Growing Upright

Soon, my children will not look up to me. The kids are growing up, and for the vertically challenged members of the Borra family, it's a welcome development.

They're also growing up right, at least in the sense that they feel a keen sense of responsibility for one another and the people around them. Before, whenever we entered a toy store, Tina and I would always remind the kids that "We can play with the toys, but we have to leave them behind so other little boys and girls can play with them," thinking that it would save us from having to buy them toys in the first place. I was delighted with that approach because it was, at least for me, a harmless scam that ought to buy us some time until the kids are old enough to support their recreational activities by taking on part-time jobs.

But the last time that we went to a toy store, Juan and his brother Manuel showed just how much they have grown. To my surprise, it was Juan who reminded his younger brother Manuel that "we can only play and not buy, because other boys and girls will play with them after we're done". Manuel, in turn, proceeded to tell the same thing to his younger sister, Lucia.

I'm not sure just how much they understood what it was they were doing, but it was gratifying nonetheless. Sometimes, we get so caught up in buying things that we forget to enjoy them. And seeing the kids play with, and more importantly, take care of the toys they played with was a reminder of that. It is good to have things, but it is more important to enjoy what we have.

The kids are growing up right. They throw themselves into everything they do with a reckless joy normally reserved for the welcoming of prodigal sons. And when they grow old enough, if they continue to exude the infectious love and laughter that I saw that day in the toy store, their father will happily look up to them.

A New Look!

One of my favorite verses from the Bible comes from Proverbs 4:23, which reminds me "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

And so, as I digest the wonderful events of the past two weeks, allow me to welcome you to the new look of my blog with pictures of those whom I guard with all vigilance.

Juan

Manuel

Lucia

Carmen

I would have loved to post a picture of my wife, Tina, but I am so "damned in a fair wife" the inevitable comparison to the Moor of Shakespearean lore would merely draw unseemly attention to my honored state.

Peace!

New Year at Poro Point

It suddenly occurred to me that I am probably less skilled at conveying a sense of wonder about places than I am at conveying a sense of wonder about books and ideas. Or perhaps I do not bore people as much when I write about places than when I write, to pretentious and unwittingly sad, sardonic effect, about books and ideas. Nevertheless, and with the aid of several clumsily composed and executed pictures, allow me to describe the quiet little refuge that is Poro Point.


As one who secretly feels pity for expatriates who gush at the slightest hint of a tropical paradise that their Western upbringing has not prepared them for, I have high standards for idyllic tropical getaways. From my room, the view of the South China Sea is spectacular. As such, I am reluctant to even post pictures of the view. But an honest sense of shame at my ineptitude often escapes me, and so here is poorly composed, badly lit, and otherwise awful shot of what the view must be like at sunset.


Since I have three water-logged, yet beach-starved children, a safe yet accessible swimming area is a must. My children and I were not disappointed by their charming Mediterranean-inspired pool or the quaint little beach which is nestled to the right of the pool, cosseted by cliffs. It's the sort of lazy, comforting, sun-worshipping setting that practically demands a mojito.


The food might not invite comparison to decidedly gourmet fare, but is satisfying both in terms of taste and variety. The menu offers a good balance of Continental, Italian and Filipino fare. There is also a kiddie menu with the requisite junior sized burgers, pasta and chicken meals, none of which can successfully pry buoyant youngsters from the water for very long.

Lastly, I must commend the resort for providing free hi-speed internet access and wifi which is so much faster than what I enjoy at home that I've successfully downloaded more cult classics and rarities than I've had all year. An unexpected, yet welcome treat.

I pray that you receive the new year with the warmth and subtle sense of spectacle that good cheer brings. Enjoy!

Storytelling Fun!

In the Borra household, finding common activities that are fun and involve the entire family is akin to finding the Holy Grail, and not in the fun, Monty Python sense. But the Lord is kind and merciful. Every once in a while, despite the hectic schedules that my wife and I keep, and the general level of sustained playfulness that our kids are capable of maintaining, we find ourselves in that special place where all we have to do is be thankful for the opportunity and enjoy our blessings.

Last night, prior to evening prayers, the family enjoyed the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine before going to bed. I haven't the foggiest what the adventures of Thomas were, but I remember everyone, at one point or the other, rolling around in laughter. My second son Manuel, in particular, is sometimes difficult to please. But when he is happy, the purity of his joy is wonderful to behold. Have a blessed day!

5:17 am: When Miracles Happen

A long, long time ago, miracles would happen at around 5:17 am. Despite the heavy carousing of the night before, miraculously, I would be crawling into my bed, dreaming of next weekend's gimmick.

Nowadays, miracles still happen at around 5:17 am. Only this time, it happened almost, ala Whitney Houston, all at once. Lucia, of course, is no stranger to the wee hours of the morning. In fact, in the Borra household, she practically invented the late-night, early-morning gimmick. Manuel and Juan, however, normally wake up a little later, a serendipitously scheduled awakening that allows their parents time to gently nudge them into the different activities that will help them get fed and ready for the day's activities.

Not today though. Miracles happen at around 5:17 am. And today, they all came crawling into our bed.

Life is good!

Milestones

Last week, I tried on a pair of my old work pants (the ones that I used when I was still teaching in the University) and discovered, to my horror, that I could barely fit into them. My waist size, which used to be as fixed and constant as the Northern Star, went all crazy on me. I suppose life with a 28-inch waist does augur well for things to come, but I can't help but pine for the good old days when I could joyfully claim a 26-inch waistline. Oh well.

In the meantime, allow me to share some positive milestones in my life. True to form, these milestones are all centered on my family. Comic book geeks who can't wait for another article from Benjamin Loong will have to wait till the end of the week.

Please check out the pictures from Juan and Manuel's Culminating Activity at Teacher Marlene J. Villegas Preschool here and here. Enjoy!

Driving us Crazy?

Against our better judgment, we happily made that mad, mad, decision to take our boys to Ocean Park. Words cannot express the sheer heroism involved. Tina changed Manuel's diaper in a public toilet literally bursting with irate mothers and their little darlings. While Tina refuses to recount that horror, the silence that met her departure trumpeted her triumph. And no, I don't think I exaggerate.

My heroism was more prosaic: running around with Juan, lugging the strollers, creating paths where none existed. But I suppose even that might be considered heroic, especially for the boys, whose idea of heroism is as simple as a bottle of milk and as pure as a pair of new diapers.

Check out my Multiply for pics. Enjoy!

Flight of Angels

My sons, Juan and Manuel, finally took to flight...together. Sadly, the holiday season has become almost unbearably busy for us, mostly due to the many kind souls who graciously shared their time and bounty with our little family. Yet, as the Gospel according to Luke would put it, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few..." Despite our joy at being the recipients of so much goodwill, we simply had to beg off and whisk ourselves out of the country.

In lieu of our presence this Christmas, might I offer the prospect of pictures of us this blessed holiday season? Consider this thoughtful offer my little way of spreading some good cheer: you get to see us at our best and happiest from the comfort of your homes. We get to rest, and to borrow (most outrageously) from Shakespeare's Hamlet, "flights of angels sing thee to thy rest". Merry Christmas from the Borra Family! Pictures to come at my Multiply.

Death to Viral Pneumonitis! And, We're Back!

First of all, my family and I would like to extend our gratitude to all the people who offered prayers and sent much love our way during Juan and Manuel's medical crisis. Death to viral pneumonitis, and, to a certain extent, roseola infantum, which most Filipinos know as tigdas hangin. We still have to separate the boys as they might infect one another, but the worst (hopefully) has passed, and Tina and I are breathing a little easier. The constant state of emergency that we had gotten used to has simmered into an almost joyful acceptance of the constant state of chaos that Juan prefers to living room area to be in. Which means, of course, that Tina and I are loving every messy minute of it all. Again, many thanks to all our friends and loved ones!

Kawayan Cove!

It's been sometime since I updated my Multiply site, so when my family (with the happy inclusion of my dad) were invited to head on over to celebrate Analou Puyat-Lacson's birthday at Kawayan Cove, I decided to throw everyone a bone and post pictures of the momentous occasion in which Manuel finally got to breathe some sea air, and Juan got to perform and preen in front of a captive audience. Click here for pictures of Juan, Manuel, and maybe, just maybe, their papa as well. Enjoy!

From Gallipoli to Victory

Last night, my son, Juan woke up his mama, Tina, to complain of an itching sensation. Naturally, Tina went right to the heart of the problem and concluded, with all the grim determination of the Joint Chief of Staffs during the Vietnam Conflict, that she would have to administer anti-allergy medicine to alleviate Juan's distress.

Of course Juan, like any other hyperactive two year-old who had been conditioned to view all medicines as "yucky" and all cockroaches as "funny" would rather play with a cockroach than gulp down his medicine. Which he tried to do, to the consternation of the roaches who happened to be in the vicinity of our bed. Thus began a long, epic battle of wills between parents and the parented. Juan kicked, screamed, squirmed, and in the end, hissed and spat. Mama ducked, while Papa was covered in dollops of medicinal vomit. Eerily, visions of Peter Weir's classic movie on the Battle of Gallipoli featuring a young Mel Gibson, Gallipoli , flashed through my mind, along with other such classically inspired military debacles.

But Juan had spat out his last. Weakened, and perhaps awed by Mama and Papa's resolve (No, it was probably because he was weakened; I must consciously remind myself to avoid the pitfalls of all conquerors who seek to rewrite history), Juan grudgingly agreed to gulp down his medicine. Victory! Wait, wasn't that a cheesy, yet indelibly and unabashedly feel-good movie starring Pele and Sylvester Stallone? What the heck. Mama and I settled down to watch CSI: NY. I must remember to upgrade the software on my stream of consciousness ruminations...

Photo Credits:
Picture of Victory comes courtesy of IMDB.