A Year Older

28 Apr

You know you ARE getting old when on that special day, you end up seeing the doctor! In my case, it was actually the dentist (the doctor is another story, another time!). Yesterday was that milestone day, but it didn’t feel special. I had to see the dentist as soon as possible because the filling in the back molar tooth fell off.

Actually, it was the second time. There was a small gap from two weeks ago when a tiny piece fell out. And the irritating gap has become bigger with this new mishap. I even started a food storage in there!

A day earlier, the latest unfortunate incident occurred when I was eating some fruits after dinner! How terrible is that? Not from biting on something hard, but a soft fruit. Duh.

A year older these days is not something to celebrate, although age is just a number. Of course, there was the usual birthday trip (we went to Ipoh and Damai Laut for golf with friends last week) and dinners to celebrate, but this year, nothing too fancy or extravagant.

Nevertheless, I had my fair share of cakes this year, and I even bought myself a present! Why not? And I’d like to think, although older, not necessarily wiser. It’s too much for the brain cells, mine at least. Hahahaha. As long as I’m healthy and stay healthy, this matters more than gaining new knowledge and wisdom. Dinosaurs cannot take things for granted and must prioritize health above all.

So here’s wishing myself a very happy birthday, and stay healthy!

Happy birthday to me!

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Taking a Break

24 Apr

We decided to take a break from everything, especially the stress of worrying about when my DIY pinball machine package will arrive.

At the start of the week, on Monday, we escaped to Ipoh with some friends for golf, and I did not have the chance to post anything until I returned.

The following day, we continued our getaway to Damai Laut for two more rounds of golf. The small group was enjoyable, the weather was lovely, and the food was delicious. Having the buggy on course for all three rounds, the golf was not tiring at all. What more could we ask for?

Interestingly, we had shopping opportunities in Ipoh and Sitiawan, and we were happy to contribute to boosting the local economy.

However, in the blink of an eye, the four days flew by, and we are back home to our usual routine and extreme heat. This morning, I decided to cancel the DIY pinball machine order because there have been no further updates on its status, other than that the package is packed and waiting for delivery. Hrmph.

I have been waiting for over a month since placing my order on March 22nd. And each time I inquire about its status, I receive repetitive messages stating that my order has passed the stated delivery date, information I already know and don’t need to be reminded of constantly! Initially, I tried to be patient and understanding, but it has become increasingly frustrating. Moreover, the urge to build and craft is gone, especially with the wait. Sigh.

So, I am glad we took the break to forget about the unfortunate non-delivery and do the right thing to end the wait and move on.

Damai Laut Golf & Country Club

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An Alternative Build

14 Apr

Building something is better than waiting and wondering when my DIY pinball machine package will arrive. I am not too upset about the delay. If it arrives, good. If it’s late, no big deal. I’ve waited so long already; a few more days make no difference.

Over the weekend, I received this cute little Snoopy DIY kit as an early birthday gift. It was a very thoughtful gift from my niece. I guess an alternative build is better than nothing, right?

It was an enjoyable Snoopy kit, and I completed it in no time. It now adds to my other Snoopy collection, an alternative to the DIY miniatures I have been doing all these years.

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Contemplating a New Build, Part 3

7 Apr

A week has passed since the deadline, and there has been no change in the status of my DIY pinball machine kit. In other words, it has not shipped yet. Boo. At this point, my urge to build has waned.

Two days after the vendor missed the delivery deadline, as shown on my favorite online shopping site, I messaged them again to get a status update. There’s the usual apology message, asking for my patience and saying they are doing their best to expedite all orders on time.

“Doing their best?” I thought. Duh, I don’t think so. Are there so many ardent crafters like me who ordered this DIY pinball machine specifically that they can’t fulfill the deliveries? It’s now been two and a half weeks since I placed the order.

To avoid becoming frustrated with the situation, I might dust off one of the boxes in my stash and start working on an existing kit while I wait for this particular kit to arrive, or forget about this whole crafting thing! After all, the enthusiasm has died down now, with all that waiting for the kit to arrive.

Sometimes, things don’t work out as intended. In my case, contemplating another challenging DIY project after the Marble Run Spaceport, purchased from a physical store in the mall, has hit a snag due to this delay. The only consolation from this episode is my patience, something that is never a virtue of mine. Oh well.

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Contemplating a New Build, Part 2

31 Mar

It did not take long for me to take the plunge and proceed with purchasing the DIY pinball machine kit. Forget the concern of where to place the finished Marble Run Spaceport, and forget about what to do if and when the pinball machine is done and completed.

The important thing here is the current moment in time, and that is to feel good and challenged, working on an intricate build. Let the kit arrive, and no need to contemplate but build!

Last week, I ordered the pinball machine kit from my favorite online shopping site. It has been more than a week, and every day I see the same status for my purchase: Seller preparing your order. Yikes!

Nothing is moving. Typically, when I order something, the status changes almost immediately, and I see the progress of the item, from being packed to being shipped, right down to the delivery date. Alas, none of this for my pinball machine kit! Boo.

I am worried that the vendor may not fulfill my order, as I have experienced cancellations in the past. So I messaged the vendor on the shopping site to check on the status. A computer shop assistant was quick to respond to my inquiry and even outlined the timeline for the order date and estimated shipping date to me. However, a week has passed since the shipping date, which they have acknowledged.

So they outlined a new delivery timeline and date, and asked for understanding and patience. What choice do I have at this point? I’ve waited so long already, and I shouldn’t cancel on them, right? Sigh, I wait then.

The next day, the shop assistant messaged me to say that my order had been packed and was ready to ship. The new target delivery date is tomorrow. I’m excited that there has been progress! However, I won’t celebrate just yet; I need to see that the package has actually shipped.

I hold my breath, anticipating the arrival of the DIY pinball machine. Keeping my fingers crossed, and stay tuned!

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A Mini Break

24 Mar

Last week, we had an extended weekend break for Hari Raya, as the government declared Friday and Monday as public holidays. It was a welcome mini-break for many, which was evident from the jam-packed Plus highway filled with outbound travelers, from where I could see.

Rather than planning any trips or day excursions that would leave us stuck in traffic, we decided to stay indoors. We spent our time shopping, dining, and people-watching at the mall. Although the weather was too hot for outdoor activities, I did manage to play a round of golf. And was terrible at it! Hahaha. I think the heat got to me. Oh well, I know I’m on the downslide again as far as my golf is concerned.

There may not be another long stretch of holiday again so soon, but this is not going to stop me from planning a trip! So I am setting the wheels in motion for my next mini-break, minus the traffic and crowd.

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Contemplating a New Build

17 Mar

I’ve been contemplating working on another DIY project similar to the Marble Run Spaceport. That piece was so satisfying. The kit I am eyeing is a pinball machine that I can play with once I finish putting it together. How cool is that?

However, I need to resolve my predicament of displaying larger pieces, as my IKEA display cabinet has already been maxed out. The Spaceport has been sitting on my little workstation. I have no place to start a new project! Sigh.

So until I can resolve this issue, starting a new big project is wishful thinking.

The Spaceport has docked at my workstation!

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First Project of 2026!

10 Mar

I finally made myself work on a DIY project this year, my first project of 2026 after such a long break from an activity that I once loved and dedicated a lot of time to. Yay! As you know, during the Lunar New Year, I wasn’t feeling festive, and the weather during this time was terrible, alternating between hot and wet; it wasn’t pleasant.

Playing my games daily on the iPad was so addictive and unhealthy that I decided to recalibrate my routine. Time for crafting! I had stopped my crafting for quite a while, and all those unboxed miniatures that I had aspired to build are collecting dust! Ugh.

However, I did not unearth a box from the tower of miniatures. There are eight boxes altogether, projects of different sizes and difficulty. Instead, I bought a whole new type of model to work on. It is a mechanical piece that looks overwhelming but does not require glue. Looks like fun, yet intimidating.

The infinite cycle Marble Run Spaceport did pose a challenge, but only for a short while. I took five days to complete the DIY kit, several hours each day. Upon completion, there was a sense of achievement as the kit was a Level Four in difficulty!

My first DIY project for the year!

The mechanical part featured a USB-C connection, which was quite impressive, and not a battery pack like all my previous miniatures that required one for the lights. Amazing how things have changed and improved since my last build.

Now that I have completed the kit, where can I keep or display the spaceport without collecting dust? Sigh. A win for personal satisfaction, but a no-win for storage. With this niggling display situation, should I even attempt the remaining eight boxes? Something to consider for this year.

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Chap Goh Meh 2026

3 Mar

It is Chap Goh Meh today, the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, and the celebrations of this festive time are coming to an end. How time flies.

I have to say, the past two weeks didn’t feel festive for me because I felt so out of it. I was merely going through the motions to pass the time. Even the few golf games I played felt so meh. And the weather during this period started wet, then hot, and now unbearably hot. Sigh.

Well, now that the Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year is ending, we are galloping into March, February being a short month. The family had an early Chap Goh Meh dinner two nights ago, and it was a simpler feast compared to the Reunion Dinner spread.

A simpler Chap Goh Meh spread of ‘Poon Choi’ (big bowl feast), Roast Duck, and a Nam Yue Pork.

Separately, we decided on a nice dinner outside tonight to bid adieu to the festivity and hope things will return to normal. Maybe I will play better golf again?

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Year of the Fire Horse, Part 2

24 Feb

It has been an unusual Lunar New Year so far. I am not feeling the festivities. So much so, we only put up the customary red cloth at our home entrance two days before the New Year! Two days, that’s cutting it really close. But we made some effort and hung tiny lanterns up on the trees in the front garden.

Some effort with little red lanterns

Despite the effort, the nonchalant feeling remained, perhaps due to the weather. Typically, during this time of the year, it is hot and dry. But it has been raining cats and dogs! Cold and gloomy. Ugh.

I think this sentiment could be due to the Lunar New Year being so late, mid-February, and all the holiday and festive mood has evaporated. The weather has not helped either. And the joys of Christmas and the New Year feelings have dissipated with the lengthy break from then until the Lunar New Year came around. Oh well.

I guess I have to change my mindset and make the best of the Lunar New Year. After all, I always believe, you are what you preach. Be positive to have a good time!

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