Kaonashi Ga Suki

My mom’s birthday was on Saturday, and since there wasn’t a movie we could agree on, we decided to play miniature golf. We went to this place called Golfland in S. El Monte. Although the place looks somewhat rundown (it’s been there for a long time), it was still very busy, with families holding birthday parties, kids running around, and groups of teens hanging out.

Now, I’m not exactly the greatest minigolf player, but I didn’t realize how much better I am than my siblings, who I have dubbed, “The Moat People”. You know how minigolf courses have obstacles? Well, one hole in particular contained a moat. Basically, the “green” was split in half, with this little river separating it, and you have to hit the ball hard enough to clear the gap. I did ok and my ball made it safely across the other side. My sister wasn’t so lucky.

Remember the Simpsons episode when Bart wanted to jump Springfield Gorge with his skateboard, and Homer does it instead (by accident)? Remember how Homer thought he was going to make it to the other side, but then realizes to his horror that he was wrong, and plunges down the middle of the gorge? Well, that’s what it looked like when my sister hit her ball, except that I knew it wasn’t going to make it since she didn’t hit it hard enough.

It sailed gracefully through the air and SPLOOSH! It landed in the water and was carried by the current. She chased after it, worried that it would end up in the little “lake” in the middle of the course. Fortunately the ball got wedged in between some rocks and she was able to get it. Meanwhile, the rest of us were laughing hysterically at her predicament.

My sister wasn’t the only victim of the moat. Trying to learn from her mistake, my brother hit the ball hard. Really, really hard. So hard that it bounced in all directions before it too, fell in the water.

You’d think that my brother and sister learned their lessons, but no. When we played the second, most advanced course, we encountered another moat. This time it was wider. Again, my mom and I successfully hit the ball across. And again, my sister and brother watched in disbelief as their balls fell in the water. But this time, the moat had claimed a new victim: my dad. His ball went in the water, but fortunately the grate meant to catch the balls caught his ball. Unfortunately, it didn’t catch my brother’s and sister’s ball, and again they tried to catch their balls before they ended up in the lake.

Miniature golf was so much fun. I’m glad we got the chance to do it before the rainy season.