Nike Shox TL IV Metallic

Got this kicks from the Nike outlet store at Buffalo NY. Paid less than USD 50 including taxes. Now being worn after it was purchased more than five years ago.

Voltes V Memorabilia T-Shirt

When I was young, Voltes V is my favourite robot anime. It is a Japanese anime television series that was aired on Philippine television in the early 1980's. I got this t-shirt 20 years after.

Home Insurance

During the time we were looking for a house, I canvassed for the cheapest home insurance that we can get. That time TD insurance was the cheapest. It was several hundred dollars less than what my preferred insurer RBC. I prefer to get it from RBC because it is where I have all my financial accounts. I was happy with the premium I paid for the first year with TD insurance.

I found out that the happiness was shortlived. Like everything else, the premium increases every year. On this third year of my renewal, I again canvassed rates from other companies I did not call before. I got a quote that was $150 lower than what I was going to pay TD so I changed my insurance provider to CAA.

There is a caveat:My Home and auto will not be insured by TD insurance, which results in loosing my multi-product discount. In effect my auto insurance will go up in which based on my calculation would total more than what I would save by transferring my home insurance. However, come December when my auto insurance expires, I can move it to CAA as well. Hopefully, when that happens, I will get a multi-product discount and realize the savings I was anticipating from this change.

Protect Yourself from Harmful Sun Rays

It is summer once again. Students are on a long break and a lot of them are engaged in summer activities that require staying under the sun. Although physical activities are good for everyone, we must be very careful not to expose our skins too much to the Suns harmful ray.

Following are some steps from Canada's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care newsroom (Release - July 12, 2014 9:00 a.m.) to protect yourself from harmful sun exposure:

• Using sunscreen - SPF 30 or higher -- and reapplying at least every two hours or after swimming or sweating a lot, even on cloudy days.
• Limiting time spent in the sun, especially between 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.
• Wearing the right gear, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and light clothing to cover the skin.
• Staying in the shade or indoors, especially during heat alerts; find air-conditioned spaces, including malls, libraries and specially designated community facilities.
• Drinking a lot of water, even before you feel thirsty.

Friday Photo Flashback - July 11, 2014

This is the first selfie that I had after moving to Toronto. This was taken around May 2008 on the conference room of Armadale Property Management. I was waiting for my interviewer to come. This is also the first job interview I have. I was eventually offered the job. However, it did not last. I have to leave after working for a month. The image is kind of blurry. It was taken using a cellphone with a low resolution camera.

Kite Flying Time...

Kyle got a kite from school on their last day which was Friday. The weather was nice the following day and there seemed to be winds strong enough to fly a kite. The kids and I decided to go to the field near our house and try to fly the kite.

Friday Photo Flashback - July 4, 2014

Aloysius when he was less than a month old.

Alexus` Basketball Moves...

My youngest is showing some signs that he might play basketball. He seems to have learned some moves that I learned only when I was a teenager (what a very very late bloomer). I hope he learns a lot more and be a good player someday.

Celebrating Canada Day with Molson Canadian 67 Beer...

Went to the beer store to get some beer. Got 12 bottles of Molson Canadian 67 light beer as well as pack of Molson's Summer Trio. The summer trio pack includes each of the three Molson Canadian 67 flavours including the flagship beer along with their Sublime and new Tangerine Twist. All of the flavours are very refreshing. It does not contain too much alcohol which is exactly what my wife and I like.