Hello world! This week was full of slays I’m excited to share. Summer is here!!! This week’s slays:
- Pick Up Pickleball
- Pool Parties!
- Walmart 50c Corn
- Heeramandi
- Pesto Farro Salad
Slay #1: Pick Up Pickleball
This week, I went to play pickleball by myself during open play time at one of the community courts in my area. It was definitely a personal challenge, since I can’t remember the last time I went by myself. I’ve almost always dragged a friend along, but since I’ve been playing more lately, this time I felt comfortable with the idea of laying my paddle down and joining a random group.
When I arrived, I was discouraged to find that most of the courts were filled with pairs of people drilling/playing singles. Usually when it’s busier, it’s easier to blend in with the crowd and common to mix up teams with strangers. Since there weren’t people waiting to play, it was pretty awkward waiting around, but nevertheless I found a court where 4 people were playing, so I laid my paddle down there. However, no one stayed on after the game while two others went on, so there wasn’t a partner for me to play with (and they weren’t feeling 2v1 🥲).
The second time I tried to play, I went up to someone hanging by themself and asked if they wanted to join in on a game. Turns out, this person was an advanced player, and I got crushed by the advanced players we played against (for context, I’m a very low intermediate player). They all asked if I was a beginner 😔 (tbh with all the pressure, I probably was playing like one). After two games, I was feeling pretty discouraged and ready to go home.
Then, the advanced players offered to play more with me. My partner left and one of their friends joined. Between the four of us, we ended up drilling and playing for hours 🥹 and I got so much better. I learned that I’ve been holding my paddle wrong (swinging upwards instead of laterally). Turns out, my paddle actually does work as a control paddle if I actually use it right! By the end of the day, I was holding my ground and returning smashes I wouldn’t have dreamed of defending last week. I’m so grateful that I stayed despite my humiliation and met people who were patient and willing to help me learn.
Slay #2: Pool Parties!
We love summer pool parties! (or, if the weather is less cooperative, summer jacuzzi parties!). I’m hoping to host a few this summer and make use of my barbecue. Summer is here; celebrating good weather with friends is a great way to spend longer days.
Slay #3: Walmart 50c Corn
Fresh corn was on rollback for 50 cents at my Walmart this week! So slay. I wonder why my Trader Joe’s never has it, but for this price, I’ll probably never look for it there. I made elotes using this recipe and it was so good.
Slay #4: Heeramandi
I finished watching Season 1 this weekend 🥲. Despite that Alam had no facial expressions (except for the first scene of Ek Baar Dekh Lijiye, maybe in episode 1? the only time I thought her “dreaminess” was acceptable), I was still emotionally shocked by her storyline and found myself sobbing through the last two episodes. Sonakshi Sinha slayed so hard. I’m not gonna lie, I went delulu with this show a little. I had grand hopes of a happy ending for come of these storylines, but then I remembered that this is the same director that delivered Devdas and Ram-Leela. Of course no one was going to be happy at the end of this show, especially not me.
I love this concept of a high budget Bollywood TV show, though. I don’t rewatch a lot of movies, but shows are a different story altogether (and a longer one at that!). Heeramandi has staying power in my heart, and I’ll be watching it over and over again in preparation for Season 2.
Slay #5: Pesto Farro Salad
I made this pesto farro salad from the More Mediterranean book from America’s Test Kitchen, and it was SO good. I didn’t realize until I pulled out my blender that I would be making my own pesto, but it was barely any effort for the best pesto I’ve had in 2024. I highly recommend this recipe, 10/10 easy simple and delicious.
That’s all for this week! See you all laters!!!
