the colour of the inner layer turns darker. (Yes, the darker, the better) When the colour of the inner layer turns close to dark brown, start peeling. Again, start by spraying from the top as dripping water softens the wallpaper below. If there are resistant spots, generously spray on them then peel away. If you rush the job here, chances are the inner layer will tear making peeling more difficult. If you take your time, it comes off as one piece.

That's it! Yeah, I did it!

Spring cleaning the front and dining room furniture

Front door

Coffee and side table

Drawer shelve

Dining table and chairs

Dining cupboard

Before

Upon wifey's request who has got bored with them after 24 years, I bought white oil paint, turpentine, brush and put effort over the past fortnight to give the house a new look from the original wooden flavour the furniture once had. I'm no expert but am quite please with the results.

Time flies ...

Bringing up a family is truly the most challenging but rewarding experience life has to offer. It teaches one that life has its ups and downs but tomorrow is always another day (insyallah) to improve oneself.

How did I manage all this?

Looking back, taking care of 2 munsters was already tiresome, how did I managed to convince myself to get a third? ... and survive taking care of them is a miracle in itself. No wonder nowadays I sport lots of grey hair.

The most effective cure for sore throat

I am in the midst of recovering from sore throat and I took the advice of a friend who frequently suffers from sore throat and found the remedy fantastically effective. The solution? Chew on raw ginger at least every four hours. My sore throat cleared within a day, effectively 1 1/2 days because I started chewing ginger since the second day. However, I still needed antibiotics to clear my throat as I know I have a sensitive throat ever since I was young. I cut the ginger by the lump they grow and that also makes it easy to peel the skin. If that portion is big, I cut it down about the size of a 10 cent coin. It is the juice that is the secret and the effect is instant. I throw away the fiber but would have eaten it if rice was around coz that is excellent roughage. Of course had the sore throat been more swollen, it would take slightly longer time but constant chewing on ginger would be the key to fast recovery. Oh yes, don't drink after you chew ginger, the juice needs to linger around the sore throat.

Countries I have visited...so far

When I was studying abroad, I used to collect the Coat of Arms badges from countries I visited and sew them onto a mechanic's tool bag I used as my regular bag to attend classes. Technology has changed and we adapt so I now collect them digitally over the internet. It's more convenient and cheaper than buying them. Most of the countries I "conquered" were during a summer holiday when I joined my course-mate on his Ford Transit van to visit his granny in Spain. We covered 15 countries in 2 months taking the old beaten road rather than the super highway because we wanted to see the real countryside. We moved when we wanted and stopped whenever we felt like it but because of that, usually reached formal camp sites late (they close by 10:30pm) and ended up sleeping in the van where my friend had modified the rear seat to allow it also to function as a bed though I preferred to sleep in the front because it was cooler during the nights. Other countries covered were usually on government service. We accepted a definition of having traveled to a foreign country as "to have at least step outside the fence of an airport or port of call". I found the Latin people the most friendly of which the Spanish (even the old folks) were the most friendly while the Italians were the most beautiful. For the record, and I see on the internet, that is also agreed upon by another who have travelled much more countries than me that Malaysian food is the best in the world.