All clear!

Dad's been out of the hospital for a few days now and taking it easy at home. I've spoken to him and he sounds better than he's been in a long time. He said they've returned to their 'walking the mall' routine and has been getting enough rest. Way to go Dad!!!

Dad's In The Hospital

Wednesday morning, I receive a text from Eline that Dad had been admitted for irregular heartbeats. He complained about them and thought he needed to check into the hospital. Almost immediately, he was admitted to ICU and needed to wait for the doctor to see him first thing the next morning. The preliminary ECG tests showed normal and he was given meds to relax him since his stresses cause his heart to respond negatively. Mom stayed with him in the hospital overnight.

The next day, he stated he was feeling better and was adamant he be released but the caregivers advised him otherwise pending the doctor's assessment. He was given another batch of tests and he passed them easily.

Dad visited his doctor prior to his 90th b-day bash and was told then that he will need a pacemaker. He refused to do the procedure and deferred it until after the party. This time, the doctor did not even mention a pacemaker and he was relieved of this. He will stay in the hospital a day or two more.

Mom on the other hand is very nurturing and we had to make sure we watch her as well. I advised Uli and Eline to watch over her; make sure she's eating and getting rest whenever possible. I even advised that if she did not want to leave the hospital to make sure she walks and visit the nursery - sort of a relaxing strategy.

Brothers and Sisters

Me, Chitchi, Eline, and Uli.

The Taboras

This is our latest and greatest; taken during Dad's 90th b-day bash in Manila.

Clockwise from left: Cris, Uli, Eline, Me, Lelen, Ruffy, Eline, Joel, Dad & Mom.

-- for more - www.jmtdallastx2.blogspot.com

1977 Tennis Championships on TV

My normal routine at the end of the day either by phone or in person is to ask my wife how her day had been. Given that she's an attorney, there may be times I don't understand the process or processes of law but I'm always intruiged and interested to hear about them. Yesterday was different. She came home to find me watching the Tennis Channel (as I normally do) and inquired what I find interesting with really old tennis programs. This line of questioning is not new to me. She just does not understand what I see in it. I explained to her that one of the players I'm watching is Rod Laver who was number #1 in the 60's and 70's. This was before my time (in a sense) -I was about 15 or 16 when this match was played. My sister actually nailed it - 'what your wife does not understand is that tennis in those days were pure - all talent, unlike today where your equipment actually helps you'; your wooden racket had gut for strings with normal tensions of 55 lbs when nowadays they hover between 65-80 lbs. Back then you had to be creative and actually had to play good in order to beat your opponent. Today, if you can hit the ball 143 miles per hour, chances are you opponent can do the same. Though impressive to watch, the game of finesse has all but disappeared.

She gets dressed and proceeds to do laundry. I had spoken to her earlier that evening when she was headed to Katharine's basketball meeting and she mentioned she was hungry then. She prepares a dinner plate and walked towards the playroom where I motioned for her to sit next to me. She immediately informs me that she was upset to see me watching 'old tennis' while our daughter was in another room. She also stated that she asked her co-workers what they thought of by telling them of my 'old programs' habit. I didn't realize that my watching old tennis programs had been bothering her -a lot! I was insulted! I stood up and told her that I happen to like it so why can't she accept it?

Do people normally get upset with others when Cary Grant is on? Do they normally get upset when they come across TMC on TV? What about old episodes of Star Trek? What about Friends? I don't get it. The next time she watches 'National Treasure' for the hundredth time should I get upset? ... maybe I should...

I should have written this awhile back..

.. if my parents find out.. of course they eventually would since they read this blog. What am I referring to? My Honda Shadow VT750. I'm posting this now so I can come clean when I see them soon.

Though my idea of cruising is a 35-40 mph ride, (so I can stop at Starbucks when I feel like it) that would not fly with my parents because they have always been against motorcycles - I think we have friends or relatives that have had accidents. I'll probably hear about it as soon as I get there..

Oh, did I mention I have an affinity for skulls too?.. skull shirts, stickers, key chains. Heck, my bike key is a skull. Man, being raised roman catholic by parents who in addition are superstitious, I wonder what they would say to that too.. I'm thinking what else I have in the attic that needs to come out?

The Goose goes to camp!

Yesterday, the goose left to go to a 5-day camp in West Texas. This is the longest she will be away from home; definitely from Kelly whose always with her on out-of-town trips. The longest time Katharine's been away from Kelly was when she and I went on our Hawaiian trip a couple of years ago. This time, she is away from both of us; in a camp which Kelly went to herself when she was younger. I was a bit nervous to see her off yesterday since I knew she was headed to a place where she did not know anybody but know that there will be fun enjoyable stuff to do while she's there. Last week through yesterday, I would tell her that she will enjoy this week finding and making new friends, doing horseback-riding, canoeing, hiking,.. whatever else they do at camp. I also told Kelly to motivate the goose and not show sadness that she is going away for a length of time because that might make the goose feel homesick even before she left; not to mention get scared of what might be out there. In the end, I knew that sooner or later Katharine will do or go to places that neither mom and dad are invited and will have to fend for herself. But as with any of us, the experience of doing things on our own just needs and will eventually happen.

Pics from camp: http://www.bunk1.com/template/gallery.aspx?op=6&form_camp_id=7714&userid=1481543&perpage=1&Page=1