What a Difference, Part 2

5 Oct

I am still not used to waking up at 5.30 am to play golf. It is always a catch 22 situation. Should we be the first flight to tee off to enjoy the morning cool weather? Or should we tee off a little later and deal with the heat towards the last few holes?

Sometimes the weather makes a big difference in performance. But then again, when there is lovely weather, the game is just not clicking in every area, like my recent game. My golf mojo is erratic.

The cloudy sky and cool weather were perfect golf weather, but the game was not as envisioned. Drives were errant; irons shots were sloppy, chips and putts were not happening. Why, why?

There were a lot of unnecessary mistakes and costly strokes. Sigh. So demoralizing after that second game that was so good. I seem to be consistently inconsistent more than anything else. Sigh again.

I play another game today, and let’s hope for a better outcome.

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The Gardening Project Continues

4 Oct

It seems to be taking forever for the crop of vegetables to grow. So much so, I sometimes forget we even had some growing. I have been busy playing golf now that this activity is allowed – I have neglected the garden and the crops.

But they have grown so well. The chili plants in the planter box are now fighting for space with the mini brinjals. The leaves look luscious, and overall, every plant is thriving. So it is time to transfer them to the garden for better nutrients and a bigger space to grow.

The mini brinjal and chili have outgrown their planter box!

When there is something to show after so long, it can get exciting, and I look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor.

I spy a couple of baby okras! Yay.

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Returning to DIY Project #17

1 Oct

Suddenly it’s October already! My goodness, where did the time go? M2 has settled back nicely into college mode, while M1 has settled nicely into being home with us. As for me, I decided to return to the stalled DIY miniature project number 17.

Slowly but surely getting there with #17

It has been super slow with this one, and I don’t know why. But I decided I should get this completed now that we are into October. I have stalled long enough on it. So I’m setting a deadline to wrap it up.

However, since I have started playing golf again and will be out several days a week, I think two weeks is fair to finish the project instead of one week.

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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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