Guitar Review: Takamine ED26SC

I just got myself a Takamine ED26SC and I just have to write a review about it. There are almost no reviews on the internet about this wonderful guitar. I guess it's because they only have this model in Asia, lucky me :) Go to this Takamine website for the specs: http://www.takamineguitars.jp/guitars/model.php?series_id=2&model_id=63

I got this guitar at C&M Music Centre in Johor Bahru, Malaysia for RM1,350. What caught my eye in this guitar is the rosewood back and sides. The spruce top and rosewood body combination has always been my top interest as many top models hold this formula. I tried the guitar comparing it with the other spruce top and mahogany body ED21SC. I loved how the rosewood version sounds. The mahogany version sounds nice but plain and kinda "thin". The rosewood version adds in a very nice bass element and it really gives flavour to my tunes. Another thing I like about this guitar is the satin finish to the neck. I don't like playing gloss finish necks as the sweat makes it oily and prints fingerprints all around.

Overall, the ED26SC is a gorgeous looking guitar. The action is low and comfortable to play with. Sound is loud and beautiful unplugged and even better when plugged in to a amplifier. It also comes with a built-in tuner that comes in handy when going around. I like this guitar. For the price, it's a very good buy. Anything better will cost you at least RM400 extra.

分手第8天

分开一个星期了。渐渐的意识到没有你的空间是如此的真实。两年来习惯有你在我身边，说真的现在还真是有点不习惯。希望你过得比我好，这句话是真心的。希望你能尽快的恢复。说自私点是不想让自己对你有太多亏欠。也谢谢你陪我走的这段路，那是美丽的。我们彼此的不同与纷争倒也让我们长进了不少。

知道你报读了神学课程和对事工的热诚让我感到很欣慰。我也会在事业和个人的长进上下功夫。

再见了。珍重。

Laptop Down

Two days ago, my laptop screen went blank. Panic I was. Prayed, tried to turn on the computer to see if I had the chance to back up my files. The screen welcomed me as though nothing was wrong. I had more sense to continue what I had to do and quickly backed up my files. Two hours passed while the files transferred to the external hard disk. Believe it or not. The screen went blank again immediate after the files were transferred. I was sure that the back up was successful because the hard disk showed a stable green light. Thank God!

I called Dell first thing next morning. You really have to give it to these people. They called back the same day to confirm that there will be a technician coming over the following day. He came today afternoon. I expected him to bring the laptop back for a couple of days and send it back. But no, he repaired it on the spot. Now, while testing if the system has any problems, I'm writing this article. Kudos Dell!!!

I realized how important the computer means to me. All my work, personal files, etc, etc, etc is dependent on this little black thing. We have entered the digital era. If I am so dependent on technology now, how hard it would be to resist the 666 mark of the beast at the end times, which many believes it to be the chip or some high tech stuff. I am scared. Now, I start to be alert. Funny how the Bible tells us over and over again about being cautious and alert and yet we just don't get it.

Indian Barber

In Malaysia, we kids used to go to these Indian barbers for our haircuts. Of course, I didn't like the idea of letting an indian cutting my hair (We were brought up with the myth that the Indian police would take us away if we didn't listen to our parents you see). I still remember the special Indian perfume, the "Lao Fu Zhi & Doreamon" comics, other kids crying, thinking that they couldn't get away from the barber, adults getting shaves by the barber using a little blade and the unique "pakpalakpakpak" massage.

Today, I still enjoy going to the Indian barber. Everything in it is full of their unique culture and I enjoy the colourful experience the cut brings me. Two days ago, I went to this Indian barber. What's so special about this trip was that the barber lower the chair and wanted to give me a shave without asking me. I'd always said no to them. But this time, I thought of trying it for once, just for the experience. Boy, was I nervous. My hands got cold when I saw him inserting the razor into his blade. It wasn't the Gillete shaver that I'm used to... It was a blade. There it went... Shaving cream on, misai gone, just like a lamb sent of shaving. The best part was the splashing on of the Indian aftershave. Ouch! I love that part! And of course the"pakpalakpakpak" massage.

The One Simple Concept That Changes Everything

Today, I thought of doing some sharing of something that I've learned in hope of receiving some different opinions from you, whoever you may be. I believe that knowledge should be shared, contested and enhanced.

Yesterday, I listened to Prof. 梁燕城 about this simple concept that changed the way I look at things. The talk was about seeking for true wisdom and the meaning of life. Let me share with you 2 things that I have learned:
1. Mankind from all places (countries), race, and time (history) share the same moral values. For example, thou shan't kill, thou shall do good. And yes, it is true that when we do wrong things, the first punishment comes from ourselves, our conscience; And when we do good (e.g. lending a helping hand), we enjoy joy and peace.
2. These moral standards cannot be coincident. It was planned, designed and meticulously implanted into us even before we were born. We have the exact understanding of good and evil. We share the exact feelings from the doing good and evil. We feel terrible when we hate; And have joy when we love. This is universal. Love is universal. How many people have tried to search for an answer to find love and peace? After all, we all yearn for lasting happiness, don't we? We try to do more good than evil in hope of increasing the peace in our hearts.

Through the many years of searching, I can soundly tell you this: God is the source of this love. God IS love. God is all around, just like love is all around. He is so powerful that it doesn't matter if you are aware of Him or if you acknowledge Him. He IS around, loving you. Even if you reject Him or hate Him. He still loves you. Remember, God is love, He can't help it :)

Christianity is not about how much good you do in your lifetime, nor is it about how much you know about the Bible. Christianity is about FAITH. Remember that God loves you no matter what. His love surrounds you, waiting for you to be aware of Him and acknowledge Him. That's why we say that Christianity is about FAITH. Once you acknowledge Him, you will immediately know that God is with you. He always was, is and will be. It is THAT simple. All you have to do is to open your heart and ask God to come into your life. Simple! What have you got to lose? You have nothing to lose if there's no God and EVERYTHING to gain if there is one. So, what are you waiting for?

Girlfriend Valuation

Recently, I was doing quite a fair bit of stock analysis, picking some bargains in this current economy situation. I came across this counter that particularly interested me - PRIS (2303). You can't really find this kind of alternative investment on the market, these type of "lobang" comes once in a lifetime.

I cannot really pinpoint how much this counter is worth. But based on 8% on Earnings per Share, this counter is roughly worth $1.25 million. If I were to invest $3,600 per year for 10 years, the Return on Investment (ROI) would be at a staggering 3472% and the Earnings Yield, a mammoth 2777%! Not bad at all! This is definitely an underweight counter with a target price of $2 million. Looking at the potential earnings growth in years to come, this is a SUPER bargain with a strong buy call.

Sadly, the buying process is a long and slow one. Target acquire date should be within these 2 years, IF I'm am able to stay alive for that long after this post.

Love Your Work

I read on a great book called "The Richest Man In Babylon" written by George Samuel Clason. It was truly an inspiring read. I want to share with a section about how he treats work.

In the book, it tells us that work is our best friend. Simply because work cares for us. It feeds our family, provides shelter, clothes us, buys us good stuff, makes us lift our heads up smiling and proud. Where can you find a more faithful friend than "work"?

In this modern society, our definition of "values" has detoriated to the equal of "money". Especially in this financial crisis, many shout the term "cash is king". Even waiters and salesmen treat customers that wear nicer clothes better. Many of us forget about "values", that treating every customer with equal right IS our job in the first place. Who are we to choose anyway? We often mix up work with money.

The same goes for looking out for jobs. Like it or not, the salary package rules a big part of our decision. If the job suits our liking, consider that a bonus. And one day when we wake up, knowing that much complaining about the job is due to the choice that we made ourselves, it is too late, too hard for give up the job that pays well but we do not enjoy. By then, responsibilities, financial commitments will have already built a fort disabling your guts for ambition.

What I am trying to say is that if we mix up money with values, we bound to look for trouble. If you still have a choice. Choose a work that you enjoy that pays reasonably well. Grow in that work and money will eventually follow. Choose the path of high pay in a work that you don't really enjoy is meeting an end that demoralizes you day by day. End result, you don't perform well, promotions do not come, you get unhappy and complaint everyday that affects the moods of your family, your friends, your life.

So, treat your work as your best friend. Choose wisely on who do you want for your best friend.