The 3 months Tummy-Flattening Challenge! 25 August Update: Apology & Parcel Walker update.

I have to apologise because I've missed 3 days of exercise. I was overseas and we're out for long hours (walking or on the car) almost everyday. When we got back to the hotel, I was too tired and lazy to move... so yeah, obviously I wasn't in the mood to exercise.

Well, I did managed to force myself into doing 60 seconds of The Plank on the last 2 days (because my tummy was really bulging!) but I'm still way behind.

I gained about 0.3-0.4kg during the trip because we're eating good and I was drinking LOTS of bubble tea!!

Now, I've decided that I need to add Burpees into my routine. So now, I increase the "minimum" to 3 exercises and Burpees must be included! I plan to do 10 of them first and then slowly work my way up.

Source

Also, I've signed up for Grabfood, hopefully that could help get me moving more.

Parcel Walker Update

I actually didn't want to talk about this incident anymore since its passed, but since I've started about it (here), I don't want to leave things hanging.

While I was on my trip, my IC WhatsApp me apologising that she had just seen my message and asked if there is anyone home so that she could collect the parcels. But since I was overseas and with limited (crappy) internet connections, I didn't manage to respond quickly to her.

I only responded to her 1-2 days after, informing her that the parcels were already delivered and that she should help update that on the system (the parcels are still shown as "failed").

She didn't respond and the parcels had already disappeared from the system. I wasn't too keen to push her to find out what happened and if they've captured the delivery with the poor connection. I can just hope they did get captured.

Anyway, that's the update about the No-respond issue.

iPhone Adapter: Expensive means better?

 

Ever since I've switched over to iPhone 7, I find myself constantly looking for adapters that supports both audio and charging at the same time.

I loved my first ever one, the Pill adapter (that's what it's called on some online shopping site), it's a brandless one which makes it difficult for me to buy it again. It cost $5 and its the best I've ever had. The reason? Because it supports data transfer. Unfortunately, it didn't last too long, say only about 4 months max.

I then got myself another adapter, but it doesn't support data transfer. Since then, I've started a short "quest" in search for one that supports data transfer, but so far, I've found none.

Hence, I thought perhaps its because I'm always buying cheap, brandless adapters that cost about SG$1-2 each. Maybe something more expensive would work? So I went and got myself a slightly "branded" one from the budget level. This one cost ~SG$6.50. It's the Baseus L46.

Baseus L46

 

Specifications:

Material: TPE + Aluminum alloy

Current: 2A max

 
Ok, WOW! I didn't expect it to come with such well-designed packaging. I mean, I'm so used to getting one in ziplocked plastic bag.
 

The body is aluminum alloy which makes it light yet sturdy. Connectors and ports are pretty tight, so it doesn't fall off or have intermittent easily. There is a "step" between the body of the adapter and the connector, which make it possible to use even with phone cover/casing on.

It comes with a warranty card too! But I guess I wouldn't want to send back to China just to get a replacement as buying a new one would be cheaper than the shipping cost.

Anyway, that concludes the introduction to this more "expensive", slightly "branded" adapter from the budget category. Now to the comparison.

Comparison

I'll just be comparing some of the cheap SG$1-2 each adapters with the Baseus L46 and a Wee charging cable (as a bonus). I know, both are not big brands but well, I'm just trying to compare the really dirt cheap ones with something more expensive to see if the extra money is worth it or that they just goes into the brand and packaging.

Before we begin, I'll like to share with you what kind of adapters I've tried before.

The ones with cable.

I've 2 of this. One of the have 2 lightning port while the other have a 3.5mm and lightning port. Both works fine with my iPhone 7, but the one with 3.5mm connector doesn't support volume control or microphone. In fact MOST adapter that has the 3.5mm connector doesn't support volume control and microphone.

These are Ok to use but the dangling cable is quite annoying, especially when playing games. 


Knockoff Wee charging cable. (We shall call it KOWee)

This one is more for gaming as it has this long and flat "bar" that is good for holding and supporting the palm when hold sideways. At one end of the "bar" is a 3.5mm connector which allows for audio output only. The other side is an USB cable. The cable is about 100cm long and is nondetachable.

To be honest, it is really quite good for gaming and are more expensive than the usual connectors.

The Pill

The pill adapter seems quite common around here. They're indeed quite cute and colourful.I've gotten one and only one that can do data transfer, the other 2 that I've bought doesn't support data transfer and doesn't last.

The $1ish

This is the one that I got from online that cost ~SG$2 for 2. They looks and feel good and work like they should.

Comparison Chart

I measured the output of the port and cable before I started the experiment. 

I'm quite confident that the port is able to supply at least 1A of current and the highest have went up to 1.35A. I'm not sure if its the limitation of the port or the cable or my iPad but then, I'll just go with that. 

$1ish	Baseus L46	KOWee Cable
Has no indication of the max current.	Promises 2A output	Has no indication of the max current.
Actual Current: 0.97A	Actual Current: 1.17A	Actual Current: 0.97A
Cost: SG$1-1.50	Cost: SG$6.50-7.00	Cost: SG$10-11
Data Transfer: Not Supported	Data Transfer: Not Supported	Data Transfer: Not Supported
Lightning Connector: Pins look rough and uneven	Lightning Connector: Pins are smooth and well aligned.	Lightning Connector:   Looks pretty aligned and even.
Orientation: Matters a lot. There is a side that has a higher chance of successful connection and less intermittent.	Orientation: Doesn't matter. Both sides works with no problem.	Orientation: Doesn't matter. Both sides works with no problem.
Connection Strength:  - Sometimes a little light tag at the cable will breaking the connection and music will stop. - Random disconnection happens - Controls can randomly stop working	Connection Strength: - So far there hasn't been much disconnection. - Controls work perfectly fine with this adapter.	Connection Strength: - So far there hasn't been much disconnection. - Controls doesn't work correctly. Both "+" and "answer" button increases volume. "-" button works fine.
Sound: No distortion or statistics.	Sound: No distortion or statistics.	Sound: No distortion or statistics.
Microphone: Supported.	Microphone: Supported.	Microphone: Not Supported.

Conclusion

I'll have to say that I'm pretty surprise by how close the charging speed of these adapters are. I'm even more surprise that a "gaming cable" (as its advertised) doesn't have a higher charging speed.

But anyway, when comparing the 2 non-gaming cables, I feel that perhaps, the extra cost actually goes into 2 places - packaging and workmanship. But of course it maybe too early to tell, perhaps the Baseus L46 would last much longer than the $1ish one and makes all the extra money worth it! If that happens, I'll be sure to update you guys!

The No-Respond Management of WMG?

An incident happen quite recently and I've come to realise that WMG could have better management and supportive system for their walkers.

I'm will be going away for holiday for a week between 18-25th August with my family and I notified my in charge(IC) 3 weeks before so that she can have ample time to make arrangements. She replied saying she will take note.

On the 16th, I was notified that I've 3 parcels to deliver on the 17th. So I immediately notify my IC that I may not be able to attempt any re-delivery as I'll be away 4:30am the next morning (18th). I notified her that because I was expecting there to be failure because one of the recipient, whom I've delivered to previously work long hours and is usually home after 11:30pm.


My IC replied, asking me how many days will I be away. So, it means that she doesn't remember that I told her I will be away for the whole week! I quoted my previous message and replied to her.

After which, no respond, for a few hours.


Later that night, I asked her again to see if there is any arrangement if there is a need to redeliver.

No respond again.

 

Next day, 3 parcels arrived at my doorstep. I went ahead with delivery. And 2 of them failed (recipient not home). And as expected, the recipient who work long hours was not home and not contactable.

I tried to get my IC to see if she have any plans about the parcels and re-delivery and she was totally unresponsive!

Source

Although all went well, because I "bugged" the recipients to make the re-delivery possible and lucky for me, both of them happen to be available on a later time. In the end I stayed up late to make my last delivery (@11:50pm) which is way pass my working hours of 10:30pm!

The recipients were really nice and thankful, which made me feel slightly better. But I'm disappointed in my IC who went "missing" ever since I brought up the problem. It was like as if her dog ate her phone suddenly!

I've no idea what to do with the parcels if I cannot make the re-deliveries! Do I keep the parcels with me till I come back or is there a way I could pass it to other walkers to make the deliveries?

I was told, when I first joined, that I could contact them whenever I run into problems or when I couldn't make a delivery! So now, I've contacted them and their respond seems to be no-respond!

 Source

So can I respond in a no-respond way when they contacted me about the parcels next time?

The 3 months Tummy-Flattening Challenge! 15 August Update: Parcel Walker - 8 Deliveries!!

Challenge Update!

Well, another update! For the past weeks, I've been sticking to the plan of doing at least 2 of the exercises per day! I'm actually quite happy with myself for being able to do that!

There are days which I just get too lazy and did not want to do any exercise. But somehow, I still managed to force myself to carry on. I realised that once you take the "1st step" which is getting that butt off the chair, it's not that difficult to finish the set targets.

I did the Plank exercise daily but still I can't move pass the 70 seconds mark. By the 40ish seconds mark, my tummy and hands were aching badly I could barely hold my position. As for the leg lifts which I also did daily, I've decided to up the minimum to at least 22.

I've measured my waist and low part of my belly. Well, the numbers didn't change at all (as expected) but I have loss some weight (0.2kg). I guess, that is a good indication things are working for me.

The Delivery (This delivery is actually on 6th Aug)

I was surprised when I saw that I was assigned 8 deliveries for the day! It's not the most I've gotten but definitely a shock to me! But I do believe its due to their new payment system. (I'll definitely go into this one when I've more prove supporting my believe.)

 8 parcels!!

Anyway, this is the stats before I left home for delivery.

The addresses are spread across 4 blocks and lucky for me, they're quite centralised and I've some parcels that are in the same block, just different unit. 

This is the stats after all the deliveries were made.

So the whole delivery process took about 52 minutes and covered 1.7km and 2,500ish steps. I wasn't surprise with the smaller distance covered because some of the parcels are in the same block, so I was just taking the lift to another floor and unit. However, I did take the chance and climbed a combination of 5 floors of stairs.

As mentioned above, I suspect (in fact I observed) a change in their paying rate and system, and I expect more of these large deliveries (items) per day in future. I just hope they don't go overboard and stuffing way too many in a day. I can definitely handle if the parcels are small and light, but anything heavier, I'll have trouble carrying them around.

Anyway, I'll definitely update you guys what I observe when I get more prove later this month. :)

A rant: "Why am I not motivated?"

I've recently met up with a classmate of mine. She was the "good student" who would do her homework and put in efforts during exams. It's no wonder she is a straight Aces student.

However, when we met up, she told me that her motivation level has dropped and she find it harder to "move" herself.

We discussed about the possible reasons like rewards, challenge and goals and then we came to an interesting topic.

Ratio.

Rewards and effort ratio.

It's obvious that during the schooling years, the rewards you receive are very much in relation to the amount of efforts you put in.

If you put in the effort to study, you'll see improvements in your results, if you put in effort in your project work, you'll probably get a pass at least for your efforts. While this ratio might change slightly as you progress to higher education, the principle is still there; you work hard, you get results.

However, after stepping into the "real" world, how many times are your efforts really rewarded? How many times did you put in the efforts only to get rejections and nothing back?

We talked about this ... and unfortunately we didn't come to a positive conclusion. In fact we came to a conclusion that maybe that's why she is not longer as motivated as before.

There are just too much factors other than efforts that would lead to rewards, and we can't do much about that.

Well, sorry for a not so positive update, but that is the conclusion we got, at least for now.

The 3 months Tummy-Flattening Challenge! 5th August Update

It has been more than a week since I last updated about this challenge. Well, I haven't really been "on target". There are 2 days which I didn't even hit the "bare minimum" of 2 exercise. I just did one, although I did more times than usually.

I know that is no excuse, but I ended up messing up my sleeping/waking time because of the Daihatsu Yonex Japan Open 2019. I was watching the semi-finals and finals live stream in Youtube with my family. Well, I think its worth it, but then I got too tired to do what I was suppose to.

For that 2 days, I only did 30 Leg Lifts and nothing else.

But for the rest of the days, I did at least 2 exercises per day. I realised that I tend to do more of Leg Lifts and the plank and did lesser of Sit-ups and Mountain Climbers!

I guess its much easier to do Leg Lifts and Plank as I can do them easily in my room without making much noises or needing any extra help. (Yes, I sometimes does these at night)

I did a short walk of about 2.9km during one of the days. I wasn't planning to time it because it was impromptu. My mum and I decided to go catch some Pokemons, LOL. I think we walked for about 1.5 hours, covering about 2.9km, according to my egg distance.

The plank is still very demanding for me and I struggle to go beyond 70 seconds so I stick with 1 minute. I've been doing at least 20 leg lifts daily and I plan to increase the minimum for this.

KZ ED16 Stock Cable Vs BQEYZ C1 Cable Vs Brandless Cable with Controller

I don't really like the stock cable that came with my KZ ED16. I think it feels flimsy and I don't really like the design. So I went and got myself 2 replacement cables for different purposes.

1) BQEYZ C1 Cable which comes with Mic

2) A random, brandless cable that comes with Mic and volume control that I got from Shopee. (It's the only one within my budget that comes with volume control)

I tested all of them out and did a simple comparison to help me decide which I should use for my music. Just in case you're wondering how I test them out, I used an audio split and listened to one cable on each ear.
 

 

So now, let's get going!! 

Oh wait! 

Before that, I need to remind your that I'm no professional and this is just for fun.

The plug

KZ	BQEYZ C1	Brandless
Angled	Angled, Silver plated	Angled, gold plated
TPE with Strain relief	Metal with Strain relief	TPE with Strain relief

All 3 cables comes with L-shape angled plug which I personally prefers. The BQEYZ C1 would stand out here because out its metal casing.

Cable 

KZ	BQEYZ C1	Brandless
Silicon, rubbery feel	Braided	Braided, PVC
~124cm	~120cm	~118cm

 To be honest, none of the cables feel really strong. Although the braided cable looks stronger and cooler, the left and right cables are actually quite thin, even thinner than the KZ's.

Y-Split

KZ	BQEYZ C1	Brandless
Silicon, Strain Relief on Top and bottom	Braided, Strain Relief on bottom only	Braided, Strain Relief on Top and bottom
TPE	Metal	TPE

The brandless cable and the KZ have similar design and material for the Y-split, but the KZ one looks more polished while the brandless one have longer stress reliefs. The BQEYZ C1 lags strain relief on the top which make it lose out to the other 2.

Mic/Volume Control

KZ	BQEYZ C1	Brandless
Answer Call	Answer Call	Volume control, Answer Call
On Right Cable	On Left Cable	On Right Cable
Plastic Casing	Metal Casing	Plastic Casing

This is obviously an unfair comparison! The brandless cable would stand out because of its extra function - Volume control! I've tried the controller, it works well with my iPhone.

Earhook

KZ	BQEYZ C1	Brandless
Memory, adjustable	Memory, not adjustable	Memory, not adjustable
Stiff	Soft	Soft

Surprsingly, the BQEYZ C1 and brandless cable have the better comfortability and fit. It's not the that KZ one is not good but its a little stiff and harder to bend it to the shape and angle that is ideal. The BQEYZ C1 and the brandless one just curve around the ear when I put it on, no adjustment needed!

Sound

KZ	BQEYZ C1	Brandless
Bass is strong and punchy	Has the most boomy bass, more "vibrations" felt	Similar with KZ
-	-	-

There is actually not much audio differences. The KZ and the brandless cable are very similar sounding. The only differences I notice is that the BQEYZ C1 perform slightly better than the other 2 in some songs that have deeper bass. I felt a little more "vibrations" from it and bass may sound a little more energetic.

Summary

	KZ	BQEYZ C1	Brandless
Design	- Flimsy cable - The colour really doesn't appeal to me	- Braided looks cool! - Small connector, harder to plug in.	- Braided looks cool! - Connector casing is thicker, making it easier to plug in.
Comfort	Comfortable but have to readjust if you tag it accidentally.	Comfortable, no need to adjust. Flexible earhook wraps round your ears.	Comfortable, no need to adjust. Flexible earhook wraps round your ears.
Sound	Good overall	Has slightly better bass.	Good overall
Price	~$7	~$8	~$6
Microphone	Yes	Yes	Yes
Volume Control	No	No	Yes

In the end, it all goes down to what you're looking for, as each cable have its own merits. For thsoe who prefers better music, especially for the bass, it's obvious that the BQEYZ C1 cable work be a better choice. For those who are always on the go and prefers not to reach into their pockets to adjust the volume, then the one with volume control is the best choice.

For me, I went with the one with volume control as that is what I need for now.