Places in London that I love to hangout at

As usual, in no particular order:-

• Trafalgar Square
  

The first place i went to when i first stepped foot on central London. The fact that the National Gallery is there makes it all the more special!

• Museums!!!!

The best part of course is that all major museums in London are FREE!!!! But besides that, they are all absolutely brilliant!!!!

• Parks
  

Again free, beautiful, relaxing

• Chinatown
  

Feels so at home - it's funny, to want to be reminded of home when i wanna be away from it! But when i was a student, this place was the closest to home for me. So it became very special.

• Leicester Square
  

Always something going on, always happening - with Odeon there hosting major movie premiers, the ticketing booth for theatres (TKTS), stalls, rides (at certain times of the year), people just hanging out!

• Camden Town

I simply love this place - it has character!!!! It is so special to me that some people have referred to it as 'your Camden Town' when talking to me!!!!

• The Embankment
  

I love the embankment - and basically, the area along the Thames. I always seem to end up there. My last nite in London was spent alone there. If i get a chance to just go to one place in London, i would choose to go back and hang out here.

Memorable matches of the World Cup

There were some really good games during the World Cup recently. But here are the games that were memorable not so much because of what happened on the pitch. Read on to find out why:-

1. South Africa v Mexico

Tshabalala with the first goal of the World Cup 2010

Obviously, this was memorable being the first match of the tournament! And i watched it with a bunch of church mates in one of their rooms at the Heritage Hotel where we were having a retreat.

2. England v USA

Oops...

This was the second game - memorable cuz it was England's first game. Memorable cuz of Robert Green's howler. Memorable cuz i watched it in darkness in my room at Heritage alone (until my roommate woke up just when England conceded the awful goal!).

3. Brazil v Portugal

Ho0hum - most boring match!

This was the first game i watched outside with mates - at the local mamak shop near my church building. It was packed! Nice atmosphere. But too bad the game was such a terrible one.

4. Portugal v North Korea

Prolly his only highlight in an otherwise disappointing World Cup

We din plan to watch this game - but when tGiF and i walked into the coffee-shop for our dinner, we noticed that the second half just started. And as we had our dinner, we witnessed Portugal demolish North Korea and saw each and everyone of the 6 goals in the 2nd half!

5. Germany v Argentina

Winners and losers

This was one game that tGiF and i watched in entirety (ok, we started late and missed the first goal but sat thru the rest). It was prolly the most enjoyable action packed game. It was amazing how Germany demolished Argentina!

6. The Netherlands v Brazil

Using his head!

There were a few games which were really exciting - like how England held on to beat Slovakia, Puyol scoring the winner against Germany, the mad scramble by Uruguay at the end of their semi0finals with Netherlands - and this game. This was memorable cuz of the fact that i was supporting Holland and everyone did not expect them to beat Brazil. But they did. And they did it the hard way - by coming back from 1 goal down.

7. Spain v The Netherlands - The Finals!!!!

We are the champions!

The finals - a large group of us watched it together at the home of one of our mates. Great fun! Good end to the World Cup! Did not sleep after that - went for breakfast with tGiF and then to work!

Immortals

To me, these following people are immortal - they will live in my hearts and memories as long as i still have my breath here on earth. They are listed in chronological order (when i met them):-

1. Pei Fan & Geoffrey

My closest frens in high school - i actually knew them in primary school and only got close to them in BB, serving God together in the Christian group there.

Pic taken when they came to witness my baptism

2. Mrs. Yong

My class teacher in Lower 6, she can take a large part of the credit for me being a lecturer today. She went beyond the call of duty and showed genuine care and interest in my studies back then. She used to have extra sessions with me and another after school just to help us revise.

Class pic - see me?

3. Pui Wan

A 'younger sister' of mine - we used to talk like crazy. And wrote to each other when i was in London. Yup, those days before e-mails and online chat programmes.

Pic taken at Genting after a young adults' camp

4. Augustine, Stephan, Ling

Me mates from UeL - seldom see them these days but when we do get together, it's the good old days all over again! I see Stephan the most as he is working in the Klang Valley - and we used to have lots of time chatting over teh tarik. He used to be the closest person to me, knowing more about me than anyone else. As for Augustine, my recent trips to KK drew us closer to each other - even more compared to when we were studying. And Ling, our Wing Chun master, so far away and so busy - still makes me laugh with his occasional e-mails.

This photo taken with their respective wives and kids at Mid-Valley - we had a great time catching up while their spouses shopped like crazy!!!

5. Fred

He was the first person who made the effort to help me settle down in New Park Hall - and he became my closest fren. We served together running a Good News Club. he later offered me a place to stay when my studies ended - both at UEL and UoE.

Fred at his dining table with a British dinner cooked specially for me!

6. Shona, Heather, Hollie

What can i say? Those who know me well know how special these 3 girls are to me. That summer when i walked them to church and back every Sunday was such a wonderful time. Miss them so so much...

Pic taken on Harvest Sunday at New Park Hall

7. Kok Choong & Weng Soon

Students turned frens - separated by a decade but similar interests brought us close. Made me forget how old i really was!!!

At the opening of Episode 3!

8. Kristin

Another 'younger sister', but now all grown up, married and holding a high flying job. While i'm happy and proud of her, i miss those days when she was just my lil sister.

Taken at Chapel on Christmas after our drama presentation

9. Kit, Jes, Jess and Yujin

We were all attending the Young Adults Fellowship together - but we got really close when we started to get involved in the Orang Asli work. We would spend our weekends traveling together into the interiors of Pahang and stayed at the OA villages, sharing with them, encouraging them. We helped painted their church building there and organised many activities including Caroling under the stars (in BM), lantern festival, Christmas parties etc. We even formed the very first committee to organise and run the first OA Youth Camp for them. At the same time, we had great fun serving the Lord together.

Pic taken at the end of the first OA Youth Camp

10. Markus

Such a dear fren and a wonderful brother - not only to me but to many others. Called home to be with the Lord at such a young age but i'm blessed to be able to share my time at Essex with him.

I took this pic of him when we were trekking in Wales

11. Occupants of Flat 11, Rayleigh Tower (2005-2006)

Living with them in the same flat, it is no surprise that we became like a big family! Altho it took us a while before the ice was broken but when it was, it was a blast!

Various pics taken with them, arranged according to their rooms - Di, Chen, Alberto, Michelle, Isabella, Chiaki, Tom, Yuki, Aliz, Soong Ke, Sachin, Michael and Ghisseh

12. Michael

Michael is part of no. 11, of course - but he deserves special mentioned on his own. He's a great guy and i got closest to him - and i keep in touch with him the most after leaving Essex.

Pic taken at Taipeh when i went there to stay with him for a while - he was working there for a while.

13. Hong, Kevin & Food-on-3 staff

Actually, there were many wonderful people there, the temps and oso the full time staffs including our bosses Judy and Debra. But these 2 are the closest people i got to when working. Maybe it's cuz they were the only 2 other Chinese people working there?

Pics taken at the cafe, of course on their last day at work

14. Dani & Doina

They are Christian workers at Romania whom i had the pleasure and privilege of working with when i went there for a short mission trip. Such wonderful people, they are also extremely dedicated Christians from whom i have learnt so much from and been so encouraged with!

Pic taken by my team leader

15. Andre and Delia

The daughters of Dani and Doina, wonderful good girls whom i grew attached to during the Mission trip to Romania

Pic taken after one of our open air children's meeting

16. My students

Of course there'll be a couple that i will never forget for negative reasons - but most of them will be in my hearts and minds for the right reasons. They have brought so much joy and pride to my life - and in some ways, allowed me to vicariously go thru Uni life again. And so many of them i do not consider as my students (out of classroom and Uni) - but as my frens.

Collage of pics of my students from each batch, including personal tutees, mooters etc.

17. My first moot team

Closely related to no. above. I have had great times with my moot teams but naturally, the first team will be the most special. Having spent so much time together, preparing for the moot really drew us all closer to each other - going thru tough stressful times and great fun times too!

Our celebratory dinner at Delicious

Top 3 sore losers award

Why can't people lose graciously? For all of England's failings, they did not try to make any excuses. At the end of the day, you just have to hold up yr hands and say you weren't good enuf.

There were many teams which weren't good enuf - but they left losing more than their places in the World Cup. They left losing the respect of others. Here are the top 3, in descending order:-

3. The US press

Well, the New York Post, anyway!

2. Gerardo Martino

Kept on harping on mistakes of ref and saying that FIFA should apologise to them. How about the ref failing to give a penalty and send off yr goalie when he blatantly tripped Fabregas?

1. Raymond Domenech

Totally no class at all!!! refusing to shake hands at the end of your final game when you lost fair and square. Apparently it is because of Parreira's alleged statement that France should not be in the World cup due to Henry's handball. Even if that was said, that is true!!!! And the embarrassing performance of France proves indeed they did not deserve to qualify!

Why June 2010 has been good!

I had been looking forward to the month of June - and it din disappoint! Praise God! Here are the reasons why it had been so good:-

• Church camp at Cameron Highlands
  

• Celebrating my sister's birthday
  

• World Cup 2010
  

• The KL International Marathon
  

• Wimbledon 2010
  

• The brilliant movies which i had been waiting for:-
  

Why England lost to Germany

This is entirely my own view - u may disagree.

1. Poor defence

All the goals were down to poor defending. Terry is poor. This is his last World Cup and rightfully so. Upson was not any better. Both were clearly at fault for the first goal - terry misjudging the ball and upson being muscled away by Klose.

Familiar sight - Terry one step behind the Germans

Both were again at fault for the 2nd goal, being left behind. Johnson had no choice but to move into the middle leaving the right side unguarded.

They were both missing for the 3rd and 4th goals.

Upson behind the Germans, Terry.... where is he????

2. Disallowed good goal

Yes, i know many would say that even if the goal was allowed, Germany would still win as they scored 4. But no, sir, you cannot be so simplistic like that - that would only show a lack of understanding of the game.

If England's goal had been rightfully allowed, the complexion of the game would change tremendously. England would have a psychological edge, having come back from 2 goals down - and the negative psychological effect will be on Germany, affecting their confidence as they threw away a 2 goal lead.

Further, the 3rd and 4th goals would not have been conceded by England. It was conceded due to the fact that England were pushing up the field desperately in search of an equaliser - and Germany would have been happy to defend their 2 goal lead.

3. Wayne Rooney

Still dun know what was he doing - not only in this game but in all the games. Is he injured? He really let down his country.

4. Bad substitutions

Heskey and Joe Cole? What did they contribute? Not much especially compared to Defoe and Milner whom they came in for. Which brings me to the last item on this list...

Milner out - but why?

5. Fabio Capello

Yes, he has done well for England - lifted us from the dumps we were in. But unfortunately, he is to be blamed. On so many counts. Here are just 3 (and we're talking about this game only):-

• Why did he insist on playing Rooney when he hasn't been performing at all during all the games? Did Capello decide to put him in for the whole game based on Rooney's reputation? Was he left in the team on the hope that he suddenly rediscovers his form? Did Capello not have Crouch??? Which brings me to the next point -

• Why did he not put in more strikers/players who can score when obviously those on the pitch can't? Crouch is a proven goalscorer - and he would be able to handle the big German defenders better than little Defoe.

• Why did he insist on playing Gerrard on the left??? Why is it that everyone can tell that Gerrard is at his best when he is played in the middle, preferably in the hole behind the striker - but Capello can't?

• Related to the previous point, why does Capello insist in playing the same formation? When it is not working - as it was painfully obvious - you've gotta have a plan B. He didn't.

• What was it with the substitutions? What did Heskey do? Cole? Milner was at least putting in some decent crosses and Defoe was getting into good positions. Some coaches turn the team around by making really good substitutions. Capello does not seem to one of them.

But at the end of day, i must give credit where credit is due - well done Germany!

Because he loved me

• I was able to go to the UK to do my studies for my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees - and had the time of my life there!



• I have a car to drive and a comfortable house to live in.



• I have been called to the Malaysian Bar as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya and had been a practising lawyer for 7 years.



• I am a lecturer and one who can truly say i enjoy my work.



• I have a wonderful family - my mom, bro and sis, my bro's wife and my nephew and niece.



• I attend Church and am a born-again believer.



• I have travelled to many places in this world and met with a lot of interesting people.



• I have learnt how sacrificial love is like.

I can just go on and on with this list - but i shall stop here. Suffice to say that all good things i have in this life, i have it all thanks to my father. He provided it all directly or indirectly because of his love for me.

Good sequel(s)

These are the sequels which turned out much better than the first part

1. Toy Story 2

I actually watched the sequel first. It was so good that i had to look for the first part. I enjoyed it but it was not as good as Toy Story 2!

2. The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars was brilliant - but The Empire Strikes Back was a major improvement in terms of effect and more importantly, storyline + emotions!

3. X2

X-Men was alright but X2 just blew me away. I loved how the 'good' mutants worked together with the 'bad' mutants. The inclusion of the Nightcrawler was superb! Too bad X-Men 3 did not follow in the way of its predecessor.

4. Spiderman 2

Spiderman was a huge disappointment for me. I thought Tobey Maguire was the wrong choice and Kirsten Dunst was so irritating. I did not like how they changed things from the original Spiderman comics. But Spiderman 2 was just really really good! The leads improved a lot and made the role theirs - and it had so much more heart and emotions. Plus a great villain!

5. The Harry Potter series

They just get better and better!!!! Just when i thought that Order of the Phoenix was the best, they surprised me with a brilliant Half-Blood Prince! The downside to it is that i cannot help but have great expectations for the last 2 installments!

Just note that i left out "Star Wars Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones" which was no doubt better than Episode 1 but was still pretty bad that i refuse to put it in the list!!!!

OK - here are some movies where the sequel(s) were pretty good too, some where it was just as good as the first one. In fact, the first 3 on the list below almost made it into the list above - but i felt it would be an injustice to the first part which was just as good but different in nature compared to the sequel. The others on the list as usual are in no particular order:-

1. Terminator and Terminator 2 - Judgment Day

Yes, the sequel blew me away. But the first was a different kind of action. It was more of a thriller than a full-out action movie, with the Terminator seeking out Sarah Connor.

2. Alien and Aliens

Again, the sequel blew me away - both Terminator 2 and Aliens were made by James Cameron. But the original was more like a horror movie!

3. Die Hard and Die Hard 2

I loved Die Hard 2 but at the same time, Die Hard was really good as it was all within one building!

4. The Pirates of the Carribean trilogy

With Johnny Depp in all 3, you can be sure that all are just as great!

5. The Indiana Jones trilogy

When i was young, i used to love the Temple of Doom and did not like the Last Crusade too much. Now i find the Last Crusade to be pretty good. Raiders still set the standard.

6. Back to the Future trilogy

Really hard to decide which is better. All good! And the only movies that satisfactorily deals with time travel!

7. The Bourne trilogy

Bourne is so much more better and cooler than Bond!

8. The Lord of the Rings trilogy - all brilliant!!!!