Bye Bye Keegan

Just a few months ago I posted an article titled "Bye Bye Big Sam,"
and here I am "again," saying goodbye to somebody.

Sadly, after less than one year of management, Keegan was sent off the Newcastle coach's position. I guess I do feel some sympathy for Keegan, since I think he was not given enough authority in putting up a new team after Big Sam's era ─ so there was hardly a "Keegan Era," to start with.

I really hope Newcastle gets past these almost silliness and gets back in the real game. With all the good players pending and some not yet given an appropriate chance, I think this team needs quite some time to adjust itself and move on.

Wonder who's going to be the next coach. Whoever it is, I pray for Newcastle to really settle down this time and really, really "move on."

Top 10 Debuts in the History of the Premiere League

By MIKE ANSTEAD, at "The Sun"

Published: 11 Aug 2008

original url: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/top10s/article1522697.ece

THE Premier League season kicks off on Saturday and new heroes are almost certain to emerge.

Major summer signings will be desperate to pay off a chunk of their transfer fee by grabbing the headlines on their debut.

Who will it be this year? Deco? Johan Elmander? Peter Halmosi? We will soon find out.

There have certainly been many debuts to remember in the top-flight since 1992 — but a number of them also offer sharp reminders that early form can be deceiving.

We have pulled together our pick of the players who have hit the heights on their Premier League bow.

No10: Alen Boksic (2000)

The moody Croatian started his Middlesbrough career with a neat double in the 3-1 win at Coventry. The classy forward had probably never heard of Highfield Road after his stints with Italian giants Juventus and Lazio but Boro fans left the ground buzzing. Unfortunately, injuries overshadowed his three-year spell.

No9: Milan Baros (2002)

Liverpool dropped Michael Owen for the visit to Bolton but new boy Baros ensured the gamble paid off. The Czech hitman grabbed a brace in the 3-2 victory with two decisive finishes, although he never lived up to the initial hype at Anfield. Failed spells at Aston Villa and Portsmouth followed.

No8: Michael Owen (1997)

With an incredible record at youth level, Owen stormed into Liverpool's team with a neat finish 17 minutes after coming on in the 2-1 defeat to Wimbledon. The striker became a Kop legend thanks to his scoring exploits, although he has struggled on his return to England with Newcastle.

No7: Robbie Keane (1999)

Eyebrows were raised when Coventry paid a whopping �6m for the teenage striker. But Keane blew away the Sky Blues fans’ fears with an impressive double to wrap up a 2-0 win over Derby at Highfield Road. The Irishman was sold just one year later to Inter Milan for an incredible �7m profit.

No6: Mario Stanic (2000)

The Croatia star left the Stamford Bridge crowd purring after a sensational debut in the 4-2 triumph over West Ham. He struck a delightful goal – controlling and juggling the ball before lashing home a volley from 35 yards – as well as adding a second. But the midfielder failed to maintain that form.

No5: Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001)

Van Nistelrooy and Juan Veron both made their debuts against Fulham but it was the Dutchman who stole the limelight. United twice went behind before the deadly hitman grabbed two goals in four minutes to secure a 3-2 win. And while Veron was a huge flop, Van Nistelrooy went on to become a hero.

No4: Alan Smith (1998)

Like Owen, Smith promised so much as a teenager. The Leeds striker also delivered on his debut, although his goal came from his first touch at Liverpool as he inspired the comeback for a 3-1 win. Smith went on to become an Elland Road favourite but his career is now faltering.

No3: James Vaughan (2005)

Everton’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace is remembered for the emergence of Vaughan. The Toffees ace grabbed the final goal to become the Premier League’s youngest ever scorer at 16 years and 271 days. Injuries have hampered his progress but there are big hopes again this season.

No2: Brian Deane (1992)

Man Utd were crowned champions but they initially became unstuck against the Premier League’s opening hero. Sheffield United's Deane scored the first ever goal in the newly-formed division and added the second in a shock 2-1 win. Several players grabbed braces that day but Deane's stood out.

No1: Fabrizio Ravanelli (1996)

Premier League debuts do not come better than this. Ravanelli left Juventus for Middlesbrough in the prime of his career in a �7m switch. And the Italian immediately set about proving his worth by grabbing a hat-trick against Liverpool in an epic 3-3 draw at the Riverside. A legend on Teesside.

The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place

I have been looking for this CD for so long, blaming myself for losing it in some corner of the room. So many times I wanted to listen to it, looked around and around but just couldn't find it. The one album that was missing from my explosion in the sky collection.

And tonight, in a box I sealed up long time ago, there it was. Laid with other CDs I've lost track of for quite a while. And what a delight to play it again, against the quiet night. What a nostalgia.

Face Fear

I am getting used to the fact that I am suffering from depression. And I look out to my own bit changes in daily life.

Still I fear a lot of things.

I fear I might be fading inwards. I feel so lonely, so alone, and so singular. I have lost the ability to associate myself with others, and I have had my social life destroyed. I literally have no social life at all. For the past two months, I have had only two dates with people other than either my boyfriend or my tutor students. I had dinner once with Alan, and Kiya came to visit me at my dorm one time. That sums up to two. That's all the social events I have had for two entire months, and probably longer if I think through it.

It is often said that depressed people need friends. But where do friends come from? First of all, one has to make friends to have friends. Then, one must keep up with the friendship to preserve it. Then, depending on each situation, this friendship deepens or simply remains. I wonder where I lost it, but anyhow I just did.

So one day when inwards I'd like to cry for help and care, I have no one to turn to. Plus, I lose the interest in any contact with the outside world, so as days go by, I barely go anywhere and barely speak to anyone, therefore it is more than natural for nobody to speak to me ever since.

There are times when I wonder whether I am allowed a chance to make up for anything, and redeem any love, concern, or affection I have once had in my life. It feels so good to be loved and cared. Even if it's only a "hi" or "what's up" could be burningly warm. There are times when I wonder if I should ever be forgiven by the whole world.

There are also times when I run into friends or schoolmates I haven't met for quite some while, and they say hi. They ask me, out of courtesy or sincerity, what's been up. And I wish I could tell them all. Usually, we're standing in the middle of a hallway, both rushing to some class; or, we could be at the dorm gate, one leaving and one returning. So, these occasions, they're usually a squeezed rush of time, no more than minutes. The minutes are only enough to trade for courtesy talk, and the conversation never gets deeper. It is never a good time -- in a manner of time or manner of occasion -- to reveal my true thoughts or emotions.

But still, when anybody, running into me, says anything such as "I love your hair today" or "are you still doing that course?" I feel more comfortable than ever. Surely it would be seriously awkward to comment to that person -- close to me or not so -- that "you have lighted my day by just speaking to me." And when coming to think of it, nobody seems ever close enough to me for me to spit out anything really sensitive or fundamental. To most people, I am just an average friend. If I had expressed how I loved them, they would definitely freak out and step back.

It's summer. Days are different (I wish.) I really feel dreadful. But meanwhile, I hope I get better, not knowing how -- yet.

Last Day of College

Just finished my last final exam today.

It was Drama, and I did barely satisfactory. We were given two hours, but I finished in 40 minutes, and left the classroom early. As I walked out of the AV Center, it was only 10:20 am. I thought I could might as well buy myself lunch before heading back to the dorm.

I chose the 7-11 next to Burger King in the campus. It's on the second floor, and I had to ride all the way from Penny Lane to Fan Palm Road before ascending those stairs. On my way, morning shined but not too warmly. It is unusual of me to be riding "home" at this time, since classes are usually not dismissed until noon, and yet today I took off early.

Just beneath the warmth of an early summer campus atmosphere, it suddenly stroke me that not only did my class wind up earlier than expected, but it was also the last class of my entire college life. So there it was. My college life was over. The end of an era anticipated.

From now on, I'd not be driving anywhere in rush for class, for handing in a report, or being late for a group meeting. From now on, my bike will simply serve as a tool of entertainment, instead of my campus partner. So everything was there. As I ascended the stairs, I was about to grab my very last college lunch. The 7-11 in campus offers discounts that are found nowhere outside campus. Many of my classmates are still in their final exam. Luckily for them, their college life is not over yet. And mine has ended. Right there. On the stairs leading to a convenience store.

I didn't think of missing campus, or missing student life. I was simply overwhelmed by a neat sense of nostalgia. During college, no matter how lost I was, in the long term, I was always heading somewhere. Whether it's trivial such as catching up with some class or as serious as getting by a semester of infinite projects to be done, or even passing the time of an entire long summer vacation, wanderingly waiting for the new semester to arrive and become one year more senior. Always, I was heading somewhere, some spot or stop in a planned college blueprint. The process of doing college was itself secluded by the idea of entering school and graduating it, and I was always somewhere in between.

But now I've pretty much reached the destination, which is graduation. I didn't even care to attend my own graduation ceremony a couple of weeks ago because I thought it would be diffusive and boring. However, I don't regret that. Maybe it's my coldness that is striking me. The fact that, not like in middle school, nobody put up that big miserable scene where everybody cries and laments over leaving each other and the school. Nobody put that up for me, I didn't put anything like that for me, and the one ceremony where I could've had a chance to do that, I chose not to attend it, because I simply didn't feel like I would be emotional there.

My bonds to this school does not lie on that ceremony, and anything concerning me and the school could not be revealed in an occasion like that. I was not close to my classmates, or to say they were not close to me, and nobody ever cared to be too close to me. So, my memories and sentiments do not lie in that ceremony. My affection and reminiscences are wild spread over the whole campus. In every little corner, every edifice, every little detail that consists this secluded little isle.

I could draw all the incidents that ever happened in each corner of the campus. Knowing I'll never be back, I wonder how I got by these whole four years. Did I make friends? Did I make real close friends? Do I have friends who care about me? Did I learn much? Did I appreciate literature in a manner that as I age, I'll look back to it as the sweetest love affair with words? Did I lead a normal, average, should-be college life like any other college student? Did I, or did I not? What have I accomplished, learned, taken, or better -- given -- during these four years?

The trip from 7-11 back to dorm was short. Mere minutes. Some ten, fifteen people passed by me as I rode silently. Will somebody, or something, ever miss me? Do I dare come back in 10, 20 years to face my own reminiscences and evaluate myself as who I once were?

The journey was so silent. Maybe none of the passers-by laid eyes on me. And that is how my college life comes to an end. Silently, unnoticed, and sinking.

Depression

June is almost over.
I wish my depression will be over soon, too.

Come Back to Literature

I thought I chose literature. But maybe I didn't.

These days I feel like (and I feel needing to) coming back to literature. I have long ran away from many things, so has it been a long time since I've sat down and wrote or thought over real carefully - and honestly - about many things.

If I had to name a goal or main issue to my current days, I'd say honesty. I need to obtain honesty. It is hard though to believe that anyone could be as dishonest to oneself as to any other irrelevant person, but I think I am. And it is truly terrifying. Obtaining (or shall I say, regaining?) honesty concerns too wide a criteria of matters.

I have always disagreed with those who run into something in search of pure rescue or redemption, making it a shelter or an excuse to live for or live in. In many cases, literature and all sorts of arts are often thought to be related to these purposes. And I have managed to maintain sober and not fall into this trap. Yet either I was wrong about them or I was wrong about it.

I have always questioned literature. But now I feel like I need to come back to it.

Late Birds

I thought I was crazy enough to be up at this hour (3:24am), showing up in the bathroom with a mouthful of toothpaste.

But apparently I'm not alone. While I stood there, one girl across the hall was on her cell phone (tidily dressed and everything) while another one was in her shower. I looked around and not too few rooms still had their lights on.

So, is this what college students should be doing on a Saturday night? Or better, what should we be doing to fit this lovely early summer date night?

Premier League Champions!

Fantastic night (especially at Tavern!)

Last round of the season, and ManUtd share the same integration as Chelsea. Yet ManUtd did enjoy an advantage in goal difference (this got us way ahead!) The two teams are to play the last round simultaneously.

In the end ManUtd won 2:0 against Wigan Athletics, while Chelsea, leading 1:0 against Bolton for the whole 90 minutes got "even" with an equalizer during the added time (what are the odds!) And so, even without the advantage in goal difference, ManUtd beat Chelsea by 2 points!

MANCHESTER UNITED ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND AGAIN!
This is our 10th Premier League championship, and 17th if including First Division times! That is hell of a record!!!

Frustrating Future

Frustrating to recognize the fact that I'll soon become a jobless college graduate. Trying hard to think of jobs I can do, but really hard to think about it while geographically still in Taiwan.

I spent the night surfing job-finding websites, looking for open opportunities, hoping to flash a light of inspiration on what I could do for a living. But, lack of experience plus lack of a vocationally-professional diploma makes it really hard. (Literature is not really vocational, is it? Neither is language as a mere media on the basis of nothing.) So my future is still wandering somewhere and indeed frustrating.

Just to think of the worries of how to support myself...ahhhh.

I wish there were some open places in theaters, movie or drama.

Footbal from the DREAM FACTORY

The game against Aston Villa last night was awesome! Surely winning the game was crucial, since the season is at its end and we've got Chelsea and Arsenal only a few points behind, so winning the game was supposed to be, but winning it at last was still great!

CR made a fantastic classic goal by pounding slightly on the ball with his heel as Giggs fired a corner. It was definitely a beautiful goal! Later Tevez scored, Rooney twice, and Manchester United won 4:0 against Aston Villa.

When Rooney scored, the broadcaster yelled...

"And it's...and it's....gooooal! Wayne Roooooney! This is football from the DREAM FACTORY!!!"


I believe we're in great shape, and I hope this'll last till the end of the season since we've got the last few games in the Premier League and UEFA Cup coming!!!

Glory Glory Man United!!!!

Farewell, FA Cup

After beating Arsenal in the last round, and beating all other Premier League teams (what a luck in drawing lots, meeting no one but Premier League companions and not even one Champion League team), I thought we were bound to win today's game against Portsmouth, especially since we're playing home.

And yet we lost. Instead of feeling upset, it felt more like an awkward funny mess.

We played quite well. And yet we had no luck. Not even a drop of it. The ball hit the post more than once. When Carrick made it to the penalty box, the ball even touched the goal line, but didn't cross it. That's how close we got to scoring a goal. Not to mention we deserved a few penalties that were not granted.

How did we lose? At 78', just as we were preparing to face extra time, Kuszczak made a deadly mistake. He accidentally tripped Baros with his arms as he dived down before him to save the danger. He was given a red card, sent off immediately, and Portsmouth won themselves a penalty. Ferdinand was pushed to take his place between the post, and could not make it to save the penalty. And so Portsmouth won 1-0.

And so we did not make it to the semi-finals. I guess we're out of chance of recreating that fantastic achievement we made in 1999, winning all three trophies. But we still got the UEFA Cup and the Premier League to go.

Well, some say we would have had more luck if Fergie had let O'Shea play. Somehow I feel like agreeing with that!

Enchanted (2008)

When Giselle, lost in where there are no happily ever afters, seemed to Robert a girl too naive and ignorant, almost stupid and hopeless, those were the moments that touched me deeply.

That is what I am searching and seeking for. The impeccable, indestructible, unquestionable belief in hopes and possibilities. Don't ever say no. Life and world is just too vast, too beautiful to be hurt by such unbelieving thoughts.


Never be unbelieving.
Never, ever, say no.

Prime (2005)

The last time I saw this film, I didn't quite like it. I thought it was kind of clueless and nonsense, delivering no specific message. Yet after accidentally watching it again on HBO today, it changed my mind.

The last scene was really touching. For one moment, when Rafi noticed Dave peeking on her through the restaurant window, and gave back that slight smile, I felt like weeping. It was a matter of seconds in the film, but a total condensed, strong, and powerful scene. It was then that I learned that this was the concluding gesture of the whole movie.

I cannot imagine how unendurable it is for that long period of separation to really take place and become an accepted truth. Movies are always about the protagonists. The major parts. The central event. Things and people that really count at last. That is why I felt so unendurable to witness the fading away of what should have, or might have, become the major part of life. When we so wanted for something to become what would last or where we would end up, it makes it exceptionally cruel to not only lose it, but to retrace it from the "main" point of view.

What's worse in the film is the forced confrontation of a face-to-face reunion with that loss. When looking back to the past, it is merely history, something that is settled and cannot be changed thus requiring no further investigations. But looking to it in the very present is like a evoking that time when different decisions were made, as if it were a reproduction of those happy and heartbreaking recollections. It might just as well kill us with the pain.

The best thing about that scene in the film is that neither Rafi nor Dave had another story going on in the present, which means you cannot avoid the pain of facing this moment by trying to convince yourself that "it's nothing but something beautiful from the past, and now I have moved on, to someone where with someone else, so let's focus on this main part of life." Well, maybe she has, maybe he didn't. But all these interlaced and complicated feelings and memories from the past are condensed into that very single moment, when he peeked on her through that window, and she noticed, and she looked at him, and almost like hesitating for one second, and then?

And then she gave the slightest smile. Probably with some connotation.

Arriving at Chinese New Year's Dawn

I arrived at Taipei on the dawn of Chinese New Year's Eve. It was only 5:50am, and outside temperature was around 10C.

It is always nostalgically unfamiliar to return to the city of current residency. Recollecting the pieces of images through the windows of a bus returning home seems like a process of reassurance and recovery of one's acquaintance to the city.

In less than a few hours, I may return to my previous daily schedule and style of life. I will be surrounded by daily errands and familiar people, as well as what should be considered as a home, sweet home. Everything shall stat as -- or return to -- its most versant status. Versant. Familiar. Conversant.

I could also assume that everything shall be different. Because as one always learns and experiences through a journey leaving town, I might as well return with new, exotic thoughts and values. It is very likely that this city might possess new meanings, even new inspirations, as I return from faraway to this resting land and examine it with new eyes. But somehow, there are certain journeys that does not shade such positiveness on a returning traveller.

The fact that my arrival falls on the dawn on of the Chinese New Year's Eve probably sheds some effect on my feelings, too. All the agreed concepts of Chinese New Year being a time of reunion and family bonds is contradictory to my arrival. I left my own family -- that is, my parents and my siblings -- to fly back to a city I reside merely due to temporary studies here. While the rest of the nation is busy with transporting themselves back to their family on this annual holiday, I am arriving to nothing, to nobody, to a dorm of four that is currently empty, to a city where I have no relatives at all, to a ghostly campus where all schoolmates have gone home, to a chaffy refrigerator holding old food with conservation concerns, to dusted stoves and vans, to a bed filled with nothing but all my loyal stuffed friends.

As the day breaks, many people will be on their way home, by train, by bus, by car, by plane, by all means of transportation. They will begin their journey, looking to arrive in warm, lighted houses crowded with family, with hot food serving and freshly done laundry drying outdoors in the air of this light winter sun.

While their journey is just beginning, mine has just already ended.

Anxiety before Dawn

LSAT is only 2 days ahead. All of a sudden I'm overwhelmed with anxiety. Waiting for the dawn to weigh on me, and the consequent future it may lead to.

This process of school application seems like a Very Long Engagement. What may have been just another day now seems to be too long to endure and it's as if I've lost my patience and can't wait on any longer.

Not long ago, it was Summer. I decided to apply for law school. Not long ago, it was September, and then December, and now it is the last day of January; but a mere February seems so distant and unreachable.

I suddenly wish that this whole process may end sooner than it seemed to be.

Done with Don Quijote

Haven't been posting anything for quite a few days.

Finally got over with the Don Quijote project! Writing a full five-page-essay in plain Spanish really is a challenging job for me. My reading ability is still far better then my writing ability! Anyhow I got through with it, and this quite sums up this whole semester of Spanish Literature. Still wondering whether I should continue taking this course next semester. Hmm, we'll see.

As I finished the project, the day lightened up (and I mean it literally), and the weather finally started to warm up. Been in Seattle for three days already, and the morning temperature has been around frozing 25F.

I hope the rest of this winter stays warmed up, too. Anyhow I feel like I am on the verge of giving farewells to a whole lots of things.

Arriving to a Frosting Winter

As I walked down the aisle of the getting-off-plane tunnel, the first winter breeze hit me chillingly. I believe it was around only 26F outside temperature, and I hadn't been in such a cold winter for a long, long time. Last time I paid a visit to "home, Seattle," was in winter 2007. That was one whole year ago.

I popped in the same old car of dad's, and its scent was more than familiar, except I knew that this time I was heading towards a new home, a new house I've never visited before, but that they had been residing in for half a year already. All of a sudden, this mixture of returning home yet arriving in an unknown place hit me like a fuse of nostalgic complex. Maybe I don't know who I am, or maybe I don't know where I belong.

Sometimes I feel like I travel too much, move too much, and change addresses so often that friends find it totally not surprised to learn that I could be suddenly in a very distant, exotic city. And they would easily start a warm-up conversation with, "Where are you right now?" And by where, they are asking me to name the city's name.

It is interesting how, from my travel between cities, countries, and continents, I often switch from a season to another. In Taipei it is still winter, but the weather has merely gone down for the past few days and reached a chillness only enough to start putting on light sweaters and decorating scarves. In Seattle, it has been snowing on and off, and you never know when you'll get a chance to mow the frosting lawn.

And that is how the weather was when I landed in the city. In between controversial attitudes, I was either traveling from home to tour, from tour to home, from hostel to hostel, or from winter of a kind to another kind of winter.

What it takes to become a Lawyer

Today we gave our final presentation in the class of Psychiatry, Law, and Society.

The subject given was to discuss (possible) government policies in dealing with suicide issues. I was surprised I was the only one discussing the legitimacy and justifiability of law intervention in such cases. Most groups focused on media and law (how media reports may affect people's thoughts towards suicide). Some groups gave possible explanations of suicide, which to me seemed too assumptive, lacking statistic basis or logical ratiocination. Some came up with policies that lacked feasibility. One group actually suggested we force media to stop misleading reports by having advertisers call of their commercials, and thus abolishing the importance of rating.

However, I was the only one to talk about justifiability of law intervention in suicide. I believe that before you deal with a problem, you must make sure it is a problem (and not just a phenomenon), and also make sure you are justified to interfere. I thought these were the very basic foundations to establish before proceeding to the details of regulations and practical issues. Yet it doesn't seem to be concerned. At least not in this class.

It made me wonder how often people act before they are authorized, and for worse, they take doing so for granted. Should's and could's are not two sides of a skyline, but total different ways to think. As I cross from literature to law, I realize how boundaries are to be taken care of cautiously. Some say, "Be careful what you wish! It may come true." I'd say, "Be careful what you define! It may be unnecessary."

After class, Dr. Wu praised my work. Yet something in me tumbled. At times, law seem to share essences with philosophy and literature; yet at other times, they seem to do the whole opposite. I am used to standing for absolute freedom, especially when it comes to spiritual freedom. And yet there are more faces to be considered than through simple artistic views.

Maybe writers and poets are crazy men. What socialization do you expect from them?

Ronaldo scores again!

Serie A, Milan 5-2 Napoli

Goals: Ronaldo(15')(47'), Seedorf (30'), Kakà(68'), Pato (73')

highlights of the match on youtube:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=buBKIojrkr8

Stunned to see Ronaldo score 2 in a row! How everyone missed him! After months and months of "almost returning," he is finally back on the field. He's changed a lot (what a hairstyle...) and I really wish he can be in good shape for the rest of the season.

The new Brazilian that AC Milan signed last summer - Pato - did score, too! So proud of him! I wish him a great start at Milan!

Although some simply dislike Milan (like Ali, who technically hates them), still I can't find a reason not to love them. With some of the best and my favorite Brazilian players in the team - Cafu, Kaka', Ronaldo, Emerson, and now Pato... I just simply have to be a Milan fan!

Good luck for them! Hope they return to the top of the table soon! :)

Picturing last year in Taiwan

Should have been another chilly winter day. But something up there played a joke and made it a semi-summer cozy weather today, perfect for strolling along the city.

I wandered through the campus alone, heading towards the building of Liberal Arts to drop off some documents for law school application. Every detail on the way seemed to be displaying in slow motion, exceptionally clearly on this day. It so reminded me of my first days here, starting fresh in college life, with such ignorance and innocence that anyone would easily forgive. I suddenly realized there was not much time left before I had to leave. Passing by schoolmates, walking by or riding by on their bike, the past days flashed through my mind, almost melting into the scene.

Where is everyone now?

As I made a turn at the end of Palm Avenue, I knew what I was expecting to see. And for one second, I swear that a sense of fear hit me sharply, afraid that it might not be there anymore.
So I turned right, anxiously looking for it. And there it was.

"←PENNYLANE"

Yes, it was still there. As if it secured the existence of my best memories. As if it were a mark of my once-romantic-juvenile-beauty. And then I remembered how I always wanted to name all the roads and lanes in the campus, and easily name tons of things that happened right there. And so I shaped a plan in mind.

I want to grab a camera, and take pictures of all my favorite corners. Not as a tourist, or photographer, but a memorial. Not to take them by their best look, but by their special angle, their hidden meanings, from the most private and personal point of view. What do I leave after after leaving the campus?

It's funny how it sometimes resembles the way people fear the coming of death. In this and my case, the approaching of a long, farewell departure.

[Copa del Rey] Real Madrid VS Mallorca

Probably one of the funniest games I've ever seen!
After 24 minutes of draw, Mallorca scored 1-0 with a corner, and yet their cheer did not last long...
One minute later, Real Madrid scored, too, and pushed the game to a balanced 1-1 again.
Finally Mallorca did score again during the 2nd half, winning the game.

Van Nistelrooy was off today, and Real did not play at their best. Staying up late for the game really is tiring...didn't make it to the 2nd half. :P (Well, if it were *Barca* playing I probably would have.)

Still can't go for Real. I really hope Barca gets to the top of La Liga soon!

Goodbye Big Sam

Shocked to learn that Sam Allerdyce got fired today...only 7 months and a few days after coaching Newcastle United, he is leaving already. Officials say decision was made under mutual understanding...but it's just hardly possible to believe.

Funny that Chelsea had to face Manchester United right after Mourinho was fired, and now Newcastle will face ManUtd this Saturday after Big Sam's leave. Wish Alan Smith the best!

And Goodbye Big Sam.