Tag Archives: pandemic

The Year That Wasn’t Again

31 Dec

The never-ending year 2021 finally concludes today. I look back, and what a year it has been! I feel history has repeated itself, with the year being another year that fell short of expectations like 2020 because the pandemic has dragged on.

When the nation went into lockdown again in May, we were short-changed for several months to have a good year. And the lockdowns implemented under the Movement Control Orders (MCO) had so many versions, I lost track of it all.

But life goes on. With what we had experienced in 2020, we handled 2021 a little better. We became more accepting of the situation and were more productive, and the hobbies picked up in the year before continued. We also got vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, and it was our passport to venture out (if needed) without hassle.

Towards the end of the year, I picked up another new hobby – felting. What fun this turned out to be! Felting is immensely enjoyable and therapeutic when I am not carving or crafting miniatures as it is a short and fast activity to complete.

Looking back, being home this time around wasn’t so bad because there’s so much to do at home, and I love it. There is no rush or fear but simply comfort and ease. As long as there is good time management, the days go by quickly.

M2 came back for her Summer holidays, and it was great to have her home. My cooking skills improved from last year, and there were many great mealtimes together at home as a family since we couldn’t go out at all.

Then M1 came home for good after completing her Master’s degree, and both of us are very blessed to have the family as a complete unit. But soon after, M2 returned to Ireland, and M1 started working. By the third quarter, we were juggling work, albeit not much, and playing golf when the country reopened to more activities.

But just when we thought things were improving with vaccination and economies opening everywhere, the world saw a new virus variant! The Omicron. The pandemic management globally was sucker-punched with this new development. Travels, activities, and economies were restricted once more, and many countries faced fresh lockdowns. When will this onslaught of the unknown ever end?

So we start 2022 with uncertainty again. I see no point in toasting the New Year for better fortune and goodness. Just brace yourselves to stay negative (Covid-wise) in a positive way, stay healthy, and stay safe. Goodbye 2021, I wouldn’t say it was the best, but we survived. Happy New Year, folks!

Oh, You Cutie Pies!

28 Dec

My latest felting characters are adorable! After I felted specific characters for the hubby and M1, I asked M2 what she would like. She requested a blue Miffy, the famous bunny from The Netherlands.

A Miffy for M2!

And so, I got right into it. My work speaks for itself. Adorable beyond words. I was so motivated by the outcome that I decided to make another Miffy. The second Miffy in yellow turned out even better!

Oh you cutie pies!

Dang, I’m getting good at this felting business.

Forgetful Me

27 Dec

Last Friday, I inadvertently gave an inaccurate account of the previous year’s Christmas Eve Dinner. My bad. We DID have a family dinner together, but I honestly forgot about it. Was it so insignificant that it slipped my mind?

Or could it be with the last two years being in constant lockdown with the various Movement Control Orders (MCO), I lost track of time. I think the fact that it was just the two of us at the dinner sans both girls stuck in my mind more than anything else.

Or, in all honesty, I have become a tired and forgetful dinosaur more than ever!

Christmas Eve Dinner 2021

24 Dec

This year, we are thankful that we can get together with the family after missing out on the Christmas Eve dinner last year. It was the pandemic that derailed everything-from travels to gatherings-throwing festive occasions into disarray, and both of us had a quiet two-person dinner at home instead without much camaraderie.

This year, the SOP’s have changed with most adults in the country, all of us included, being fully vaccinated. So it is great that we can gather to celebrate Christmas.

I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Be safe, stay safe, and be healthy.

Felting is Fun! Part 3

17 Dec

I have to admit this piece is my third character before the gnomes. Soon after finishing Mike from Monsters, Inc., I wanted to do something for myself. Hence, an owl to go with what I have been carving to make Gigglesville.

A felted owl to join the Citizens of Gigglesville!

It took some 3D visualization effort, and in the end, I am pleased with the result! It looks like crafting miniatures and carving are taking a backseat for this.

A Satisfying Activity

13 Dec

Within a few days, I felted a few more characters. IKEA’s Christmas gnomes inspired me, so I decided to make a couple of my own instead of buying.

After all, a gnome character is right up my alley, with all the gnomes that I have carved. I think my attempts are pretty good!

IKEA’s gnomes inspired me!

Felting is Fun! Part 2

10 Dec

What am I felting next? These days my routine has changed, and felting is my go-to activity when I need a break. To start a new miniature – DIY project number 23 is too time-consuming, especially with the year ending, Christmas coming, and so many things to do. I can forget carving too, as there’s not enough time for this as well.

The differences I find between these hobbies are many. Crafting and carving take a lot of time, patience, and discipline. In comparison, felting and carving require more creativity and the visualization process. My only hindrance is my inability to create what I see in my mind. By this deduction, carving on Meranti wood (not balsa) is, by far, the hardest.

But for now, felting is the way to go for me because it keeps me on my toes, as far as creativity is concerned. It’s a nice variation to balance my time, and it is satisfying to create something out of nothing.

My latest felting piece. What is it?

New Growth, Part 2

7 Dec

The mini brinjals seem to have stopped growing! After the initial excitement of seeing two fruits on the two different plants, I don’t see them growing anymore. Their sizes remain the same as before.

I shouldn’t be too impatient just yet. After all, with the plant being a mini species, the fruits may have maxed out in their growth already. Hmm.

Two mini and a mini-er brinjal

But to say they have stopped growing is not correct, for there is a new fruit growing on one of the plants. We need to monitor the ripeness of each fruit before we can harvest it. Hopefully, the wet weather or the critters in the garden won’t spoil it for us. We shall see.

Felting is Fun!

6 Dec

So I have been felting when there is an opportunity to do so. Suddenly crafting miniatures or carving seem tedious and time-consuming. I have to admit, I have been busy and have not had much time for my hobbies. Even with my golf outings, I have reduced my playing time.

After the thrill and satisfaction of completing the Totoro character, I started on another felting piece. This time, it is my interpretation of Mike from the animation movie – Monsters, Inc.

My version of Mike from Monsters Inc.

A little thinner than the actual cartoon character, I think my attempt is not too bad. After all, this is only my third piece, and practice does make perfect. I need to do more and often. And it looks like crafting miniatures and carving will be taking a backseat for now.

A New Hobby, Part 2

3 Dec

So I finally sat down and tried felting after completing DIY project number 22. It was just right to attempt this since I was in-between crafting and carving. And my goodness, I loved it!

So simple yet, so time-consuming, I found myself seated at my little workstation and poking away at the wool for some time. My first piece, following the tutorial, came out a little out of proportion, but I got the hang of things.

My first felting piece!

Then I decided to make a Totoro since it was seated in the living room. I thought this was better than referencing something from the internet. Such fun I had! I took two days to complete my second felting piece. And I sense this is the beginning of something new to keep busy when I get tired of crafting miniatures or lazy to carve.

My second felting piece, Totoro.