First Time (But Also Perhaps The Last Time)

That I will be watching a football match on the grandstand of the National Stadium. It's Singapore vs Australia and they played out a 0-0 draw.

The Starting Line Up...

The Actions...

An Upclose behind the Singapore bench...

Meanwhile, tonight will be another RED derby between Manchester United and Liverpool (Who cares about the London one ???). It's Ronaldo vs Torres... Reds may be 11 points behind the Reds Devils, but let's continue that RED hot form and cut the gap to 8.

For me, finally I am called up by the NDP admin commitee. The next 4 months shall be a challenging yet fantastic one with lots of good fortune, breakthroughs, victories and "firsts".

A (Set Of) Stumbling Block Once Again That Hinders My Road To Happiness ???

This week's been a tougher one... especially after the events of 3.16, especially after the day I made a resolution of accomplishing my personal "quadruple" in August...

The office politics in my branch at NSPD is getting more and more tense. Though I am not the one involved in this internal conflict, I am a branch corporal who is "sandwiched" between fellow NSFs and officers. Why can't we work in harmony like we do in the first year of my NS life ? I may not know how you feel since I am not the one who got "aimed", and not the one who got the promotion being held up, and I may choose NOT to care since I am just here serving my National Service and still only got 10 months to go, but I don't like to see an environment which is getting less "peaceful" as long as I am here. Perhaps, this situation is a training ground for me to prepare for a harsher working life with bigger office politics in the near future...

NDP... I am still waiting for a phonecall which informs me that I am part of the 600 participants of SSA... same goes to Perry and Glenn...Though I am a NSF who is working office hours on weekdays and studies ACCA at night, but I am ready to commit, I am ready to breakthrough. Being a performer at Marina Bay on Aug 9, a place where F1 Singapore Grand Prix will take place, is one of the "quadruple" which I want to achieve.

I been doing fine for this past 3 months of 2008 and good run MUST not come to an end. I don't want to see myself have my progress getting interrupted, happiness hindered again, and let my life stagnant again...

I can't afford to lose this year.

为你写诗

爱情是一种怪事
我开始全身不受控制
爱情是一种本事
我开始连自己都不是
为你我做了太多的傻事
第一件就是为你写诗
为你写诗
为你静止
为你做不可能的事
为你我学会弹琴写词
为你失去理智
为你写诗
为你静止
为你做不可能的事
为你弹奏所有情歌的句子
我忘了说最美的是你的名字

爱情是一种怪事
你的笑容是唯一宗旨
爱情是一种本事
我在你心里什么位置
为你我做了太多的傻事
第一件就是为你写诗
为你写诗为你静止
为你做不可能的事
为你我学会弹琴写词
为你失去理智
为你写诗
为你静止
为你做不可能的事
为你弹奏所有情歌的句子
我忘了说最美的是你的名字

为你写诗
为你静止
为你做不可能的事
为你我学会弹琴写词
为你失去理智
为你写诗
为你静止
为你做不可能的事
为你弹奏所有情歌的句子
我忘了说最美的是你的名字
我什么都能忘记
但唯一不忘记你的名字
我什么都能忘记
但唯一不忘记你的样子
我什么都能忘记
但唯一不忘记你的名字
我什么都能忘记
但唯一不忘记你的样子

Here with a greater passion and conviction

For the first time in such a long time, I never been soo high... and that POSITIVE.

The events of 3.16 was such a success, and I been in a cheerful high-spirit role in terms of doing the welcoming the guests from various Asian countries for yesterday's Kaikan tour and also the Minister for Foreign Affairs for today's Synposium, which is reported on tonight's News. I just wanna bring smiles to everyone around...

Tomorrow will be Monday... back to office, back to gym, back to the text books, back to the planning for the next's discussion meeting. NS may be dull and routine, and perhaps struggling in terms of some "internal politics", but why not overcome various struggles that I face and achieve some victories in my life before I O.R.D next January ??? When I look back on the day of my O.R.D date, aka 8 Jan 2009, I must feel that "Well, 2008 is the best year of my life." rather than "Another Year of Stagnation and Disappointments..." or what soo ever.

Meanwhile, I shall achieve my personal "Quadruple" when August comes and ready to continue my efforts in my Gakkai commitments.

Let's work hard yeah...

Reading Stevie G's autobiography

I had just finished reading it. Soo far it is the best footballer's autobiography I had ever read. Comparing to the ones of legendary Pele, talented yet chaotic Gazza and Best and a young Wayne Rooney, the Liverpool captain's story inspires me. Gerrard is a man full of emotions, passion and determination. He's one who is out to win and overcomes the odds and past disappointments which occurs in his life and on the field. After reading it, it further spurs me up in my quest of achieving my resolutions I set this year, with bigger determination and optimism.

Tomorrow is my start of my involvement in the commemoration of 3.16. This coming weekend must be a victorious and fulfilling one not only in my life, but for everyone involved. And I really hope that those friends and cousins whom I pass the tickets to must be able to attend the synposium at Expo this Sunday.

Have some evening nap after my NS today, to get some rest and get ready for the upcoming 2 days of involvement in 3.16 events and tomorrow morning's RT. Ever since the start of NS, I make sure I will spend my weekends well, in terms of going of all sorts of activities (Be it hanging outs, sports or soka activities...) and also catching up with friends, as well as knowing new people. I don't like staying at home, doing nothing, not following up with friends and waste these weekends away after 5 working days each week, unless I create values at home, such as doing my revision for studies.

Meanwhile, this weekend must be one of the great ones this year.

Eventful Saturday

Well... I don't do much on this day, besides going for RT in the morning and clocked my personal best in 2.4 km (The best since sec 4, 2002), chanting an hour of daimoku and went 3 hr of afternoon nap. Meanwhile, 8 Mar saw some eventful news around the world. (Or I should not say the world? Since there are only few pieces of news happening around...)

Malaysia General Elections

Well, I don't really like to analyse about Politics, but I do care about this issue happening the world, since it may affect us. Our neighbouring Malaysia held their General Elections and the outcome ? The ruling BN coalition did not fare well in the Elections, where they failed to secure 2/3 of the majority in the parliament and had lost few of the state elections to the opposition (Notably Penang, Selangor and Kelantan) and it was one of their worst results in years, where few ministers also lost their seats.

English FA Cup

Besides the shocking results of our neighbour's General Elections, the FA Cup also saw the shocking defeats of the remaining powerhouses left in the Quarter-Finals. Manchester United was K.O by Portsmouth after they lost both of their keepers (Van der Sar to injury and then Kuszczak, whose foul led to his sent-off and the winning penalty.) and Barnsley continued their giant-killing feat by killing off Chelsea at home. Guess Avram Grant's head is going to roll.......

The return of the (ex) golden boys (both 70s and late 90s/early 2000s)

At least this was not a shocking result.

Liverpool saw off Newcastle by 3 goals and continued their road to securing No.4 . A fluke by Jermaine Pennant, a wonder goal by Torres and another by Stevie G (Which I missed out cos I switched to CNA to follow up the neighbouring Elections) continued to miserable Newcastle United and not a pleasant come back for Owen and Keagan. I felt sorry for Newcastle though. They had not won a single major trophy for decades and they expected Keagan to lead the team back to the greater heights like he did at his first stint in the mid 90s. Too bad, they won 0 matches since his comeback.

As for Liverpool, let's produce yet another solid display against Inter Milan, like how they did against Juve 3 years ago in the route to (previous) Champions League triumph.

International Women's Day

Many of us are unawared that... 8th March is International Women's Day.

As for next weekend, it will be 3.15 and 3.16, a series of event to commemorate the significant event of 3.16 50 years ago in Soka Gakkai History. As youth, let's strive for more victories not only on this significant day, but in the years to come !!!

This morning went Morning Gongyo... alone... before meeting up Choon Yan for some catching up and breakfast at Woodlands, while we last minute went to the nearby Party World KTV to have a short 3 hr KTV session where I tried new songs by Luo Zhi Xiang and Gary Cao Ge. Went on to borrow few books at the library before heading home. Well, I borrowed Stevie G's autobiography as well as an illustrated history of Liverpool with Michael Owen in the middle of the cover. By the way, that book only updated till the era of Gerald Houllier, no stories on Rafa, no stories of the Reds' comeback triumph of 2005 in the Champions League and of course, Michael Owen did not leave the Reds yet. But the last updated on the book was his last season with Reds, same went to Houllier.

And how times has changed.

只因为你

从清晨露出微笑的金黄
我知道我不会再孤单
看你为我绽放的脸庞
放在心上
有了你 我的世界不一样
童话里幸福终结了忧伤
你是我最靠近的坚强
有你陪我自在地遨翔抬头仰望
天空变成一座游乐场
世界更明亮
只因为你 我情不自禁闭上眼睛
心里想了想还是你
不让你离开我的手心呵护着你
幻想着紧抱在我怀里
只因为你我情不自禁 这样为你
证明我不再孩子气
如果有一天我们老去寸步不离
回忆里 如镜子都是你

Happen to listen this once again when my playlist plays randomly... such a nice song that sounds bright and hopeful... for me.

Tonight shall be a emotional match for Michael Owen, where his Newcastle United will face up Liverpool, a club where he used to be... the golden boy, the goal poacher. It's kind a match up between the former golden boy and the current golden boy, which is Fernando Torres. Well, I hope Torres can at least hit 20 goals in the league, something which Owen failed to do so while at Liverpool(The last to do soo was Robbie Fowler aka GOD). He already hit more than 20 in all competitions and there's still few months left for him to hit more than 30 !!!

The Curse Of The Defending Champions...

I realise that the Defending Champions of the Champions League will NOT make it past 2nd round... since the 2004/05 season.

2004/05... FC Porto the defending champions... minus Jose Mourinho and the likes of Deco and Maniche... fallen to Inter Milan in the round of 16.

2005/06... Liverpool... shockingly lost out to Benfica in both legs of the same round.

2006/07... FC Barcelona... knocked out 2-1 on aggregate despite winning at Anfield over Liverpool in the 2nd round.

2007/08... AC Milan... They expected to run over Arsenal after a lucky 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium, with Kaka back in the team. This morning however, they were given sucker punches by Cesc Fabregas and Adebayor in the final 6 minutes of the game. While the Gunners is the first English team to win at San Siro.

As the commentators commented it is the end of an era for Milan, I feel that the team needs a makeover for the new season. Most players are ageing... Nesta is 32, same goes to Seedorf, Gattuso is 30 this year, Pippo is 35, sames goes to other over 30 players such as Cafu, Ambrosini and Dida, while another 32 years old Ronaldo(The plump one, not the handsome Benglish one) is fighting a career threatening injury can may leave the team this season. Well if I am the manager, I will build a young team around Kaka and Pato.

Meanwhile for Punters, can consider to bet the opponents of the defending champions to win in the 2nd round of the Champions League.

Exactly 6 Months Ago...

It was a night which looked promising, but ended up as a false dawn.

6 months On... in some aspects of life, I may be doing well, with greater determination and optimism. But it still a little stagnant when it comes to this particular aspect of my life...

6 months later....... Something DIFFERENT must be done and achieved by then to wash away this never-ending hurt.

Just like Steven Gerrard, who is frustrated on Liverpool's underperforming results in the English Premier League over the years, I am frustrated... in this part of my life which truly lacks good fortune, and perhaps, wisdom.

"I am tired of saying the same thing over and over again."

But just like Stevie G's declaration of "Making one season the season to make it happen and do the talking on the pitch", I shall do these talkings on my daily life.

And I must be positive and with greater optimism, especially when some other things are looking uncertain and unwell to me right now.