Choke and Sputter

8 Jul

Ever had one of those moments when you swallowed a capsule and it got stuck in the throat? Equally up there on the cringe list is when swallowing a non-coated tablet and the bitterness explodes before going down to send your tastebuds into haywire mode. On both occasions, you desperately drink gallons of water to wash away the predicament and suffer the consequences later with frequent toilet trips!

Last night, I was routinely taking my supplements and the glucosamine capsule went down ‘sideways’ instead of lengthwise and I felt as though the large capsule was lodged in my throat! Choke and sputter…

I have this habit of throwing my head back quickly whenever I take my meds to ensure the pills go down (with momentum and gravity) easily but I didn’t do this last night and paid the price for it.

I had a coughing fit and almost keeled over because I was also having nasal congestion, making it hard to breathe. It was the most uncomfortable moment. Thank goodness I survived…

The Snickerdoodles, Part 2

7 Jul

Of late the happy looking group of Bettas does not look too happy. They don’t seem to swim in a group and looked very separated. Last night I was observing them and took some pictures.

Some were at this corner and that corner and even resting on the pebbles. Sleeping? I hope they are fine.

   
 

Another Break

5 Jul

M2 just had her school holidays not too long ago and here we are this week, having another week long break. It is the Aidil Fitri (Eid ul-Fitr) celebration this time and like Chinese New Year, it is typical of schools to take a week off so that families can travel back to their hometown or spend time with family. Businesses will not close for a week but on the gazetted days.

We are not traveling anywhere this time because we didn’t want to join the exodus and be stuck on the highway. Toilet breaks would be a bane especially for us girls. So it is an easy week at work and at home with lots of sleeping in and golf during the two-day break (for us) on Wednesday and Thursday.

Belated Treat

4 Jul

My M2 turned 15 last Thursday and I was not here to celebrate with her as I was in Ho Chi Minh City. I reached home slightly after midnight on that night and managed to wish her because she waited for my return. 

Where did time go? My goodness, 15 years old. Didn’t I plan a Lego-themed birthday party for her not too long ago? Wait a minute… that was when she turned ten! My goodness, 15 years old now.

Over the weekend, we made it up to her and gave her a belated treat, starting off with a movie, ‘Finding Dory’ and a fancy Japanese dinner, followed by another movie the next day, ‘Independence Day Resurgence’. We had a good time.

My dear M2, you may be 15 and all grown up but you are still my baby. Kisses.

 

My baby

  

My kindy-going baby

  

All grown up!

 

Several Shades Darker

1 Jul

Like I have said it was going to be a long day for Day 5 of the trip and it was. I got home pass midnight yesterday and settled into bed only after two. Yawn…

After the last round which was so tiring, I have become several shades darker. 

The sun was out in full force and despite my slapping on sunblock, it wasn’t enough. But then again, I have this bad habit of not reapplying a second time protection. It’s not so obvious on the face because I tanned out evenly but the hands. Oh dear.

For the last three games, I stopped wearing even my left glove, playing with both hands gloveless and it’s evident in the shades. Just look at my left hand! I wear a wraparound wrist brace (to prevent the old injury from recurring) and you can see the two tones. I couldn’t help it and took my Pantone chart out to find a match to the two shades. You can see the original skin tone, looking almost like a Pantone 7514U whereas the exposed part of my hand, a Pantone 7585U, several shades darker.

The right hand is also a Pantone 7585U because it was gloveless. And it stops at this shade when the sleeve starts, just slightly above the wrist. I sure look funny with such uneven tan lines here and there especially on the hands.

Well, the golf break had been good but good things always must come to an end. I am back in the office today.

   
 

Day 5: Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City

30 Jun

Four rounds of golf is so taxing even though there is enough sleep and rest. The spirit is willing but the body is not. By the time we finished our last game today, everyone is so tired. Thank goodness we are leaving this evening.

All in all, it has been enjoyable. I made some new friends. Played some decent golf and terrible golf too. What can I say? This is my standard.

Looking forward to going home.

Day 5: Last Day in Ho Chi Minh

30 Jun

We had a long day yesterday. The journey to the golf club took rather long or rather it felt like it. First, we had to wait for the water and fruits (for our golf game) to be delivered, then it was the slow traffic crawl. But I think we got there on time considering the golf club is 20km less and closer than the first two.

Vietnam Golf and Country Club was very crowded and our tee off was very haphazardly arranged. Everyone was ushered to different tee boxes rather than starting on the first tee or the tenth tee. My flight started on the 12th tee. Pace was slow, every hole we had to wait. The sun came out, it became hot. Then it rained. On our last two holes, the skies opened up. I had to take out my rain jacket only to keep it after the super quick downpour before we got to the last hole.

We didn’t lunch at the club but came back to the hotel and had a quick bite during the complimentary high tea session. It was unsatisfactory so we ended up going to the Street Food Market again for lunch. Yesterday was a day of shopping on top of golf. I certainly exceeded my walking quota.

Today is our last day and we check out shortly, have a good breakfast before heading to Tan Son Nhat Golf Club for our last round. It was be another long day.

Day 4: Not 5.00am

29 Jun

It’s nice when we don’t have to wake up in the wee hours of the morning for golf. I had a late night somewhat. It was fun.

The Sky Deck gave us an awesome all round view of the city. And after that, we went to the Helibar on the 52nd Floor for a nice cold beer. There was even live music but was too loud for us to chatter. We left shortly to head to Bui Vien Street.

The place is booming with people, both locals and tourists. We didn’t walk as much but chose to sit at Crazy Buffalo, a prime junction bar and restaurant to have another drink. This time a mojito and snacked on some appetizers.

There was satisfaction after this, maybe it was the food and walked back to the hotel which wasn’t that far.

Today we play at Vietnam Golf and Country Club. I looked out the room window and the skies looked good. It will be another good day today!

   
    
   

Day 3: Excellent Weather

28 Jun

Although Royal Island is closer to the hotel than Jeongsan Golf Club, it felt as though we took longer to get there. Maybe because the road en route had a lot of trucks and big vehicles, we just couldn’t go any faster. Plus the fact that our tour guide came late, we lost a good 20 minutes before the journey started.

When we arrived, it was pass our tee off time so this had to be resolved quickly. Thank goodness it wasn’t crowded and soon, everyone was off!

Today my flight mates were new friends (having just met them on this trip) except for one whom I know prior. I had a really good time because the company was good and the weather excellent. Not once did I take out my umbrella. The wind posed a much stronger challenge but I took it in stride. Yes, I played slightly better today. Although the caddies today lacked course knowledge, it was the language barrier that cause more frustration. Sigh…

After the game, everyone had a quick bite at the clubhouse before heading back to the hotel to enjoy the complimentary high tea spread. And from here on, the group decided to split the activities.

The majority has opted for the river cruise with dinner thrown in while myself together with three others are planning to check out the Sky Deck. It should be interesting.
   

    
 

Day 3: Golf Again

28 Jun

Woke up on time and was ready quickly. Was downstairs by 5.40am but the hotel staff didn’t allow us to start until six! 

So we wait.

This is the first time I find hospitality staff bordering on rudeness. From all my travels, I have never encountered such behavior. I could see the frown and disbelief on his face when we told him we were allowed to start earlier as our golf group has a schedule to follow.

Oh well. Royal Island Golf Club… Here we come.