Archive | September, 2021

DIY Project #20, Part 2

28 Sep

DIY project number 20 was quite an enjoyable set to craft. Although I stopped working on it for several days because I was busy with M2 and her leaving, I got back to it immediately when I did not have to worry anymore about her arrival and settling down.

The tail-end of the set was basically to dress it up with the hanging vines and fruits, as I had gotten most of the pieces in place already. It is a rather cute set, I would say.

The miniature in a box

And with its completion, it now sits in the IKEA display cabinet along with the others. I was contemplating starting a new set when I realized project #17 is still incomplete! Oh no, I have forgotten about it, having sidetracked on it with three other projects. I suppose I should finish it before even thinking of starting another new set.

Lights on!

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What a Difference

27 Sep

Waking up at 5.30 am for golf is no fun. I have forgotten what it’s like to function with so little sleep. During the lockdown, I slept and woke at my own pace, and certainly not like this. Despite the lack of sleep, there was a big difference in performance when I played my second golf game over the weekend. It was a 13 strokes difference, to be exact, from last Tuesday’s first game after 20 weeks!

The tee-off and irons were so much better, as with distance. But I stuck to the five-wood instead of my favorite three-wood for the time being because I still can’t get the hang of it. And I couldn’t putt on the front nine and three-putted on five holes! Terrible.

When we crossed over, the back nine yielded better putting ability. Imagine if I had done this earlier; the 13 strokes difference could have been even more!

Well, I believe things can only improve from here on. It should be enjoyable again playing golf with the mojo back and better sleep time management. And with the lockdown restrictions reduced on outdoor activities, I foresee us golfing twice or thrice a week in no time.

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20 Weeks Later, Part 2

24 Sep

So Tuesday was our first golf game after a 20-weeks breather. Did we play well? It depends on how the categorizing to determine what is well and what is not.

First and foremost, the tee-off. It was good and not too good. At the first tee box, I launched the ball straight, and the second shot was decent to the apron of the green. Then the chip-in was very good because this was the type of shot I practiced a lot during the lockdown.

The Peanut Putter debuted, and the two feet par putt was a good opening performance. Then the momentum for the rest of the game was up and down. I was adjusting my swing constantly to get it right. The long irons and the three wood were harder to handle compared to the short irons and putter. The putter was stroke-saving to make one or two putts most of the time. It was only when the green was slopy, the line reading was off.

All in all, I lost only two balls–one went into the pond, and the other wayward upon tee-off–and I lost some distance because of erratic shots. Whatever problems I encountered for this first game can be resolved when I play more from now onwards. It’s a decent return.

I play my next golf game this weekend, and we’ll see how I fare next.

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20 Weeks Later

21 Sep

After such a long hiatus from golf, 20 weeks, to be exact, we are playing our first golf game this morning! Knowing that M2 has arrived safely and self-isolating as required, we don’t have to worry.

Also, as we have passed the 14-days wait period from the second dose, our status has changed to Fully Vaccinated. With this status change, we can go about doing more activities, like playing golf!

Will we play well?

Do we have the stamina?

Will we dunk balls in the water or duff our shots? We will find out!

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Gain One, Lose One

20 Sep

It was the beginning of Summer when M2 came home, and it was great. With the lockdown imposed, we felt safe in our bubble at home. Then M1 returned from the US not too long ago, and we were complete.

But just when we are comfortable with both girls being home after being empty nesters for some time, the situation has changed again. The Summer holiday has ended for M2, and she has to return to college. Within a short time, we gain one and lose one.

M2’s Summer vacation is officially over, and yesterday, she flew back to Ireland. I’m tracking her journey at flightaware.com as she is still flying when this post is published. I only hope she will be on time to arrive, unlike when M1 returned.

Sending M2 off at KLIA

During this pandemic, every country has its safety measures for international travelers. Although Ireland’s SOP is very different from the one imposed in our country, M2 must self-isolate even though fully vaccinated upon arrival. Rules are rules, and they should be abided by to stay safe.

Here’s wishing her all the best for the Fall semester ahead, and stay safe!

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DIY Project #20

17 Sep

Round numbers, like ten, 20 are commemorative and milestone achievements. I have worked on DIY miniatures for the past 16 months already, and it has been an enjoyable hobby to stay busy.

Today, my interest in this has me starting on my 20th set, a milestone achievement! Unimaginable that I have such a passion for crafting miniatures.

This 20th set is very different from all the others that I have built. The miniature sits inside a box! And, of course, being far smaller than what I am accustomed to, this is quite challenging. But I am progressing well with it. I should be able to finish it soon.

Tiny tiny world this 20th set!

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Fully Vaccinated

14 Sep

Now that I am officially fully vaccinated, after waiting for two weeks from the second dose, I am contemplating several changes in my lifestyle. First and foremost, should I go back to playing golf? Or should I wait it out a little longer?

When one’s status is Fully Vaccinated, you are allowed more activities to return to normalcy. Almost all sectors in the state where I stay are now open, so that’s good. Then again, I shouldn’t be too hasty to go out, dine in at a restaurant, or be out from the comforts of home. After all, I am equally comfortable being home doing what I have been doing all this while.

I will take things easy and perhaps attempt to play one game. I only hope I have not lost my ability to swing my golf clubs well. We shall see – stay tuned on this.

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DIY Project #19, Part 2

13 Sep

I took eight days to complete DIY project number 19, although I have to say two days did not count because I hardly sat down to work on it. When M1 was still under home quarantine, we were busy tending to her needs. I felt as if we were running a full-service Airbnb, constantly making sure our guest was well fed and comfortable!

Project number 19 was as enjoyable to work on as the previous set from the same series. The only challenging part was putting the table lamp together. However, I decided to skip making the umbrella because I wanted my Little People figurine to be part of the prop. And the umbrella somehow did not fit it.

So now that this is complete, I will take a break before starting a new set. Alternatively, I should complete carving the second Gnome Trio that has stalled. We shall see.

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A Different Quarantine, Part 2

10 Sep

Two weeks have gone by so quickly! M1 is cleared of her home quarantine today and will be out of the room. She is now truly home. Woohoo!

We will be having a feast tonight, home-cooked of course, to celebrate the occasion. There’s no need to elaborate on the joy of being together again.

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A New Gardening Project, Part 3

7 Sep

The seeds in both the planter boxes are doing well despite some not making it. Two okra plants from the first box were transferred to the ground for better soil nutrients, while the remaining plants are still in the planter box.

The second planter box with the mini brinjal saw some surviving, and some did not quite make it. As there was space, hubby threw in some chili seeds, and these survived. So the limited space is rather crowded. But we will leave them there until they grow bigger, then they get transferred to the garden.

Progress of our efforts

Planting our own food sure is slow. I had to refrain from looking at the plants daily. Maybe the more I look, the more conscious they become and stop growing! Chuckle. Hopefully, all these efforts will yield some healthy and juicy crops to savor. Only time can tell.

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