Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all,

From,
Julius, Justin, Trevor and Kristen,

Cousin Lani Ayento Higginson in California

Our cousin Lani Ayento Higginson visited San Diego yesterday December 20, 2011.
I met up with her and a friend in Sea World Park down here in San Diego.

It was a quick meet up with Manang Lani
as she was in transit to meet up with other relatives
and I needed to go home quickly.

Nevertheless, we were able to had a quick hello and chat, exchange one or two
stories about our clan.

I wish we will have future get-togethers with manang Lani.

Move to California manang Lani  :-) .

-Julius

Here is a duet picture of myself and manang Lani.
or go to: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6550334941_429814828d.jpg

Family-Get Togethers 2011

Our 2011 was filled with Family Get-togethers. Last October 5, 2011, me, my siblings and our families got together at my brother Fidel's home in Sacramento to commemorate our Parent's First Year Death Anniversary or otherwise called "babang luksa" in our native in Filipino language which means the end of a year in mourning. Click on the image below to see more of our babang luksa family get-together pictures 
or go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliusweb/sets/72157627876279298/

Manong Fidel visited us in San Diego and we had a simple family dinner get-together.

On Thanksgiving 2011, I took the kids to manang Christine, kuya Chito's home in Riverside to celebrate a Thanksgiving Dinner with Calvin and Carl. Click on the image below to see more pics.

And finally, for Christmas Day the kids and I celebrated the Holiday with Kuya Raul, Joan, and their families. Click on the image below to see more pictures.

Build-A-Miracle trip to Tijuana Mexico 27NOV2011

Justin and I joined the Build-A-Miracle program.
What is Build-A-Miracle program you might ask.
It is non-profit program established in 2001,
whose aim is to build homes with the aid of charitable
donations for single mothers, widowsers who are struggling to
keep their kids in school.

The people who run and organize this project: Chris and Julianne North are members of our Parish at Saint Gregory the Great. I heard about this program several times being mentioned after Mass. Its only now that I took the bold step, time
to put on my working clothes and help out. I dragged Justin along with me.

I also wanted my 15 year old son Justin to see the poverty around him and realize the importance of helping out in the Community. To learn the Building trade apart from the video games routine he is sed to at home. I also wanted us (father and son) to learn about the religous dimension of Charity as Jesus taught us to love thy neighbor.

Click on the image below to see our trip pictures or go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliusweb/sets/72157628202119133/

PB-USA Coronation Ball 2011 pictures

PB-USA Coronation Ball 2011 pictures

Here are photos regarding our just-concluded Coronation Ball.

A day at Huntington Beach

For Labor Day 2011, I took Justin and Trevor
along with Anna to Huntington Beach in Orange County.

Justin did body boarding and rode 7 - 8 foot surfs.
Trevor waded and played along the beach.
The two dug a 6 foot hole to top it off.

Fire wasn't allowed on the Beach so we couldn't
fire up the charcoal grille to cook some food. Too bad.

All in all the two boys had fun.

Happy Birthday Auntie Charing

Happy Birthday Auntie Charing.

May this be a happy day and memorable day for you.

We love you.

Julius

Study, study, study

Its Sunday, July 10 and I have been in the house since Friday evening July 8th.

What kept me busy?

I've been studying, studying studying. I've been studying for:

• Cisco CCNA Certification Exam , a requirement at work
• Database Concepts for my schooling and
• Citrix XenApp 5 for work related skills

So much material to cover crammed in a weekend studying spree.

I'll go out this evening to attend Mass , but that's about it, back home again for more studies.

Talk to you later.

Interview of kids' Summer Vacation trip

School is done.

My kids are taking a vacation to the Philippines
this Summer 2011.

I interviewed them to find out what they felt about
taking a vacation to the Philippines
and what they think they'll do once there.

Click on the 'Play' icon below

Potato, Bacon, Sausage, and Cheese Omelet



I cooked this Omelet for Breakfast
at a recent Camping trip.

Mind you, not for myself but for the kids
I served breakfast for during the trip.
For health concerns , I can't touch this.
But for my two sons and their friends
it makes for a sumptuous breakfast served with
Pancakes or with rice.

Camping conditions are less than ideal
than when cooking in a home kitchen setting considering
that outdoors has lots of wind you have to contend
with. Sloping cooking surface means that the its hard to
spread the omelet on a griddle. Its also harder to
regulate the heat off of a Camp stove.

It took 5 minutes from the time I put this Omelet
on the table to the time the plate was empty.

Here's my recipe:

Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- 4 pieces of bacon chopped finely
- 1/2 cup Pizza Sausage
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (Mozzarella or Monterrey Jack)
- 3/4 cup cubed potatoes (boiled for 5 minutes to soften it)

Utensils used:
-flat Griddle
-Wire whisk
-spatula

Cooking Directions:
1. Place the eggs in a bowl.

2. Using a whisk or fork, beat the eggs and season with table salt.

3. Heat the Griddle and spread cooking oil on the flat surface using a spatula.

Note: Make sure the griddle is on a horizontal even surface.
If you have to use a Bubble Level to make sure its horizontal and even if you have to or simply eyeball it. This is a challenge in a Camping setting , specially if the campsite is on a sloping surface.

4. Pour the egg on the griddle surface.

5. Use your hands to evenly spread the ingredients on half side of the egg surface: sausage, bacon, potato, and cheese.

6. Using a spatula, lift and cover the half end of the surface
to make your Omelet.

7. Use the spatula to transfer the Omelet to a plate and serve with rice (with Ketchup) or with Pancakes.

8. Serve hot.

Justin and Trevor's Birthday Camping

We went Camping at Agua Caliente Hot Springs Campground
for the Memorial Weekend to celebrate Justin and Trevor's Birthday.
Agua Caliente Campground is about 20 minutes drive East of the town of Julian, here in San Diego California.

We brought along Tyler, his Mom, and brother, Cong, Casius, Marcello to the Camping trip. Kristen wasn't able to come join us for the Camping trip.

The kids enjoyed the trip pretty much. Its a testosterone filled
adventure I suppose. We went hiking through steep rocks, they played Tomahawk Ax throwing. In a sense i'm glad Kristen didn't come along. It was hot-warm during the daytime but really cold and windy at night.

Mind you, these kids had a good appetite to match their active physical activity. I had to deliver on their diet needs. Tyler's Mom helped with the cooking so that was a big help.

Its the first time I hosted a camping and cater to seven teenagers with good appetites.

Among the dishes I cooked in Camp were Chicken Fajitas, New York Steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, grilled corn, charcoal grilled burgers, Pancakes with bacon-sausage-potato omelet.

Before we left Camp, Justin gave me a hug and expressed his thanks
for hosting a memorable Camping for him and Trevor.

Its my pleasure to deliver and I'm glad Justin and Trevor had a good time.

Go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliusweb/sets/7215762676165
or click on the image below to see more pictures.

Kristen's First Communion

Kristen had her First Communion last May 15th, 2011 at
Saint Gregory the Great Parish.

Thanks to Gloria for buying Kristen's outfit and for preparing
her for the solemn Ceremony.

Myself, Gloria, Justin, Trevor, and Eaden were present at the Mass to
witness Fr. Nick Clavin give Kristen her first Holy Eucharist.

It is a memorable event , a milestone in Kristen's
spiritual Journey and her Catholic faith.

To celebrate the occasion, I took Justin, Kristen, and Trevor
to Great Moon Buffet in Pacific Beach for a Lunch Buffet.

Thanks be to God for the event.
Go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliusweb/sets/72157626605749711/
or click on the image to see her First Communion pictures.



Julius

I dont want to miss a thing

Hello dear,

I'm just thinking of you.

Its 2 AM on Monday, May 16, 2011,
staying up late, probably not going to sleep till
dawn of the new day arrives and go straight to work.

Here I am sipping black coffee to keep me awake
and I keep thinking about you.

Alam mo, while I'm staying up late burning my Midnight candle ,
and while writing our class Case Study Report,
I keep playing this song by Aerosmith - I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing in YouTube.

This song's dedicated to you.


Go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss0kFNUP4P4



to view and play the music video

I love you dear.

<3 Julius


****
Lyrics goes something like this:

Lyrics:

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Don't want to close my eyes
I dont want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you baby
And I dont want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I dont want to miss a thing

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what youre dreaming
Wondering if its me youre seeing
Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God were together
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever

Don't want to close my eyes
I dont want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you baby
And I dont want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I dont want to miss a thing

I dont want to miss one smile
I dont want to miss one kiss
I just want to be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just want to hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Don't want to close my eyes
I dont want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you baby
And I dont want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I dont want to miss a thing

Don't want to close my eyes
I dont want to fall asleep
I dont want to miss a thing

Linux in schools

Classroom setting using Linux Applications and architecture
(from Linux Bible 2010 Edition book, page 27-28)

Cost savings, flexibility, and a huge pool of applications have made Linux a wonderful alternative to proprietary systems for many schools. One project has been particularly successful in schools: the K12 Linux Terminal Server Project (www.k12ltsp.org).

K12LTSP is based on the Linux Terminal Service Project (www.ltsp.org) and Fedora (www.fedoraproject.org), but is tuned to work particularly in schools. With K12LTSP, you centralize all your school’s applications on one or more server machines. Then you can use low-end PCs (old Pentiums or thin clients) as workstations. With thin clients starting under $200 or old PCs already hanging around your school, you can service a whole class or even a whole school for little more than the cost of the servers and some networking hardware. Figure 2-5 illustrates the general
steps you would go through to confi gure a Linux LTSP sever to manage multiple workstations.

By centralizing all the school’s software on a limited number of servers, K12LTSP can offer both security (only a few servers to watch over) and convenience (no need to reinstall hundreds of Windows machines to upgrade or enhance the software). Each client machine controls the display, mouse, and keyboard, whereas all the user’s applications and files are stored on and run
from the server.

Figure below:
Configure LTSP on the server, and then boot up workstations to work from that server.



The K12LTSP distribution contains many battle-tested open source applications, including full GNOME and KDE desktops, Evolution e-mail, Firefox browser, OpenOffi ce.org offi ce suite, and GIMP image application. They also add DansGuardian (open source Web content filtering) and educational software (such as Gcompris).

If the Windows application you are looking for is not available in Linux, you can almost surely fi nd a similar Linux application. Many schools in Oregon have adopted K12LTSP, including those attended by Linus Torvalds’ children in Portland, Oregon. Adoption of K12LTSP has also begun in Atlanta, Georgia and many
other cities across the United States.

My 2011 Birthday celebration

I recently celebrated my Birthday.
Oh boy, I'm getting old. I stopped counting, he, he.

I am young at heart anyway , that's what matters :-).
I thank God for gift of life.

We celebrated my Birthday by treating
my three kids, Anna my girlfriend and Calvin my nephew
to a Dinner at Dae Jang Keum Korean BBQ Restaurant,
a local Korean BBQ restaurant that I found through Yelp.

We weren't disappointed and made me want
to explore Korean and Japanese cooking at home again.

Go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliusweb/sets/72157626174052570/


or click on the image below to see our pics:

Nice to hear from you

Im glad you were able to contact my sister Christine.

I'm glad all is well with you, Norman,
your two daughters, Ruth, and her kids as well.

Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Marico and Danielle have grown so much from the last time
I saw them, they were just little girls.
How time really flies and how they grow so fast.

Below, are our pictures.
My kids, Justin is a Freshman here in San Diego,
middle child, Trevor is in 4th grade and the
youngest is Kristen, 7 yrs. old, is 2nd grade.

Take care. And keep in touch.

-Julius

Here are our recent pictures:

1. Trip to Yosemite National Park with Justin and Trevor during the Summer of 2010:


Or go to:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4705859314_d89dfc8195.jpg


2. Trip to Las Vegas with Anna, and my kids Justin, Trevor, Kristen this Winter of 2011:


Or go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliusweb/sets/72157625710587115/

Is our High School Batch up for a reunion?

January 22, 2010 Batch mini reunion

Eric Paragas, Alfred Bajet, Jerry Laraya, Arnold Retuya,
Julius Villamater, and myself had a mini reunion at
Charles Balmaceda's Party at Chula Vista California
yesterday January 22, 2010.

One of the topics discussed during the mini-reunion is
to organize a 30th year anniversary Reunion among
US and Canada based Batchmates.

So, calling all North America based Boys High batchmates:
Are you interested to organize a 30th year Batch reunion ?

Please respond with a Yes/No.

Kindly forward this e-mail to a Batchmate I might have missed.
Thank you.

Julius
(Sinlao)

I just wanted to share Daddy's Funeral procession pictures, 10NOV2010 Mangatarem Pangasinan

Cousins, Uncles and Aunties, friends,

These pictures came in late and I apologize for the delay.
Well as the saying goes "Its better late than never".

These pictures are Dad's last trip
as his funeral procession takes him to
Saint Raymmund's Church in Mangatarem Pangasinan
and finally to his resting place at Saint John's Cemetery
in Mangatarem Pangasinan.

Click on the image or link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliusweb/sets/72157625733829674/

to view Dad's Funeral Procession pictures: