Tag Archives: Haze

Guardians of the Green

28 Oct

The haze has dissipated with the constant rain over the past few mornings and evenings, which is a relief. However, my mind still feels cloudy! Hahaha. I also missed my journal entry yesterday—boo.

I have, of course, been playing golf, but so badly that I am beyond comprehension of my disability. It is now confirmed that I have a phobia of my home course. Whatever the reason, I am not enjoying my golf game at my home club. And I don’t think it’s a downward trend because I fare better at other golf clubs.

Last weekend, I played in another tournament at my home club, and unfortunately, I caught the flu. We played in the rain, and the combination of heat and cold really took a toll on me. At one point, things got quite strange.

At Hole 16, my flightmates and I were ready to take our approach shots when we saw three stray dogs lounging lazily in front of the green. Yikes! What is this, a pack of Guardians of the Green protecting it? Do we even try to strike our balls? What if we hit them?

The dogs were so relaxed that our approach shots did not faze them. They were so nonchalant, like nothing happened. It was the first time I had seen animals on a golf green, not moving despite balls flying in. The Guardians of the Green were doing their job well, and I could only manage a double bogey. It was a surreal moment.

The dogs did not even move when I approached to take pictures!

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The Haze Goes On!

20 Oct

The haze hasn’t let up, and I’m feeling hazy from it (pun intended). Honestly, I have lost track of time and forgotten what blue skies look like. It doesn’t help with my vision when everything looks so dull, devoid of color and clarity.

There are days when the sun looks like a bright orange salted egg in the sky. It’s quite a sight to behold, although not a healthy one. However, on Sunday when I participated in our club’s Interclub game, the sun was a pale version of itself. When will the situation improve? The haze seems to go on and on.

Hazy lazy days!

The home air purifier has been working overtime lately. On bad days, the purifier’s PM 2.5 gauge can range from an eye-popping low 100s to upwards! And this is indoors; what more being outside. Pretty mortifying. There’s nothing much we can do except wait it out patiently. Only time can tell. Sigh.

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I’m Back! Part 2

13 Oct

Last week, when I highlighted the various problems I encountered during the two-week hiatus, I missed two more. It is hard to recall so many problems when there were so many to begin with; it’s not fun to be reminded! Hahaha.

On top of the terrible golf and eyesight problem, I was experiencing unusual stomach cramps! For no reason, my tummy acted like a washing machine, churning and twisting; it was a horrible experience. And as if my misery was not enough with the tummy and eyesight issues—golf games aside—I felt a tooth aching terribly too! My goodness, why the sudden onslaught of so much physical pain? What did I do to deserve such top-notch agony?

Well, the week has passed, and some of the painful agony has subsided. I have also reduced my iPad addiction. The eyesight problem is persisting, though; likewise, the terrible golf. Maybe the haze is abetting my misery? Or reduce my iPad time even more? We have had some rain, and this has eased the stuffy discomfort somewhat. As for the terrible golf, I am sure it is just a passing downturn, and I should play better in my upcoming games.

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I’m Back!

6 Oct

After a two-week break from writing, I’m back! Did the break help me in any way, health-wise? Apparently, no. Hahahaha. There were so many problems!

During the self-imposed hiatus, I played some golf with the haze enveloping the atmosphere (a die-hard golfer can sometimes be an irrational human); I went away with friends for short breaks for more golf, and I acquired more physical pain.

There was only one good game, which was the highlight. During the past few weeks, we had some rain, and it washed the haze down, but not enough. So, while out on the golf course, my eyesight was blurry (definitely due to the haze), and my eyes hurt; this sensation affected my golf game. My eyes hurt so bad, I ended up seeing an eye specialist!

To top off the misery, I played horrible golf except for that one exceptional game. And I pulled a back muscle from goodness-knows-what I did. After a bout of anti-inflammatory medication, painkillers, and rest, thankfully I recovered from this problem.

Maybe taking a break from writing is not such a good idea after all. I felt brain rot as I spent more hours—too many—on my iPad Mini, mindlessly playing my games. They were addictive, and unfortunately, an activity that also contributes to my eye issues.

So, in conclusion, I should keep writing to keep my mind alert, be more disciplined to reduce my addiction to my iPad games, and also minimize my outdoor activities. My overall well-being and eyesight are very important, and I should take measures to ensure no further deterioration in all aspects of my health.

Spectacular sunrise at the Cameron Highlands golf course where we played two rounds over two days

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Double-whammy, Part 2

15 Sep

The haze has worsened this week and is posing health issues for me throughout the day. I did not fully recover from my nasal congestion after the Bandung trip, as a tiny bit of phlegm seems to have taken up permanent residence at the back of my throat.

I blame the haze for giving the phlegm microscopic ammo to do me in, as the itty bitty sucker is bothering the heck out of me daily. At least I haven’t had a sore throat while trying to cough it out—thank goodness for that!

Then my eyes are the next target. They are constantly dry, blurry, or irritated, just like my mood. Ugh. This is another level of double-whammy compared to last week’s environmental double-whammy.

As such, I have decided to take a two-week break from writing because these health challenges are making me unable to think properly! The haze has gotten to my brain. Double ugh!

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Double-whammy

8 Sep

The hazy conditions have not improved, leaving visibility blurred and colorless, especially on the road. To make matters worse, Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia erupted last week, disrupting air travel and posing further health challenges on top of the haze.

The reported 25-hour continuous eruption sent massive ash clouds and lava fountains into the air. Ash plumes were recorded reaching heights of 50,000 feet. As a result, airports in Indonesia and surrounding ASEAN countries had to close or delay flights until the situation improved.

I can’t help but feel incredibly thankful that we returned from Jakarta just a week before the eruption! Imagine if we had been stranded there. We would have likely been worried sick, wondering when we could safely depart for home.

What a double-whammy environmental hazard!

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The Haze is Back! Part 2

18 Aug

The weather has been dreary because the haze is back. Do not be fooled by a sunny horizon only to be greeted with a dull, pale sky upon reaching your destination. Being out on the golf course in such conditions has been a blessing of sorts.

While there is no sun to contend with, the stillness can sometimes feel stifling and unbearable. I am amazed that I am golfing in such conditions when I should be staying indoors. Then again, as a diehard golfer, I take the lack of sun over the prospect of rain anytime!

As I navigate these conditions for my weekly sport activities, I cannot help but wonder how long they will last. I wonder because the environmental situation may affect where I am headed next week for another golf trip. Yay for the trip, boo for the environmental conditions.

Pray tell, where am I headed? Find out next week; we leave on Sunday morning, so I’m crossing my fingers for clear skies and improved air quality.

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The Haze is Back!

11 Aug

It’s an annual thing – the haze is back! This morning’s last-minute golf game was played in a hazy environment. I was not supposed to play, but my original appointment was canceled. And since there’s nothing on the plate, why not just go for a round of golf?

The sky was pale and almost colorless; not a spec of blue could be seen. Thankfully, it was breezy, and this helped with the biting humidity and heatwave. I hope this hazy situation won’t drag on. Then again, having constant rain is no better for ardent golfers! I guess we have to deal with it in stride.

Perhaps I should focus more on pickleball, an indoor activity, for the time being, over golf, outdoors and under the heat, and now with the haze back in town. We shall see.

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Going Down South

10 Oct

The timing to travel south to Johore for golf is, unfortunately, not the best with the haze. But the trip was mooted before the weather conditions changed. Oh well.

We woke up at an ungodly hour of 4.15 am to meet at the club to go on the bus. At least we don’t have to drive because there are enough people to charter a bus.

On the bus now, I can feel the impending headache. Ugh. I hope I can play decent for the afternoon tee-off at Senibong Golf Club. We will find out.

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The Heat is On

6 Oct

The weather, of late, has been wonky again. It constantly flips between being hot, like a furnace, and cold, like being in the highlands when it rains. Unpredictable is what the weather is.

Playing golf in the afternoons is very taxing on the body when it’s hot. I find myself drinking more water than ever to stay hydrated. However, not all afternoons are hot, and there are days when afternoon golf can be a washout.

I’m glad I rested the last few days to allow my body to recover. Regardless of the conditions outside, I have been indoors chilling and doing nothing. It’s nice as I caught up with my reading.

Recently, there have been reports that the haze is back! The heat is on and gets to me. It becomes unbearable and uncomfortable. Sigh. I hope this won’t last; otherwise, we have no choice but to be indoors more than ever. We will have to monitor the situation.

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