My clever hack to salvage my broken umbrella arm was not so practical after all! The straw held up only when the umbrella was not in use.
When I did use my umbrella during my golf game, the sharp edge of the metal arm cut through the straw and compromised the strength. In the end, the hack fell apart. Oh well.
So, instead of repeating the same hack and facing the same issue, I cut away the two protruding metal pieces for safety reasons. The longer metal piece was almost poking my head when I used the umbrella.
With this modification, my umbrella now has a second lease in life. I hope this time, it will last a little longer than the initial hack. Otherwise, I’d have to replace my golf umbrella.
I have been snacking a lot lately. Too much, in fact. Two days ago, I stood on the bathroom scale, and the numbers horrified me! I need to do something about it.
Mind you – we have stopped our Intermittent Fasting (IF) regime ever since the pandemic broke. And it’s been a little more than two years already. Initially, my weight was stable, and it even dipped. I was pleased. But it has crept up again recently. I suspect it’s all that after-game beer and snacking on Chinese New Year cookies.
So right after the Chap Goh Meh dinner, I have embarked on a new mission to shed all those extra pounds. On top of playing my regular golf games, I will do a half-hour morning walk on days when I am not playing golf. It will be beneficial for my legs, muscles, and abs.
Let’s see how my number will be after a month on this new mission. Oh, I should also reduce my beer intake after all the golf games. Stay tuned for my progress!
Today is Chap Goh Meh, the last day to celebrate the Lunar New Year. After 15 days of celebration, today is the finale. However, it has been a lack of celebrations again this year because of the pandemic and restrictions. But despite the situation, we are planning a big feast tonight to mark the occasion.
I have to admit I have gained weight over the past two weeks, eating and snacking on all the cookies without any discipline. So after tonight’s big steamboat meal, I will start my diet. From tomorrow onwards, no more cookies, more golf but no beer, and throw in morning walks to shed those extra pounds!
Straws have become such a no-no to use over the years because of their detrimental characteristics. Like everyone else, I do my part and try to minimize my straw usage. The one pack of straws that I bought from IKEA years ago for the girls to use for some high school project has been left unused, but I never threw them away. Ages, I would say, as both girls are all grown up now.
But straws sometimes can be used for home hacks to fix things. Recently I broke my golf umbrella, and it took me a while to figure out how to fix it. Then it dawned upon me that perhaps a straw could resolve my problem.
The clever hack with a pink extendable straw
True enough, I fixed my umbrella by using a straw as a joint to hold up the broken arm. What a clever hack, isn’t it?
Unlike past Reunion Dinner gatherings where most family members made the journey, this Reunion Dinner is a simple gathering of just six people for a steamboat dinner.
Even the dinner spread was simple and nothing extravagant. The occasion was more for being with the elders, who are fine and healthy, than the food.
But a trip back to hubby’s hometown is not complete without playing some golf! We managed to play two games. And we had the golf course all to ourselves as there were hardly any other golfers at all. You can tell by the absence of golfers when the tee box has a giant mushroom (in the foreground) as big as the tee box marker (in the background)!
Look at that mushroom!
The first game quickly turned into a case of being lucky and unlucky at the same time. My ball landed right on the line in the middle of the fairway for the NTL (nearest to line) novelty, held a day earlier! Oh well, but the thrill of this achievement was pretty exhilarating.
Right on the line!
We ushered in the Year of the Tiger without much fanfare – there were no fireworks at the stroke of midnight, which worked out well for us for a peaceful night.
As we welcome the Tiger, here’s wishing everyone ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’, and may you have a roaringly successful year ahead despite the pandemic still being around. Count your blessings, be happy and stay healthy!
The Lunar New Year is next week, my goodness! There are a lot of last-minute preparations to usher in the Year of the Tiger. Like shopping for new clothes, for instance!
The last two years, with the pandemic and lockdowns, we were homebound and did not venture out to the malls at all. There were grocery runs to our local grocer nearby, and basically, essentials but not indulgent shopping.
During the MCO phases, online shopping was my go-to if I wanted to buy non-essential things. And even then, it was mostly to buy my miniature sets and carving tools. But no clothes.
So over the weekend, we took the opportunity to go on a shopping spree to buy new clothes as it is the last weekend to shop. With no more restrictions on interstate travel, it will be a traffic nightmare next weekend when city-dwellers begin the exodus for Reunion Dinners with the family and loved ones afar.
I, for one, who usually buy golf clothes, suddenly find myself buying Chinese New Year clothes. I bought not one but two Cheong Sam outfits! It must be the festivity in the air or the sudden freedom to be able to go out and try clothes on.
My two lovely and elegant outfits
For someone who does not wear or buy dresses often, the purchases were an incredible feat by my standards. Well, lockdowns change people and their outlook in life, I suppose. I look forward to wearing the outfits to welcome the Year of the Tiger with good vibes and have a roaring celebration, pun intended.
DIY project number 23 is moving on at a good pace. I had the weekend off from golf and had time to sit down to work on it. But I fear this pace will be interrupted because Chinese New Year is just around the corner!
And there is much to prepare before we usher in the Year of the Tiger. Nonetheless, I’ll try to squeeze in as much time as possible on my project. Hopefully, during the Lunar New Year holiday, there is time for me to continue with it as we anticipate minimal visiting or going out.
Perhaps I should set a deadline to complete it instead of just going with the flow and mood.
Towards the end of last year, I was not in the mood to craft miniatures and took a break from this activity. I was playing a lot more golf and ended up taking a much longer break than intended. Besides the circumstances, I was side-tracked with felting which was less time-consuming but equally enjoyable.
But now, I am ready to indulge in crafting miniatures again and have started on DIY project number 23. Yes, number twenty-three, but the first for 2022. That’s a lot of miniature sets I completed in the past two years during the lockdowns we had when the pandemic disrupted lives and created new routines.
DIY project #23 kicks off!
This latest set is a classroom setting, different from what I have done thus far but apt to kick off the new year as schools are reopening again under strict SOP after two years of disruption.
I hope I will not take too long to complete the set. It should be fun.
A short staycation is just what we need to get away from the daily routine. I have been playing golf for almost the whole week. A game on Tuesday followed by a stretch from Thursday to Sunday – I need a break!
It’s a good thing M1 had her work leave approved on Monday. And today is a public holiday – we took advantage of the situation.
We went off to Awana Genting yesterday. But being in Awana, how can we not play golf? So we decided to play a game, my fifth in a row.
Cable car ride and our customary game selfie
Thankfully, I wasn’t too tired because the weather was not hot, and the pace was very leisurely. We had the golf course to ourselves, save for a few holes when the monkeys came out to watch us play.
Overall the holiday destination was not very crowded, which was good to maintain social distancing. We were, of course, being very careful and had our masks on the whole time.
An indulgent dinner at Burger & LobsterVertical soil-free farming at the hotel
It was a short break but a much-needed one. With good food, some shopping, and cool air, it was a wise decision to have this short staycation.
After two years of postponement, the club finally held this year’s Iron Challenge tournament yesterday. In 2020, it did not happen because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Then in 2021, it was scheduled but only to be derailed by the pandemic again. Thankfully, this year with no more lockdowns, the tournament was held.
So how did I fare?
Well, I think I did okay save for a few holes. And this is always the case. One or two tee shots going errant, landing in the rough on the left or right next to a tree root, or a couple of duff shots are enough to derail the momentum and return with an ugly scorecard.
But it was good fun, and I have always enjoyed this tournament. This year I was lucky and came out a winner in the Lucky Draw contest during the prize presentation. A bag of iron covers! I sure feel like a winner with this unexpected good fortune.
Angieneering 
Remarks