FLIP + CHING

Eureka Lake Waterfall

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Ching under Things to Do, Travel.

Brian and I went to check out this amazing waterfall in Eureka, Kansas last week. Here are some of our photos…

I went down for a closer look…

Anyway, Brian and I were yapping in the car on the way there and we totally missed our exit. As a result we had to take the not-so-scenic route through downtown El Dorado. On the bright side, we ended up driving by a couple of notable points of interest: the new El Dorado pickleball courts and Fiesta Mexicana Cantina, the Mexican restaurant that some friends and I ate at a few months ago.

I’d been wanting to take Brian there so that’s where we decided to go for lunch on our way back. It was still a little early but the margaritas were on sale for $3 so, naturally, I had one. LOL.

Here are some pictures of our food…

Even though I had to use a creepy outhouse with no toilet paper or running water while we were at the waterfall, it was a great day overall. I’m so glad Brian agreed to go. I can’t wait to find another one. Until then. GNG.

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Mom and Dad’s First Pickleball Lesson

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Ching under Family, Things to Do.

A couple of weeks ago, mom and dad posted a video of the two of them hitting a pickleball back and forth over a dining room chair in their living room. It seemed to me that they were interested in playing so I invited them to come to the park and play with other people. However, they seemed a bit apprehensive so I booked them a lesson with my friend Chris Heck at Nahola Fitness.

They didn’t feel like they were ready to play with other people so I was hoping the lesson would give them confidence and help them to feel more comfortable with going to the park and playing with others. I watched part of their lesson with Chris last week and took some photos. I think he did a great job of teaching them the basics and making them feel more comfortable with playing. He covered a lot of information during their 90 minute session. They even had a short section on scoring that I got to participate in.

Here are a few pictures from their lesson last week.

As you know, I am completely addicted to pickleball and so I’m super excited that mom and dad have shown an interest in it. I want to encourage them and help them along their pickleball journey.

They seemed to enjoy their first lesson and wanted to do another lesson so tomorrow they’re doing a lesson with Kayla Keuter (one of owners of Nahola). Tita Esper will be joining them. I wish I was still off work so I could be a fly on the wall for this next lesson. I happened to be on vacation last week so I was able to be there for their lesson with Chris. My time off work is unfortunately over so I go back to work tomorrow. Anyway, I’m sure I will hear all about it.

I can’t wait until mom and dad are comfortable enough to come to the park and play with other people. I can’t wait to introduce them to everyone. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on their progress. Until next time. GNG.

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First Post-Lockdown Outing

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Ching under Things to Do.

If I don’t count pickleball, then our Chicken N Pickle outing on Memorial Day was our first since the pandemic. It was certainly our first non-ZOOM social with this group. When we made plans to meet up at Chicken N Pickle a couple of weeks prior, the weather was supposed to be nice. Unfortunately, the weather changed and it turned out rainy. As a result, we couldn’t reserve a pickleball court because all the courts were busy. Many of the pickleball players who would have normally played outside ended up playing inside at CNP.

At least there was a ping pong table that we could use. I ended up playing four times and won every single game. I would have rather been playing pickleball but ping pong is the next best thing. I hadn’t played in over a year and I had forgotten how much I enjoy it. Here are some of our pictures from our outing.

We had such a great time catching up. Though not renting a court was a bit of a disappointment at first, it turned out okay. Anyway, I can’t wait until we are free to have more of these outings.

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Pickleball Fun

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Ching under Hobbies.

Pickleball is ruling my life right now. I am completely addicted to it. Here are my favorite things about pickleball, in no particular order.

Matching Outfits
I finally met a pickleball friend who enjoys being matchy-matchy just as much as I do. Meet my friend Karen. These are all the matching outfits we have but I have no doubt we will have more.

Lobsterfest
My friend Tiffany just bought Patti’s lobster so I’m thinking Lobsterfest will now be a regular occurrence.

Shirtless Pickleball
‘Tis the season for shirtless pickleball.

Post-Pickleball Picnics
We’ve been taking advantage of the nice weather and having munchies on the patio at Nahola after pickleball. Last weekend we had margaritas, pizza, and wings. Yesterday, Karen brought lasagna for everyone.

Fan-Girling
It’s perfectly normal in other sports, yet seems completely ludicrous in pickleball, but I’m bound and determined to make it a “thing.”

#SangriaSunday
I’m not a big drinker but I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy #SangriaSunday. There are days that I’m not feeling particularly competitive. I just want to play and be social and sip on my sangria and have a great time.

French Braids at the Park
This is probably one of my most favorite developments this year – Karen’s mobile hair braiding station at Seneca Park. I love playing pickleball with my hair in braids because it’s secure and out of the way.