In a Race that Matters

Our trip to Islos Bonitos was a relaxing experience. Hubby and I were able to unwind and rest our weary minds far, far away from the grinding heat , pressures and tension of rat race living in the metropolis. Oh, how it felt good to breathe fresh air, how soothing was the cool and musty sea breeze enveloping our jetlagged bods, how invigorating were the nutritious and sumptuous meals we all feasted on. Indeed, life on this side of the globe is a far cry from the topsy-turvy jungle of Manila. Its rustic charms and unrelenting beckons seem too hard to resist now. And what of the chima-chima ? The kids could not have enough of the food. Yummy treats for the gastro-adventurists abound. Grind, grind, grind. Our tummies never stopped chomping. The kids frolicked in the pristine waters for two days and marvelled at colourful corals, sea urchins and starfish aboard Tito’s ever-reliable boat. At night, Kuya belted his trademark videoke pieces –“Don-don, Beat it, Complicated” while t...

The kids and I have been scouring the libraries in this fascinating city-state. So far, we’ve been to Geylang, Toah Payoh and Esplanade. We also took a peep at the PasirRis library located in a mall beside the MRT station. If you are a book lover, you will find the public libraries here an oasis—a place where one can drink deeply from the fountain of knowledge, be mentally refreshed and reinvigorated. To me, a library (well, I refer at least to any library here) is the only prison cell I look forward to being caged in. You enter a fledgling and you leave the door an eagle, raring to flap your wings across the sea of life and towards the vast expanse of the limitless skies. Yum,yum. I practically drool over the books I missed reading when I was young--- fairy tales, myths, folk tales, adventure and what-have-you. With a plethora of books and audiovisuals at your fingertips, who says homeschooling can’t be done? This leads me to feel sorry for the deplorable state of the universit...

The boys and I had a field day. We train hopped for City Hall, Dhoby Gout, Simei, Tampines and Pasir Ris.This aside from the circuitous bus ride we had going to Toah Payoh on our way to the library. We also strolled along Orchard, spent time at Ngee Ann and Wisma--shopping havens of the high-heeled. Well, I did try going out in a girlish outfit with matching heeled sandals from Manel's. The result? I had leg cramps when I hit the hay. Was down for two days after a half day of catwalk. Good thing my older son volunteered to give me a full-body massage last night. He smothered my weary bod with Bengay. Was lulled to sleep, with his labor of love. Good work,son.

Welcome back, twins. You've been on a four-month hiatus from blogging. Haven't you missed racking your brains trying to document moments of the "mist?" Do you think by putting off writing,err, blogging, you can get away with it? Nope. Been on holiday. Gotten into battle of wits against the simple (read: fools). Got stuck with domestic concerns. My hands were full, actually. A day never passed without coco exercise. Just scan through this list. 1. November --- The vagabonds were back to Mom's birthtown. We returned just in time for granny's 74th birthday celeb. After spending eight weeks in the pollution-free city-state, the kids crinched being greeted with the smog, noise and helter skelter of Manila. Orvik's skin asthma resurfaced, so march to the province did we, where the rustic ambience soothed our weary senses. 2. December -- First week we visited Aunti fashionista at MS after undergoing TAHBSO. By golly, the mas...

Whew, I have been caught up in the swirl and tyranny of the urgent. Blogging has taken a backseat for a while. I may not have been that faithful in writing (uggh. I can feel needle pricks in here) but whoa, there are lots to be thankful for for the first half of the year. 1.) Family Trips The Flores fam went on a three-day furlough to Baguio in January. We hopped in our five-year old,still reliable L3 on a road trip to Central Luzon, briefly passing by Philrice where Dad had to follow-up on the rice varieties he, as representative as Advanta, had tested. We also met up with Ate Evelyn B and spent our lunch with her and her two lovable boys. Baguio? It's still a wonder to me despite the obvious congestion and the growing pollution.Establishments-big and small have mushroomed just about anywhere. Tourism there is indeed alive and bustling. Of course, we let the kids enjoy Baguio's sights -- Mines View, Burnham Park, Wright Park, Camp John Hay (where we strol...

Last Saturday, Rovik surprised dad and me when he informed us that he already organized the kiddie members of his Sunday School for a swimming class. We were even more surprised when just a few minutes later, the kids started to arrive complete with their back packs and 'baon', all set to go swimming. Caught flatfooted, Jing and I decided to go to Walter to buy a pack of spaghetti and some food stuff as instant baon to feed the kids after swimming. We brought the kids to Laguna Hotspring at around 2pm.Gosh, the boys scampered right away and jumped into the pool without bothering to change into their swimming gears.The girlie girls-- Kayla and KC, however, changed into their swimsuits and put on borrowed floaters before they frolicked. My boys, Rovik and Orvik who are both permanent fixtures in the pool (that the owner decided to just let them swim for free day in and day out) had a blast as well. Rovik showed his fine form doing the strokes he likes best --Breast stroke...

It's been almost two weeks since our team-building activity at Dalampasigan Beach Resort. Gosh, my head's still spinning and reeling from the fun (a.k.a. enjoyment) of having to sing my heart out and savoring the soothing waters at 3am with my brainstorming pals. After eight years of being myopic with the hubby and kids, I finally got to mingle in school-girl fun with fellow aging work buddies. Away from domestic concerns (thanks for a considerate hubby!), I felt like an eagle that's been trapped in a gilded cage, raring to flap my wings and soar up the limitless expanse. Oh, I didn't realize there could me much fun outside of my homeschool environs. I felt like I was thirteen again complete with the giggles, sighs and excitement especially during the videoke session where, I learned, after 13 years, FNTI has so much talent in the entertainment department. I swooned over mr. balladeer, laughed at lyrics-swallowing mr.tipsy, turned jelly-eyed with the singing c...