A pretty exciting day

This morning started like any other Wednesday with Sonja, Julie and I heading to FRIM. Every week we go through the same thing - they keep charging us different prices to get into the park. Today, I just drove straight through with everyone else who seemed to be doing the same thing.

We walked up the hill and I was really struggling today. So much for thinking this was getting easier last week! On our walk back down the long path, we were suprised to come across a snake. Not just any snake, a blue coral snake which is pretty rare, nocturnal and highly venomous! Sonja almost jumped out of he skin as we almost stepped on the thing! She screamed, pretty much jumped on my back, and ran about 500m before turning around. In this time, Julia and I watched the snake writh in reaction to Sonja running and I did have a brief moment of concern when the snake almost looked like it was going strike out at us. Luckily it slithered back into the undergrowth. The photo is not a photo I took, but when we got home I did a bit of research to find out what snake it was. Someone else took this photo of the same type of snake but it was also taken in Malaysia. I emailed FRIM to confirm if these snakes do live there - we'll wait and see. The only other snake I could find that looked simiilar and was found in Malaysia was more black and far more elusive so I doubt we saw that one. This snake was definately bright blue with a red tail and head - amazing!

After our adventure and laughing heartily at Sonja, we went for breakfast and then headed home. I did a few things around the house before Sonja picked me up to head out for my first golf lesson. We went out to the 9-hole course in Ampang where I met Eric our instructor. Sonja had already been taking lessons for a couple of months whereas this was the first time I had picked up a golf club properly.

Eric was an excellent instructor and once he showed me the proper grip and stance, I was managing to hit almost every ball into the water from the driving range. He also videod my swing to show me a comparison with a pro and he was really suprised that my swing had most of the same characteristics. I was pretty pleased with myself when he said I had a natural ability and that he had a lot to work with. It was interesting how I would lose my swing after a while but when Eric held the club up the right way and I felt the difference, I could easily replicate what he had shown me and hit the ball with no worries. And when you hit that thing right it really goes!

I had a blast! I actually didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I will definitely be continuing lessons with Eric. I think Ross would also like lessons with him as he is a great instructor and from Brisbane :-)

Sonja dropped me home and I got busy preparing dinner as Sonja, Brian and the kids were coming over. I roasted some veggies and made a couscous salad and roasted two chickens. Sonja brought baked potatoes and corn on the cob. It was really nice to just sit down and have a quiet dinner with everyone - something that I had been meaning to do for ages as I tend to invite myself to there's if Ross is not around.

A great day - but now I am completely exhausted - in a good way!