Another Baby Boy for Us!!!

I am very thankful to the Lord for blessing us with another baby boy. He was born November 23, 2008 at 1:54 PM Manila Time and he weighs 7.26 Lbs. We will be naming him Alexus Mitchel, thanks to my eldest son Miggy who suggested it. We now have 3 boys, the other one is Kyle who I am sure will be adjusting as he will also be a "kuya" or older brother. I am very excited however i will just have to be contented to seeing our new born on PC camera and on photos that my wife will be publishing. Holding him would have to wait until next year when hopefully they can be with me. Stay tuned for his pictures.

Winter Snow is Falling Down ...

Just like the lines of the the song my wife and I liked, The gift. It was written and sung by Jim Brickman, I think. The song goes like, "Winter snow is falling down, children laughing all around ...", snow have came early this year. However, there were no children in sight. I really miss my kids as well as my wife and I don't think I could be with them this Christmas season. I could rant and blame the Canadian embassy in Manila for what happened but I would like to believe that it was God's plan for us. Come to think of it, my wife and 2 kids came here and she gave birth to my 3rd son here, the only advantage would be is that my youngest will be a Canadian citizen. She would have had a hard time here taking care of the 2 kids during her pregnancy and there could be a possibility that I would not be around when she needed to go to the hospital when she contracts. One big thing is that we will be shouldering the expenses since she will not be covered by the Ontario health care system yet. I truly trust that God has intervened and I believe He knows best.

I took this photo late at night. Maybe around 9 or 10 PM. It look quiet and pure however it makes me feel lonely because of the shade. Maybe it is just appropriate for what I am feeling at this moment.

Portraits From Canada's Past

Painting has been one of my frustrations. I got a chance to pass by Islington Village in Etobicoke ON and was able to take photos of the murals painted on the walls or sides of the building. How I wish I could paint something as good as these. I probably could do it on a sheet of bond paper and colored pencils but definitely not on canvass or walls as big as shown on the pictures. Besides, it surely took them days or maybe weeks to complete. I am very impatient and I would like to finish things as quickly as I can. That is why I seldom use water color because I have to wait until one color dry before using another otherwise the colors will mix.

Following is a link for those who are interested for more photos.

Portraits from Canada's Past

For more information about the murals, check the Mosaic page of the site below:

Village of Islington

Colors of Autumn

It seems like just weeks but I have been away from my country of origin for more than six months. I came from a tropical country and is now experiencing autumn for the first time. I believe it is better know as fall here in North America. I did a little research and according to Wikipedia it starts from the month of September until November. It is a transition from summer to winter. I think the weather is nice this time of the year, it is not too hot nor too cold. We did not have work last November 11 so I had time to roam around and take some pictures that depict this time of the season. And I would like to share some of them.

More photo's can be found on my multiply account. Please see link below:

Colors of Autumn

Arts and Craft

I have always liked drawing, painting, sketching and coloring. It is too bad I was not able to hone these skills. I was not fortunate enough to have the necessary materials to be able to do so. Aside from that, I was distracted by the cartoon robots that were shown during those days. I would also prefer to play with my friends which is free so I forgot all about my love for drawings. My eldest son Miggy seem to like arts/drawing and recently also his younger brother seem to be getting interested as well. If my kids are performing well in class and they got it from their mother. The artistic side would definitely be from me (I hope my wife will not be able to read this blog as she might differ. LOL)


My kids and I have a lot of drawings/sketches, paintings and crafts we did in the past. I have photographed them and uploaded them in Webshots and Facebook. The links can be found below.

Link 1 - Arts & Crafts

Link 2 - Colored Drawings

Link 3 - Sketches

Link 4 - Others

Las Pinas College High School Batch 1986 Grand Reunion

More than 2 years ago I accidentally found the Website NamesDatabase.com. I registered and found out that there were several classmates that were registered as well. I sent some of them messages and fortunately they replied. We started communicating by e-mail and eventually we created a Yahoo e-group which now has at least 70 members. Some of us are in other countries earning a living, others have immigrated and some are still in the Philippines doing well in their business or careers. After several months we got discontented with just e-mail communications and started meeting each other in small groups. We make it a point to meet when there are classmates visiting the country. These meetings became frequent and some even had mini-sports tournaments. Now we are planning to have a grand reunion. If you are reading this and happen to be a member or know anyone who is a graduate of Las Pinas College High School Batch 1986. There is a planned grand reunion set for next year (2009). Exact month and day to be confirmed.


If you wish to know more details please e-mail me at lito.castillo@yahoo.com and I will be happy to provide you with the information.

Driving in Canada Alone for the First Time

It was a very busy Saturday in my uncle's house where I live. The bathroom is being renovated. At around 7 PM, the floor tiles were laid and the new vanity was almost installed. the plumbing is just being fitted and it will be all done. It is almost dinner time as we eat by 8 PM but we still have nothing to eat. I don't cook so I normally just assist my uncle. But this time my uncle is supervising the work being done he can't cook our dinner. I am not that confident to cook by myself so we thought of buying chicken from Mary Brown's. I was asked to buy the chicken and upon learning I would be driving alone, I immediately got the keys and left. The place where I went was probably less than 5 miles away but for me it was a very nice feeling and experience to drive alone. It was my first time to use my uncle's gray Camry since I got my driving license 5 months ago. I hope I save some money to be able to buy my own car.

Food That Helps in Controlling Blood Pressure and Becoming Heart Healthy

During my regular weekend chat with my siblings, I found out that my mom went to the doctor for a check-up. Her blood pressure was above normal so she was given a prescription. I believe it will be a maintenance medicine to keep her blood pressure normal. As I was reading my old mails, I came across one that was sent years ago about different food and its benefit to our body. I will let my mom know about this and I would like to share it to readers as well.


The following should be included in our daily meal to help control our blood pressure

1. Bananas: Bananas are rich in Vitamin B and C, but they’re most appreciated for their extremely high levels of potassium, which maintain blood pressure and reduce the probability of stroke. Bananas also contain a vital but often overlooked nutrient called fructooligosaccharide, which increases your body’s ability to absorb calcium and build strong bones.

2. Dark chocolate: Indulging in a piece of rich dark chocolate once a day will satisfy your craving for sweets while lowering blood pressure and giving you a load of antioxidants. It’s also been suggested to act as an aphrodisiac, so what are you waiting for?

3. Scallops: Scallops are packed with protein, magnesium and vitamin B12, reducing your risk of blood clots and heart problems.

4. Romaine lettuce: When you’re washing lettuce for your salad, pay extra attention to the green, leafy kind. Romaine lettuce is packed with Vitamins K, A, and C, and is also good for your heart.

5. Olives: Olives are another small but significant anti-inflammatory, as they reduce symptoms of asthma, arthritis, and even menopause. Whether you add them to your pizza or salad, don’t forget the olives!

6. Kiwi: Another surprising food that alleviates asthma symptoms kiwi. It reduces the uncomfortable wheezing associated with the respiratory disease. Also an excellent source for antioxidants, refreshing kiwi will also help your body stabilize blood sugar.

7. Grapes: Another heart-healthy fruit, grapes can help balance out fattier foods and prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots.

8. Collard greens: Guilty only by association, collard greens are an incredible source of nutrients, not a greasy home-cooked artery clogger. Rich in Vitamins A, C, and K, collard greens are a menacing weapon against breast cancer.

Food That Are Good For The Eyes

I am always in front of the computer working and if not at the office I am browsing the internet, playing games or researching. These can take a toll on my eyes. I am not getting any younger and I feel that my eyes are not as good 5 years ago. I sometimes have to move the thing I am reading farther away before I can read it

Aside from changing bad habits like reading when it is dark, insufficient rest or too much staring at the computer, I need to eat lots of food that are good for my eyes. The following food seems to be best in ensuring that all that time spent staring at a 17 inch screen doesn’t wear my eyes out. I got it from an e-mail that was written by Laura Milligan

1. Strawberries: As with the other fruits on this list, strawberries help your eyesight. If you’re glaring at your computer all day or just enjoy watching a lot of TV, you’re going to need all the help you can get. Eating strawberries has also been linked to preventing cancer.

2. Carrots One cup of chopped carrots will give you six times your recommended daily value of Vitamin A. They improve eyesight, especially in the dark. Rumor has it that carrots will also make your eyes sparkle.

3. Smoothies: Smoothies made with real fruit are a tasty, filling way to take in a significant amount of fruits. You’ll feel like you’re indulging in a naughty snack, but you’re not. Find a Smoothie King near you!

4. Flaxseeds: If you’ve been working or studying all day, your eyes are probably feeling a little dried out. Flaxseeds help prevent dry eye syndrome, allowing you to feel fresh even after a hard day.

Adding My Blog To MyLot Website

I am trying to add my blog Anything under the sun to myLot. I hope I get it done.

myLot User Profile

My AT&T Friends

I missed my days working at AT&T. I was in a very small group composed of system testers, an integration manager, an office manager and business processing analysts. We were a total of 13 initially but there were resignations and new hires from time to time. During my stay for about 1 1/2 years I became close to 2 colleagues Ton and Robert. We were almost inseparable. We would eat dinner, lunch or snacks together. Since we are working hand in hand with the company laboratory in the US, if someone would sometimes be required to do night shifts the other two would most often change shift as well. It was a very solid group through thick and thin.

It was late 2007 when Ton got a good offer from another company that we all thought could be an advancement because the company offers training new technologies. The following year, I got my Canadian VISA so I had to leave on the company. Only Robert stayed and the three of just communicate by chat or e-mails from time to time. I just realized we have no photo wherein the 3 of us are together (Does that mean we are not really a solid group? Joke Only!) so, I just uploaded the company logo.

Last week I got an e-mail from Ton that she was rehired by AT&T. For some reasons she decided to go back as the company she transferred is not as good as she thought it was. So now they are working together again. I do miss the group and how I wish I could also go back to join them. I guess I can only meet with them when I get a chance to fly back home. I hope it will be soon.

Take care my friends.

Warning for Milk Lovers! Contaminated Milk

This has been printed on paper and heard on the radio. Maybe you already know the latest news about the contaminated dairy/milk products from China. I though I'd share this so others may know. The contaminated milk is very harmful to humans especially to babies if consumed, so be diligent in reading labels before buying products look at the manufacturer's label. but of course we should not limit reading labels on these products, it should be our habit to check labels of everything we buy specially the expiration dates.



Manufacturer' s Name and Address

1 . KLIM Instant Full Cream Milk Powder (1.8 kg)
Manufacturer: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd.
Address: Friendship Road, Shuangcheng City, Heilongjiang Province, PRC

2. Nestle Carnation Calcium Plus Non Fat Milk Powder (1.6 kg)
Manufacturer: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd.
Address: Friendship Road, Shuangcheng City, Heilongjiang Province, PRC

3. Nespray
Manufacturer: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd
Address: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd., PRC

4. Nestle Dairy Farm Pure Milk
Manufacturer: Nestle Qingdao Ltd.
Address: Weihai Xi Lu, Laixi City, Qingdao, P.R. China

5. Mengniu Pure Milk

6. Monmilk Breakfast Milk Walnut Milk Beverage

7. Monmilk Suan Suan Ru Sour Milk Beverage (Mango Flavour)

8. Monmilk Milk Deluxe Pure Milk

9. Yili High Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage

10. Dutch Lady Pure Milk
Manufacturer: Tianjian Dutch Lady Dairy Foods Co., Ltd.
Address: South of Dongting Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, PRC

11. Vita Fresh Milk

12. Nestle Vanilla Flavour Ice Cream Cone
Manufacturer: Nestle Tianjin Ltd.
Address: No.149 Nanhai Road, TEDA, Tianjin, PRC

13. Nestle Chocolate Flavour Ice Cream Cone
Manufacturer: Nestle Tianjin Ltd.
Address: No.149 Nanhai Road, TEDA, Tianjin, PRC

14. Meiji Ujikintoki (red bean and green tea frozen confection)
Manufacturer: Guangdong M&F- Yan Tang Dairy Products Co., Ltd
Address: Datanggang Shahe, Guangzhou, China

15. Meiji Hokkaido Azuki (red bean ice cream)
Manufacturer: Guangdong M&F- Yan Tang Dairy Products Co., Ltd
Address: Datanggang Shahe, Guangzhou, China

16. Trappist Dairy Low Fat Yogurt Drink

17. Strawberry Sorbet
Manufacturer: Xincheng Greenearth Food Co., Ltd
Address: No.62 Xingjianzhai, Huazhou Road, Pudong, Shanghai, China

18. Natural Choice Milk Ice Bar
Manufacturer: Shanghai Yili AB Foods Co., Ltd
Address: No. 269 Beidou Road, Minhang Zone, Shanghai P.R. of China

19. (Papaya Milk Drink) (350ml)

20. (Assam Milk Tea) (350ml)

21. (Carbonize Coffee) (280ml)

Pay per Click Sites

More and more people are getting into these PPC or PTC racket. Pay per click (PPC) is defined in Wikipedia as "an internet advertising model used on search engines, advertising networks, and content websites, such as blogs, where advertisers only pay when a user actually clicks on an advertisement to visit the advertisers' website."
When one reads about testimonies of members getting paid x amount monthly just makes you very interested and eager to join so you could earn extra bucks. But how easily can one earn in reality. I have received referral and invites from some of my friends so I joined some of the so called PTC sites. It was very easy to join. I created an e-mail address specifically for this and started registering. I noticed that you do accumulate points/credits/money by clicking on advertisements and participating in discussions. The question is do we get paid when we reach the minimum payout that is indicated in the sites terms of service. Most of them will pay from 1 to 1 1/2 months after every month and I am yet to receive payments from some of them. So far I have only confirmed that myLot really pay you what you have earned.


I am listing the links below for those who are interested in joining or plainly curious and would like to read more about it:

MyLot
http://www.mylot.com/?ref=Muelitz

Homepage Friends
http://www.myhpf.co.uk/apply001.asp?Friend=135986

Isabelmarco
http://isabelmarco.com/?r=muelitz

Stamp Collecting

I am now employed with a company that receives hundreds of mails a day. Most of the mails that we receive have postage stamps on it. I started to collect stamps almost 10 years ago, thanks to my late Godmother gave me some of her duplicate stamps. It encouraged me to start keeping them and put them in a binder. I left my collection in the Philippines and almost forgot about it. It is only now that I am excited once again to go back to collecting stamps because I am in a position to collect more. I hope I get a chance to get the binder I left and put them all together.

Top 10 Sexy Movie Actress Above 35 Years Old

I was so encouraged by David Letterman's Top Ten List that I decided to think of my version of it. My first top ten list is about movie actresses that I like which are over 35 years old. And here they are:

10. Pamela Anderson - Voluptuous body

9. Kim Basinger - Very sexy in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again

8. Sharon Stone - I still can picture the sexy scene she did in the movie Basic Instinct

7. Catherine-Zeta Jones - Very sexy in the movie "The Entrapment"

6. Elizabeth Hurley - I like her sexy smile

5. Halle Bery - Very sexy in X-men and Swordfish

4. Ashley Judd - Very sensuous smile

3. Demi Moore - I have been enchanted by her eyes when I saw her first in the movie Ghost where she starred together with Patrick Swayze.

2. Pheobe Cates - very sexy in the movie Paradise

1. Brook Shields - So many years after Blue Lagoon and she still looked fabulous.

Our Nikon D40X

I enjoy taking pictures whenever we go visit different places. We would never leave the house during weekends without bringing a camera. We have a Sony T7 point and shoot camera that we have used for almost 2 years now. It was very light and compact. It was very handy and we were satisfied with the quality of photos that it captures. But that was when we were taking pictures of still subjects. When we were into shooting moving objects, we were dismayed on the speed of the camera. Although you can make adjustment so that you can capture the moving subject, most of the time the picture is out of focus. Thanks to my lovely and generous wife we now own a Nikon D40x, a digital SLR. She said it was as her gift for me. It is not the top of the line but will be enough for beginners like me. Now I am able to take pictures of fast moving subjects and still get it focused. It however cannot take videos only still pictures. My problem now is how to learn and use all the features of the camera and the proper handling as well as you may notice in the picture below that I was not holding it properly.

iPod Touch - The Coolest Gadget

At this point in time, the iPod Touch is the coolest gadget I have used. It is capable of playing audio and video. It has wireless-fidelity so you can browse the internet and so many loadable applications that you can use for your specific needs. It is very useful to me especially when I commute. I listen to my favorite music on my way to work which really makes my 1 1/2 hour trip seem like 15 minutes.

Following are the specifications of the iPod Touch I use:

• Screen material: Glass
  
• Screen size: 8.9 cm
• Screen resolution: 480×320 pixels at 163 ppi, with 3:2 aspect ratio
• Input method: Multi-touch screen interface, Sleep/Wake button, Home button
• Operating system: iPhone OS
• Storage: 8, 16, or 32 GB flash memory
  • 8 GB: up to 1,750 songs, 10,000 photos, or 10 hours of video
• CPU: Under clocked 620 to 412 MHz RAM
• RAM: 128 MB DRAM
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• Built-in rechargeable, non-removable lithium battery with up to 5 hours of video playback, and up to 22 hours of audio playback, times vary.
• Size: 110×61.8×8 mm (4.3×2.4×0.31 in)
• Weight: 120 grams (4.2 ounces)
• Direct iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store access
• Widescreen video
• Included applications: Safari web browser, YouTube client, Mail client, GoogleMaps
• Widgets: Stocks, Weather, Notes

Self Marketing for the Canadian Workplace Program

I recently completed the course Self Marketing for the Canadian Workplace last August 15. I am grateful to the facilitators of the program for helping our class to successfully pass the course and share their knowledge that we could use in finding better work. It was really helpful and I am glad I attended it.

The duration of the program was 3 weeks and it was held at C O S T I training center in Mississauga. The program aims to help newcomers in Canada to overcome barriers that make it hard for immigrants to get work in their field of expertise or successfully integrate into the workplace. You will learn about:

• preparing for job interviews
• formating resumes
• Canadian work ethics
• tapping the hidden job/labor market

The list include so much more. C O S T I services is not limited to this program. There are a lot of programs and services that it offers. The following is their contact details if you wish to ask for more information:

C O S T I Employment Services for Internationally Trained Professional & Tradespeople
Address: 2150 Meadowvale Blvd.
Unit 2, Mississauga
Phone: 905-567-0482
E-Mail: internationallytrained@costi.org
Website: www.costi.org

Thomas the Tank

Aside from the stuffed toys that my kids love, the other toy they like playing is their Thomas the Tank or Train set. Most of the time we have a hard time attaching the tracks together to make loops and bridges but our being tired are overwhelmed with so much enjoyment when we see the trains go round, up and down the tracks. It is one of the best bonding moments that I have with my two boys. How I wish everyday is a weekend so we can spend this quality time often. It is nice for grown-ups like me to feel young by playing kid toys. It helps me unwind after a hard days work.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

My wife and I recently visited my brother and his wife in New York, USA. When they asked us where we would like to go, we immediately responded "we want to see the Statue of Liberty". t seems that it there is a top 3 tourist destination it will be included in the list. There were several long queues for buying tickets, waiting for the ferry and the security check before you go inside the statue but it was all worth it. It was a majestic sight and we all enjoyed it. Even my brother and sister-in-law which probably have been there for the nth time.

Statue of Liberty was a gift from France. Bartholdi, the creator, with the help of Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower planned and executed the existence of this great monument. After September 11 incident, the US government made extra effort to protect Liberty, their symbol of freedom. I remember one description from the museum inside the statue - "a door to new hope, welcoming those who are ready to accept new challenges". I was amazed how Liberty came to being. The museum explained how it was planned, gave the details of each material used and how it was built. I just suddenly became interested with history. Ellis Island was also interesting. We were told that there is a list of early immigrants there but since I know I don't have ancestors who may have been one of the first immigrants we did not bother going there.

Motorola Razor K1

I brought my Nokia 9210 communicator in USA only to find out that it uses a frequency that is not supported there. Since I will be staying for quite a long time with my brother and his wife, I decided to get one that I can use anywhere in the world. Some of the vendors call it "World Phone" others just call it "G.S.M.". Anyway after going from store to store searching for the best phone I could find that fits my budget, I decided to get the Motorola K1. It is small that can easily fit in the pocket of my pants. It is heavy unlike other phones. that are like plastic toys. Although it does not come loaded with so many features like the Blackberry, it is good enough for me.

myLot

When I had no work last May of this year, I came across myLot. It is a website where you can view the member discussions about everything you can ever imagine. You can also read about news and current events. Blog posting is also available and all of these can be tailored to anyones interest. It is also a social networking site because you can communicate with other members all around the world. And the best thing about it is that you get paid in cash via Paypal or Moneybookers for your valuable contributions. There is a minimum payout which is ten (10) USD paid after 15 days. The cut-off period is every month-end. If you do not reach the payout amount it gets carried over to the next months earnings.

I have been paid once (please see image above) and am expecting to get paid the second time after next month's cut-off. It is a good way of spending your idle time. If you are interested in joining, please click on the link below:

http://www.mylot.com/?ref=Muelitz

Stuffed Toys

We all loved stuffed toys when we were kids. Our room is full of them. "Pampa" is the name of the mascot of Pampers diapers. It's an elephant, the first stuffed toy that Aloysius received when he was still a baby. It was mailed to us by Proctor and Gamble when my wife submitted empty Pampers wrappers as proof of purchase. Since then, Aloysius called all his stuffed or furry toys Pampa, (One of Kyle's first words is also Pampa). I used to be against playing stuffed toys because it's not good for the kids health and it's a girls toy but when I realized that these toys are also their comfort toys (they can't sleep without it), I let them play as long as it is not too furry. I am now wondering when they will outgrow these toys and be interested in other toys such as remote control and computers.

CompTIA A+ Certification

I just passed 2 of the required exams specifically the IT essentials and the IT technician exams required for a CompTIA certification. I am now a A+ certified. Having landed here in Canada just April of this year I have not much Canadian work experience on my resume. Although there are a lot of work opportunities available most companies here look for professionals that have Canadian experience. I thought having a certification would boost my chances in getting a job or at least be able to get my resume noticed and be called for an interview.


I plan to get more certifications if my time and budget allow.

My Lenovo Laptop

I recently got a Lenovo laptop to use for my job search, internet browsing, blogging and what have you. I got it cheaper that what I could have paid for if I purchased it in Manila. Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law, I was able to save almost 40-50 percent of the cost. I could have saved some more if I opted for other brands such as Dell but having used an IBM now known as Lenovo for almost 5 years, I have gotten used to it and have liked its dependability and durability.

The following are the specifications of my laptop

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

15.4 WXGA TFT

Intel GMA X3100 GM965

2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)

UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)

120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm

DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim

Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)

6 cell Li-Ion Battery

Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty

So far I have no doubt in my mind that I got the right brand and and got the best deal.