The NCAA March Madness 2024 is here and almost ending. I lost interest in it the last two years because M1’s alma mater has not been playing well. However, the Beavers’ women’s basketball team fared better this year and made it to the Elite 8 stage. Woo hoo.
My prediction bracket burst in the early stages of the women’s basketball championship. And I got it right for one side only of the Sweet Sixteen stages, and the rest were so off. Oh well.
As for the men’s championship, I don’t follow it as much, so there’s no surprise that my predictions all went awry at all stages except one half of the Elite 8 stage. Oh well, again.
Only two out of four of my selections made the women’s Final Four. But it doesn’t matter who wins the NCAA Championship this year. To me, every team is a winner for the level of play thus far. I feel the adrenaline rush and am in awe of the records created, watching the game recaps and highlights on YouTube.
The women’s championship game is slated for this Sunday, and may the best team win!
Hanoi is fast becoming a preferred destination. Not only my recent golf trip there was memorable, but it was there that I managed to meet up with an old friend from my college days! It was not coincidental but planned.
More than three decades have flown by since leaving Northern Arizona University. We were both pursuing the same degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design then. We had the same classes, the same lecturers, and all. Upon graduation, we parted ways, each following her career paths and dreams. Years flew by, and we lost touch.
Thanks to technology and social media, specifically Facebook, we reconnected and kept in touch now and then online. It was recently when my dear friend talked about her bucket list trip to Asia that mooted the meeting in-person idea.
Bangkok was the initial city to meet, but the timing clashed with Chinese New Year and the Reunion Dinner occasions for me. However, all was not lost, as I had a golf trip to Hanoi and decided to adjust the dates to coincide with her arrival. And after some changes, she swapped her hotel choice to my hotel to save commuting time because we found a window! Isn’t it wonderful?
Words cannot describe the feeling when we finally met on the second last day of both our trips. It was an emotional moment when the hotel elevator doors opened, and I saw this towering person with a familiar face inside! I had tears of joy upon the bear hug.
We had five precious hours together and couldn’t stretch it any longer because both had flights to catch home the next day. Friendship is beautiful and precious only if we put our hearts into it. These days, distance or time differences are not an issue because we can connect online, on the phone, or eventually, in person.
Let’s not wait decades-long again to catch up with old friends. We can meet in my country, your country, or any country mid-way!
Last week, I played my first golf game after a two-week break, and it was so bad I could only laugh it off. Then I thought, oh dear, that’s not good with the upcoming Greensome Tournament on Sunday. I hope I won’t let my partner down.
Thankfully, I had a strong partner, and with our combined handicap of 16 and a game plan, we should fare better than last year. I did not have to hit and pray because my partner crossed all the treacherous lakes and gained distances I never could on my own. For the Par 5s and Par 3s, we only bogeyed three holes.
However, we made some mistakes on the remaining Par 4s. There were pars, bogeys, even double bogeys. And it took one hole to erase all our efforts.
My partner launched our third shot way left from the flag on Hole 17. The ball landed on the green but could not hold. It rolled off the green, down the slope, and landed in the compact sand bunker. Uh oh, trouble. And my turn for the sand shot. Gulp.
Bravely, I stood over the ball but could only pop it into the rough on the slope, not any further. The compact sand got the better of me, and the sight of the steep slope facing me did not make the task any easier.
Thankfully, it was my partner’s turn to play the next shot, and I felt the predicament was still under control. All he had to do was chip onto the green, right? The outcome could be a double bogey or a triple at most. But this did not happen. Sigh.
Uncharacteristic of him, he did not contact the ball well on the slope, and the ball rolled back into the sand bunker. Horrors! More trouble, and my turn again at the sand shot! I cringed.
So what did I do? I shanked my shot out from the bunker and almost hit my partner! Yikes. To cut the misery and not relive the nightmare anymore, it took a chip shot and two putts to finish the hole with a horrible nine on a Par 4.
Despite the horrible outcome, we managed our emotions and clawed back the next few holes when we crossed over. We did well, and looking back, the damage on that hole was not too bad. A couple of missed par opportunities saw us finishing the game two over.
Golf is a game of could have, should have, all the time. The outcome of Hole 17 on the back nine should not be the main culprit, for there were other unforced errors throughout the game. Although both of us worked well together, we also did err in judgment. We take to heart the lessons learned and look forward to our partnership again for the next Greensome Tournament.
There was some consolation at the end, though, for our partnership won 2nd Placing for the Ball Sweep on the front nine of the Greensome Tournament. The focus paid off upon the cross-over, and we were rewarded with half a dozen balls each. Nice.
Our Ball Sweep rewards
Who knows? Maybe we will do even better for the next tournament, and I can’t wait for it to come soon again.
We spent five days in Bangkok during the first week of Chinese New Year. It was fun, tiring, eye-opening, and gastronomic. We walked more than ever to discover new places of interest, ate all kinds of food, and drank more coffee and macha tea than ever.
Hubby and I enjoyed ourselves and did not mind golf was not on the agenda despite being in Bangkok, a golf destination, for five days. The girls compromised and waited for us while we did a secondary golf-related activity on the fourth day – shopping at Thaniya Plaza, the golf shopping haven.
I bought the most expensive ball marker ever in my life! For the price I paid, I can buy a dozen new soft-range golf balls instead! For the unfamiliar, we’re talking Srixon Soft Feel 13 (2023), Wilson Duo Soft (2023), Titleist Trufeel (2022), and TaylorMade Distance +Soft (2020). Yikes, I can faint now thinking about it! It was too cute to resist, and I’m a sucker for cuteness.
The most expensive ball marker!
Hotel breakfast spreads are something I look forward to when breakfast is included with the stay, whether in Bangkok or elsewhere. On this trip, we stayed at ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit 4, and their spread was not too bad. But, me being me, I ate the same things every day! I just loved the boiled rice offering.
My four breakfasts – same same but different
As for being in the city during Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon decorations took prominence, although not as elaborate as what I have seen in Malaysia. The dragon displays are indoors, outdoors, hanging, or placed on the ground. The biggest surprise was on the curbside of the road leading to the Grand Palace area. I thought the last one was very clever.
You can tell Bangkok was very enjoyable for us. We hope for the next trip, we can discover new and different attractions! We may stay in a different area to experience the neighborhood and surroundings. But certain places are still a must-do/go, like shopping for golf things at Thaniya and Chatuchak for great bargains. We will be back!
We all slept well–after all, it was a long and exhausting day–and were ready for the second day’s adventure! After breakfast in the hotel, we took the BTS to Chatuchak, the famed weekend market. Chatuchak is the place to go for discovering and buying things to your heart’s content.
Exciting placeLook at the plump chicken on display! We had noodles for lunch and pork belly on-the-go
Everyone was on a mission to buy things on their lists. The offerings there, in terms of choices and colors, were so much; too much until it confuses you! Hahaha. Be sure to stick to your intentions – otherwise, you’ll end up with too much or too little.
Happy with my pouch purchases!
So, I managed to buy my things, plus some others. I couldn’t resist, and it was a good bargain! Nevertheless, we had a fun but tiring day in the hot conditions – walking, seeing, haggling the price, eating, and absorbing all the colors and smells of the weekend market.
When the will to continue walking and shopping dropped to zero, it was time to return to our hotel to rest. By nightfall and somewhat rested, we were ready for the next adventure.
On the first day of the Chinese New Year, we flew to Bangkok, a first for us to be abroad during this festive time. Waking up in the wee hours of the morning was not ideal, especially after returning home late from the Reunion Dinner. But it was unavoidable because we had to be at KLIA early. There were news reports that the airport could not cope with the volume of travelers, so it was better to be early.
Beautiful dragon display at KLIA
Luckily, it turned out well, and our departure was on time. Yay, the holiday has begun!
It has been some years since our last trip to Bangkok, and it was nice to be back. Although it was muggy, humid, and hot, it did not matter. We were ready with USB-powered fans to keep us cool. There was so much to do, see, and eat!
Always amazed with the electrical cables in Bangkok!
Soon after we checked in, we did not waste time and got going. We walked to check off the list covering coffee, gelato (an impromptu stop), and kakigori stops. The flavors were good, for lack of a better word, and fueled us to keep moving.
Discoveries this trip
We continued our walking discovery of the vibrant city, and before we knew it, we were at The Commons for dinner. Another check off the list. Dinner was safe comfort food, but we did try a Peruvian ceviche, which was excellent with the varied flavors in a mouthful. It had been a long day by then. Time to get back to the hotel!
Comfort food and tried a new dish
Sleep beckoned the minute we entered the room. After the hot shower, it was time to hit the sack to recuperate from the day’s adventure. I clocked in more than 20 thousand steps! Yes, I was dead tired. What a start to the holiday.
Today is the eve of the Lunar New Year, and the Chinese community will gather with their loved ones for the ever-important Reunion Dinner. This year, we are not traveling North to hubby’s hometown. So, no long six hours or more drive to endure along the Plus Highway. Phew.
Instead, we are staying in town to celebrate the occasion with my brother’s family and Mom with a home-cooked sumptuous spread. Sometimes, families eat at a restaurant if they don’t want to cook up a storm. We tried this before but did not like the time restriction imposed.
As restaurants find this a lucrative business opportunity, Reunion Dinners with set menus are often allotted a two-hour session. Typically, there are two slots – an early session at 5.30 pm or a later session at 7.30 pm. And diners have to rush through the meal in a noisy atmosphere. You can’t eat at a leisurely pace with the clock ticking!
So eating at home is best. The family will gather this evening for our Reunion Dinner 2024. Here’s a toast to usher in the Year of the Dragon to bring peace and bless us with prosperity, good health, and much happiness.
The new Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, is three days away! This year, the Year of the Dragon falls on Saturday. I thought I had time to prepare for it since it’s in February this year, but nope. I wait until the last minute to get my act together.
Getting ready to toss the Yee Sang
Somehow, the New Year feeling is not there. I’m not feeling the festive vibes, and I’ve done only two tossing of the Yee Sang so far. Businesses everywhere are thriving, selling Chinese New Year-related items, yet I find myself uninterested. One can also find temporary tents along the roads and street parking lots selling firecrackers and mandarin oranges.
Street vendors selling firecrackers
We used to buy a fair bit of mandarin oranges but never the firecrackers. There is no need for this purchase because we will experience firecracker shows (and noise) from the neighbors and beyond!
So, as we count down to the New Year, with the Reunion Dinner first this Friday, I take this opportunity to count my blessings for the past year. While health-wise, it was challenging – I am thankful to have come out of it without further complications.
Who knows what lies ahead for the Year of the Dragon, but let’s take it in stride. Here’s wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous Year of the Dragon!
Kung Hey Fatt Choy / Kiong Hee Huat Chye / Gong Xi Fa Cai / Happy New Year!!!
Malaysia is a country with a lot of public holidays within a calendar year. Yesterday was the first of the many – Thaipusam, the Hindu festival to celebrate Lord Murugan’s victory over the demon Surapadman. Typically, I welcome such weekday holidays and would do something enjoyable.
However, it was nothing enjoyable or any different for me. I was a sloth the whole day! I had to give up my golf slot because my horrible cough turned out to be tonsillitis! Ugh. I have no choice but to rest, having already given up the Tuesday game earlier.
I should not complain as this is for my good, health-wise. Any extra quiet days to recover are much appreciated. I have a game lined up on Saturday, but most likely, the outing will be a half-hearted effort. I don’t feel my strength returning yet. We shall see.
Several days before ushering in the New Year, I was out with a nasty cough and flu. It was most depressing. Even the New Year fireworks at midnight could not lift my spirits.
You could say I limped, not leaped into 2024. I have been sapped to the core, nursing a watery nose and teary eyes. The sneeze just cannot come out! Ugh. What a weak start to face the new year. I’m just hoping for a speedy recovery.
The good thing about this misfortune is the sudden weight loss. I have been trying so hard to shed some pounds towards the fourth quarter of last year but have failed miserably. With so many occasions and birthday dinners, it was hard.
But with my current situation, I have no appetite, and going out is too much of an ordeal. And the pounds are gone! It’s nice to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I will recover and face 2024 head-on.
Angieneering 
Remarks