shop till you drop...

It's that time of the year again, when the prices go down and people go crazy. Yes, it's the post Christmas sales again. I really don't know what the fuss is, like ok, you do get excited because everything is so cheap cheap cheap, but really? What extent would you go to, just to save a few dollars? Ok maybe more then just a few dollars, but is it worth it? I worked the overnights before the sales this year; that opened at 6am, and you see outside people lining up all night all in the means of finding that bargain!

For me personally I don't really get a thrill of it all. Usually the things I want aren't on sale and I don't particularly enjoy going through crowds of people to get from one point to another (except for when I'm in Japan). Actually on the subject of Japan, that's a place I wouldn't mind to do all my shopping!

so that was christmas...

Christmas this year to be honest didn't feel like Christmas at all. I don't think it's the fact that the older you get the less festive you become, because if I had the opportunity I think I would get into the festive spirit! Rather I didn't get the opportunity to.

Usually Christmas is suppose to be the time you spend with your family and loved ones, well I only got to see my mum & dad for less then 1/2 hour. This year I finished work at 7:00am on Christmas day, and had to start work again at 07:00pm that night (for a 12 hour shift). So in between all I really had time for was, well sleep and not much else.

My Ci did make my Christmas though by leaving my present in her office for me to open, but besides that, I haven't really had much of a Christmas feel this year. I didn't go to any Christmas partys and the only Christmas service I went to was almost two weeks ago. 

Anyways, so I've tried to 'save Christmas', well somewhat, by organising a belated family Christmas dinner tonight, with the complete "collection" of people (partners included). Hoestly speaking, I'm looking forward to the dinner tonight!

A belated Merry Christmas everyone!

a place called koorong...

After a few years of not going, today marked my return to Koorong. For some reason or another it brought back quiet a few memories. For those who don't know what Koorong is, it's a Christian book store here in Sydney. So back in my younger years, the items I had bought there consisted of alot of CDs & DVDs, plenty of books, a handful of bibles plus many more other things.

I remember when I use to go there just to read. When I didn't want to buy the book, I'd just go there, sit on the sofa and read the book. Actually back then it wasn't I didn't want to buy the book, rather wasn't able to afford the book (joys of being a teenager!).

Today really did bring back memories, and how life seemed a lot more simple back then!

sleeping in...

I don't know if I like it or not, but either way I do it. My first train of thought it is a waste of time, I could be doing soo many things instead of just laying there in bed. But when you are laying there in bed and there's really nothing you got to do, then you just stay in bed! Most of the times that's exactly what I end up doing.

Don't like it how today is kind of my day off but not really as I'm working the overnights, so it ends up feeling like I sleep all day. I sleep in till about 11 then normally head back to sleep at 4pm to "get ready" for work. If I did wake up earlier I could have...

and it's finished...

So I guess that is it then, the end of the season has finally arrived and now we all can relax as this will be my final post on Urawa in this blog. So from here on in I don't really know what I can blog on, maybe I have to start blogging on other stuff, like non-Urawa stuff eh? But at times it feels that Urawa is my life; ok that does sound sad.

So our last game of the season was against Kashima, who needed to win to guarantee the championship, and they did just that. They won one-nil thanks to a 77th min goal to Koroki. If we would have tied the match then the championship would have gone to Ci's team, Kawasaki, but it wasn't meant to be. Kind of felt like we let them down. But by saying that a big congratulations to Kashima on their hat-trick of championships!

From all accounts though we did put up a good fight. The only downer would have to be the boo-ing from the fans. Not good way to send of the players because overall we did imporve from last year. Either way.Here are some photos from the match.

So now from here on in, all of my Urawa Red Diamonds update can be found on my blog especially dedicated to my beloved team.

URD | BLOGGING RED

abit of this and that...

You know I can't believe it's already December! As the saying goes, time does fly when you're having fun; in the case of 2009 it has flown by quick! For me at least it has. I still remember going to see the NYE fireworks like it was only a few months ago, but the next NYE is only a few weeks away!

Looking at my blogging activities, November '09 has been the least active month since I've started blogging here. I wont count April '09 because I only started to blog on the 23Apr09. So am I less enthusiastic in blogging? Maybe. And moving on to next year, I can't promise I'll blog as much as I have done so far (not that anyone would care anyways). Like mentioned previously I will not blog on Urawa here after this season of the J-League as I plan to start a Urawa specific blog. I aim to blog here at least 10 times a month, so that means blogging roughly every three days. Yeah I think I can do that.

On the topic of the Urawa Blog, there's only one more game in the '09 J-league season, so I think I got to get a start on that soon eh?

Well 2009 thank you for a great year, but here's to 2010; the best is yet to come!

getting sidetracked...

Well my task I have set aside for myself today, was to do some research on Hong Kong. Not to say I didn't do that, I have done my research on HK, but for some reason or another I keep on getting sidetracked.I really don't know what it is, well firstly I got sidetracked because the internet wouldn't start up, now that wasn't my fault. So it took a while before the internet decided that it would start up, so while I was waiting I watched some TV, ate and well waited. And after it did get started, I got cracking on my HK research; plus some other things like reading some Urawa news, SF Giants news, did some banking and now blogging.I should do some more research, but alas it's almost my bed time (working the overnights again tonight). I'm soo worried that my plans for HK wouldn't be up to scratch that I think I just distract myself. I don't know what it is, but today has been a pretty sidetracked day for me.

if only...

What would it be for you? Is there ever a time when you thought if only something was a certain way then it would be all different? You think of the possibilities of what could be or what it should be like instead? Lets be honest I'm sure we have all been there; we as humans always want what we don't have.

Sometimes we got to stop and see what we do have; it might not seem much to you, but everything is a blessing. Everything we have received, everything we have, what ever small or large it may be, is a privilege, not a right.

knocked down again...

Just when you thought I'd stop blogging; think again. This month has been a slow month for blogging for me; I'll blame it on the heat. It's too hot to blog? Either way if I have nothing to blog about, I can always blog about one of my favorite topics, Urawa. Urawa oh Urawa. How I have ridden the highs and lows this year, yet I still yak on about them. But with the season almost over and my plan to kick off a dedicated Urawa blog, what will happen here? Either way we'll see how it goes.

But as for Urawa, this week has got to be another low. We lost one nil at Kyoto. Don't reallly know what to say, after winning last week, I really did believe we'd have a chance of finishing top three and an ACL place for next year. But this year has really been a yoyo year, and hopefully next week we'd finish on a high. We play Kashima @ home next week to finish off the season and hopefully we can play the spoiler; and end result of Kawasaki winning the title. We all can't win, but at least one of us have a chance. Go Reds Go! (And GO KAWASAKI!)

maybe just a little...

So am I a sport nut? Yeah, maybe just a little bit. But what makes a person a sports nut? See I don't go to matches week in week out; mainly because the teams I follow doesn't come from the city I live in. Even in the local competition, I don't follow my local team and most of the teams that I do follow are all overseas based. Which I guess it's a good thing or else I could see where my money would be going to.

I think what makes me a little bit of a sports nut would be the amount of sports I follow and the number of teams I do barrack for. I have mentioned in a previous blog the teams that follow follow; but there are others that I might not follow follow, but I do follow and do barrack for. The ones mentioned in the blogs are four football teams I barrack, and it is the various types of "football" but I do also follow basketball (NBA), baseball (MLB & NPB), ice hockey (NHL), college sports (NCAA) and to a lesser extent rugby (Air NZ Cup). Plus I also follow motorsports (NASCAR), cycling and non-team sports like tennis.According to the above description of sports nut, I don't think I qualify as a sports nut. Alright maybe just a little...

hat-trick plus victory equals...

So I promise starting from next year I wont give you anymore Urawa updates on this blog; I will leave this blog for me personal stuff and all of the Urawa reports will be left on my Urawa blog. Well that is next year, but this year it's still here, so have to put up with it. Besides it's only for like less then 6 weeks.So what does a hat-trick plus a victory equals? Moving up four places on the table. Yes that's correct we have moved up 4 places in one weekend; we're now up in forth place. The hero of the weekend would have to be Edmilson, who first gave us the lead in the 21st min, then tied the game in the 82nd min and struck the winning goal in the last moments of the game. That hat-trick, and other games going our way, dragged us back up the table, and a chance to be in the ACL next year! A few weeks ago that seemed like a distant dream the ACL, now it can be a reality.

some bad urawa news...

Just when you thought I had dried up with all the Urawa news, think again, except this time it isn't good news. I know throughout this year there has been aplenty of bad news; for example the seven game losing streak, but this is worst then that. Much much worst. Are you ready?

Tsukasa Umesaki has been injured. It occurred during a training session on the 17th November. The diagnosis; a damaged anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which means he will be out of action for 6 months at least. Link to the story here.So what does this mean? With only three matches remaining, a majority of the time he will miss is the off season, but he will miss the beginning of season 2010. He should be expected to return around May. This will be for the second year in a row which Umesaki has missed the beginning of the season. He missed the beginning of this season with a lumbago (lower back pain).

Here's for a speed recovery and to be back better then ever!

too much plastic...

Ok, so over the years I have accumulated more and more plastic, and looking at all of my plastic now it appears that I have begun a collection of some kind. It began with one that was linked and now I have people linked to me! Some cards have changed their appearance or name altogether and many have requested that I increase my limit. But the truth still remains that I tend to take advantage of them!You got to love credit cards; now days it's really something that you cannot live with out and for me personally that is true! Mainly I'm attracted to their appearance, like whether or not they look good, but most importantly I look as to how they can advantage me. Always look for cards that have no yearly fees and an excellent rewards program. I want to be rewarded by my spending. Like who uses cash now days?At the moment I have a total of seven credit cards; yes that's a lot but I only use two of them, three the very maximum. No the ones I do not use are not maxed out or anything, they just don't serve a purpose for me during that time so they remain inactive. My main 'weapon of choice' would have to be my American Express Blue. Earns me the most points and gives me the most options on how to use my points. It's fantastic; I've used it's point for a flight even! The only down side to the Blue is that it's an American Express; not as widely accepted as say Visa or Mastercard. That's why I have my secondary card, my Mastercard. Which one? It rotates, which ever one I feel like using at that time.My ultimate credit card? The American Express Centurion card. Maybe sometime soon!?

oakley doakly...

Well for those who know me know that I'm a big fan of Oakley eyewear, well even in general and I think the term big fan is somewhat of an understatement. Either way you get the idea, when it comes to eyewear in particular I "prefer" or only use Oakley.Anyways cutting a long story short; due to being joined up to private health insurance I am able to claim a certain amount of say credit to purchase something to do with optical. Normally these would be a pair of glasses or contact lens, which is what I used my credit on last year. As the end of this year was fast approaching, I still was yet to spend this credit. I have enough contact lens to get me through till next year and I was planning to get new prescription glasses next year, so I thought, heck why don't I just get some new sunglasses.Which is exactly what I did. I "claimed" the pair like the ones above actually. They are called the 'Dispatch' and fit quiet comfortably on my face. So now my tally of Oakley eyewear reads something like this; seven sunglasses, one prescription glasses and one snow goggles. See below; my Oakley collection, only missing my prescription.I think the word I was looking for before was OBSESSED!

mobile blogging...

Well this was a total fail. I tried to blog on my iPhone this morning when I was waiting for my car to be washed and it just didn't happen. I don't know, maybe I was doing something wrong, but it just didn't work for me.

Either way that's all for today!

football & more football...

Wow, there's been like a week between posts; have I really been that busy to blog? Or am I getting over this blogging thing? What ever it is it's not stopping me today; so here I am to blog on about football and some other stuff.

Firstly some Urawa update. We played FC Tokyo @ Ajinomoto stadium over the weekend which resulted in a 1-nil victory for the reds; Edmilson scoring the only goal in the 49th min. We didn't make things easy though, playing a majority of the second half with only 10 men after Haraguchi got his marching orders in the 53rd min after collecting his second yellow card. Either way in the end we held on for the win. We still remain 8th on the ladder, with another 3 teams equal on 49 points. If we just had won a fortnight ago against Omiya, we would be in 4th place, to points behind the ACL position. That's how things go sometimes.
Barcelona also had a win in the La Liga over the weekend, defeating Mallorca 4-2 at the Nou Camp and then defeated third tier team Cultural Leonesa 5-nil in the Copa del Ray midweek.

Now on to football of the American kind; the Houston Texans lost to the Indianapolis Colts 20-17. Kris Brown could have tied the game as time expired, but missed his 42-yard field goal attempt. The Colts have now won 17 regular season games on the trot, but I tell you what, the Texans did give them a run for their money.

FINALLY, in NCAA Football Stanford defeated Oregon 51-42. The win over Oregon, who are the nations 7th rank team, vaults Cardinal Football back into the rankings, at 25, for the first time since 2001.

Overall it has been a good week/weekend for "my football" teams, except for when it comes to my teams in FIFA10. But that's for another time and place.

it's in the game...

As you might have guessed, I like my sports. Then this next statement flows on from that; I like sports computer games; what ever the sport, more then likely I would like to play it. My three favorites would have to be FIFA, NBA and NFL. There's something about sports and sporting games that just draws me to them.I've never been a big fan of any other genres; for example the RPG genre like Final Fantasy and others, but I do like EA sports series of games. I think I'm too much of a sports nut aye? Actually another genre that I am a big fan off besides sport is racing, but then again you could classify that as sports - motorsports to be exact.Well now I'm waiting to play FIFA10; I only have the PS3 for tonight, if only if the TV was available.

hotel babylon...

At Hotel Babylon, I'm glad I'm not; either working or staying. I guess it's a good thing I'm not an actor then aye and actually work in the hospitality industry! Hotel Babylon, for all that do not know, is a TV series based on a five star hotel and to be honest with you I do find it quiet enjoyable seeing what I do through another set of eyes so to speak. As every TV show or movie, this five star hotel of cause has been over-dramatized. How else would they get people to watch it, because the usual day to day operation of a five star hotel is very boring *wink*Well now I've almost finished watching season three and like most TV series, the first season is always the best. I don't know why, but I have developed a deeper connection with the original cast, in some ways relate to them more; maybe? It seems that from the second season onwards it appears to be "over exaggerated". Either way, it's got me hooked.

i don't feel like blogging...

So why am I blogging? Because I really don't feel like it. Confused? Yeah me too. It's been one of those days todays I think. Where the only thing I wanted to do, was what I didn't end up doing and it wasn't because I didn't have the time. It was just because.I'm feeling really confused at the moment. Don't really know what to do; I guess if I don't know what to do (and look abit like the above picture), there's only One that I can turn to right? Yep thought so! It's funny how I can clear my head just by blogging.

My apologies for taking your time.

patched up week one...

Well today is to be day four of using my day patches, and it has been rather interesting. Now I don't feel all that different, to be honest some days I feels abit more bleh! Then again I would have guess that how one would feel if they're on a detox. I must say, I feel more dehydrated sooner now days, which results in drinking more water, but also results in going to the toilet more often.

Another thing I have noticed is that since I started using the patch I have begun to have a drier throat. Now this could be because of the lack of water I'm drinking compared to what I'm suppose to be drinking, but I am coughing up more flem. Maybe that's how my body is "coughing" up all the bad stuff; like literally.

I do think I'm getting accustomed to patching up now, because the very first day I was feeling quiet nauseous, but days two and three I've been alot better. I'm also less scared of the patches coming off, they do stick on quiet well to the body, sometimes too well. When I need to peel them off, I do get a few hairs that get pulled out as well and it hurts abit.

Anyways; that's it so far, but the patching continues...

a little bit patchy...

Well gonna be trying something new today. Have you heard if "LIFEWAVE"? Well for more information on Lifewave itself click here. But the whole point of this is blog isn't to "promote" the product, rather it is more of a journal/diary of my experience or say journey with using these patches.So today is day one of my Detox program. It does feel quiet strange at first to have these "patches" on you, but you do get use to them, and after about 5 mins you forget they're there. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.

blog drought...

Well it's been a week since I last blogged and it's not because I've been away somewhere. Usually that's the reason, but this time, I've just haven't had the time to blog! I semi-started a blog, but it was getting past my bed time and decided to sleep instead.

Did you know that this past weekend was meant to be my "planned" trip to Japan? But by some way or another, it got expressed and put forward by 4 months! Let me tell you I was glad it did; and you all should be glad it did too! The last four months would have been myself ranting and raving how I'll be going to Japan and my plans etc. But luckily that wasn't the case aye?

The other thing was that the football game I was suppose to go to, didn't end up the way I would have wanted it too. The match I ended up going to resulted in a 6-2 victory for Urawa, but this past weekend, we lost 3-0 to Ominya. What a dissappointing present that would have been aye, especially having to wait four months for it.

Anyways, so instead of going to Japan this past weekend, ended up going to my high school friend's engagement BBQ. It was good seeing all the high school peeps again; now days we only see each other during either engagement parties or weddings. I guess it's been about 8 years now since graduation, so we all move on. Talking about moving on, also had my boss' farewell dinner on Sunday night. She's moving to Bali & retiring; she's only 35!

Alright some last bit of Ray Sport News from this pass weekend, Barcelona defeated Real Zaragoza 6-1 in the La Liga, the Texans defeated the 49ers 24-21 in the NFL and Stanford defeated Arizona St 33-14 in NCAA Football. I haven't introduced you to Stanford have I? Well that will come soon I guess.

more urawa news...

Now don't think that the Red Diamonds only at most play once a week and you wouldn't get your midweek dose of all things Urawa. We all know (well at least I know) that in the J-League we haven't been playing all to well; we're currently 8th on the table, but another Urawa team has this past week been crowned the champions. The Urawa Red Ladies are the champions of the Plenus Nadeshiko League (the women's league) for 2009.In other Urawa news, the Red's J-Satellite team drew 1-all with Thespa Kusatsu. So what is the J-Satellite league? It's kind of the "Reserve" league for the J-League. It's an opportunity for the fringe players to get some competitive game time as well as a chance for members of the youth team to play with the big boys.

curb my spending...

Well over the past few months I've tried to be very diligent to regards to my savings; let me tell you it hasn't been easy! I can be what you call an impulse buyer, if I see what I like then I'd go and buy it. The only problem with that is it means no savings, cause I do tend to buy buy buy!

Now I have been saving; well I've been 'trying' to save for more then a year now (like my recording how much I spend on a daily basis) but now I have been really strict on myself in regards to NOT BUYING ANYTHING! I can't really put a numerical number yet on how much I saved, but it does feel alot more then before. To add to that calclulation includes the dollars I'm using to pay off my car, so I hope I'm doing good. I'm not going to look into my "savings" account for a few more months and hopefully surprise myself! Either way I think I'll surprise myself.

But due to my lack of buying, I have somewhat developed a little shopping list of what I want to buy. Actually thinking more about it now, the shopping list isn't as long as what I first had thought, but it is still quiet extensive and requires parting with quiet alot of dollars. Anyways here it goes.Firstly I want to get a new pair of sunglasses. These particular pairs are the Oakley Jupiter LX. These pair in this particular colour I have yet to locate at any stores (namely the Oakley store), so I guess that's a good thing and can say it's a sign. There are a few others that I've had a look at and tried incl. the Oakley Eyepatch; I know I already have a pair of these, but I want the polarized kind. Another eyewear accessory I'm eying is a new pair of perscription glasses, the Oakley Muffler. As you can see I have this some what of a fascination with Oakley's but I'll elaborate more on that later.Secondly I've kept my eyes out for some bucketseat for my car. In particular the Zeta III by Bride. Now I know this is something that I should not get, because it is a want not a need. Actually that goes along with all the "other mods" I've conjured up in my mind for my little Swift; for example lowering the car, new set of wheels, super-charger just to name a few. I really got to get off the car forums aye, because to begin to modify would defeat the whole purpose of purchasing a new car! I know if I do start modifying it wouldn't just stop at one; and it doesn't come cheap! So I will make a promise here that I will not modify my Swift. Ci you can use this against me if I even start to get ideas!Lastly, I have being wanting to buy myself some "new" Modern Amusement t-shirts. Actually I am actually quiet surprised that I haven't bought any since June. I think thinking back I would buy at least one every one to two months; so going four months without buying, actually four months without buying clothing for me is a big deal! Actually I did promise myself that I would only buy Modern Amusement t-shirts when I'm in Japan; so that means I'd have to go over more frequent; which for me isn't really a bad thing. Actually no, that would mean spending money wouldn't it?

Actually it felt good putting it out there; now I don't expect this as a hint as to what to get me (though gifts of the above items are always welcomed). What I mean is that I can keep an eye out as to what I can do to curb my need to purchase the above items. You all can help me to!

rain & poop...

Oh how I dislike those two elements; especially just after I washed my car. Like seriously; I know I'm being selfish, because we do need the rain, but the weather forecast didn't forecast any rain over the weekend. It was meant to be a fine weekend, no rain! Alas, the rain did come. To make it worst, it didn't stay around for that long, but it did leave its mark on my clean car; which it is no more.And another thing, why do birds like to poop on my car? Does it have a target on it? Is there a prize for the bird who poops the most on my car? It is quiet frustrating, considering that I mainly park the car indoors. Well I guess it shows the birds have good aim!? [/rant]

one goal, one minute...

And that was all it took to wrap up the game. A first minute goal from Edmilson was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over Niigata. We are now 4 points behind the ACL position (top 3); but with only 5 games remaining and a far less superior goal difference it would be a challenge. Its not over till it's over though!

at the car wash...

Well it's not that often I wash my car at home; actually it has been a good 5 years or so since I last washed my car at home. I would normally take my cars down to the car wash and do it there. Usually set me back around 5 bucks and takes around 15mins. Anyways with the Swift i decided against washing my car at the usual place and would wash it myself at home.Took me almost an hour to get the car clean! One thing I do miss from the car wash place is the high pressure hoses; do they make things easier! But overall I'm happy with the result and it was quiet enjoyable! Now I just hope that it doesn't rain anytime soon, or a bird poops on my car.