ACL Surgery

Done.

Went smoother than I thought.

Hopefully recovery will be as smooth too. I'm already all raring to go.

I must admit I was scared prior to surgery. This being my it's major surgery, it's no laughing matter even if I tried my bestest best to remain stoic, humourous and witty all at the same time. When the doc says there's a 1% chance of things going wrong, it really is quite disconcerting. And I think everyone around me know it too.

Pre-surgery I got a lot of love from family. I so thankful and I feel so lucky. From the wifey, kids, my sis, my bro, dad, mom, it's all very appreciated to be able to make me feel so loved.

I don't remember the last time mom pecked me on my forehead. And she did it twice. Dad woke up uber early for a pre-op hug. Wifey was everywhere I needed her to be.

I am so blessed.

Pre-op I was nervous alright. Packed my stuff the night before, had an early night, fasted as per instructions, woke early to get to the hospital early. Checked in two hours early, prepared the room, prepared paperwork. Then waited.

Got dressed into the silly-looking operating gown, lay on bed, wheeled to operating waiting area, answered repeated questions over and over. Got to know all the nurses and doctors helping with my surgery, then wheeled in operating room. Quick run-through of general anaestesia process, tried to be witty and funny and then suddenly zzzzzz....

Woke up with numb knee, feeling ultra whoozy but coherent. Wheeled back to room, had lunch, ice packed the knee, painkillers wearing off and pain can now be felt. Can feel my toes now. Can lift leg. Can bend a slight angle. Have to pee while on bed, eew. 

Sleep.

Now I just need to recuperate, super power rehab, and make that football career comeback! :P

Welcome Ander Herrera!!!

Bought at £30mil.

I'm pretty sure we're overpaying for our players. Particularly when Man City can get Fernando for £12mil.

Still I can't wait to see him in action!

Suarez The Rat - Again!

I've mentioned this before.

Suarez went and bite yet another victim! This time at the World Cup, no less! Poor Italian, Giorgio Chiellini.

The guy should be given an extremely long ban man.

Read the funniest Suarez bite jokes here, and here!

Nightmare

Dreamt last night I was in a surgery room and my stomach was being cut open horizontally.

Then my stomach was removed and put on my tummy.

Then I saw my stomach like a bag housing all my other organs and on texture of my stomach was so yucky. It had what looked like sea barnacles all around it, growing in a rash-like gross sort of way.

OMG.

Tribute To Benjamin Ching IV

Two years since you left us.

You may not be with us anymore, but you will never be forgotten.

We still sing the songs we used to sing.

Your mom still misses you dearly, as do we.

我们都一起长大，好多梦都在飞。

Rest in peace, my brudder.

Tribute To Benjamin Ching
Tribute To Benjamin Ching II
Tribute To Benjamin Ching V

The Teams I Support At This World Cup

In the following order, I am rooting for the following teams:

England

Japan

South Korea

Australia

Make no mistake, I don't think any of the teams will win the World Cup. Argentina's my winning choice.

England is because I follow the EPL so fanatically. So I know almost every player on the team. Also Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck are representing United on the team.

Japan is because they've got Shinji Kagawa. Also partly Asian pride.

South Korea is because of my soft spot for Park Ji Sung, our Man United three-lung Park. And Asian pride as well.

Australia is because I generally like the country (being so familiar with it). It's got Tim Cahill, one of my favourite EPL (now with NY Red Bulls) players. And it's the country closest to Singapore that's playing in the tournament.

Too bad none of the countries are doing well after the first round (and abit of the second) of group games. England lost 1-2 to Italy, Japan lost 1-2 to Ivory Coast, South Korea drew 1-1 with Russia, and Australia lost 1-3 and 2-3 to Chile and Holland respectively.

I'm setting to like Holland because of RVP and our future manager, Louis van Gaal. Hope they go far!

Jumper

This morning there was a stranger at our level's corridor which I thought strange since it is a rare sight. An old uncle was peering over te ledge. U didn't really read much into it. 

Then, when we came out of the lift at the groundfloor, the first thing we saw was the police cordon tape. Immediately I knew something was up.

As I peered past the walls, I saw a police tent. One of those for covering dead bodies. 

It appears someone jumped from our block.

We saw at least five police cars and quite a few more officers milling around the area.

The police tape covered a pretty large area. I think they don't want people too close to the death scene.

We then avoided that area and waited for the wifey to drive the car to the other side.

In the evening we saw the communal hall being prepared for a funeral.

Sigh.

I wonder how high is the suicide rate in Singapore. It must be quite high given the stressful society we live in.

Feeling very morbid.

Guess Who Coloured Which?

England 1 Italy 2

It's the World Cup in Brazil!

In a group with England, Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica, you'd fancy England's chances to advance into the 2nd round. Too bad they suck. Here're some thoughts:

1)  Roy Hodgson Is David Moyes' Twin

They play almost identical styles, 4-4-2 with huge dependency on their wingers pumping in cross after cross. Little pressing on opponents with the hope of counter-attacking. So it wasn't a surprise that England lost, because they had no bite. 

2) Wayne Rooney Is The Weak Link

Not only is he the highest paid player on the team, he's also supposed to be the most technically gifted. Too bad he was neither today. His first touch was so bad that each touch drew more and more groans and moans. He was also wondering aimlessly often and didn't look like he knew what was going on. Granted, he did chalk an assist, but that was his only moment of good play. His corner kick in the final minute which was ballooned into the stands will go viral for awhile. 

3) Roy Hodgson Is David Moyes' Twin Again

In that he has no balls. He showed that when he didn't dare to sub out such a painfully below par Rooney. Also questionable subs all round. He took out a dangerous looking Welbeck for Barkley (when Rooney or Henderson should've been replaced) in the 60th minute. He took out Henderson for Wilshere, who made no impact at all, in the 75th minute. Finally he took the most potent attacker in Sturridge out for Lallana in the 80th minute. Effectively, England had no centre forward when they had to chase the game. Even Rickie Lambert would have been a smarter choice.

4) Defence Is Suspect

Aside from Phil Jagielka, the rest of the back four and keeper were found wanting. Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines and Joe Hart weren't very impressive at all. All have seen better performances. The first goal wa effectively a freebie for Claudio Machisio to shoot from outside the box. The second goal from Mario Ballotelli was the fault of Cahill and Hart for not covering the far post well.

5) Wide Open Group

With Uruguay's 3-1 loss to Costa Rica, this could be the most wide open group and England might well finish last in the group. Every opponent will be very difficult to breakdown and if England keeps playing like this, they look like they will exit the tournament very soon.

Beerfest 2014

What an insane party!

Compared to the last two years we attended, this year was one of the most fun yet!

As usual tons of new beers to try, a whole bunch of good friends ( + wifey this time!), and alot of good acts to keep the crowd entertained.

Last year was pretty memorable particularly because one of the bros totally KOed. This year he looked like he deliberately wanted to avoid that by coming late and staying away from us haha.

The music acts this year were pretty brilliant, with copy acts like Noasis, Red Cold Chilli Peppers, Nevermind Nirvana, and Killer Queen rocking all my favourite songs. The marquee performance of the night had to be Killer Queen. Their set covered all their best songs and they really got the crowd belting to Queen's most famous anthems. They ended their set with Bohemian Rhapsody, and then in the midst of all the encore cheers, came back with a final We Are The Champions. Truly felt like a real rock concert, and we were up front!

What fun! Looking forward to the 2015 edition already!

#beerfestasia2014

Stat Bike Ride III

So long since I last got on a stationary bike (didn't bother to renew my gym membership).

Clocked the following stats:

Distance: 10.17km
Time taken: 00hr 23min
Speed: 25.53km/h
Level: 10

Here were my stats in April.

On The Road Again

Travelling. Just like cinnamon or capsicum. Either you love it, or you hate it. Or you love AND hate it.

Honestly, I love travelling. It's been ingrained in me since young to explore and find out more about anything and everything that going to foreign lands and places I've never been enforce has become addictive.

Yet I hate travelling. Being away from family, going to the same boring places over and over, going to places I don't like.

When we were in Australia I flipped through a travel magazine and showed my son all the places he can explore. He looked really interested. Hopefully one day he and the girl will develop that spirit of adventure and wonder as well.

While through all this, at the end of the day, we all must go home. Where is home? Make clear of that and the rest of the world will be your oyster.

Good To Be Home

Nothing beats home cooked food.

Gold Coast 2014 Movieworld

Same as nine years ago.

Old.

Bloody expensive.

Not enough attractions.

Sticking to lousy attractions (Justice League?!).

Kids had a ball though.

Worst end of day parade ever.

The boy took his first roller coaster ride (three times!).

The boy took the height drop ride too.

The boy drive his own car.

Gold Coast 2014 Seaworld

Tiring.

Still the same as nine years ago.

One new ride.

Lousier performances.

Nice sharks.

Kids still had a ball.

Watched Dora. Twice.

Expensive as hell.

Brisbane 2014 Again

More pix!