Alright, I have to say that the Champions League finals on Wednesday night was indeed disappointing, not purely due to the fact that the team I root for lost but also because I felt it was a sub-standard CL final. There had been so much commotion and build-up to the game since many had been continuously making comparisons between darling Ronaldo and petite Messi. Perhaps many would point fingers at me saying that I am biased and favour over Ronaldo but I am just contributing my two cents worth on neutral grounds.
ManU was a disappointment that night. There was no glimpse of the ManU that dominated and outplayed Arsenal in the semi-finals at all. Instead, it was deja vu of the night when we lost to our arch-rivals, Liverpool. The defence looked so weakened despite having the rock-solid combination of Van de Sar, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra. When I scrolled through the starting line-up, my heart skipped a beat because I saw the combination I would vote as disastrous Carrick-Anderson-Giggs. Apparently, the suspension of Fletcher resulted in this make-shift midfield. Despite having a pretty decent good season, Carrick is never the guy that you can expect a moment of brilliance from him. When you are leading, Carrick is the most effective guy to keep the pace of the game at a consistent level but when the tides are turned around, he impedes your progress because he is way too slow! To worsen things, an inexperienced Anderson was fielded. No doubts he has had contributed to us reaching the finals but he is definitely not the hard-core guy that you want to include in your team against such a seasoned Barca team who has Iniesta and Xavi bossing around the mid-field. You need people like Scholes or Fletcher who can exert the right pressure, make the tackles and break their play. Save the sissys for the Premier League games, boss!
ManU was the boss before Samuel Et'o scored. However, that moment of brilliance at the 10th minute definitely changed the game thoroughly. The winning attitude on Ronaldo's face, the never-say-die mentality of ManU and the champion aura simply vanished into thin air. I do not deny even till this moment that Barca were the better team after the 10th minute. They played their usual Catalan game, passed the ball around, kept the possession, threatened with a few run-ins into the penalty area etc. It was the sub-standard play of ManU that protrayed a glittering Barca on relative standing terms.
Under such circumstances, do not try to make comparisons between Ronaldo and Messi. Critics of Ronaldo often highlight the fact that he is never the star who shines in big games but ask yourself this question: is Messi one yet!? Everyone is denying Ronaldo of his merits and credits just because he appears to be cocky and dives quite a bit. Come on, search your soul and touch your heart, which soccer player don't dive?! Puyol was one big standing statue and display of the diving tactics that night!
Sometimes I can't help but think the Ballon d'Or is merely a big piece of pork whereby all soccer players take turns to grab his share. Messi had been coming in 2nd place behind Ronaldo in all major individual awards standing last year because the latter had helped ManU to a doubles last season whereas Barca did not get your hands on any silverware. Think about it, if ManU were to successfully retain the CL, wouldn't Ronaldo be crowned the Ballon d'Or winner again because he had assisted in rewriting history since no teams had managed to defend the CL trophy? If that had happened, wouldn't all the media and critics who are desperate to crown Messi as the best footballer hitherto, have to reset their count-down timer to 730 days instead? That seems distant and what if swine flu infects Spain and accidentally took his life away? It will be one of the greatest regret in football history to fail to acknowledge such a talented and gifted player!
I watch Messi for Barca quite regularly especially during the time when I was in Stockholm. Creativity is apparent in his play and he is daring enough to take on defenders. However, he plays a different style of football and I vote for Ronaldo's way of play. He is always the best! :)
Now that Perez has officially assumed the President post of Real Madrid, he will try to bring Ronaldo to Madrid at all cost. Despite Ronaldo himself declaring that he is happy at ManU and will still stay there after the turn of the Summer, I take those words with a pinch of salt. I identify with one of the ManU supporters who said the following:
"If he had left last Summer, I will definitely boo him if ManU ever plays against Madrid. Yet, if he choose to leave this Summer but do the appropriate thanksgiving and show his gratitude to the club, the manager, the players and the fans for all that we have given him and contributed to his transformation from a boy to a man, I will root for him and cheer him when he puts on the Madrid shirt. If he finally choose to leave when he is around 28-30 (still pretty fit and perhaps at his peak), I can fully apprehend his intentions to want to fulfil his dream of playing in Spain and be closer to his family and friends and by then he would have dedicated more than half of his career to the club that raised, supported and cared for him so much."
I can't agree more with the above! Yet, my gut feeling seems to tell me that somehow he will leave this Summer. I will miss the kind of entertaining football that he integrates into the games but I always insist that everyone has the freedom and right to pursue their own ambitions and live out their own dreams. Only when you have done so will you be able to identify with that sense of achievement and satisfaction, so go ahead, live out your own dreams!! :))
What a long piece of post full of my rants, my praises, my evaluation and nonsense concurrently....
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Back to reality once again.
I used to have the following quote as my msn nick:
.Dream. -Embark- ^Conquer^ _Back to reality_ -->Next destination?
That is my travelling ideology all along. It has to be initiated by a dream to visit a place, then pursued after by embarking on the journey followed by conquering the destination. Everything comes to a beautiful full stop when I board the return flight and descend back to reality from cloud 9. Then, I will keep in mind the next destination on my agenda.
Now, I have conquered part of Australia, I will blog on it soon once my macbook undergoes the required surgery and regain its health since it is pronounced sick currently and will be sent to the operation table in 2 days' time. What a timely moment to fall sick yeah, my darling Mac?! Perhaps it is catching on the swine flu train.
.Dream. -Embark- ^Conquer^ _Back to reality_ -->Next destination?
That is my travelling ideology all along. It has to be initiated by a dream to visit a place, then pursued after by embarking on the journey followed by conquering the destination. Everything comes to a beautiful full stop when I board the return flight and descend back to reality from cloud 9. Then, I will keep in mind the next destination on my agenda.
Now, I have conquered part of Australia, I will blog on it soon once my macbook undergoes the required surgery and regain its health since it is pronounced sick currently and will be sent to the operation table in 2 days' time. What a timely moment to fall sick yeah, my darling Mac?! Perhaps it is catching on the swine flu train.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Downsouth~Aussie..
71 Waves HI from Gold Coast.
Australia is technically the land of the rising SUN, but literally not!
The sunrise is so early at around 5 plus and the sun sets by 5pm.
It's like Stockholm deja vu!
But I enjoy the cool weather that they have here.
Afterall, people should always visit Aussie during Autumn -winter or spring
And Never SUMMER I guess!
More updates soon...
Take care everyone!!
Australia is technically the land of the rising SUN, but literally not!
The sunrise is so early at around 5 plus and the sun sets by 5pm.
It's like Stockholm deja vu!
But I enjoy the cool weather that they have here.
Afterall, people should always visit Aussie during Autumn -winter or spring
And Never SUMMER I guess!
More updates soon...
Take care everyone!!
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Aussie.
71 shouts: "A million apologies to Kenneth, Seng, Omma, Jan, JY, Rachel & Pauline."
I won't be able to make it for the gatherings that you guys have organised.
I made a decision.
I will be flying to Aussie on 13th May 2009.
Chris is my best friend.
I do not want to see him struggling with his emotions.
If US has to be cancelled, so be it.
I am sure there will be another opportunity. :)
I won't be able to make it for the gatherings that you guys have organised.
I made a decision.
I will be flying to Aussie on 13th May 2009.
Chris is my best friend.
I do not want to see him struggling with his emotions.
If US has to be cancelled, so be it.
I am sure there will be another opportunity. :)
Disappointment?
I should have been over the moon now that the exams are over, yet that adrenaline rush in me was short-lived. I received Chris's call last night that he's pulling out of the US trip most probably. That the swine flu is causing much commotion and concern for him and it might not be wise for us to make the trip there in June. Of course it dealt me a hardblow considering that we had made so much plans, booked the tickets only to see it burst into flames. Perhaps, I should quote Murphy's Law? You plan and plan and something unexpected props up and it gets called off?!
I was really disappointed I have to say. Of course shawny and linky have offered me alternatives to go to Aussie with them next week. I am really tempted but the cost of the ticket is yet another issue again. Cos they are flying straight to Sydney and back whereas I might just join them in Brisbane and go up to GBR instead. I know I would have lots of fun travelling with them as well but Aussie is not my ideal holiday trip this Summer. The States is.
What should I do? I hate to make do for 2nd best.
I was really disappointed I have to say. Of course shawny and linky have offered me alternatives to go to Aussie with them next week. I am really tempted but the cost of the ticket is yet another issue again. Cos they are flying straight to Sydney and back whereas I might just join them in Brisbane and go up to GBR instead. I know I would have lots of fun travelling with them as well but Aussie is not my ideal holiday trip this Summer. The States is.
What should I do? I hate to make do for 2nd best.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Go ManUtd!
Last night's CL Semi-finals against Arsenal was magnificent! We simply tore Arsenal apart and proved that we were indeed better than them. What I would term as OUTCLASS them. Nasir played an influential role in ManU's defeat at Emirates Stadium last year in the Premier League. I read reports about his responsibility and the role he would take on yesterday night and he admitted that he will be playing in a more defensive way this time round. I think that must have been a blessing in disguise. Nasir's such a magician, capable of tearing apart and creating real good chances and space for himself. I love his playing style. Fabregas is equally good and deadly since he is famous for his killer passes and scoring with a BANG! What's more, Arsenal had Van Persie back in the team which is a huge morale booster. Nonetheless, we proved that we were of a better class and showed more quality football. :) I was so happy last night when we won, because that meant we were on our way to Rome for the FINALS!!!!! Ronaldo scored a brilliant free-kick from 41 yards, tell me "Isn't he the MAN?" He rocks!
So this afternoon, halfway during my self-proclaimed study break, I decided to relive last year's Champions League glory by logging on to youtube for the videos of the penalty shoot-out. Everyone should be aware that I was in Europe last year around this time of the year. In Stockholm last year, I had lots of spontaneous friends who were passionate about soccer since it is Europe's National sport! We are diverse and of course we support different teams in different leagues. Armen is a die-hard Barca fan while Damien goes for Arsenal's beautiful football and of course his compatriot, Arsene Wenger i.e. A french. For me, it is definitely ManU ManU and more ManU.!
There were countless get-togethers for soccer matches since it is usually telecast at around 8-10 pm at night. If we had a large group of people gathering together for a pre-party or celebration, the communal kitchen would usually be extremely chaotic and rowdy and you are bound to see several laptops streaming different matches at the same time. From the round of 32 till the 16, then the quarter finals and eventually semi-finals and finally finals, we never once stood each other up for the games. Classical ones were the ones against Lyon and Barca because Damien went for Lyon (after all he is a French) and Armen for Barca. During the first leg of the Lyon match in France, Lyon's Benzema scored first and that was a huge booster for Damien. I was sitting beside him watching the game on the lappy and he turned to me and said, "Ginnelle, though Benzema scored, we are still friends ain't we?" Gracious as I was, I readily acknowledged with a nod. Before the final minutes of the game, ManU equalized and I was elated. Now the tides were turned since we had an away goal and I asked Damien back the same question. We both just laughed at each other. For that moment of in accordance, I thank God for it. :)
Before the Barca match, Armen and I made a pact to watch it together at one of the pubs. The first leg was at Camp Nou and you could imagine the intensity that surrounded me in the pub because everyone else there was a Barca fan except me.! Initially Damien declared himself neutral but when he saw the anxiety and intense on my face, he was very encouraging to tell me that "If you support a team, be strong in your foothold and not let anyone around you affect you." For that, I heart him for the comfort that arise in my despair and isolation.
The 2nd leg came but this time round, I stayed back at the hostel for the game. This time round, I had Simon on my side and it felt so much better..! When Paul Scholes scored, the both of us looked at each other in disbelief and the hug that came about was unequivocal.
Finally, we were at Moscow in the twinkle of an eye. This time round, Damien missed watching the match with us in a pub. But there we were, the rest of us passionate soccer fans in another pub. I must admit it felt extremely neurotic when Frank Lampard equalised in the first half and when Ronaldo missed the penalty. Simon was there, right beside me telling me to continue to have a little faith. When John Terry mis-kicked, the two of us celebrated as though we had won the cup already. Emile was nice enough to ask us to tone down our celebrations and keep us in check. When Edwin van de Sar made a superb save against Anelka's penalty, Simon and I could no longer contained our excitement, exhilaration, pleasure whatever you called it. We were in the heat of the moment..!!
The experience that I went through back then was something so intriguing, dramatic yet momentous. Even now, almost a year after the sequence of events, they still live in me and constantly stir up emotions in me every now and then. Having gone through such a melodramatic CL's finals, there is a certain benchmark in me as to what I should expect this year. But deprived of such passionate and enthusiastic friends, will I still enjoy it as much this year?
So this afternoon, halfway during my self-proclaimed study break, I decided to relive last year's Champions League glory by logging on to youtube for the videos of the penalty shoot-out. Everyone should be aware that I was in Europe last year around this time of the year. In Stockholm last year, I had lots of spontaneous friends who were passionate about soccer since it is Europe's National sport! We are diverse and of course we support different teams in different leagues. Armen is a die-hard Barca fan while Damien goes for Arsenal's beautiful football and of course his compatriot, Arsene Wenger i.e. A french. For me, it is definitely ManU ManU and more ManU.!
There were countless get-togethers for soccer matches since it is usually telecast at around 8-10 pm at night. If we had a large group of people gathering together for a pre-party or celebration, the communal kitchen would usually be extremely chaotic and rowdy and you are bound to see several laptops streaming different matches at the same time. From the round of 32 till the 16, then the quarter finals and eventually semi-finals and finally finals, we never once stood each other up for the games. Classical ones were the ones against Lyon and Barca because Damien went for Lyon (after all he is a French) and Armen for Barca. During the first leg of the Lyon match in France, Lyon's Benzema scored first and that was a huge booster for Damien. I was sitting beside him watching the game on the lappy and he turned to me and said, "Ginnelle, though Benzema scored, we are still friends ain't we?" Gracious as I was, I readily acknowledged with a nod. Before the final minutes of the game, ManU equalized and I was elated. Now the tides were turned since we had an away goal and I asked Damien back the same question. We both just laughed at each other. For that moment of in accordance, I thank God for it. :)
Before the Barca match, Armen and I made a pact to watch it together at one of the pubs. The first leg was at Camp Nou and you could imagine the intensity that surrounded me in the pub because everyone else there was a Barca fan except me.! Initially Damien declared himself neutral but when he saw the anxiety and intense on my face, he was very encouraging to tell me that "If you support a team, be strong in your foothold and not let anyone around you affect you." For that, I heart him for the comfort that arise in my despair and isolation.
The 2nd leg came but this time round, I stayed back at the hostel for the game. This time round, I had Simon on my side and it felt so much better..! When Paul Scholes scored, the both of us looked at each other in disbelief and the hug that came about was unequivocal.
Finally, we were at Moscow in the twinkle of an eye. This time round, Damien missed watching the match with us in a pub. But there we were, the rest of us passionate soccer fans in another pub. I must admit it felt extremely neurotic when Frank Lampard equalised in the first half and when Ronaldo missed the penalty. Simon was there, right beside me telling me to continue to have a little faith. When John Terry mis-kicked, the two of us celebrated as though we had won the cup already. Emile was nice enough to ask us to tone down our celebrations and keep us in check. When Edwin van de Sar made a superb save against Anelka's penalty, Simon and I could no longer contained our excitement, exhilaration, pleasure whatever you called it. We were in the heat of the moment..!!
The experience that I went through back then was something so intriguing, dramatic yet momentous. Even now, almost a year after the sequence of events, they still live in me and constantly stir up emotions in me every now and then. Having gone through such a melodramatic CL's finals, there is a certain benchmark in me as to what I should expect this year. But deprived of such passionate and enthusiastic friends, will I still enjoy it as much this year?
Monday, 4 May 2009
Letting History repeat itself.
The title is so unlike my style! I let history repeated itself once again during my exam! Why didn't I let my answer repeat itself instead?! Damn!
I worked out the proof at home! But when I was there in the exam hall, I have not a single idea why I forgot it!!! Indeed, time constraint plays a part. I was behind time because I only managed to complete 2 questions within an hour and I still had 3 to go.. So by the time I attempted the 3rd question, I was rushing through my arse. Lol!! I hate that kind of feeling. To let myself down out of my own foolishness.... Unforgiven! :(
I worked out the proof at home! But when I was there in the exam hall, I have not a single idea why I forgot it!!! Indeed, time constraint plays a part. I was behind time because I only managed to complete 2 questions within an hour and I still had 3 to go.. So by the time I attempted the 3rd question, I was rushing through my arse. Lol!! I hate that kind of feeling. To let myself down out of my own foolishness.... Unforgiven! :(
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Recall.
I went to an ex-colleague's 21st birthday party last night. Honestly, I was astonished by the crowd that gather and the setup and all. She had really big banners put up and spot lights, dry ice, sparklers all ready and it looked more like a wedding as commented by another of my friend. Lol! She had a 20th birthday celebration last May as well but because I was in Stockholm then, I was not able to make it and had not experienced the kind of lavish and grandeur that accompanied her celebration. Halfway through the party, she changed into another dress and that left me scratching my head and stunned. "Why the need to change your costume?"
By around 9 p.m., we then got ready for photo-taking and of course the highlight of the night, the cutting of the cake. I would likened the crowd to almost a throng but when it was time to sing the birthday girl a song, the volume sounded pathetic and I mean really pathetic. No one bothered to gather and you could see people leaving halfway, hoping that their absence will be insignificant in the large crowd. Some did not even bother to sing the birthday song nor clap and were busy taking photos with their own long-lost friends. Of course I did my part and sang the song, not only out of duty and responsibility but also with sincerity and wishes. Since you have decided to attend the party and send the someone your wishes, then do it whole-heartedly right? There was a crowd of around 100 people but the volume of the birthday song sounded like a pathetic group of 10 trying to amplify their voices.
Going through the celebration reminded me of my own 21st birthday party. I started to wonder, was my party anyway like hers? I would feel tremendously embarrassed and at the same time really upset and inadequate. It was as though those people who went never really wanted to attend but were merely being compulsive or conforming to social norms of attending someone else's 21st birthday party to reciprocate because he or she had attended yours. However, it is almost 18 months since my birthday celebration. I was so busy that night that I can no longer recall the expression on everyone's faces. However, deep in my heart, I know majority of those that attended really meant to be there to give me their true blessings unless it was yet another deception.
This incident had once again reiterated the point that we need QUALITY friends. Quantity does not count. I would rather have genuine and whole-hearted blessings of 20 friends rather than the pretense or hypocrisy of a 100. :) I love my friends honestly. Diverse and versatile.
A toast to:
--> the one or two unique ones whom I can dial anytime and anyday for a coffee or to lend an ear and to walk through the ups and downs of life together, watching each other closely.
--> some whom I put in the extra effort or walk the extra mile to maintain our friendship, holding it as though it is a fragile piece of glass that might be broken once I hold it too loosely but you guys make me appreciate what other friends had done for me.
--> A few among the litre whom I love to disturb, call them names knowing that they won't be angry or pissed occasionally yet sometimes surprising each other when we start to lend each other a heart and an ear for some comfort.
--> the several whom I always complain and whine non-stop towards to vent my frustration and anger when I cannot suppress it or contain anymore.
--> Those who seemed so distant yet once in a while, a knock on my phone or msn or email tells me the weight I have in their heart, thanks for not forgetting me. :)
--> The few or several leisure khakis be it KTV, mahjong, tennis, badminton or even a movie. You know who you are but that does not mean you ain't important.
--> Lastly, the rest whom left a little and brief footprints in my life. Though you ain't that special, thanks for being there when I needed a friend or company. :)
By around 9 p.m., we then got ready for photo-taking and of course the highlight of the night, the cutting of the cake. I would likened the crowd to almost a throng but when it was time to sing the birthday girl a song, the volume sounded pathetic and I mean really pathetic. No one bothered to gather and you could see people leaving halfway, hoping that their absence will be insignificant in the large crowd. Some did not even bother to sing the birthday song nor clap and were busy taking photos with their own long-lost friends. Of course I did my part and sang the song, not only out of duty and responsibility but also with sincerity and wishes. Since you have decided to attend the party and send the someone your wishes, then do it whole-heartedly right? There was a crowd of around 100 people but the volume of the birthday song sounded like a pathetic group of 10 trying to amplify their voices.
Going through the celebration reminded me of my own 21st birthday party. I started to wonder, was my party anyway like hers? I would feel tremendously embarrassed and at the same time really upset and inadequate. It was as though those people who went never really wanted to attend but were merely being compulsive or conforming to social norms of attending someone else's 21st birthday party to reciprocate because he or she had attended yours. However, it is almost 18 months since my birthday celebration. I was so busy that night that I can no longer recall the expression on everyone's faces. However, deep in my heart, I know majority of those that attended really meant to be there to give me their true blessings unless it was yet another deception.
This incident had once again reiterated the point that we need QUALITY friends. Quantity does not count. I would rather have genuine and whole-hearted blessings of 20 friends rather than the pretense or hypocrisy of a 100. :) I love my friends honestly. Diverse and versatile.
A toast to:
--> the one or two unique ones whom I can dial anytime and anyday for a coffee or to lend an ear and to walk through the ups and downs of life together, watching each other closely.
--> some whom I put in the extra effort or walk the extra mile to maintain our friendship, holding it as though it is a fragile piece of glass that might be broken once I hold it too loosely but you guys make me appreciate what other friends had done for me.
--> A few among the litre whom I love to disturb, call them names knowing that they won't be angry or pissed occasionally yet sometimes surprising each other when we start to lend each other a heart and an ear for some comfort.
--> the several whom I always complain and whine non-stop towards to vent my frustration and anger when I cannot suppress it or contain anymore.
--> Those who seemed so distant yet once in a while, a knock on my phone or msn or email tells me the weight I have in their heart, thanks for not forgetting me. :)
--> The few or several leisure khakis be it KTV, mahjong, tennis, badminton or even a movie. You know who you are but that does not mean you ain't important.
--> Lastly, the rest whom left a little and brief footprints in my life. Though you ain't that special, thanks for being there when I needed a friend or company. :)