December 27th 2009; She's on a roll.

I was very hesitant to write this blog post because I was afraid it was going to be too long. This subject is something that I could very easily start ranting about. I have to limit it, believe me. (lol).

Before December 2009, bowling wasn't important to me. It was something that my dad, mom, and brother did leisurely, but I never truly took an interest. I did participate a few times growing up, but I didn't really like it. In fact, I told my family at one event " I hate this, I want to go home and I never want to do this again."

Insanely enough, nine years later, it's the direct opposite.

On December 27th, 2009, I had my first adult bowling ball drilled for me. I remember rushing down to the center, the guy drilled my ball and I immediately started bowling. I was ten games deep, but I wouldn't give up. That day, I shot a 210. I was so proud and completely hooked. I didn't want to leave the center.

Every week, and almost every day I was bowling. If you couldn't catch me at home, you could catch me at the lanes, or maybe the gas station (that's about it). I would bowl anywhere between 8 to 10 games per day. I started researching and looking things up. I watched youtube videos, bought books, read articles (you name it). I wanted to give everything I had to my new addiction. It also helped, that Jeff was the biggest bowling geek in the world. 

Funny side story- Our first valentines day, he asked me what I wanted to do. He offered dinner, movies, among other things. I turned to him and said, "I want to go bowling." He was ecstatic. We actually watched bowling, at the bowling alley that day. It was so much fun. Years later, he proposed in the bowling center, and eventually, we got married in the bowling center.

From then on, any time and anywhere I wanted to go we went. We would "galavant" through different cities, and states bowling like crazy. We started competing in doubles tournaments, and I started to compete in women's tournaments. My name started to spread really quickly because I was improving quickly. Eventually, we started winning a lot of events. I also began winning many women's events too. It was awesome.

Eventually, bowling took my travels further on the road. I've gotten to travel to Ohio, New York, Reno, Wisconsin, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and all over the entire state of New Jersey. I've met so many amazing people because of bowling. I have seen so many beautiful sunrises and sunsets (you know, my obsession lol). I think that's my favorite part of the sport. Sure, shooting honor scores are a lot of fun, but seeing new places, and meeting new people is even more fun. The bowling community has become my family.

When I'm on the lanes, I am in my own little world. It's me vs. the pins. Bowling keeps it simple for me. When everything else is complicated, bowling is always there. I am so thankful for bowling. Bowling has given me more blessings than I feel that I deserved. 

In the present day, I'm still working pretty hard on the lanes. During my journey, I've had a couple hiatus'. The birth of my daughter, and then I needed surgery. I also have had other health issues and struggles with my kidney. That's a story for another day. I've also taken up coaching. I love coaching, but it does put my practice time on the back burner. I've been able to practice a little more lately, and I've stopped taking lessons on days where I am off. Monday's I've dedicated to practicing and helping a fellow bowling sister of mine. It's really helping my game get back to where it was. 

My first 300 was an absolute dream. I had been bowling for less than a year, and I just got the hang of throwing a consistent hook. My brother and I were bowling together (Jeff was at work). We both ran the front 8. It was awesome! He stopped in the 8th frame, leaving a 10 pin in the 9th. I kept going. Fast forward to my final shot. I had received a text that Jeff was at the traffic light five minutes from the bowling alley, but I didn't want to wait. I got up, through the shot, the ten pins hesitated but fell. I cried my little eyes out. Everyone in the building was crying because they knew how hard I worked for that. My bowling only got better from there. I learned everything I can from everyone I can. 

As most of you know, art is my other passion, and splitting the time between art and bowling hasn't been easy. For a while, bowling was taking a back burner to art. I couldn't help it. When I start a project, I have to finish it. That's the perfectionist in me. After the shut down occurred, I began feeling depressed. I decided that adding bowling back into my life (more then it was) might be the answer. It's been helping to keep my mind busy. I think I am slowly trying to figure out the schedule, lol.

I hope that someday, I can dedicate more time to my game. I would love to go back to competing in events like I used to. I know that might be a little unrealistic, but I would still like to try. If I can even get back to half of that, I would be thankful. I've been shooting a lot more 600 series, but I remember the time where 650 was a minimum for my mindset. I know that through motivation, dedication, and patience I can get there. Half of the battle is believing in yourself, and following through with your plan. Life is full of ups, downs, and mistakes. I've always believed it's how you respond to them is what matters. Stay humble, steady, and thankful. Gratitude is everything.

As far as the best bowling tip I could give you? Just keep bowling. You're going to have those nights where things don't seem to work out. You are going to have bad games and bad frames. All you can do is focus on one shot at a time. 

As always,

Artistically yours

Social Media Plug:

FB1: Kreated By Krystal

FB 2: Krystal Mannering Athlete

IG: Missartisticallyours

ADD, Like, Share, and Comment.