Holy Wednesday: Sunburn

The day before, I thought we were decided not to go swimming with Tootie’s (cousin about my age) girlfriend’s family, although Tootie had been inviting us. The adults in the families had several concerns, and they wanted to have our own trip at some other time.

When I woke up at 10 am, Eduard immediately approached me and told me that Mitch (Tootie’s girlfriend of 7 years) was at the house there and asked why we were not coming. With her was her niece Mika, a 3-year-old who’s close to our family. Eduard was telling me that Mika showed him her two-piece underneath her clothes and that she was looking for me. By the tone of Eduard’s voice and the look on his face, I knew he so wanted to go. My heart breaks seeing him sad, so despite a bad headache (see last paragraph of last post), I got up and told him we’ll follow Mika after lunch. I texted Tito to bring Babyline over so all the kids could go swimming.

Mom and Lola were a bit disagreeable and stressed at preparing the food with so little time. What can I do? I couldn’t disappoint those sad eyes. I just let all the litany in and out of my head and continued organizing the outing. hehe. For some reason, Ian decided not to come. There was a little bit of drama in the house. I tried talking him out of his “dramatic” state, but he wouldn’t. So Tootie, Billy, Billy’s friend, Babyline, Eduard, and I went happily to our unplanned trip (with this Sandwich song playing in my head).

Here she comes (sunburn)

Golden Island Senorita

Here she comes (sunburn)

Slow-mo freeze the frame

Here she comes (sunburn)

Do you know her name?

Though we weren’t really headed for the beach or to some Orlando vacations, the excitement in the kids’ face, especially that of Eduard’s, felt like we were going to the best vacation spot in the world.

I wasn’t really prepared for a long vacation, and I took home 2 sets of clothes as I was still planning on working on Tuesday and Wednesday, but up to that time, I’m still at the province. hehe. I left all my proper swimwear, goggles, and even decent shorts in Paranaque, so I had to wear the best pambahay I have. My swimming attire consisted of a green gartered shorts and an oversized blue shirt. No matter. I love the water! I’d still be there even if it means wearing tattered shirt (but not shorts)!

I took pictures of the kids first before swimming myself. After a few shots, I went in to the water and savored the gift of buoyancy. Sarap.

It was my first time to that place. It was a newly opened water park 45 minutes away from our house. For a 110-peso entrance, it was really worth it. The place has about 5 swimming pools, 2 of them very big. You can choose between kiddie pools and adult pools. There also covered pools and pools for those who want to bask in the sun (majority of our time was in the open pool). There are slides for kids, for adults, and for the brave. hehe.

Babyline and Eduard under the heat of the sun (they couldn’t look straight

 at the camera as I was behind the sun hehe)

they hid from the sun at this giant mushroom

Most of my time was with Babyline and Eduard as Billy and his friend had a world of their own, but from time to time, we’d come across each other. Babyline and Eduard tried the adult slide. At first, Eduard was hesitant to try it alone, and we always had to take the slide together. When he felt it wasn’t as scary as he thought, he just asked me to wait for him at the end of the slide. We did this for an hour or two, and it was tiring to go up and down the slide.

tirelessly went up and down these slides;

 the others were longer, and the yellow one was shorter but steep

Billy and his elementary friend looking out for “babes”

We decided to transfer to the covered pool when it was, ironically, no longer hot. hehe. In here, they made me their salbabida (lifesaver). Either Eduard would ask me to carry him in my back in the deeper parts of the pool, or Babyline would literally ride in my back while I swim. This was far more tiring than sliding. Bad idea to transfer pool. hehe. Or both of them would cling to whatever part of my body while I swim around. I didn’t mind though, I love swimming anyway (and I love them!).

While Eduard was on a true salbabida, I was teaching Babyline how to swim. She was a fast-learner. She learned flutter kick in no time, but had a little difficulty with the hand movements of freestyle. Eduard wanted to learn too, but he’s not ready yet to let go of the salbabida. Maybe some other time. Meanwhile, Billy was horseplaying with his friend. It’s amazing how he can jump high into the pool with his enormous weight. People were clearing the pool whenever he’s about to jump. They’re afraid Billy might land on them and die. hehe.

When I had the chance to get away for a few minutes from Eduard and Babyline when I entrusted them to Tootie, I took the longest and fastest slide. It was thrilling! I would have repeated it again and again if only Eduard wasn’t asking me to pull him around the pool while he’s on his salbida. Now, I’m a horse. hehe.

It was already dark when we all got up. I think I was the adult who stayed sooooo long in the pool. Even if my two charges weren’t with me, I think I would have stayed the same length of time, if not longer. I like floating in the water; it relaxes me and gives me joy. But seeing the kids enjoy in the water gives a joy much more genuine.

ala-band cover pose; look at Billy and his friend emoting too much hehe

Eduard: here’s the pool nearest our cottage and where I stayed a lot

Babyline: here’s where I burned my skin

Billy: yahoo! here’s where I found hot babes!