Sinus Problem!

It took me two months to finally go to the doctor, but today I made the visit and found out that I have a sinus infection.




I am on medicine now for the next 10 days and can't drink while I am on them. I am happy about that....really!!!!! Gives me an excuse to have a 'dry' Christmas and then carry it on into the New Year. I am tired of going to the same places and doing the same thing.....drinking......





Talking to Dave today and told him that I would like to come to Bundang on Xmas Eve and stay at his place, then spend Xmas Day there. Something different than the same places here in Seoul, for once.



Not sure what the plan is, but I don't care. I just want to chill out and get away from the booze. Don't care what it involves, just hang out with some good friends and have a good time without liquor. I don't mind if my friends drink, don't get me wrong, but I can't anyway.




This time of year is always difficult being away from family. I don't think the family even understands how difficult it is being along in a foreign land. Alone, meaning no other family members around. It is a bit of an up and down feeling, but generally just would like to be there for the holidays and hang out with your family.



So, that is the choice that has been made and I knew that many years ago. It still doesn't make it any easier, though. Through all the up and downs though, a lot of soul searching usually goes on in my head over the holidays especially before the New Year......usually good things, too.




The job is going well and I can say that I have job satisfaction. The kids are getting better and I think I am becoming a better teacher all the time. I enjoy the challenge daily of getting the kids to improve and it is very heart-warming to see them actually do it!



Watched the Liverpool vs Man Utd game last night; once again, shite game, but overall Liverpool had the ball more, created more chances, but couldn't score. I though Benitez should have pulled of Kuyt and Kewell at half-time, as they were both stinking the place out ,really. They were just not on their games, but gave a gallant effort.....just not their day.



Not much else to say. Taking my medicine and staying warm and eating healthy. Can't overdo it at the gym, too, as the doctor said to not overdo it too much due to the sinus infection.

I Hope This Is A Sign Of The Attitude To Come

Check out Capello's first statement even before he has got the job.......sounds promising to me.

I hope this manager will do what England players need- someone to kick their bleedin' arses into shape.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2966081,00.html

Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness

I have to trace back a little to about a week ago, to start blogging about what I was doing and where I went.

First off, I had to edit a master's paper for my friend Fragile, so I spent quite a few hours correcting punctuation, spelling and a few minor grammar errors. She leaves out the 'article' sometimes, as her native language is Russian and articles don't exist in that language. She speaks English perfectly and also writes it, but at times, she has some minor mistakes and I mean minor. However, over the course of a 30 page paper, these errors can add up, so she asked me to help her. She even offered to pay me.....yeah right......what are friends for!!!!!!

Fragile on the left, Izabella on the right. They visited me, back in October.

In between doing her essay and teaching and teaching and teaching, I got back to the gym and started doing full body part workouts-something I haven't done for months and months. I started working one body part and then do a 2 km run. For example, on Monday I worked back then Tuesday chest and Wednesday triceps and on and on and on.

I couldn't believe how much I sweated. I didn't realize how much I used to sweat in the past lifting-weights- I should have know really....duh....only did weights for about 15 years of my life!!!!!! Anyway, the feeling was awesome and I just started doing heavier weights and lower reps. Saying that, I am not going anywhere near as heavy or c0mmitted as I was. I am not doing the killer deadlifts or the squats!!!!!

Anyway, the weekend rolled around and there was the football Saturday at Hollywoods. Liverpool were atroscious and Benitez is off his head! The other games were alright though except Utd winning. Met up with a few friends, Dave came down from Bundang and got home around 6 in the morning-that is usual for the weekends. Not so much being intoxicated, just staying out and socializing with people that you don't see all week. Chris fell asleep at Hollywoods. He had been drinking all day. He slept for about 2 hours.

My message to Benitez at the moment.

Met a fella from Birmingham, Darren and had a good chat with him. He is living in a tiny city outside Seoul. He has only been here 2 weeks, so he was thrilled to have someone to talk to and a place that had 'foreigners.' He was saying, where he lives, people don't really like the 'aliens,' as we are called, and the next big city over, Pyontaek, hates them even more- felt sorry for the bastard for where he is living........

Cleaned my house on Saturday for 2 hours! I vacuumed, dusted, cleaned up and bleached the shite out of everything. It felt so good having a clean house and even now I can't believe how clean it looks. I am going to keep it this clean, too. It wasn't that dirty by any means, but by my standards it was messy and just generally unkept.

Took a day off from the gym today, but had a nice sauna. My cold seems to be getting better all the time, but is still lingering......oh well, it'll go sometime.

Have to go to the photo shop tomorrow and get the pics done from Richard's triumph at the U17 World Championships as well as his Abiriba Community Party. I have been promising him for the last 3 weeks, but keep putting it off. I am going to do it tomorrow, for sure.....

Liverpool F.C's Charter: Something To Be So Proud Of

This is the actual charter that is part of Liverpool Football Club. We were read this when we went on the tour of Anfield earlier this year. It is brilliant to say the least and just shows you what class our supporters have.......worldwide.

Here below is the official Kop charter, a signal of just how passionately we feel about Liverpool Football Club:Today is a milestone for the world-famous city of Liverpool. 800 years ago, the city was granted its charter and the unique, historic, cosmopolitan melting-pot of Liverpool was born.

Its dialect and its people are Scouse - a stew made of many ingredients - and its symbol is the iconic Liver Bird. One team in the city of Liverpool carries its name. One team carries the city of Liverpool’s symbol. One team spreads the city’s name far and wide.

Ask anyone, anywhere in the world if they know of Liverpool and they’ll tell you yes - that’s where The Beatles are from. And Liverpool F.C. Part of LFC’s folklore is its famous Spion Kop. And in reminding ourselves of the city’s history and traditions on the first day of its 800th Birthday, it’s worth reminding ourselves, the latest custodians of the famous Kop, of some its own principles. First is that we are only custodians.

The Kop is a spirit, an attitude, the heart and soul of Liverpool F.C. No-one owns it, but together we are a legion, a force like no other.

2. There is no other. The Kop is a one-off. It’s the cradle of terrace culture, humour, songs - the original 12th Man. The Kop innovates. It has never followed. As Liverpudlians, we should never follow the rest of country’s trends and fancies. Whether that takes the form of lower-league grade chanting, overhead seal-clapping or the wearing of yokel-style head gear, The Kop deserves better.

3. “Liverpool F.C exists as a source of pride for its supporters. It has no other purpose.” If that is the club’s pledge to us, here’s ours to the team. “The Kop exists as a bastion of support. We will get behind the team through thick and thin. We will, always, give them strength.” “Liverpool F.C exists as a source of pride for its supporters. It has no other purpose.” -

4. It’s the law of nature that fans have favourites. Let’s leave the negative stuff in the pubs and schools and wherever else there’s a debate to be had. Once we set foot inside Anfield, we are Redmen and we have one purpose; to help the team win.

5. Let’s get inside the ground earlier. This is all about playing our part in making Anfield special, and providing the backdrop and the inspiration for the team to walk tall. It’s also about letting the other team know where they are. When they come out to warm up, we want our heroes’ hearts pumping - and want the opposition shrivelling. Everyone loves a pre-match pint, but let’s get The Kop rocking, too.

6. On 15th April 1989, many thousands of us set off to support our team in the semi final of the F.A Cup. 96 of us never came home again. We will always honour the memory of those who died at Hillsborough. In our respect for them and their families, and in our disdain for the unprincipled and unregulated hacks who scared up a shameful pack of lies out of a desperate human tragedy, we will never purchase or read The Sun newspaper, and we deplore the reading of it by any Liverpool supporter.

7. It is our custom and our privilege to welcome supporters from far and wide. We expect all Kopites of all ages, wherever they sit inside the ground, to show similar respect to the city of the team they support. It’s not endearing when visitors don curly-perm wigs and tell locals to “calm down”. It’s not clever to laugh along with away fans who sing tiresome nursery rhymes about car crime. Support Liverpool F.C, and you support Liverpool, too.

8. We always applaud the other team’s goalie - it's the Liverpool way.

9. “Liverpool F.C. Supporters All Over The World.” We don’t tolerate racism. Everyone knows LFC, all around the globe. From Nairobi to Ngoya, we have fans, people who love us because we do things The Liverpool Way. We have style, we have honour, we have principles. We are a global force with a local pulse - truly, a club of the people.

10. Our own icon, the symbol that makes The Kop a legend all over the world, is our anthem: You’ll Never Walk Alone. If there is one thing that sets us apart as fans, it’s this pre-match ritual, this war cry, our hymn of triumph, and occasional pain. We’re custodians of the anthem, and we have to maintain it and pass it on to the next generation, in pristine condition. We can never dilute the song, its message and its impact with half-measures and bursts of applause half way through. Let’s respect the anthem and do it proud, sing it slowly and with heartfelt emotion, right to the end, scarves held high. Amen. Justice for the 96. Gone but never forgotten.

The Facebook Phenomenon

A fella that was here a while back, Tom Jones, mentioned to a bunch of us one night about this new website called, "Facebook." He told us that it was a way of keeping in touch with friends, finding new friends and loads of other interesting things to do and play around with on the site. Pic is of Tom who hails from Wales.




I must say, he was spot on! I have been a member of the facebook community now for over 5 or 6 months. It is amazing how you can find people that you haven't spoken to or seen in years, as well as keep in touch a lot easier with people than sending single emails from an email account. It is an easy to use website and I recommend it for anyone that wants to keep in touch with friends or family much easier.



On another note, Sara is leaving early Thursday morning, so tomorrow night it is time to boot down to Bundang again and say goodbye at her place. There will be a bunch of people at her apartment, just kind of chilling out and saying their goodbyes.

She will be missed by quite a few people, but there is no excuse for losing touch due to facebook and other communication tools.




I have open class tomorrow at my school. That means that the parents can come and observe the teachers teaching during the class. It should be interesting to see how nervous some of the students get when they know their parents are there......haha.




I am kicking my cold finally, but I have post-nasal drip at the moment. My nose won't stop running and it is quite embarassing at times, the way that the stuff just keeps dripping out of my nasal passages.



Liverpool play Porto tomorrow night and have to win to progress and then beat Marseille if they want to win the group. Benitez's situation at the moment is quite bizarre. I am surprised that Liverpool have showed their dirty laundry so blatently to the public. It is not usually like them to do that.....how times change, I suppose.



The weather is getting cooler here, but today was a beautiful sunny day. It was a bit chilly, but the nice thing about Korea is that the floors are heated......such a nice feeling when you walk on it first thing in the morning, or when you get back home from somewhere. Kind of unique to this part of the world and definitely something I really, really like.



Went to the sauna tonight and sweated the hell out of myself. It is really helping with my cold also. Had a good arm workout, which is something I haven't done for a while and also had a good run.


Hey you! Have a great day!



I am back to being a brunette now. Tired of the blond hair especially in the winter. It will do for now until all the grey starts coming through again.....hehe.

Another Video Back When Nigeria Won U17 World Championships Here In Seoul Korea

Richard was so happy the night that Nigeria won.....you can see the other Nigerians were also ecstatic.

We had a great time and it was great to see our good friend so happy!!!!! Yes, Richard, they won!!!!!!

A Great Sunday Surprise

Gareth was visiting from Ulsan and on Sunday, I recieved a call from my Nigerian friend, Richard. He said that he was having his yearly community party at the Hamilton Hotel and that we were invited. Richard is the fella in the brown suit....

I met another friend outside the Hamilton Hotel, Jason, a fella that I used to work with at Avalon in Bundang last year. He was invited, too! Chris met us there also. We all know Richard and he is such a nice man. Rob showed up after his pool league game, too.

It was a really cool as it was carried out with complete Nigerian authentic customs when it came to starting and finishing the event.

I have been trying to upload a video of the event with not much luck....gonna try and post it on youtube and then put it from there on my blog.....wish me luck....photos for now......

I hope this video comes out, as it shows the elder or leader of the tribe being escorted in to the hall to begin the proceedings. Age is of the utmost impotance to the Abiriba tribe and is still carried on today as it was and still is in Nigeria. I will do another blog soon and go into more detail about it, but all said and done it was a great couple of hours. Free food and drinks, too. Richard on his phone at the party!

A Great Book

Nothing feels as good as reading a good book especially when the content is worth thinking about.......

I literally read this book in 2 hours from start to finish. It is an easy read, but a book that I am recommending to anyone that believes in a spirit and a soul that can change your life.

The book is "For One More Day" and is by Mitch Albom. Enjoy it, if you read it........I did immensely.

It's Wonderful Having A Sister

Sisters are always so special to us, but my sister is the best in the whole wide-world and everyone knows it.

Yesterday, she sent me an email that was just the thing that I needed. She said she understood how I felt and that it was good that I was putting down in writing how I was feeling.

Her email made me smile from ear to ear! It kick-started my entire day and my energy level zoomed from then on. I ran 6kms at the gym tonight.....haha.

It was just nice to know that she understood what I was feeling. That was all I needed to hear! Thank you, my sister. I love you. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoo

Just Get On With It!

That is the phrase of the day: Just get on with it!

That is the advice that I have received from very trustworthy sources.........wait a minute......I think that is what I am doing-all the time!

I hope that people don't misunderstand my blogs as being a place for me to feel sorry for myself because that is not what I mean for it to be. I write how I feel as I often just want to write it down to get the thoughts out of my system.

I also hope it allows other people with likewise thoughts to know that they are not the only ones thinking in a particular way. There are many trains of thoughts in our lives and we all suffer; some more than others at different times.

I just write down what I feel. If people think I am a basket case, then so be it. But it is better than just never talking about it, isn't it? My blog is a motivator and a healer for myself. The last thing I want is for people to think that I am feeling sorry for myself.

My life is what it is; a life. I am very happy with my life at the moment, but there are things that I am going to strive for in the future. Let's leave it at that.........

I went to the gym and had a good run and feel much better, physically. Rambling emotions and relevant feelings put aside, I am enjoying my life, believe me. I am not an old fart, by any means, but am older than someone younger than me.......haha.

Here is to the spirit of life and the love of your family and friends. Let it be, eh!!!!!!!

Letting A Few Things Out

One of the main reasons that I have not been doing a lot of personal blogging lately is the fact that I was scared of sounding like a total basket case!

The last few weeks have been a little difficult to explain, but suffice to say that I have not been in the best of spirits. I am sure it is the change in the weather and the way it goes so dark, so early.

I always hated the dull, dreary days when I lived in England. The 5 o' clock gray clouds turning everywhere into a bleak, dark night........sounds depressing doesn't it.....it bloody well was, too. That was over 29 years ago and I can still feel how depressed Liverpool's Winter afternoons made me feel.

I kind of feel like that now, here in Korea. It always happens to me in the Winter and I always tell myself that I will fight the dull, depressing feeling that is bound to come, but it never works. I am not a total ball of depression, but the last few weeks, have taken a toll on my spirit, which I think is slowly coming back.

That is one of the main reasons that I want to live somewhere where the sun shines or has the ability to, all the time, everyday, every week, every month.....forever....

I have to get to that place soon, as I cannot take the bleakness of Winters like this a lot longer. Even if I got off somewhere for the Winter to a warm place and then came back, it would suit me fine.

A lot of things have been going through my mind the last few weeks. The biggest one of all is the sense of failure. I feel like I have failed at a lot of things in my life and sometimes those thoughts swirl around in my head at the most in-opportune moments. Could be on the bus, on the subway, in the middle of a conversation at the pub, at the football game, sometimes even on the pitch......believe that??????

I don't mean to sound like I think I am a failure; not in the least. I just feel like I have failed miserably at some things. It is a constant battle of guilt being away from my family especially my son who I sometimes feel I have deserted. I am not going to keep going otherwise it will be a bloody essay I will be writing and just ramblings of a lunatic on the fringe of recovery......haha.

Things are going well at school and my job is still very fulfilling. I have no complaints about that at all. I feel I am starting to look old! I know, I am sure everyone that is the same age as me or older thinks the same thing......just wanted to say it.

It doesn't help that most of the teachers here are all in their twenties and there is a general lack of mature people to hang out with......story of everyone's life, I suppose. Have no intention of hanging out with middle-aged Koreans either, as they are on another planet and act like they are old age pensioners......again, just venting, I am!!!!!

England have a chance to make it to Euro 2008, courtesy of Israel who did them a huge favour by beating Russia 2-1. Now England only need a point and they are in Euro 2008, but they still have to get the result against Croatia. If we can't get a result against Croatia, then we don't deserve to be even carrying the water bottles in a major tournament.

Not much else going on here. It has turned cold and I have been sick as a dog for the last 2 weeks and I am just starting to feel better. I think that is why I have been feeling so emotional, too. Anyway, here is to better days ahead while of course enjoying today.

Signing off in good spirits and hoping to maintain them for the next little while.

Stay tuned to this space for more bullshit to come......haha.

Listen To The Lyrics Carefully And Take A Deep Breath!

Thank You To Israel......Now Come On England!

Unbelievable Ball Skills By Both!

Just look at this video.....absolutely amazing ball control. I don't like Ronaldo much after his antics helping get Ronney sent off in the World Cup, but talent wise......holy shit, batman!!!!!!!!

Exclusive! Behind the scenes Ronaldo footage!

Add to My Profile More Videos

Rehtorical Statement!

I would like to say that the blog that I put on yesterday- I should call it an emotional moment really- was just how I was feeling at that moment due to getting another cold and being dead on my feet!!!!




I am happy to say that today I feel much better. Emotionally, I mean. I can't say that I feel better health wise, as I feel as sick as a dog even typing this blog. But, I am okay and know where I am, know what I want and what I am doing.



The answer to each of those questions goes like this: Where am I going? Nowhere.
Know what I want? Nothing. Know what I am doing? Not in a hundred years do I have a bleeding clue........hahaha.




At least I am a realist and I am enjoying knowing exactly how I feel. Anybody feel the same way?



Here is to a good weekend and a healthier throat, nose and head......I know, I am crying like a stuffed turkey........

Just So Fed Up At The Moment

Don't know what I want, where I am going and what to do! That about sums it up at the present.
Blah blah blah blah blah.............
Someone help me out, if they can!!!!!!!!!

Lest We Ever Forget! Shame On Us!

I have been deeply disturbed this weekend to find out that that vast majority of young people from countries all over the world, do not know what "Remembrance Day" is or why it is honoured.

It goes to show us what the schools are not teaching all over the world. It used to be called "Armistice Day" and you know what- it should never ever be forgotten.

For all those heroes that fought for us, gave their lives and every piece of human effort available, to keep us free from the powers that wanted to rule us.

God bless them all and if any of you read this blog and don't know what the day is, please read the following link and look more into depth about the honourable day by doing a Google search.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Remembrance.html

A Really Funny Act On Britain's Got Talent

There Is A Fairy Tale In Our Midst

I can't say anymore about this fella. Absolutely a fairy tale come true.
A wonderful man with a heart of gold and I am so happy that he has achieved his dream.
He is now a millionaire. He won the competition and Simon signed him to a record deal. His first album sold a million copies!!!

It's Been A While Since My Last Blog

It still amazes me how fast time just passes by sometimes. I think we are all guilty of wanting the time to go forward to either the weekend or some special occassion that we are really looking forward to. My! How time flies by!

I am doing my best to treasure the moments in between those kind of thoughts and not to get carried away with wanting time to pass by too quickly. I want to try and enjoy each and every day to its utmost. That way, I am not wishing my life away or should I say, my time away. Sounds corny, I know, but that is how I feel sometimes.

The last week has flown by. Since the Halloween party at my school and then Sara's party at her house and Fragile and Izabelle coming to see me from Hong Kong, the hours have just been full of activity and good times. So I guess I should start at the Halloween party at my school.

We had a good time. All 3 teachers were dressed up and quite a few of the students. Isaiah and I supplied all the money to pay for the pizzas and other hot snacks for all of the students. We had agreed to do this and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing the kids eat and have a good time. We played a few games and generally soaked up the Halloween spirit.

The Koreans themselves don't really celebrate Halloween. It is only the ESL schools and places that are frequented by foreigners that go out of their way to celebrate the festival.

There were parties all over Seoul in different pubs and bars, but overall most of the foreigners did not dress up. I dressed up in a mask and a cape to go to Sara's party at her house, but didn't dress up for anything around my area in the bars and pubs.

The party at Sara's house was really good and it happened to be her birthday as well as Catriona's going-away party, too. Catriona finished a year and is off travelling and then back to Ireland. Sara is done in 4 weeks also.

One of the hardest things about living overseas in this job type, is the amount of people that you have to say goodbye to. It hardens you up, but really never gets any better. A lot of people come for the experience and don't stay that long, really. If they do stay, usually 2 years is the maximum. I am going on my 5th year now. Rob has been here 6 years and Dave 7 plus.

People come and go, but they remain friends. With the Internet, there is no excuse not to keep in touch with anyone nowdays. It is however sometimes sad to see some people go. I always tell them that out paths will cross one day again.....I promise.....I hope. Facebook is a great thing to keep in touch as well as things like this blog and email and other websites.

That is me in that horrible mask, going to Sara's party on the bus!

Enough for this blog. I have posted some pics and will do another blog about the weekend, when Fragile and Izabelle came to visit me from Hong Kong.

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