Down to the bare necessities - aka Skint!

Money makes the world go round
Kerching’s the word
Never heard a sound
I’m hearing recession
They say it’s a crunch
Can’t do breakfast, brunch and lunch

A Fab Tab - My New TabPhone!!

I am absolutely beaming over my new buy.

As a long time smartphone convert, I have been watching the tablet market and smartphone market.  With a particular interest in Samsung's developments.  Their phones work, do what they say they'll do but above all are very sexy.

However, browsing on Amazon, I stumbled across the Xaano tabphone.  It is a 7" Android tablet with phone capability - I was interested.  Here's what it said about itself.

About
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The compact Xaano 7” Android Tabphone offers smart, powerful mobile touch screen performance.  Play music, games, watch videos, read ebooks, browse the net and send emails.

Features
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The Xaano Tabphone is a handy, flexible capacitive touch screen communication tool.  It is a tablet with phone capability which boasts many useful features for both work and leisure.

•    WiFi ready connectivity
•    Processor 1.2GHz
•    Micro USB port for both charging and use as a device with a PC
•    HDMI port for high definition experience with the best image quality
•    2.0MP Front/back camera with adjustable zoom, panoramic view, adjustable exposure value and white balance; video capability with HD/SD video quality and timer for Skyping and video recording
•    Access to over 600,000 apps, songs, books and movies via Google Play
•    Extended memory capability of up to 32GB with micro SD card (not included)
•    SMS capability (using SIM - not included)
•    SIM free phone capability
•    External speakers, microphone and headphone slots

The Xaano Tabphone comes with an executive style leather look carry case which provides protection from scratches and bumps.  Its built-in ‘plug and play’, soft touch, standard mini USB 2.0 full QWERTY keyboard, allows quick and easy typing anywhere.  Plus, the case comes with a stylus and features an extendable kickstand to prop up your tabphone when required.

Ease of Use
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The Xaano Tabphone is bigger than a smartphone, but not so big that you can't use your thumbs to type.  Its small appearance makes it more portable and appealing. The Xaano Tabphone is lightweight and easily held in one hand, which makes reading an ebook, ezine or even a website more comfortable.

The Xaano Tabphone is powerful by function and portable by design. Making it easier to play games on the smaller screen or follow a recipe in the kitchen, means you can use it for more things in more places.

The fact that it is both a phone and a tablet caught my attention straight away.  for £199 I thought, reasonably priced, I'll get one.  I am honestly sold.

It is brilliant.  I have used it to save my stature from the lopsided stance provided by the weight of my laptop.  It the size of a larger than medium book and fits neatly into my handbag.  I have made calls, sent texts, typed letters, read books, surfed the net, listened to music, played games - all the stuff listed.

In addition stuff it didn't mention, with my SIM call plan, I can use it as a Sat Nav with Google maps!!  I am in love.  This tabphone caught my eye, flirted, I brought it home and it demonstrated it's skills.  Did it disappoint? Hell no! What more could a girl ask for?!!

Unemployment Woe - Its six in the morning

Its six in the morning got so much to do

Have a bath, brush my teeth after going to the loo

Get dressed and have breakfast to fuel body and brain

Grab key, phone and hand bag and head for the train.

All just a memory, it’s been a while

I think back at “stress” times and I break a smile

Its six in the morning and daylight streaks through

I just about manage to get to the loo

Recession, a downturn, economic cautiousness

I reach for the duvet and wish for the stress

Its six in the morning I glance in the mirror and see

Someone who looks like the shadow of me

Hate the sound of the postman, he gives me chills

I know, fear and dread another delivery of bills

Its six in the morning and all that I know

Is each jobless day drives me deeper into debt and woe

Its six in the morning but I know that at ten

Got to meet with my adviser, a nice bloke called Ben

Off on a course, which I have to attend

Hopefully, assistance for my career path to mend

Got skills got knowledge and ability too

But the emotional knock back?  Honestly, who knew?

Damn this recession, the downturn its all the same

It’s made me feel and look really lame.

Its six in the morning and a new day

Not like those others, I’ve discovered a new way

Stayed with the course and accepted the new me

I dared to dream with positivity

I wasn’t jobless I had my own time on my hands

To really assess my past and make future plans

Its six in the morning and in front of me I see

My ocean of possibilities just waiting for me.

© 08/2012 Chika Anyanwu

Not Just a CV

I have come across so many job hunters who feel that all they need is a s*!t hot CV to get a job and get into work.

Of much less importance, is self awareness, knowledge of the business environment they wish to enter into and understanding personalities.  The may just about have a grasp of their rights, responsibilities and obligations but they mix up the time use and/or exercise them.

When people come to me they always cite confidence as a strong reason why they have not achieved or aspired.

I have my own original personally derived quote:

"Achievement is when the dream marries opportunity, shrouds itself with focus and is driven by faith"

There are other very respected individuals who have quotes along the same lines.