2 Days To Go And Then Back To Reality

The sunshine has come out the last couple of days and it is very very hot. I am getting a bit of a tan.

I will add some more pictures once I get back to Korea. Right now I am just enjoying the weather and lying by the pool.

Couple of really good pics from Tony in Korea. It is of Hyundae Beach in Pusan. Crazy number of umbrellas and what I would call, "Choquer Block!!!!!!!"

2 days left, but once I get back to Korea, I still have 3 days off due to a school holiday on the Monday and Tuesday and a national holiday on Wednesday. Lots of time to recover and get back to the gym.

I have been eating well here. Not a lot of junk food and not a lot, volume wise. Swimming in the pool and walking lots and lots everwhere.

The Rain Has Finally Stopped!

After a couple of days of constant rain, there is finally some sunshine to sit by the pool and bask in.

The weather has been so shitty, but the place is hopping alive at any time of the day. Got some pics here that I took over the last few days. Hope you like some of them.

I got a ride in one of the tricycles yesterday. It costs about a dollar to go pretty much anywhere close in and around the middle of Angeles.

I went over the the huge SM Mall, which has loads of western shops and eating places. I bought a pair of hooped earrings for myself and a pair of swimming trunks and a vest.

I only brought a gym bag with me here to The Phillipines. I wanted to carry the least amount of stuff possible and it was a good idea.

As I speak, the weather has clouded over again and hopefully, it won't rain too much again. Everyone here says it is so so unusual, as the rainy season ended about a month ago. Must have something to do with the typhoon around Taiwan and the general area.

No plans today, as usual. Seems funny not having a cell phone or a watch, but kind of cool. The only time I have is a clock in the hotel room. The room is dark, so it is difficult to know what time of day it is, unless you poke your head out of the door, which is what happened this morning at about 10am.

Watched some of the football here on the tele. They showed the Arsenal game and also the Everton game as well as the Man. City game. Star sports channel is on the regular cable.

Chelsea lost without the "Chosen One!" What a laugh that is. Show us yer top bollocks, Morinho. You wanker!!!!!!!

Can't stand him to tell you the truth. You would never know, would yer!

Enough blogging for now. Off to lie by the pool and cool down.

Check out the picture of me beside a Ford Pinto! I haven't seen one of them in a long long time.

The sun is back out again, so let's hope that I can get some colour before I go back to Korea, just to prove that I was here.

Some of the pics are self-explanatory except for the one of Rob by the road-kill. It had flies all around it and was embedded into the pavement. It was funny to see, so we decided to get Rob looking like he was eating it.

In The Phillipines

Rob and I arrived in Manila about 1am and then took a taxi down to Angeles. We got here about 3am, booked into a hotel and then decided to call it a night.

It was pissing down when we arrived, but the sights were good. Very different feel to this place and everyone speaks English, but some not so good.....hehe.

This morning we went to a hotel that had a pool and spent a couple of hours there just chilling. It was a beautiful day, but overcast. Then we went out on the town after having had breakfast. I have never seen any place like this. It is an absolute cultural phenomenon and well worth seeing .Welcome to The Phillipines!!!!!

I should have some pics later this week. Today it is absolutely pissing down and I mean torrential rain. Watch this space for more updates to come.

Stu At His Craft Again! Hahahaha

Women In Saudi Arabia Aren't Allowed To Drive!

Read this article and it once again proves how regressive the Muslim faith can be, if interpreted by chauvanistical men. Of course, not all Muslim countries are this repressive, but it shocked me to read this article especially in this day and age of modernity.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7000499.stm

The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger Full Vid

Great song by the Fratellis.

Chris Told Me About This Fella.....Check The Piece Out!

Knowing Me Knowing U w/ Alan Partridge 6
Uploaded by filthish

My Son, Tyler Pearson Campbell Turns 20 Today!

I remember where I was 20 years ago today! I was at the hospital for the birth of my son at 5.42am, September 16th. 1987.

It was one of the best days of my life, as well as being the scariest. I remember thinking to myself- what am I going to do? I am responsible for this human being now!

It was thrilling and also nerve-wracking, but a beautiful day and one that I will always remember.

I hope my son has a wonderful birthday today and although I can't be with him physically, not a day goes by that I don't think about him and love him to death!

I will be calling him, as I always do every Sunday. We always have a good chat and we have a good laugh too. I am looking forward to taking him to Liverpool next August and hopefully go to Europe for a few days. All I need is the money to do it....hehe.

Happy Birthday, Son.

Love, Dad.xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

A Great Article About Facebook And So True.

This is a great article that explains a big reason why some people have so many contacts in their profiles.

I think Facebook has some great features, like the Traveller's I.Q. Challenge and other good games, but overall it is so shallow.

It can keep you up to date on some of your friends.It can let you know what is going on in their lives and vice-versa whereas you may never have that kind of chance with normal communication and with having to take so much time to find their addresses and send emails and other forms of communication. As in anything in life, there are pros and cons.

Overall, I think Facebook is great, but there are a lot of shallow people that have like hundreds of friends in their profile.......yeh, right, you have that many friends!!!!!!

Anyway, read this article:
http://technology.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/Its+hard+to+make+close+friends+on+Facebook+study+says/NewsandOpinions/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=science-websites&feedname=CBC-TECH-SCIENCE&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc

Nigeria Wins The U17 World Championships.

We met a guy called Richard who is from Nigeria, about 3 months ago. We have become good friends with him and he is a hell of a nice guy.

He gave Rob and I about an hour's history lesson on Nigeria about 3 weeks ago and it was so, so interesting. He taught me a lot and there was so much that I didn't know about the place.

Well, last night we went with him to watch the U17 runner-up game between Ghana and Germany, and of course, the championship game between Nigeria and Spain.

Rob, Richard and I watched most of the first game and Chris showed up close to the end of the first game. We all watched the final, which ended up being an absolute thriller that went down to penalty shots.

There are some pics of us and the crowd at the game. He was so happy and we were so happy for him.

It was a great Sunday and only cost 10 dollars to watch BOTH games!!!!!!!!

For All You Car Enthusiasts Of The 80's!

Here is a great article complete with pictures of some of the biggest flops made during the 70's and 80's.

I agree with some of them, but not with others. Enjoy!


http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658533_1658526,00.html

Happy Wedding Anniversary To My Sister And Brother-In -Law!

Happy wedding anniverary to Jackie and Nuri. I hope to be at your 50th, okay!

The gym that I use is actually in the basement of a hotel here in Itaewon. The hotel is called "The Hamilton Hotel "and the gym is just called "The Hamilton Hotel Fitness Club."



It is attached to a sauna and also a thing called a 'jimjilbang,' which is where people lie around on the floor and they have different temperature rooms that you can go and sit in. They also have computers and a little kitchen that sells food. Koreans use it to chill out and of course everyone is in special outfits. They are removed once you go back to your side of the sauna and shower area.



The pics below are of two of my students; Henry and Jane. They are brother and sister. Jane is 8 years old and Henry is 12 or should I say 7 and 11, cos as you know, or do you, that when a child is born in Korea, they are already one year old.



There are a few countries around the world that think of it that way. They count the 9 months as being born and counting towards your age. I know for a fact that they do it the same way in Greece.



I am going to The Phillipines on September 20th until September 30......10 days of sunshine and chilling out. No students and best of all, sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Koreans Do Not Read What Is On Their T-Shirts

Korean people's English is so bad, and I mean that sincerely! They really do have a problem with making sentences and do most of their talking with ridiculous words from a dictionary and try to make a sentence doing that. Their concept of grammar is almost non-existent.

Most of my students do not know what a noun, adjective or verb is, or can't even recognize them in a sentence. Not knowing the definitions is one thing, but you should be able to pinpoint them in the sentence. That is one of the biggest problems that a teacher here faces. Not only do the students not know the grammar, the Korean teachers are just as bad, as they try to teach the grammar, but they have no clue.

Here is an example of how unaware Koreans are of what constitutes good English or bad, or even what it means.

A 9 year old girl comes to school wearing this t-shirt. Isaiah couldn't believe his eyes and asked me to take a picture of this, so I did and now I am putting it on my blog to show how bad the situation is.

There was one guy last week that had the word "fuck" on his t-shirt, walking around everywhere with it.

"Absolutely oblivious." That is my new catch phrase for Koreans when they walk, talk or do anything that requires vision, As well as understanding anything that is on their clothes in English, which by the way, is lots of stuff........

The Cousins' Reunion!

I am very happy to say that after about 3 years or so, maybe even longer-not really positive about the time-scale, my son, Tyler, finally met up with the only cousins that he has, Katie and Jamie..........monumental for me once again......

It is so nice that now he has seen my sister and his cousins and is visiting his Nanna and Grandad regularly now.

He was presented with his Liverpool shirts. The one was bought my cousin, David who as you all know, just got married. The other was bought for him by my Mum and Dad.

My sister drove down to London, Ontario on the weekend and on Sunday morning, the whole clan were there to have one of my Mum's famous, sausage, egg, black pudding breakfasts. I wish I could have been there, but I am in there in spirit as always.

I spoke to all of them on the phone, son, nephew, niece, sister, Mum and Dad. They sounded great and they were saying that Tyler looks identical to me.......sorry Tyler!!!!!!

He was hungover from the night before when he had gone out with a few mates and overdid it a little. My Dad said he was suffering.....haha.

Tyler was working later that day at 1.30pm, so he had a good visit with the family and it was nice to hear them all there together.

Jamie and Katie said Tyler is so big and vice-versa, Tyler said the same about them. They are all grown up now!

It was funny when I talked to Katie. I asked her what she thought of London, as she hadn't been there for a long time. She said that everything seemed lower.....haha. That is because she is taller now.....funny statement though.......lol.

We will all be together next August and going to Liverpool for my cousin Jonathan's wedding. Should be a great time. I have to save my money for that one, as I promised Tyler, I would pay for everything for him and I mean it!

Hope you liked the pics of them all.

Full Champions League Draw

Here is the full draw complete with all the tables for this year's Champions League. Liverpool look like they could do well and get through the group stage again, but you never know.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=457762&cc=4716

I watched them play the other night against Toulouse and they were absolutely awesome. Their movement and passing impressed me immensely. I hope they continue to play like that for the rest of the season and we just might be able to win that elusive Premiership title; something we have never done.

David And Carmela's Wedding Day Pics

Congratulations to David and Carmel who got married last Friday. I wish them both health, wealth and happiness, now and for the rest of their lives. Carmel looks stunning and David looks very handsome. Way to go, cousin!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Sad But Moving Story

A story that shows how people can unite in times of tragedy.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG156834070829-1203.htm

Happy Birthday Dad!

I wish my Dad a happy birthday on this his 69th!!!! He does not look that age at all and definitely does not act that age. He has tons of energy for a 69 year old and would put most 50 year olds to shame, maybe even 40 year olds.




He just came back from England with my Mum after attending my cousin's wedding. They both had a great time. We will all be going together next August to my other cousin's wedding.



Got back to the gym today after a 3 day hiatus. I ran 8kms in 42 minutes, so I was quite happy with that time. I have gone 2 nights now with no booze and am loving it. I can't believe how much better that I feel. Even on the weekend, I am going to start off drinking orange-juice and then maybe have a few beers later on, but am bound and determined to reduce the level that I drink drastically.



Liverpool play in the second leg of the qualifying round of the Champions League. We carry a 1-0 advantage into the second game, which is at Anfield. I am going to try and watch it on the computer and if not, then I will listen to it live on the liverpoolfc.tv website, which I have had a membership to for the last 3 years.

Houston, We Have A Problem!

First of all, I would like to congratulate my cousin, David Campbell and his bride Carmel, on becoming man and wife. They got married on Friday and Mum and Dad were there in Liverpool for it. Wished I could have been there, but I will be there next August for David's brother, Jonathan's wedding.

I always pride myself about not being a hypocrite and that relates to all areas of my life. That way, I can be honest with myself and always tweak my faults that pop up here and there. I am not talking about changing my personality, just improving it so there are less negatives in it and more positives, which includes my health emotionally and physically.

Now is one of those times. The amount of drinking, be it social or getting hammered, has increased to the level that I feel it is becoming a negative thing. Not only in the pocketbook, but also healthwise. Time to cut it out, nip it in the bud, slice it while it's hot, put the fire out before it fully rages.

I have been using drinking as an excuse to get out of the house. What! Is drinking the only thing you can do outside of the house? These are the type of questions that I have been asking myself over the last few weeks. But now is the time to take action.

So, with less said and more proof by actions, I am cutting out the drinking during the week and curtailing the amount I drink when I do go out on the weekends. As simple as that!

I had my second anniversary of quitting smoking on August 20th, which was a monumental decision in my life and well worth making. I am doing the same with the alcohol thing and am bound and determined to improve my health and pocketbook. All you doubters out there, 'cos I know there will be many that think that while reading this- just watch me!!!!!!!!!

Other than this big blah blah blah, not much happened over the weekend to talk of. Watched the Liverpool game and they looked great. I am back to afternoons now, starting at 1pm on Mon and Wed and 2pm on Tue and Thur. Fridays off!!!!!!!!

I love the afternoons and am now going to start going to the gym in the morning and get it out of the way, so that I can just relax when I come home. I am going to try it, as I don't know if I really like going to the gym early. I didn't before, but am going to give it another go. Even if I go once or twice in the morning and then in the afternoon or night for the rest of the workouts, it will suit me fine.

Sarah and Jonathan, parents of Charlie now, will get married next August. They put the cart before the horse.........haha.

My Dad is turning 69 on August 28th, so anyone that knows him, wish him happy birthday. Next August, the whole clan including my sister and her family and my son, will be together in England for my cousin's wedding and my Dad will be turning 70 while we are there.

Should be a great time. Tyler, my son, has never been to England, so he will love it. Also, my plan is to take Tyler to another country, maybe Greece or Italy or Spain, for a few days and we can just hang-out, Dad and son, just like old times, which has not been since he was about 13!!!!!!!!!!

Luis Garcia....What A Class Act!

Luis Garcia would have gone down as a legend regardless of what happened in the future. He single handedly helped us win key games and was a huge contributor towards our trek to winning The Champions League. He will be remembered forever in Liverpool folklore, that is for sure.

He was very inconsistent at times during the season, but his moments of brilliance were enough for most of us supporters to just love him anyway.......

Here is how much of a class act that the man is; read the letter he wrote to Liverpool Football Club, which was posted on the website.......absolutely class at its best!!!!

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156758070821-1605.htm