Ok this is actually a special post, but before that I just wanna say, dat I shall try my bestest to avoid the situation I was in today. From 1325pm - 1015pm I have been out tutoring and travelling, and 3 houses and 4 students later, I'm finally home, and mentally realli tired. This is wat happens in CA week, LOL, and this is what happens when parents just refuse to share teachers and want their exclusive time... bleargh. Oh well in Azizul's words " Don't think about the time spent, think about how much money you're making"...
AND also, LOST rox lar! I am already at episode 11, and have 3 more episodes to watch, getting the stuff straight from the US is brilliant, I am about 3-4 months ahead of Singapore. The action is realli getting exciting, and the twists in the plot are brilliant! Finally found a lost buff in Jah and a survivor buff in She Fong, I need a Desperate Housewives Khaki, cos now its episode 16 already! Haha, those of you who want it, just drop me a tag. And no its not the bit torrent thingey, each episode for both LOST and DH takes 20 mins max.
Alright finally.....
My Special Place Simei has always been a special place for me, and though I've spent most of my time in Tampines, I must say the 6 years I spent in Simei were brilliant, brilliant company, brilliant memory and a brilliant place. Dat day as I was headed to tuition, I decided to take 12 from my old place, as I was there wif the girls paying Salome a visit. Took some pics, and as I walked that oh so familiar road back to my place (which my family still owns but is renting out), the memories just came back, still remember those 6am sprints o the mrt from home as I rushed to board at 615am MRT together wif the Eastern Boys, still remember playing street soccer during my bday celebration in sec 2, still remember all the brilliant squash, golf putting and cycling outings I had wif my friends. SAdly though, in year 2 it was time to move on, and my life did change in more ways than one. And Simei is kinda busy now, even the field in front of my place where I used to kickabout is gone. Sigh. But yes Simei is a wonderful place and who knows maybe when I grow up? Might just end up there again. I notice my life has a funny way of always coming back to where I started from.
This is the walk I always take back home, for 4 years from RI. 15 min walk. The best time to think through the days' events.
They did not use to have this building at first it was a thru road all the way to the other side, now its a police centre and has community centre and stuff like restaurants and cafes. Still remember my bag being stolen in the arcade at East Point and had to make a police report here.
I used to walk right in the centre of the Carpark instead of keeping to the side, dont care lar, as they say just treat it like your grandfather's road right? Well they dont say dat actually. Haha.
Another carpark. This was the one beside the open field, well what was the open field which is to the right. Now its some association thingey, I think Meta-welfare, well least the field was put to good use.
And finally, MELVILLE PARK, my 2nd home, haha. Which is now being lived in by some stranger. My block is the one to the left.
Miss Simei. But I must say I am happy where I am now.
The past week has been busy, but I think busy is ok as long as the time is spent doing something meaningful. Don't you think so? Too bad most of us, are spending our time trudging away for something which ultimately may be of not much use, but that's life isn't it?
Spent the past few days spreading my time out carefully between spending time wif friends, settling school stuff, soccer training, uni, business meetings and of cos tuition. Tuition is a bit heavy this time around cos of the CAs, but I think its alright, because I dunno why but I just am realli desperate to see all the kids I tutor do well in the CA. Tuition is on 5 days next week, but like I said, important thing is I spend it meaningfully, its not realli about financial gain right now for me, I find myself, even without any support from my parents, still relatively stable income-wise.
Yesterdae's training was good,I think the year ones are definitely improving, they even looked less tired during the fartlek (meaning speed play in scandinavian) at the end of training. Its still about 2 weeks plus from the SRJC match, but preparation is on course, just have to keep reinforcing the ability to think and play instead of just running around like a headless chicken. Saw our team jersey first hand yesterdae, also, and though Adidas has nicer designs, I must say this is a good start for the team, somehow I remember that wearing the jersey always brought about immense pride in me, I remember the first time Mr Tan gave out the jerseys, I actually wore it home the same day! Saturday is training again, and will keep it short and sweet with emphasis on movement and passing into space. Hope it'll be ok.
Beyond dat, its just 5 days to the end of the month, and dat always means money in the bank! Haha, I've decided to start saving up for an X-box 360, cos I realised that all my life I have been borrowing consoles from people, perhaps its time I tried to own one. 660 bucks, i should start a counter and start saving up to dat magic figure. Wait wait i must rope in my brothers to chip in also, I mean dats wat bros are for rite amirul? As for azizul, he might only wanna chip in if Maple SEA is playable on the 360. Lol.
This weekend had a little bit of respite when I met Uni yesterdae, but other than dat, its been downright terrible, especially my Sunday. Spent most of it reflecting on the words exchanged between myself and TYH on Saturday night. Oh well, I realli do not wanna talk about it cos its such a bad thing and it gives this Fd up feeling at the back of my head. Hopefully I can resolve some matters by today.
I have never baked in my life, so when I had some time yesterdae, I decided to experiment a bit, and well, the results were alright I must say. Although I forgot that baking is the opposite of cooking. When you cook, things shrink, like sotong, chicken, fish and the works, but when you bake, things enlarge, like into giant stuff which almnost overflowed the baking tray. Anyways here's a look at Azrul's first attempt at trying to bake cookies.
This was mixing the batter part, I think my butter was not soft enough, so was a bit hard, and btw that bloody weighing scale gotta throw away, cos its so damn insensitive! Still mixing the batter, it was flour, eggs, butter, vanilla essence and chocolate chips. I told Uni it doesnt work out I was just gonna make one big soccer ball with the batter and eat it dat way. A face full of concentration, or rather confusion. Shaping the cookies with my hand, cos I didnt wanna use a template. Bad idea, the batter was damn sticky lar, I think cos I puttoo much egg. Wat the heck.
These are the cookies before being put in, I thought they were small but when I took em out of the oven they were humongous! Anyways, u must be wondering, where are the pics of the finished cookies?? Well thing was that I left em in the fridge first, cos wanted to eat it this morn for breakfast. Well, thing is somebody beat me to it,. So well, when I make my second batch lar theni better find a lock and a chain for the fridge. And you thought your own house would be safe.
Today Jing Jing, out of nowhere, did a flying kick during kick-off before the game. Damn funny. She must have learnt it from these girls.
Btw, the sleeping girls are the real US team, the China one, not all real, but the main one is former captain Sun Wen, who is super good, though def not good enough to do the tricks you see herself. But she ust came out of retirement to help China in next years women's world cup.
Today was a good day for training, I think the possession play is realli beginning to pay off, so at last I know I am doing something right there. The game was also good, I thought both teams played well, and I was happy with the moevement and stuff. We can and have to be fitter of course, but overall its ok, we are heading somewhere at least. Jolyn also gave me some good ideas about how to improve training thru specificity,well actually her dad did, so will be implementing some new stuff next week.
But of cos, there is something on my mind now which I just have to offload, which I shall call "The coachingdilemma". Whenever one becomes a coach, he always has to face this dilemma when sorting out a two-side game.
Should I play the first team against the second?
Should I mix it up?
Both has its pros and cons, which I do not wish to talk about cos I discussed it so much after training, I'm sick of it. But inevitably I think ppl always get hurt, when divisions are made, when THIS dilemma is faced, when sides are taken and when cuts are executed.
I hate it and never liked it, and I guess I never will. But too bad it has to be done.
After training today I saw a couple of long faces and I instantly knew why. I mean cmon....I was a sportsman for so long, still am, so wat the heck, very easy to tell.
I guess I came into this whole thing wanting to be everybody's hero, wanting people to respect me and look up to me, but its realli not dat way at all. As I have always maintained, the sad truth remains dat as a coach, one is there to be judged. And u can never ever make everyone happy. I mean even if a coach wins a world cup and each of his players get a million dollars, the players who were cut from the squad before dat will be realli pissed, and so will those who got less playing time, so even at its ultimate, its hard to please everybody. Sigh.
Salome text'd me this just now:
"Yo...Dnt worry too much... Things wld work out jus fine.. Gals take tings 2 heart easily but we jus need time 2 tink trgh n realise tt we shldnt behave e way we did.. Every1 has 2 start frm smewhere n tis may b a turng pt 4 sme of dem.. U've 2 b convinced tt wat u did was right so tt e team can b convinced k?"
Well I guess wat they also say is true.
There are people who take the heart out of you. But there are those who put it right back in.
I'll keep fighting the good fight.
Great training all. Oh and thanx salomee, for remembering I'm still a human wif a heart. =p
Alright,. short one for now, dat is until I transfer pics from my camera. Anyways, this is a reminder to all Loser, sorry I mean LIVERpool vs Man U at Anfield, 5th round FA cup, 2030hrs this saturday, so don't forget.
Also to the soccer girls who go to this site, a reminder that we will be having a gathering at Vivian's place to watch the game.
COMPULSORY for all Liverpool fans, or else next training go and run 10km, cos I cannot wait to see your faces when Livepool gets their asses kicked. *rubs hands in glee*
Alright then, hope to get V-day pics up, took quite a few. I hope evryone had a nice Feb 14th.
Ok i promised Uni that I would update asap so here I am.
Today was a funny day. But a great one nonetheless. Training was not bad, think the girls will all be pretty shag, but I think its alright considering we are only training twice a week. Lots of running done today, Jing Jing and Jaslyn ran hell of a lot lar, damn proud to have them on my team. But overall I was very very happy wif the performance shown by the girls.
Anyways what happened AFTER training was wat was great. She Fong said there was some meeting, and wanted me to attend. Oh well, I'm always up to talk with the girls so it was ok but when I went down, suddenly Uni appeared out of nowhere and everybody started singing a birthday song for me. Damn shy lar freak!n But had a good time, I can't believe of all the ppl and palces to celebrate my bday. But it was great lar, I needed this.
Even managed to smear Alex with some chocolate cake. Sorry smith! She is so hilarious sometimes, ok actually everytime.
After dat filled myself up for some dinner with Uni before leaving for home. I always find it hard for us to say goodbye for the day, cos Uni always cannot let go of me! As in literally! But yah, I also hate having to part from Uni after we spend together.
Anyways, today was realli great, realli thought it was so appropriate to celebrate wif the important girls in my life. Thanx to the following people:
Alex Jaslyn Jasmine Farah Wai Yen Charmaine Christl Grace Michelle Jing Jing Steph Jolyn Tan Xuan Shi Ling Shu Yu Wara Dorcas Wei Shan Vivian Rynette Audrey Claudia
For giving your all during training, I know I'm pushing u guys hard, but I noe you guys deserve nothgin but to be the best.
She Fong For the lovely gift and card and helping to organise the Bday.
Uni For a great surprise, and for evrything that you have done for me for the past 3 years.
The girls getting ready to eat, everything seemed to fall into place cos I was telling them to eat immediately after training. I guess cake is not the best of things, but at least it has some sugar so can lar. The cake, or at least wats left, which eventually became my share. It was realli nice though. Thanx yang. Me and Uni as I was cutting a cake. We have never taken a picture in school before. Hahaha. Well after 3 years is a good time, even though been 3-4 years since we left. Was Jing Jing trying to get out of the way? Or was she eyeing the cake already....? Hmmm.... Me cutting the cake, I tell you I'm pathetic at trying to cut the cake, the pieces were all unequal and stuff. Sigh. Ok nothing much this pic, but observe the background....Still eyeing the cake...Haha.
Today has been a nice day I must say, but so has the weekend, let me start with the events on Saturday.
Morning was training with the VJO boys, satisfying, frustrating but overall a good use of my time, but the highlight of the day actually came from the other side of the field. The girls were learning how to do a lofted kick, and Charmaine was at the 6-yard trying her best. But somehow the ball didn't realli fly up. Then she some how moved nearer to me to talk to Viv I think,and at point blank range, as I turned around, her lofted kick actually happened.
Unfortunately I was in the way, and in a split second, it,well hit my...hmmm...my u noe. The one thing u don't wanna be whacked by a ball.Luckily I managed to get a hand to it and managed to deflect a bit, but things like this when they occur, don't have to be at maximum force, but rather at the right spot.
Ouch. I instantly sat down and tried to cope with an unbearable need to go and shit, dunno why everytime kena whack down there I always feel like that. Thankfully, it didn't take too long for me to get up. But well I just realised that I havent been whacked down there in a while. Oh well, with the amount of time I spend playing soccer it was bound to happen again. Just hope it wont happen for a long long time.
I kept laughing to myself thinking how of all the times the lofted kick was to work for Charmaine, I had to be in the way. Haha, oh well, this kinda shit happens.
That night also had a good night run, I love night runs, my pace is good,good rhythm, and with the ipod, I think I could just keep running for another hour. Did 10 click, and felt fine. I think I was so high that I lost my appetite to go and sleep, yesterdae I slept at 4am, and woke up today @ 9am.
Which brings me to today, I'm 22 now, and no it does not feel a shit different from 21, nor will it be different from 23. Haha, I guess I will feel like I grew older again when I turn 30 which is in 2014, so till then, it'll be alright.
My birthday is always normal and I like it that way, no cakes or wateva, just special wishes on SMS and going out with my special ones. Simple, I went to Han River and ate with my parents and bro, was not bad, ate a shit load, but its worth it, however told myself that I'm gonna eat table bbq once in two months. Too damn unhealthy. But it was great when it lasted. Haha.
Then it was off to tuition, which is standard Sunday fare, before heading over to Uni's place to help her mark papers. And then it was back home where I rested for a while and cycled over to Shi Min's place to pass her her recommendation letter. Hope she stays man seriously, very nice person.
So now here I am,typing away, tom morning run at 7, so cant stay up too late. Before I end a special shout out to those who dropped me a msg.
My dearest Uni, thanx a million! She Fong, who even had a small presentation on the phone. Amir, my grand junior from VJC soccer who amazingly remembered. Jasmine Lee, my JC classmate. My two tuition kids Rafie and Hafiz, who despite being so irritating sometimes, stil bothered to wrap me a present before I came for tuition. Salo-mee, with a great inspiring msg just now. Just reminds me dat birthdays arent about presents or what have you, its all about taking a few seconds in your life to make someone feel special, thanx a million all of you. Turning 22 is great cos of u guys.
Alright I'm sure the topic on everybody's minds, well thsoe reading the papers at least, is the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad which has been widespread. So let me say my peace.
As a Singaporean, I support free speech, and I respect that a country like Denmark advocates it,well and good. Lots of countries claim....claim....to have free speech, but ultimately, well they don't *hint, hint, some countries....I'm not gonna say who...* I mean seriously if questions have to be drafted by the school admin and planted in the audience during Q & A with a minister, (which is supposed to reflect questions by the students)hmmm, then u realli start to doubt it, so don't blame me k?
But anyways, yes free speech is good, but only to a certain extent. Havent they heard that too much of a good thing is bad? I mean one has to distinguish and think for themselves what is the repercussions of saying something before they do it right? I mean how many times have you wanted to go u to your OC /teacher/mom or dad and say "WTF ____? Why did you ask me to do dat?U can do it yourself right?" technically, that type of sentence isn't wrong lar, I mean I'm sure there will be some grain of truth to support your claims. But you don't say it right? Cos of the repercussions such as....extras, more homework and the principal or worse *gasp* no allowance. Unfortunately, well the Danish, in their desire to advocate free speech failed to see this coming, and now see what trouble they have put themself into?
But well, at least they apologised, though the editor said that Denmark is a country based on Satire, and they make fun of royals,politicians and shit. Yah, I noe, even US does this haven't they seen shows like Saturday Night Live and Kanye West's brilliant outburst @ Bush after Katrina?
But But But, the important thing to note is that you never see anything which criticises Jesus, slams or makes fun of Muslims, or Buddhists or what have you, well at least in no offensive way. But when one touches a particular topic like religion dats realli above and beyond anything else, and sometimes I don't blame the more radical reactions from certain Muslims, though I dont really condone it. I mean if someone said something about your parents you'll give them a piece of your mind right? So what more when they talk bout your religion, a strong institution in any god-fearing person?? Any normal person would get severely pissed off.
I took a look at some of the cartoons and its quite bad lar. I guess it was in the name of fun, but when something touches religion, particularly a widespread one liek Islam, its ubmitted to many interpretations. But I will not put anything up on this site lar, cos I don't wanna help to proliferate it.
Finally I would to tell all those fuckers out there who have been spreading the cartoons online, shame on you. I mean its already causing so much trouble and you still wanna add more fuel to the fire. If people wanna see it, let them, its probably easy enough with a few clicks, but don't worsen the situation by displaying it on yours. I went to t*******.*g and they showed a link of this girl, I think girl, who put hyperlink of a dozen over sites which had the cartoons. WTF?!!? My two cents worth is dat,please don't make it any worse, 13 people worldwide have lost their lives, this is no longer a matter of free speech, its about peace in the world. Lets just cut this shit out, and let bygones be bygones. Move on.
Is this all worth it for the sake of what they call "free speech"? Let us all just give this a rest, two wrongs won't make a right.
Its been a while huh? Nonetheless, here I am, ready to update. So lets start.
Soccer I have to break this down to 2. First was the match I played for the VJO against the current VJC batch. I think we did well, although the opposition was pretty thinly-staffed due to the injuries and all, but it was all good, as we won 4-2. Should have been 3-0 realistically lar, cos we let in stupid goals, and they also didn't deserve to let in one, which was due to a mistake. But nonetheless thought it was a good workout for us older guys, it doenst come much better than the VJC team in the 'A' Division. But it was a satisfying win, and hope this will give us the impetus to go and play more friendlies with other teams.
But nothing to worry, I think this year if everything goes according to the formbook, it will be VJC reaching the final again, and hopefully champions, I'm pretty sure they can do it.
From the girl's point of view, its all good, we managed to use the full expanse of the field yesterdae, and it was great cos it really allowed the girls to see how much bigger a real field is, compared to half a field. But currently, the girls are realli not there fitness wise, still too little running. In fact most of it comes from Steh and Vivian who tehcnicaly speaking are not the fittest of people. But bth of them are winners when it comes to the game and dats what's important.
I pitted a mock first team against the 2nd team, and the results was a 4-0 win for the former. But play is still scrappy, and I think I need to concentrate more on the weaker players in the team so that they can improve and push the first teamers for a place in the team. This I have to think hard and act on. But yesterdae, my defence was gigantic lar, I mean I had two bulls( in a good positive light) in the middle, Salome and Rynette. @ the sides, were the giants Claudia and Audrey. Sheesh. And I still have the likes of Grace and Sihui to play there. So defence is ok. Midfield wise, also pretty well stocked. I guess its just the attack wise, where I need to increase my firepower. Hoping I can get one more good striker from the 2nd intake. Oh well, results will be out tomorrow,I realli hope I do not lose anyone, it'll be realli heartbreaking and I'm not prepared for it.
.....
On another note, I got a msg from Mel today, asking me for my address to give me a b'day present! haha all the way from UK? I think never mind Mel, haha though I'm still gonna give you my address anyways. Mail you soon girl.
......
Anyways things have been busy with the girls, and trying to settle the admin side of things, its realli too complicated to mention for now, so I wil save it, but wateva it is I have to get it settled ASAP. Sux, my handphone bill is gonna freakin die, cos been making too many calls.
Ok I'm back, trying to kill sometime before I'm finally fatigued enough to go to sleep. Which should be within 20 min. LOL. Anyways, just watched American Idol 4th round of auditions which happened in Austin Texas, hilarious realli, especially the part with Randy Jackson's twin bro.
Training today was ok, I officially finished with Vivian's freekicks at bout 2030. Wanted to give the girls more time playing with each other today, and I will continue to give them more time on the ball I hope. Could be better session I think, I give myself a 5/10 for today. Think I need to do a bit more repetition of drills so as to reinforce, bring in more possession and zonal drills. Yup.
Uniquely Singapore (Part 2)
The travellator at Dhoby Ghaut Interchange, which doesnt seem to serve its purpose.
Lets talk about the travellator, definitely an asset in places like airports where lugging luggage, whether handheld or those that you drag along. But why in the hell did the authorities wanna put it at Dhoby Ghaut MRT interchange?
And why why why do people get on it, and start walking? Whats the point. I for one feel that it negates the purpose of the travellator. Anyways I dont see many people lugging shit big enough to warrant a travellator anyways.
So I decided to put it to the test and see if a person who goes on the travellator (k let me just call it a TVL for short) travels faster than one who doesnt and instead just walks normally. I noe this sounds realli stoopid but i decided to walk right beside the TVL and see if a person walking on it would be faster.
To be honest, i ate humle pie, cos the person was faster. Just dat he was like 2 steps ahead of me kinda faster. WTF. So, here th govt. is saying ok lets make things easier and spend a few (ok maybe a lot) thousand dollars and build TVL at Dhoby Ghaut. And all so dat people can walk on it like normal, and in the end be faster by two steps than someone walking normally on the floor.Well not very economically efficient if you ask me but ok lar I can empathise.
I realise people walk on the TVL for a few reasons:
1) being Singaporean, standing around and slacking doesnt cut it 2) Seing everybody walk, it just creates some sort of magic momentum dat nobody else can resist so they just decide to follow (herd mentality) 3) Cos they are super scared they will miss the MRT
So fair enough lar, I must admit I do walk up the escalators once in a while even if I'm not in a hurry.
Anyways thats another unique thing bout Singapore, a queer measure of installing a contraption which is only surpassed by the queerness of the people on it.
Oh and before I go, She Fong, I know your reading this, tag the board ok, praise me or something *grinz* dat'll make me happy for once.
But anyways hmmm, well not much has happened, but finally I got some time to write some stuff on this blog. I actually wanna continue on my uniquely singapore blog, but a bit tight on time, so maybe I will leave it tonight unless my bro is settling his maple stuff. LOL.
Half a Dinner
Yesterdae, I burnt like a bit of the skin on my finger thanx to my stupidity. Extreme stupidity and impatience realli. I was gonna rush off for a biz meeting but I knew I had to put some food into the system cos I didn't wanna eat a late dinner. So off to 7-11 it was together with She Fong. Settled for a Briyani Chicken and heated it up. In my impatience, I decided to take a shot and try carry it right outta the microwave and to the table nearby. A distance of 2m. Oh well, short story shorter, it was so hot, I dropped it on the floor, and half my briyani spilled out, inclusive of a drumstick. Crap. She Fong was outside trying to figure out why I was in such a franic mood. Quickly tok some plastic bags and wiped up the mess, and so ate half a 7-11 frozen briyani packet for dinner. Suffice to say, my stomach was growling after the meeting.
All thanx to my impatience.
On another note, my brother's desktop is gonna come soon, so I'm gonna have more time on this laptop, though to be honest I dont realli need that much time for it. Anyways the laptop has sorta bonded us closer together cos he spends much more time in my room playing maple, and in the process we always talk a lot of shit, orsometimes the occasional sing-a-long when I go take the guitar.
But ok lar, at least with the desktop he can finally do wateve he wants and not be restricted by my whims and fancies. So itsall good.
Training later, so gotta prepare for it, need to work on more passing drills for the girls, and need to show them how to move. Getting there getting there. I have to arrange my program for the run up to the season soon.
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This is the walk I always take back home, for 4 years from RI. 15 min walk. The best time to think through the days' events..jpg)
They did not use to have this building at first it was a thru road all the way to the other side, now its a police centre and has community centre and stuff like restaurants and cafes. Still remember my bag being stolen in the arcade at East Point and had to make a police report here..jpg)
I used to walk right in the centre of the Carpark instead of keeping to the side, dont care lar, as they say just treat it like your grandfather's road right? Well they dont say dat actually. Haha..0.jpg)
Another carpark. This was the one beside the open field, well what was the open field which is to the right. Now its some association thingey, I think Meta-welfare, well least the field was put to good use..jpg)
And finally, MELVILLE PARK, my 2nd home, haha. Which is now being lived in by some stranger. My block is the one to the left..jpg)
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