What To Buy or What To Seek?

It’s funny that a”blog” ago, I was so consumed with gadgets that I ‘ve been itching to have. For about a month now I’ve gone through like forever reading reviews, browsing through catalogues about which electronic items stand out among their league from cameras to mobile phones and computers, etc.- I could have written a book. Until last Friday, I was working overtime and in between, I’ve been going back and forth through websites for the same exhaustive quest. I just had to stop when lunchbreak came as I have to rush to our weekly Bible study. The text during that day: Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteouesness and all these things shall be yours as well”. POW! Coincidence? I don’t think so! It struck me head-on, right in the face and for a moment it was like I was wearing neon sign flashing the word “guilty” in front of the brethren.

I could still recall the time when I got my very first mobile phone. Although at that time, it was not the hottest on display. In fact it was a second hand unit sold to me on installment basis by a friend who was upgrading to another model. It was like 4 or 5 models behind what’s in at that time. But even so, I was so happy and proud to have one. Being someone who works on a minimum wage, it’s the best that I can have back then. Back at home, we didn’t have a huge TV, cd player, computer which led me to crave for these things that my friends have. Then it was time to work abroad for the first time. Although I was getting a higher compared to working back in Manila, it was still relatively low compared to the standard rates. So after sometime, I was able to buy a second-hand desktop computer and of course, it made me happy and to add to that happiness, an unlimited internet connection- what else could I want? Working abroad, it was easy to have these things so I thought it was time for an “upgrade”. I need to have a laptop just like everybody else. So on credit I was able to have my very first laptop and I couldn’t be happier. Time went on when my attention was not only into such things. I spent on clothes and other things- most of them were not really “as-needed” things of that nature. It came to a point where the income that was just enough was overwhelmed by spending spree. The only solution I could ever think of is another higher paying job to which God has answered me with a big “YES”. I was employed to a company who pays me at least 3 times as much and I promised myself that I won’t let it get to me. My expenses should remain at a manageable level so that I can save. Yet again, out of my stubborn human nature, I was lured into a higher level of spending spree. I can’t even barely count on the spot how many mobile phones I’ve had, got myself an enormous flatscreen, life insurance (Ok this is rather reasonable), got myself another laptop, had a trip to Italy and bought a car on installment basis- all of which in a span of one year! I couldn’t believe it myself! I’ve come a long way from making both ends meet, to paying for a second hand mobile phone, to sending money back home, to paying for my monthly credit card bills, life insurance and car and still wanting more.

I would still say that this new job I had is a blessing. Although God has given me this job even though He knew I was stubborn, He has a way of reminding me through His Words and has been continually restoring me to what is right. That moment when I came to the Bible study was an immediate wake up call when earlier I was still so into “what to buy” frame of mind. It was clear that I have been laying up for myself “treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal..” as Matthew 6:19 puts it. Instead of seeking for His eternal Kingdom, I’ve been wanting things that are temporary and everything else that won’t matter in the end.

So for now, I have perished the thought of say, getting a BlackBerry while my current mobile phone still serve its humble purpose. I don’t need another laptop upgrade or another titanic LCD TV or a DSLR camera. Until I prioritize the essentials of practical life, that electronics catalogue can gather dust in the shelves for some time.

 

Tekkie Moment

I was flippin’ through the catalogue of a premier electronics/gadgets store here in the Kingdom and as always, everytime I see those gadgets and other electronic items I am always convinced that I need them or I’d find a need to need those (LOL!).  So just for kicks, I’ve listed them in random order.  Those that made it to the list are (drumroll…):

Nikon D90

I’ve never considered photography as something that would really get into me until I purchased my modest Lumix point-and-shoot digital camera.  My tekkie officemate on the otherhand happens to be an enthusiast and started giving inputs on basic photography and about cameras specification.  The more I listened to him, the more I started to like the craft. Ok, so this is a rather high-end model as entry level for me however, i thought that if I’m gonna buy something it has to have the most features that I don’t have to buy another upgraded version.

The first thing that will amaze photographers about the D90 is its stunning image quality, which takes its inspiration from Nikon’s flagship DX-format digital SLR, the D300. The D90’s image sensor and 12.3 effective megapixels combine with Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED image processing to deliver outstanding images featuring fine details, smooth tones, rich colors and low noise across a wide ISO sensitivity range. – www.gadgetreview.com

The only thing I am afraid of is that this interest in photography might turn out to be just a fancy afterall.  I know myself better so I’ve been thinking about it a lot- as of yet.  Or perhaps I should get a lower-end model like that of the D3000.  Until I decide I really want to be into photography, getting a DSLR remains in the “things (yet) to buy” list.  The bane of having this is that when you’ve spent for the camera, it doesn’t end there.  You will have to buy the lens which are actually priced higher than the camera itself.  At the same time, I’ll be carrying around a camera that is bulky in itself along with the tripod and other accessories.  As a fan of light travellers, I’m not sure if I can handle that.

iTouch Gen-3

The 3rd generation is latest of  the iTouch series.  I have the 2nd generation and the only difference I’ve seen so far is that the 3rd gen version has bluetooth and voice recorder which is not really a big thing for me.  iTouch has been a handy companion for me especially during the Italy trip.  Instead of the earphones that come with the kit, I had mine paired with a Bose “in-ear headphones” (add this to the list) which made listening pleasure even more pleasurable.  As someone who likes music a lot, I guess this would be no.1 if I would itemize the gadgets in this list.  You can also install different aps so there’s more than music and videos to this wonder toy.  I just couldn’t get enough.

Sony Vaio E-Series  

The moment I saw this lappy firsthand in one of the Sony showrooms here, I fell in love with it immediately.  Aesthetically, it’s already stunning but the real kick is with its specs, boasting its Intel Core i-520M Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Disk space and LED HD Display.  With these specs, what else could go wrong?  How else could it be possibly a wrong choice?  The only painful truth is that it’s rather costly and Sony Vaio has kept its rep that way.  I wish it was more affordable.

 

HP Pro 3010 Desktop Computer

 

In as much as  technology nowadays is about down-sizing and mobility, I still prefer having a desktop computer to use as something that is intact in its spot in a certain part of the house.  It looks nicer on the computer table compared to a laptop where you’ll see all the wires connected all over it.  Specs-wise, HP Pro 3010 processes data with Intel Core 2 Quad and has a dedicated 1GB VRAM- imagine its performance.  500GB Hard Disk I guess would be more than enough for me.   

 

Samsung Omnia II  

Since I tried on a Samsung mobile phone, I haven’t changed my brand to date.  I’ve switched to about 4 models and currently I have 2 mobile phones all of which are Samsung.  Samsung Omnia II’s  3.7″ AMOLED display gives out a bright and truly brilliant picture quality.  It’s got 5mega-pixel camera and a common observation among the reviews I’ve read is its highly-responsive to touch feature making it standout among its league.  WiFi and bluetooth are inclusive in this 3.5G Smartphone.  Its 800 MHz Qualcomm processor promises a good performance with very minimal lag or none at all.  I’m planning to upgrade my Samsung Corby Messenger with this one.  But with it’s pricey tag, I might opt for a BlackBerry Curve 8900 instead which is rather cheaper than this one.

Blackberry Curve 8900

Say hello to my possibly next mobile phone.  I’ve always wanted to have a “berry” and I guess this would be it for me.  It has lower specs than that of the Omnia II in terms of its camera (3.2MP  vs. 8MP) and  512 MHz processor against Omnia II’s 800MHz.  But then again who would care if you’re holding a BlackBerry LOL!

One of the perks that added to my interest is the BlackBerry messenger system and the TwitterBerry.  With it, you can update your “twits” in class with a signature BlackBerry footer at the bottom of the message as with the email.  These functions though are to be set with network provider for additional costs. 

These are just some of the things I could think of as must-haves for me in this very “tekkie” moment.  At the end of the day, you can have the highest end of the product lines, the most up-to-date gadgets but after sometime they get obsolete especially nowadays when the turn-over gets quicker everytime.  And of course, as human beings we never get contented with what we have.  It’s fun to be updated with the latest technologies but don’t let it get to you to the point that you set aside what’s more important such as bills, rents, loan payments, your savings for the rainy days and of course in my case particularly, my  LO (Love Offering) to the church which by the way, I haven’t given in a while (blushes in shame).

 

Catching Up

Oh yes!  I’m back bigtime!  It’s been awhile since I last checked in!  I know right, it’s been ages and I have been very busy with a lot of things.  So to catch up, I’ll give a brief run-through of what kept me out of touch.

December 2009 – Went on vacation in Manila.  Spent the holidays for 3 weeks or so.  I thought it was rather short but I gotta get back to work “to pay the rent” as they would say.

January 2010 – Back in the mideast.  Still not over the “vacation mood”. 

February 2010 – Work started to pressure poor me.  Basically working 12 hours a day, 7-days a week, sitting in for somebody else who was on vacation that time.  The thing about it is that I pitched in for somebody who was at everyone’s expense.

March 2010 – I turned 32.  I don’t celebrate getting old so no bday bash.

April 2010 – Our office moved to a new location and I was one of the assigned to go through the specifics of moving everything and everyone’s stuff from the old to the new building.  It was a really tough situation working from early morning to about midnight,  moving around the new building and setting up the offices of everyone.  Though there were movers who carry boxes and drops them to the specific offices, we’d sometimes help to finish the job faster.

May 2010 – Everything was set up in the new building.  Things are in place and everyone’s fine and dandy.

From mid-February till now, I’ve been working during the weekends.  Although there’s basically nothing to do in the office during weekends, it’s still different when you wake up when you want to not worrying that you’ll be late for work.  The good part though is the happy paycheck   I’ve been enjoying since then. oh well, it’s like that!