Hi guys! I found this group photo taken inside Kamshing II Restaurant. The Manotick Gang was missing last Saturday when went to Kamshing for late night dinner after the Himig Concert. L-R: Marv and Len, Tim behind Len, Tito Lits with Trish, Aubrey (daughter of Marv and Len), Nil with arms around Rosie (Patosie), Mom and Dad. Paul was taking the picture.

Happy Birthday Greetings!!

Happy Birthday Nick Nick

Happy Birthday Timmy

Yahoo! News - Armstrong to Decide on Tour De France in April

Yahoo! News - Armstrong to Decide on Tour De France in April"The six-time Tour de France winner added that unlike in past years he would not begin the season with the Tour de France as his sole goal. Instead, he will begin 2005 racing in the classic events before deciding whether to race in France in July.

'It's definitely a departure, not focusing from the beginning of the year...on the Tour,' Armstrong, 33, said at a news conference after the official presentation of his team under a new sponsor -- the Discovery Channel.

'But the good news is that if you train for the classics and try to ride the classics...you will advance your form far enough that at least you will not be trying to play catch up.

'I plan on having a good training camp...and evaluating in April, late April,' he added."

Rest of the story >>>>

Yes, we are "still crazy after all these years" :-), says a line from a Simon and Garfunkel song. We thank the Lord God Almighty for blessing us with 28 years of marriage, still crazy for each other :-); we've had our share of elevator trips (ups and downs), part of the maturing and growth process, "we've made it through the rain" (says a Barry Manilow song). Wow!! 28 years and counting. By the way, today is Elvis Presley's birthday too (January 8), my sister Rosie (a big Elvis Presley fan) reminded us.

At our table was, L-R: Rosie (sister), aka Rosie Patosie (according to her nieces and nephews), Wena, Paul, Pam, Allen, and Trish.

Our Happy 28th Wedding Anniversary treat. Yes, Tita Nil and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary today by attending a concert and capping the evening with a late dinner at Kamshing Restaurant with loved ones. Right after the "One Voice" Concert of the "Himig Singers" from Davao City, Philippines, we headed to one of our favorite Chinese Restaurant here in Montreal, Kamshing, on Van Horne and Victoria Ave. Dad who was under the weather could not make it. L-R, front row: Tito Lits, Tita Nil, Pilo, Bebot, Mom. L-R, back row: Ashley, future son-in-law Allen (Pam), Trish, Wena, Rosie, and Pam. Paul (son) was not in the photo; he was the one who took the photo. To our blogger friends, Trish and Pam are my daughters, and Paul is my son.

Everyone was in a picture taking, posing, mood even though we were all hungry. While waiting for our orders we snapped photos, flashers flashing, paparrazzi in the house :). Here are, L-R: Anna (Nick's wifey), Nick (brother), Grace (sister), and Chanty (sis-in-law, wife of brother Freddie). That's Pam and Wena at the back waltzing their way back to the table from the toilette. Looks like they are much relieved :-)

We called ahead just to be sure the restaurant was still open. We reserved two tables, total of 21 people, yes, 21 hungry people :-). In this photo we have, L-R, front row: Neil (nephew, son of sister Grace), Tito Lits, Tita Nil, Pilo (cousin), Bebot (Pilo's wifey), Mom (Tito Lit's mom). Second row, L-R: Johnny (son of Freddie and Chanty), Chanty (sis-in-law, wife of Freddie), Freddie, aka Pidong (brother), Ashley (daughter of brother Nick who is taking a photo), Allen, Trishy (mon daughter), Wena (sister), Rosie (sister), Pam (daughter), Nikki (niece, daughter of Anna and Nick), Anna (sis-in-law, wife of Nick) and Grace, aka Ging-Ging (sister).

Guess who is hitting the Big 50 very soon?

Three generations: Dad, Pauly, Tito Lits aka Pauly's Dad :-) and to our right is my baby girl, MVP, Trish with cousins Aubrey, Ian (on floor) and Neil.

We all certainly could use some exercise and working out to sweat some of pounds away. Always great to be with loved ones.

Lots of left over dishes from the Noche Buena. L-R: Tito Lits, Bebot, Mom, Lenny, Pilo, Nil, Marv, Rosie, Mike and Wena, and Ging-ging (white sweater).

Christmas Day at Mike and Wena's (our baby sister, the youngest). Lenny belting out a song with Marv, Tito Lits with Tita Nil, Rosie aka Rosie Patosie singing harmony.

Good morning! Bright sunny day in Montreal!

Good morning fellas! Hope you are all feeling good!

Paul and Uncle Pilo riding with LA, you know, LA, 6 time TDF champ :-)

Who is that glowing in the background?



Dr. Pil in his reflectorized suit

Looking forward to a sunny, mild, dry (roads) day to ride outside. Riding outdoor obviously does not compare to riding indoors on your trainer or roller. I miss the fresh air blowing against my face; I should have said, fresh freezing air, during this time, but it's OK.

Collection of photos from Old Montreal, around the vicinity of the Old Port of Montreal

Yahoo! News - Scientists: Volcano Could Swamp U.S. with Mega-Tsunami

Yahoo! News - Scientists: Volcano Could Swamp U.S. with Mega-Tsunami

MADRID (Reuters) - A wall of water up to 55 yards high crashing into the Atlantic seaboard of the United States, flattening everything in its path -- not a Hollywood movie but a dire prophecy by some British and U.S. academics. { More }

New Year's Day at Mike and Aimee's

Guess what we were doing on New Year's Day?

After some food, and some more food, and more :) we entertained ourselves, as usual, singing along with the karaoke system.

Pilo and Bebot brought their brand new state of the start system, 30,000 songs, cordless mics, and all that jazz.

There's, l-r: Tita Bebot flying away, Pito and Jojo, Pilo in control of the remote, Aimee with Erika with a K, Tito Lits and Rosie at the back.

We were not able to come to the New Year's Eve party. We had the leaking roof to deal with. The party was at my brother Mike's new place in Dorion (basement still have to be finished). Thanks Mike and Aimee!!

Tsunami News Updates

Tsunami News Updates

News and information updates on the South East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami.

Yahoo! News - Devastating Asian Tsunami Darkens World's New Year

Devastating Asian Tsunami Darkens World's New Year

Yahoo! News - Devastating Asian Tsunami Darkens World's New Year
"Even the gods are crying," said one hotelier in the city of Batticaloa. From Buddhist monks in robes to Tamil Tiger rebels, Sri Lanka stopped to mourn and canceled New Year celebrations.
rest of the article >>>>

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even our roof is crying- drip, dripping away, just as if to remind us to welcome the new year reflecting on how we can help our hurting brothers and sisters in South Asia, welcoming the new year humbling seeking the Lord's mercy and grace in prayer - Tito Lits

What's up with you

Emptying my thoughts on to my blog

Train the trainer

The bike trainer was out of commission for a couple of days. It was making noise and the tension adjustment mechanism was not functioning properly. Paul had the patience to open it up and fixed the problem. Bravo! Paul.

Drip, drip, drip of another kind

I'm talking about the drip, drip of coins from the slot machines.

Nil and I had dinner the other night at one of the restaurants in the Casino Montreal. We were told that the food was good, free parking, live band to entertain, and some people watching (for a research project :-) ).

After a sumptuous buffet dinner we went around the casino floor to browse around. Wall to wall machines of various kinds. My focus was on the people, the expression on their faces, this desire to win, at the cost of having less and possibly losing whatever they hadbefore they went there. It was an interesting "people observing, watching" visit for me. I don't think we'd want to go back there, other than maybe for a show or dinner, which was superb. Well, maybe, maybe, a couple of donations into one of the thousands of slot machines there (hehehehe).

Drip, drip, drip of the watery kind

As we speak, or should I say, as I enter the keystrokes, water is dripping in different sections of our home, again. Milder temperature today, and tomorrow, coupled with ice and snow on the room makes a not so welcome combination at the moment. Can't complain much- it could be worse. I can just think of our poor brothers and sisters in the part of the world that's been hit and affected by the terrible tsunami; it makes this dripping roof situation pale by comparison to what they are going through right now. Yes, as the Christian hymn said, "count your blessings, name them one by one".

Welcoming the new year

We have a "Watch Night Service" (I'll have to check with those who have been with the church longer why it's called that) at the church tonight at 7:00pm. Prayers for the victims and families of the victims of the tsunami disaster will be a priority.

Later on in the evening, if all is well and the leaks and drips are under control, we'll be heading to Mike and Aimee's new home in Dorion for the Espinosa Family New Year's Eve Party.

SAFETY AND MEDICAL TIP- Stroke, HEART ATTACK, Self HELP

SAFETY AND MEDICAL TIP

Stroke?

This might be a lifesaver if we can remember the three questions!

Is it a Stroke?

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say any bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
* Ask the individual to smile.
* Ask him or her to raise both arms.
* Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

HEART ATTACK. Self HELP
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. Read this... It could save your life!!
Let's say it's 6.15 P.M. and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset, and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself.

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE.
Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before becoming unconscious. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. Tell as many people as possible about this. It could save their lives!!

BE A FRIEND AND PLEASE SEND THIS ARTICLE TO AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE.