Russian Roulette

In spite of the most recent outcome, which football enthusiasts worldwide should know, I constantly reiterate my stand that penalty shootouts is probably the most cruel way to decide a cup final. Not just for the spotkick takers and the keepers involved, but also for the fans watching the match live, with gritting teeth, hyper-stimulated adrenaline as well as a heart-stopping aura enveloping all fans of their teams involved, knowing that the tides could change...

UEFA Champions League Final Season 2007-08
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

A game of 2 English teams playing a UEFA Champions League final on Russian soil. A 1st for England. For Chelsea, its their 1st appearance in a European Cup final, for Man Utd, they're gunning for their 3rd European title in their whole history. Man Utd want to paint the Red Square even redder while Chelsea, look to turn it to the "Blue" Square.


The game started with an imperious display from Man Utd, convincingly dominating possession as well as chances, making Chelsea looking sub-standard in the early exchanges of the game. And eventually, something had to come out of it.

A pinpoint cross from Wes Brown (with his weaker foot, no less) floats perfectly for the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo who assuredly heads it past a helpless Petr Cech.

After this, United continue to dominate play with 2 more should-have-been-a-goal opportunities spurned. But after this, United would live to regret that, for as I have dreaded, Chelsea revitalized and started pinning United in their own half, instead. From the later parts of the 1st half, all the way right till extra-time. And with a (double) stroke of luck, a double deflection proviced Frank Lampard with the perfect opportunity at the right time with the right dose of luck.


Bang. 1-1. And thats the way it stayed till the end of regulation time, and subsequently, extra time and finally the dreaded penalty shootout. And lots of mm-close chances that, if all went in, the score might have been 4-4.
Can't find the pics for those. Argh.


And towards the end of extra time (for the uninitiated, its an additional 1/2 hour, after 90 minutes of "normal" time played). Didier Drogba, thought to be the player Chelsea are pinning their hopes on scoring the crucial, pivotal goal to lift them the cup, does this instead.

Drogba (4th from left) slaps Man Utd defender Nemanja Vidic (pic unavailable, sadly) and gets the red card. The walk of shame out of the Luzhniki Stadium, in what might be his last game in Blue.





Then, the penalty shootout. Nerves of steel aren't enough. They need nerves of unbreakable titanium. In a penalty shootout where luck and fortune plays an equally important role as is composure and courage under duress, the tides CAN change.





And it did.

Tevez and Ballack both scored the 1st spot kicks for their respective teams, followed by Carrick and Belletti. And then.....


Ronaldo, Man Utd's goal scorer earlier in the game, has his spot kick saved by Cech. While Lampard converts Chelsea 3rd spotkick. After Hargreaves, Ashley Cole and Nani convert their spotkicks, Chelsea with a spotkick in hand, and with that spotkick to confirm their victory. Terry walked up to the spot, to take Chelsea's decisive penalty. Man Utd fans all over the world (including me, and possibly some parts of the universe, hmm) gritted their teeth (if any). Clothes cover the mouth. Fervent prayers offered. With hope that some miracle from the heavens will shine on the lump of grass Terry walks on, with some hoping for a rare slip. For if Terry scores, it'll be Chelsea's 1st European Cup in their 1st attempt.



John Terry, the unshakable rock in Chelsea's defence, and who had denied Man Utd in claiming victory earlier in the game, went up, slipped as he took what would've been the decisive penalty, and spot kicks go in to sudden death. Which, ends with United lifting the trophy for only the 3rd time in their history after Anelka misses his spot kick, after Giggs, Man Utd's longest serving player who made his 759th appearance as a substitute in this game, converted his spotkick.

UEFA Champions League Final Season 2007-08
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia
Champions of Europe 2007-08: Manchester United.
Man Utd (w) 1 - 1 Chelsea
Man Utd win 6-5 on penalties, after extra time

The Ecstatic

The Dejected

And here it ends. The Moscow twist of fate.




Pictures source: guardian.co.uk

Think-tank.

One of the more uncommon tags which makes you think. Quite a bit.



Would you accept a job twice as good as your current one - twice as much income and twice as fulfilling - given one condition of employment: you can never reveal anything about it to anyone at all?
yeah.

Would you accept twenty-five years of extraordinary happiness if it meant you would die at the end of the period?
no thanks. I'd rather die with a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly.

For a person you loved deeply, would you be willing to move to a distant country knowing there would be very little chance at ever seeing your family again?
If we're like, getting married already, then yeah. otherwise, no.

Would you willingly have one finger removed if it somehow guaranteed immunity from all major diseases?
Depends on which finger. As long as its not the index, the pinky, and/or the thumb. Oh, and yeah. the middle finger too. *smirks* which just leaves me with one finger to...spare.

Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make one final dash into the house to save any one thing. What would it be?
my computer.

You are given the power to kill people. They would die a natural death and no one would suspect you. How would you use this power?
Sounds like a Death Note. Kill everyone. And re-enact "I am Legend".

Would you rather be extremely successful professionally, with a fairly ordinary private life - or a very happy private life and only an ordinary professional life?
Happy private life and ordinary pro life.

If you could script the basic plot for your dream tonight, what would the story be?
attain odd powers, enter a realm and basically theres too many things I'd like to experience to mention here. like time control.

Would you be willing to become extremely ugly physically if it meant you would live for 500 years at any physical age you choose?
hell. no.

In front of you are ten pistols. Only one of them is loaded. For one million dollars, would you pick up one, point it to your head and pull the trigger? You get to keep the money regardless of the outcome.
I'll never know if all ten of the pistols are loaded.

Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by five years to become extremely attractive?
5 years? No. A lot can be done in 5 years. Job promotion, girlfriend, breakup, bankruptcy, ISA charge, lottery, accidents, Champions League final, being chased by a dog. Uh-uh. Not giving that up.

If you could take a one-month trip to anywhere in the world, and money were not a consideration, where would you go and what would you do?
Switzerland, watch Euro 2008. At least the games played in Switzerland since its co-hosted with Austria. Could do skiing while I'm at it.

Would you be willing to murder an innocent person if it meant ending hunger in the world?
With regards to the killing people question earlier, I guess one more wouldn't hurt (that much), if everyone else's sufferings are alleviated. Of course, its on a voluntary basis. Suicidal people may do so for a noble cause.

Now, tag THREE people:
- The bespectacled cherub
- Raewaesuanlisuanchickenduckbabiputihdutchlady.
- ern wei.



in addition, I'd like to tag naqi too.

TIs' the season to be (very) jolly

Tis' be the wonderful season of exams
and I'm still online. wonderofwonders.

Thick bunches of papers being photocopied, distributed en masse to all the sad, depressed and mentally unstable students (including me, yay.) in each school/learning institute/university/equivalent). Prior to this, several trees being cut down just to supply enough paper to cater to the "needs" of students nationwide (or, almost worldwide? hmm...)
So much for saving the trees.


Anyway. A few congratulatory acknowledgments.



-SSI for getting 1st place in YAA (Young Achievers Award, Regionals) 2008. (pic above)
-SSI (again) for getting 1st place in the regional choir competitions (no pic available at the moment)
-SSI (yet again) for successfully conducting their so-called "SSI League" season 2008.



....ok forget the SSI League.


Moving on. EST was disastrous, to say the least.
At least, disastrous on my teachers high standards. I think.

Essay was about food poisoning. Got poisoned just thinking how to write produce AT LEAST 6-10 elaborations, per point. Puns intentional. Now to put it behind, and I've got BM essay techniques, History crap, Biology facts, chemical equations, physics concepts, additional mathematic formulae and goodness knows what else, to mug, and regurgitate, in the weeks to come.



Au revoir, you lifeless, inanimate audiences of mine (or lack thereof).

The life that was

"Many people will walk in and out of your life,

but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

- Anon

As I thought of wrapping things up for the next few months or so, I opened up a save convo window, from one particular Grace Tan. Such flamboyant, no-hold-bars (correct me if this is wrong) conversations, random banters after another. It reminds me of a blissful time when MSN contacts were aplenty, friendships fresh, and topics even fresher.



But alas, due to her increasing number of commitments, the "joy" of Form 4 life, etc. Yes yes I know you're already happily in love with your..ahem... but the company was always welcome and you ARE one of few who could actually brighten up my day anytime. We could talk bout almost anything effortlessly.



But its not only her, other people as well have become much more busy now, and as the day passes, it feels as though the bond between a number of my friends have waned and loosened. And I have been the cause of some of those. Sad thing really, considering the fun times we (meaning me, my pals and all) once had.


I guess, life's becoming pretty autonomous and repetitive with each passing day, and with increasing seniority, comes greater burden, and much higher workload.


Other than Gracie, theres also my lil "sis", Michelle Lim. Green fanatic, wishes to dye her hair green, and blend with the grasses (says me). Small spunky girl. Enjoyed her small-ishness.

Then theres Ern Wei, the tall dude whom I met and talked only for a bit. Though continued talking through MSN and stuff. Had some random fun talks with him too. And has strong and firm views bout something, and sticks to his stand.

I've only the time to mention these few. (even then, sorry for not mentioning much bout you 2, you're worth a lot more than words can describe) These are some of the people who have imprinted footprints in my life one way or another. There are others to. But thats for another time, perhaps. IF there is, another time. For now, studies are basically all I have to keep me occupied. Such joy.





p.s. the people mentioned above are some of the people who aren't residing in the same state as I am. So to those of you who were heartbroken in being omitted, breathe a sigh of relieve. adieu for now.

Just to clear the mosses.

To entertain the newcomer from a land (far farrrr away) in middle peninsular.

You have to type the 1st thing that comes to mind whenever you see these things. and why? You can't think and go back and change your answers.

1. Beer
bottoms up

2. Mcdonalds
fillet o fish

3. Relationships
locked away, stashed and left to collect dust (and mosses)

4. Purple
my specs.

5. Power Rangers
something i went gaga over before

6. Weed
say no to drugs.

7. Steroids
desperate dudes.

8. Cartoons
spongebob squarepants

9. The President.
hypocritical.

10. People to do this quiz
anybody who cares to do it.

New Lease of Life

Just when I thought form 5's all spikes, fiery infernos and the occasional sandstorm, an inspiration flew straight in to make life a little more realistic and not over-obsessed in studies.







music.









Though by trade I'm grade 0 (yes, ZERO) in piano, bit by bit I'm picking up tunes I'm familiar with. Rather than listening to them, I might as well PLAY them.
Okla I'm (unofficially) grade 8 in Electone so don't go thinking I'm some prodigy waiting to be discovered and shot up to superstardom.


Bleach fans, you might hear me playing some distinctly familiar tunes in the coming weeks. ehehehe.

bummer. this is for girls, apparently

ern wei just loves to tag me.

Name : Teoh Eu Vin

Spell your name without vowels : Th Vn (??)

Natural hair color : Black

Do you ever lie about your age?- probly not

Initials?- TEV

Eye color?- black

What’s your height? Are you comfortable with your height?-
approx 5 ft 9" (round 1.79m+). somewhat comfortable with it but I'd like to add a few more inches.

Mood?- mysterious, erratic, random. with a bit of the explosive nature round it. But currently feeling "normal"

How many pairs of jeans do you own?- 2

Can you dance?- I do. Like a dying monkey.

Are you musically talented?- Somewhat. Singing + a bit of piano/organ.

Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?- No. Not yet anyway.

Did you have braces?- nope

Who did you hug today?- so far nobody.

On a scale from 1-10 how fun is shopping?- theres no "0" so i'll settle with 1.

Would you ever leave the house without make-up on?- i dun even use make up to start off with.

Do you own any big sunglasses?- no

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?- approx 20-35 minutes (depending on how perky I am when I wake up)

What are you thinking about?- at this moment, whether or not to do EST homework which SHOULD've been done eons ago.

When was the last time you felt stupid?- forgotten. but I did.

Who did you last yell at?- my dad on the phone. cos it was too noisy where I was.

Do you swear/curse?- Did but trying to cut down.

Do you ever spit?- in the washroom mostly

Do you ever make your own food?- Not yet. Unless you count bread with ham/butter/etc but who doesnt know how to do that?

You do your own chores?- partially.

Flowers or chocs?- Chocs.

Lust or love?- mixture. i'm a confused guy. but less now.

M&Ms or Skittles?- M&Ms

Staying up late or waking up early?- Both

Having 10 acquaintances or 2 best friends?- 2 best friends

Nervous habits?- multiplied pulse rate and patchy talking.

Can you roll your tongue?- no.

Can you raise one eyebrow?- probly

Can u cross your eyes?- yeh.

Do you make your bed daily?- occasionally, not daily, only if I've totally nothing better to do.

Did you have a new year's resolution this year?- I'm an aimless person. So no.

Who kissed you at midnight?- the grim reaper. He's one of my best buddies.

Are you mixed? - I'm pure blood not half blood.

Do you like the rain?- During exam periods, yes i like it.

Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year?- 2007 dun think so. lazy. this year we'll see.

What year did/will you graduate from high school?- 2008

Can you honestly say you love me no matter what?- probly.

Been on a diet?- at my current physical state, "diet" is probably the last thing that I need to do.

Do you like hot chocolate?- i prefer it cold.

What's your favorite sport?- Football.

What did you have for dinner last night?- rice. with stuff.

Do you have plants in your room?- no. I'll be competing with it for oxygen at night if I did.

Whats your favorite Starbucks drink?- i dun do starbucks.

How many things in your past do you regret?- countless things

Have you ever felt like killing somebody?- in shooter games, yes, everytime.

Has one of your friends ever stabbed you in the back?- dun think so. not yet.

Did you forgive them? God said "Thou shalt forgice". can't answer this as it hasnt happened but in other cases yes.

Have you ever skipped school? - of course, though with parent's approval.

Have you ever cried yourself to sleep?- sometimes.

Have you ever not been able to get someone out of your head? - don't we all.

Have you ever had a good feeling about something and it turned out you were
right?- dunno.


DO YOU:

Believe in God?- Yes.

Had a dream come true?- the kinda dreams I have is like falling from somewhere high above and hitting the ground with a splatter. The fact I can still type here means no.

Read the newspaper?- yep.

Get enough sleep everyday?- almost everyday.

Have a best friend?- Yeah.

Wish on stars?- I'll leave that to astronomers


True of False :

I am a cuddler – false
I am a morning person – false
I am a perfectionist – false
I am an only child – false
I am Catholic – false
I am currently in my pajamas -false
I am currently single – true.
I am currently suffering from a broken heart – partially true.
I am okay at styling other people’s hair –false. I'd damage them, more like.
I am left handed – false
I am very shy around the opposite gender AT FIRST - used to be true. now, dunno.
I bite my nails – false
I can be paranoid at times – partially true
When I get mad I curse frequently -Used to be true.
I like someone – true
I enjoy country music - false
I enjoy jazz music – false
I enjoy smoothies – false
I enjoy talking on the phone – false
I have a pet –false
I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal – true
I have a tendency to fall for the “wrong” person – false
I have been told that I am smart - true
I get higher than C’s in school – true except BM. And sometimes sejarah or add maths if I was particularly lazy.
I have broken a bone – not broken, fractured. my right pinky. few years ago.
I have Caller I.D. on my phone - erh.....
I have bathed/showered with someone – other than my infancy phase, false.
I have changed a diaper – false
I have changed a lot over the past year – true
I have done something illegal – true
I have friends who have never seen my natural hair – false
I have had surgery – false
I have killed another person – false
I have had my hair cut within the last week - true. yesterday.
I have had the cops called on me – false

IN THE LAST MONTH HAVE YOU

Gotten sick?- No

Been hugged?- Yes

Felt stupid?- forgotten.

Talked to an ex?- not sure if i do have one or not.

Missed someone?- Yes

Failed a test?- technically, yes. But that was cos I was absent for the test due to illness.

Danced?- yeh. at teenstreet. the robo-dance. what else?

Gotten your hair cut?- yes. yesterday

Lied?- Yes

HAVE YOU EVER,

Said "I Love you"?- er...I said "like", not love.

Given money to a homeless person?- not yet. dun even have money i can call my own yet.

Waited all night for a phone call?- erm. yeah.

Have u sat and just gazed at the stars?- no.

Seen someone die?- in games only. buggers died in pieces. literally

Been on an airplane?- yes. 3 years ago.

Missed someone so much it hurt?- yeah.

Ever have a near death experience?- if you count nearly drowning in a swimming pool, then yeah.

Been to the ER?- no.

Been in a car-related incident?- no

Sung in the shower?- seldom do, but i do.

Laughed so hard you cried?- yes


TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE:

What's the first thing you notice about the OPPOSITE sex?-personality and to a certain extent, general appearance (hey, i'm being honest).

Who was your Valentine?- none, still sadly single. haha.

Do you prefer "sensitive boys" or "tough guys"?- --------------*static*----------------

Have you ever been in a serious relationship?- no. not really. i wasnt serious before but i was still young then.

Do you ever wonder what your ex is up to?- erm. cant give fair answer

Do you like anyone?- Yes

Do they know it?- yes

What is your all-time favorite romance movie?-havent watched any yet (yes yes call me sad)

Had a Long Distance Relationship?- No

Do you believe the statement, "once a cheater always a cheater"?- nope

Do you believe in the saying "once a player, always a player"?- nope

Are you a player?- dunno.

Has one of your friends ever stolen a boyfriend from you?- i think this thingy is meant for girls. no.

Do you believe in love at first sight?- no. its hard for me now.

At what age did you start noticing the opposite gender?- 14?

Have you ever wanted someone but you knew you couldn't have him?- --------------*static*----------------

Do you know someone who likes you?- yes.

Have you ever fallen for your opposite sex best friend?- erm. not yet.

Are you afraid of commitment?- relationship commitments, depends. personal commitments, yes, somewhat.

Have you had more than 5 different serious relationships in your life?- no

Have you ever had your heart broken?- partially.

Have you ever slapped a boy in the face? - a playful, harmless one, yes.

Met someone special?- to me yes. but to her i guess not.

Is it cute when guys kiss you on your forehead?- --------------*static*----------------

What would you do if you received a long love letter?- read it slowly. savour it. cos it might probly be the only one I get.

Group dates or single dates?- single.

Do you hate it when guys act different around their friends?- just a lil annoyed.

On a scale of 1-10 how much do guys confuse you?- 0. Why??? Because I'm a guy!!! Bwahahaha!

In the last 48 hours have you hung out with a guy?- yes i did.

Would you date a guy shorter than you?- --------------*static*----------------

Do you like to hold hands?- yes.

What is the youngest you would date?- not a matter of age but whether we're on the same wavelength.

What is the oldest you would date?- at most. 1 year.

Do you like making eye contact?- yep

Have you ever dressed unlike yourself to impress a guy?- --------------*static*----------------

Do you fall in love easily? - used to but my emotions are more stable now...i think.


This is based on your best friends.

Do you have a best friend?- Yeah.

Do you think you have the bestest friend ever?- Yes

Who was the last person you hugged?- erm. cant rmbr

Who’s the loudest?- dunno

Who’s the quietest?- me.

Who makes you smile?- almost all of em do especially gab, syahmi, jaslyn.

Who have you known the longest?- syahmi. since standard 2

Who is the funniest?- on VERY good days, me. but on most other days gab.

Who is the sweetest?- i dun think my guy friends are sweet, so i can only tell a girl, jaslyn

Who is the most responsible?- probly me. but my standards pretty low.

Who is the craziest?- everyone when we're together.

Who can you talk to about anything and everything?- gab, syahmi.

Who is always there for you?- all of em. God bless em.

Who’s the tallest?- so far, me.


Now, tag 5 of them angels or boys.- (I'll tag later)
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