Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sweet deals
The ice cream with cream crackers and strawberry and whipped cream looks isolated on an otherwise empty plate save for some decorative but measly chocolate fudge. That is what they call desserts at swensens. YoU CAN bet my next visit will be years away and that is only after they have decided to offer half a dozen oysters for every fish and chips meal you order, at half price of course.
THE Other picture shows a heart shaped box of chocolates which was passed to me by Grace fROM SARAH. Of course I was not the original recipient, Sarah was. And since she has decided to diet herself into oblivion, I had gladly accepted the the most famous gift from ivory coast. It would prove to be extremely useful as a high powered diet that fuels my brain reserves and prolongs my insomniac streak. As usual, SArah refuses to believe that the guy who gave her the delightfully varied chocolates is not interested in her. If chocolates were not a clear signal then I guess he must have been trying very hard with the heart shaped box.
I wonder if one of my friend is still with his gf. Who else can it be that I am wondering about? He has an obvious link to sarah and qiuting, ops am I letting in too much?
Poor me
I am decidedly getting quite broke. I cannot recall when the poverty had set in but I can only imagine the rot in my wallet starting way back last year. The number of tuitions I have right now is pathetic, so I shall start to source for them actively again. Of course I have started to tighten my purse by not going out at all when I am free and restricting my spending when ever I can. Just like the good old times in secondary when my daily allowance is $10. LiVE frugally, simply and asexually, just like an amobae. Right now I am applying for financial aid from the school and the book subsidy from the medical faculty.
The part about filling in my cca records is an ass. I have more positions than the available lines so I guess I just need to fill in the more important ones.
Anna was/is pissed off/disappointed with me for not turning up on saturday for the morning lecture and night duty. Rightly so. She had just said in mandarin whether you want to learn or not is your problem and I think she stopped short of adding you should be old enough to be thinking for yourself. It was the first time I hear her say such a thing, in mandarin of course. It was reminiscence of my primary and secondary school days when so often I would just get into trouble with the teachers. Usually a tongue lashing, quite a severe one and a pitiful look of disapproval and disappointment would be able to give me a good kick in the rear and force me to put some control back in my life.
On sunday I suddenly had a realization. It is a long overdue prompt for me to start putting my life back on track. There was the new year resolution which I had never gotten around to writting because I simply just kept putting it off. Ironically one of the things i resolved to change is my habit of procrastination. Old habits die hard, and in this case it is delaying it demise as much as possible. I should start studying abit more, in fact I read more fictional storybooks than medical books these 2 years. I am still stuck on Nightwatch after finishing two of its sequel Daywatch and Twilightwatch. But that is finishing and I shall not dive into any new novels save for my emergency and accident handbooks.
The other problem of course is my excessive time spent on computer games and disrupting my sleep cycle so badly that I cannot wake up before 12pm. I will restrict the time I spend on the games and channel them to more useful. I have been following the game since fifa2002 and now it is my 6th year straight getting hooked on the game. Sleep and studies should be my priority now. How about sex? Nowadays it really hype to have 5c, 6c, 7b, 8d and so on. 2s sounds pretty uncool. But right now I guess thats all I have to contend with.
The part about filling in my cca records is an ass. I have more positions than the available lines so I guess I just need to fill in the more important ones.
Anna was/is pissed off/disappointed with me for not turning up on saturday for the morning lecture and night duty. Rightly so. She had just said in mandarin whether you want to learn or not is your problem and I think she stopped short of adding you should be old enough to be thinking for yourself. It was the first time I hear her say such a thing, in mandarin of course. It was reminiscence of my primary and secondary school days when so often I would just get into trouble with the teachers. Usually a tongue lashing, quite a severe one and a pitiful look of disapproval and disappointment would be able to give me a good kick in the rear and force me to put some control back in my life.
On sunday I suddenly had a realization. It is a long overdue prompt for me to start putting my life back on track. There was the new year resolution which I had never gotten around to writting because I simply just kept putting it off. Ironically one of the things i resolved to change is my habit of procrastination. Old habits die hard, and in this case it is delaying it demise as much as possible. I should start studying abit more, in fact I read more fictional storybooks than medical books these 2 years. I am still stuck on Nightwatch after finishing two of its sequel Daywatch and Twilightwatch. But that is finishing and I shall not dive into any new novels save for my emergency and accident handbooks.
The other problem of course is my excessive time spent on computer games and disrupting my sleep cycle so badly that I cannot wake up before 12pm. I will restrict the time I spend on the games and channel them to more useful. I have been following the game since fifa2002 and now it is my 6th year straight getting hooked on the game. Sleep and studies should be my priority now. How about sex? Nowadays it really hype to have 5c, 6c, 7b, 8d and so on. 2s sounds pretty uncool. But right now I guess thats all I have to contend with.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
DIDIER DROGBA
After masterminding his side's comeback from a goal down to win 2-1, Avram Grant was impressed with the turnaround, and the way Chelsea played in general.
1-0 down with 20 minutes remaining, Grant took a gamble by bringing on Juliano Belletti and Nicolas Anelka, and switching the formation to a 4-4-2, by moving Michael Essien into central midfield, and withdrawing Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele.
Within a couple of minutes Didier Drogba had levelled the game, before going on to claim a winner with nine minutes remaining. Grant was delighted with how his changes paid off, and the application of his team.
'We played good football from the beginning, unfortunately we conceded a goal, again from a corner, but we responded very well and won the game,' he assessed, before admitting such risks don't always pay off.
'I don't think there is any manager that thinks it will succeed all the time but today it succeeded and I am happy,' he said.
The win leaves us five points behind Manchester United, who beat Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford today, though Alex Ferguson's side must still visit Chelsea, leaving the door wide open.
'We need always to chase after Arsenal and Manchester United, we were many points behind and I talked to the players,' Grant explained. 'What we wanted was to [have] the opportunity to come to Stamford Bridge with a game we can win, and if we win we are ahead of them.'
That is now the case with Arsenal, who are five games without a win, and now trailing us by a point.
Grant admitted he does not know where the title will end up, but stressed that he and his players will be going all out to bring it back to west London.
'I don't know, but we will do our best. We check ourselves all the time, since September we had more than 80 percent winning and good games,' he said.
'We scored a lot of goals, since the Carling Cup we scored 20 goals or more in all competitions. I promise to play attacking football and score goals so it is important.'
His hopes have been boosted significantly by the return to form of Didier Drogba, who has shaken off fitness problems to fire three goals in the last two games.
'I think it is about time because since they came back from Africa, all the players were not in the shape they were before,' Grant said of those on African Cup of Nations duty.
'It is reasonable because it was 40 degrees, humid and they didn't train, but against Tottenham he was better and today he was very, very good.'
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
ThE fake flowers shop
IT is the flowers which are fake. or should you call them artificial? Or permanent?
Not the shop which is fake.
miso soup
ThIS is my attempt at preparing a simple meal of miso soup. Recently I have been particularly poor. So I figured trying to cook my own fast food would do my wallet more good than a meal at yoshinoya or pizzahut. YAH , I have been trying to bake pizzas and chicken popcorns as well. If only gluttony has an effigy I am quite sure it would be modeled after me.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea: Terry ends goal drought
John Terry chose the perfect moment to return to goalscoring form as he headed Chelsea to a 1-0 victory at Sunderland.
GettyImages
John Obi Mikel grapples with Grant Leadbitter
The England defender struck after 10 minutes to score his first goal for the club since August 2006 and maintain his side's Barclays Premier League title hopes.
• Grant: Title tilt on
Terry's intervention was decisive on an afternoon when the Blues were far from their best, but still created more than enough opportunities to win the game comfortably.
However, having failed to take them, they were left hanging on as the relegation-haunted Black Cats mounted a sustained fightback which came up only just short.
Blues keeper Carlo Cudicini had to make fine saves from Andy Reid and Grant Leadbitter either side of half-time, but it was striker Kenwyne Jones who might have snatched a point with 15 minutes remaining, only to head straight at the Italian.
However, if Chelsea boss Avram Grant was disappointed with his side's performance, he was at least able to console himself with a clean sheet and a victory which keeps alive their title challenge.
By contrast, opposite number Roy Keane could not fault the efforts of his players, who were warmly applauded by a crowd of 44,679 as they left the pitch, but a second successive home defeat leaves them entrenched in the battle for survival at the opposite end of the table.
Chelsea arrived on Wearside having smashed six past Derby in midweek, but still smarting from their shock FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of lowly Barnsley.
If Keane had sent his troops out warning them of a continuing backlash, he was not to be disappointed as the Blues started in determined fashion.
Midfielder Michael Ballack could have put them ahead with just five minutes gone when he managed to lose his marker to meet Lampard's corner, but the German directed his header harmlessly across goal.
But for some brave defending, the home side would have succumbed three minutes later after Didier Drogba had carved them open with a driven pass to Salomon Kalou.
The striker was denied by a superbly-timed tackle from Phil Bardsley before he could shoot and when the loose ball arrived at Joe Cole's feet, Jonny Evans responded with a vital block.
But the breakthrough finally arrived after 10 minutes when Terry, who had earlier survived penalty appeals for an untidy challenge on Roy O'Donovan, powered another Lampard corner home to end his personal drought.
Joe Cole was inches away from converting namesake Ashley's 18th-minute cross, with Sunderland finding themselves repeatedly stretched down their right flank.
However, just when it looked as though Chelsea might run away with the game, Keane's men gritted their teeth and set about the task of dragging themselves back into the match.
Cudicini was not troubled by Carlos Edwards' wayward 23rd-minute volley, but he was fully extended to keep out Reid's curling free-kick four minutes later.
That set the stage for a determined fightback as Jones kept Terry and central defensive partner Alex on their toes, while O'Donovan's industry and Reid's quality on the ball caused problems for the visitors, who had lost a little of their shape.
However, the title-chasers continued to look dangerous in attack and it took a good save from Gordon at his near post to deny Lampard in first-half injury-time after Kalou had pgicked out his run into the box.
The visitors returned seemingly determined to kill the game off as quickly as possible, and might have done just that had first Kalou and then Joe Cole not missed the target from promising positions inside the opening four minutes of the second half.
But once again, Sunderland rolled up their sleeves and threatened to get themselves back on to level terms.
Leadbitter called Cudicini into action with with a 53rd-minute shot from distance and from the resulting corner defender Danny Collins headed just wide.
A weary Edwards, playing his first senior game since breaking his leg on December 1, made way for striker Rade Prica with 28 minutes remaining, but Chelsea could have increased their lead three minutes later had Drogba not fizzed his cross just over the unmarked Lampard's head.
Keane introduced Dwight Yorke as a 73rd-minute replacement for O'Donovan and he handed the unmarked Jones a glorious opportunity to snatch a point within two minutes of his arrival with a delicate cross, but the striker glanced his header straight at a grateful Cudicini.
Substitute Prica headed just wide after 81 minutes and Jones landed another on the roof of the net in the dying seconds, while Drogba and Dean Whitehead went desperately close at either end in a tense finish.
Grant: Title tilt on
Chelsea boss Avram Grant is refusing to give up on his dreams of lifting the Barclays Premier League title after seeing his side scrap their way to a narrow victory at Sunderland.
He said: 'If there is even one in the club who does not believe, he should not be in football.
'I am positive and very optimistic by nature, but if I was in a situation where I did not believe, I would be looking for another job.
'The belief was here maybe from the second week I was here. We have shown there is a reason why we can believe in this.
'We believe, even if sometimes we lose games.'
The victory, coupled with the 6-1 midweek demolition of Derby, was the required response after last weekend's FA Cup shock at the hands of Barnsley, and it came as no surprise to the manager.
Grant said: 'Chelsea wants to be a big club and sometimes even people from outside need to know Chelsea is a big club.
'When we lose a game, it makes us stronger, it does not make us weaker.
'You saw the response after the Carling Cup and the FA Cup - it was not easy because we were all disappointed.
'But we are not changing our way because we lose a game or because we win a game.
'I am happy with the result, of course. It is not easy to play here. Sunderland are fighting for their lives and they fought very, very well.
'We started the game very well. We scored a goal, we could have scored more, but then in the second half, it was more difficult and Sunderland were very dangerous.'
Opposite number Roy Keane was left to reflect upon a second successive home defeat with a mixture of pride and disappointment.
He said: 'I am disappointed with the result. It was a sloppy goal we gave away, a needless corner and we never quite recovered.
'As Chelsea have done many times before, they are quite good at set-pieces, good delivery, big strong men attacking the ball.
'But the players' reaction over the 90 minutes, performance-wise, I thought they were brilliant - but we lost the game 1-0.
'We have to play with that intensity and level of commitment to the club.
'But on top of that, what really pleased me today was that when we did win the ball back, we played some good stuff.
'We had chances - over the last few weeks, we have not really been creating chances, but today, we had opportunities.
'I have said many times before, football boils down to what happens in both boxes - Chelsea had a chance, they took it; we had ours and we didn't.
'That's why they are going for titles and European Cups. But it is very rare you lose a game at home and get applauded off the pitch.'
Meanwhile, Keane dismissed as 'utter nonsense' rumours that Kieran Richardson, Daryl Murphy, Michael Chopra and Anthony Stokes, who were not included in the 16, were missing for disciplinary reasons.
GettyImages
John Obi Mikel grapples with Grant Leadbitter
The England defender struck after 10 minutes to score his first goal for the club since August 2006 and maintain his side's Barclays Premier League title hopes.
• Grant: Title tilt on
Terry's intervention was decisive on an afternoon when the Blues were far from their best, but still created more than enough opportunities to win the game comfortably.
However, having failed to take them, they were left hanging on as the relegation-haunted Black Cats mounted a sustained fightback which came up only just short.
Blues keeper Carlo Cudicini had to make fine saves from Andy Reid and Grant Leadbitter either side of half-time, but it was striker Kenwyne Jones who might have snatched a point with 15 minutes remaining, only to head straight at the Italian.
However, if Chelsea boss Avram Grant was disappointed with his side's performance, he was at least able to console himself with a clean sheet and a victory which keeps alive their title challenge.
By contrast, opposite number Roy Keane could not fault the efforts of his players, who were warmly applauded by a crowd of 44,679 as they left the pitch, but a second successive home defeat leaves them entrenched in the battle for survival at the opposite end of the table.
Chelsea arrived on Wearside having smashed six past Derby in midweek, but still smarting from their shock FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of lowly Barnsley.
If Keane had sent his troops out warning them of a continuing backlash, he was not to be disappointed as the Blues started in determined fashion.
Midfielder Michael Ballack could have put them ahead with just five minutes gone when he managed to lose his marker to meet Lampard's corner, but the German directed his header harmlessly across goal.
But for some brave defending, the home side would have succumbed three minutes later after Didier Drogba had carved them open with a driven pass to Salomon Kalou.
The striker was denied by a superbly-timed tackle from Phil Bardsley before he could shoot and when the loose ball arrived at Joe Cole's feet, Jonny Evans responded with a vital block.
But the breakthrough finally arrived after 10 minutes when Terry, who had earlier survived penalty appeals for an untidy challenge on Roy O'Donovan, powered another Lampard corner home to end his personal drought.
Joe Cole was inches away from converting namesake Ashley's 18th-minute cross, with Sunderland finding themselves repeatedly stretched down their right flank.
However, just when it looked as though Chelsea might run away with the game, Keane's men gritted their teeth and set about the task of dragging themselves back into the match.
Cudicini was not troubled by Carlos Edwards' wayward 23rd-minute volley, but he was fully extended to keep out Reid's curling free-kick four minutes later.
That set the stage for a determined fightback as Jones kept Terry and central defensive partner Alex on their toes, while O'Donovan's industry and Reid's quality on the ball caused problems for the visitors, who had lost a little of their shape.
However, the title-chasers continued to look dangerous in attack and it took a good save from Gordon at his near post to deny Lampard in first-half injury-time after Kalou had pgicked out his run into the box.
The visitors returned seemingly determined to kill the game off as quickly as possible, and might have done just that had first Kalou and then Joe Cole not missed the target from promising positions inside the opening four minutes of the second half.
But once again, Sunderland rolled up their sleeves and threatened to get themselves back on to level terms.
Leadbitter called Cudicini into action with with a 53rd-minute shot from distance and from the resulting corner defender Danny Collins headed just wide.
A weary Edwards, playing his first senior game since breaking his leg on December 1, made way for striker Rade Prica with 28 minutes remaining, but Chelsea could have increased their lead three minutes later had Drogba not fizzed his cross just over the unmarked Lampard's head.
Keane introduced Dwight Yorke as a 73rd-minute replacement for O'Donovan and he handed the unmarked Jones a glorious opportunity to snatch a point within two minutes of his arrival with a delicate cross, but the striker glanced his header straight at a grateful Cudicini.
Substitute Prica headed just wide after 81 minutes and Jones landed another on the roof of the net in the dying seconds, while Drogba and Dean Whitehead went desperately close at either end in a tense finish.
Grant: Title tilt on
Chelsea boss Avram Grant is refusing to give up on his dreams of lifting the Barclays Premier League title after seeing his side scrap their way to a narrow victory at Sunderland.
He said: 'If there is even one in the club who does not believe, he should not be in football.
'I am positive and very optimistic by nature, but if I was in a situation where I did not believe, I would be looking for another job.
'The belief was here maybe from the second week I was here. We have shown there is a reason why we can believe in this.
'We believe, even if sometimes we lose games.'
The victory, coupled with the 6-1 midweek demolition of Derby, was the required response after last weekend's FA Cup shock at the hands of Barnsley, and it came as no surprise to the manager.
Grant said: 'Chelsea wants to be a big club and sometimes even people from outside need to know Chelsea is a big club.
'When we lose a game, it makes us stronger, it does not make us weaker.
'You saw the response after the Carling Cup and the FA Cup - it was not easy because we were all disappointed.
'But we are not changing our way because we lose a game or because we win a game.
'I am happy with the result, of course. It is not easy to play here. Sunderland are fighting for their lives and they fought very, very well.
'We started the game very well. We scored a goal, we could have scored more, but then in the second half, it was more difficult and Sunderland were very dangerous.'
Opposite number Roy Keane was left to reflect upon a second successive home defeat with a mixture of pride and disappointment.
He said: 'I am disappointed with the result. It was a sloppy goal we gave away, a needless corner and we never quite recovered.
'As Chelsea have done many times before, they are quite good at set-pieces, good delivery, big strong men attacking the ball.
'But the players' reaction over the 90 minutes, performance-wise, I thought they were brilliant - but we lost the game 1-0.
'We have to play with that intensity and level of commitment to the club.
'But on top of that, what really pleased me today was that when we did win the ball back, we played some good stuff.
'We had chances - over the last few weeks, we have not really been creating chances, but today, we had opportunities.
'I have said many times before, football boils down to what happens in both boxes - Chelsea had a chance, they took it; we had ours and we didn't.
'That's why they are going for titles and European Cups. But it is very rare you lose a game at home and get applauded off the pitch.'
Meanwhile, Keane dismissed as 'utter nonsense' rumours that Kieran Richardson, Daryl Murphy, Michael Chopra and Anthony Stokes, who were not included in the 16, were missing for disciplinary reasons.
Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea: Terry ends goal drought
John Terry chose the perfect moment to return to goalscoring form as he headed Chelsea to a 1-0 victory at Sunderland.
GettyImages
John Obi Mikel grapples with Grant Leadbitter
The England defender struck after 10 minutes to score his first goal for the club since August 2006 and maintain his side's Barclays Premier League title hopes.
• Grant: Title tilt on
Terry's intervention was decisive on an afternoon when the Blues were far from their best, but still created more than enough opportunities to win the game comfortably.
However, having failed to take them, they were left hanging on as the relegation-haunted Black Cats mounted a sustained fightback which came up only just short.
Blues keeper Carlo Cudicini had to make fine saves from Andy Reid and Grant Leadbitter either side of half-time, but it was striker Kenwyne Jones who might have snatched a point with 15 minutes remaining, only to head straight at the Italian.
However, if Chelsea boss Avram Grant was disappointed with his side's performance, he was at least able to console himself with a clean sheet and a victory which keeps alive their title challenge.
By contrast, opposite number Roy Keane could not fault the efforts of his players, who were warmly applauded by a crowd of 44,679 as they left the pitch, but a second successive home defeat leaves them entrenched in the battle for survival at the opposite end of the table.
Chelsea arrived on Wearside having smashed six past Derby in midweek, but still smarting from their shock FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of lowly Barnsley.
If Keane had sent his troops out warning them of a continuing backlash, he was not to be disappointed as the Blues started in determined fashion.
Midfielder Michael Ballack could have put them ahead with just five minutes gone when he managed to lose his marker to meet Lampard's corner, but the German directed his header harmlessly across goal.
But for some brave defending, the home side would have succumbed three minutes later after Didier Drogba had carved them open with a driven pass to Salomon Kalou.
The striker was denied by a superbly-timed tackle from Phil Bardsley before he could shoot and when the loose ball arrived at Joe Cole's feet, Jonny Evans responded with a vital block.
But the breakthrough finally arrived after 10 minutes when Terry, who had earlier survived penalty appeals for an untidy challenge on Roy O'Donovan, powered another Lampard corner home to end his personal drought.
Joe Cole was inches away from converting namesake Ashley's 18th-minute cross, with Sunderland finding themselves repeatedly stretched down their right flank.
However, just when it looked as though Chelsea might run away with the game, Keane's men gritted their teeth and set about the task of dragging themselves back into the match.
Cudicini was not troubled by Carlos Edwards' wayward 23rd-minute volley, but he was fully extended to keep out Reid's curling free-kick four minutes later.
That set the stage for a determined fightback as Jones kept Terry and central defensive partner Alex on their toes, while O'Donovan's industry and Reid's quality on the ball caused problems for the visitors, who had lost a little of their shape.
However, the title-chasers continued to look dangerous in attack and it took a good save from Gordon at his near post to deny Lampard in first-half injury-time after Kalou had pgicked out his run into the box.
The visitors returned seemingly determined to kill the game off as quickly as possible, and might have done just that had first Kalou and then Joe Cole not missed the target from promising positions inside the opening four minutes of the second half.
But once again, Sunderland rolled up their sleeves and threatened to get themselves back on to level terms.
Leadbitter called Cudicini into action with with a 53rd-minute shot from distance and from the resulting corner defender Danny Collins headed just wide.
A weary Edwards, playing his first senior game since breaking his leg on December 1, made way for striker Rade Prica with 28 minutes remaining, but Chelsea could have increased their lead three minutes later had Drogba not fizzed his cross just over the unmarked Lampard's head.
Keane introduced Dwight Yorke as a 73rd-minute replacement for O'Donovan and he handed the unmarked Jones a glorious opportunity to snatch a point within two minutes of his arrival with a delicate cross, but the striker glanced his header straight at a grateful Cudicini.
Substitute Prica headed just wide after 81 minutes and Jones landed another on the roof of the net in the dying seconds, while Drogba and Dean Whitehead went desperately close at either end in a tense finish.
Grant: Title tilt on
Chelsea boss Avram Grant is refusing to give up on his dreams of lifting the Barclays Premier League title after seeing his side scrap their way to a narrow victory at Sunderland.
He said: 'If there is even one in the club who does not believe, he should not be in football.
'I am positive and very optimistic by nature, but if I was in a situation where I did not believe, I would be looking for another job.
'The belief was here maybe from the second week I was here. We have shown there is a reason why we can believe in this.
'We believe, even if sometimes we lose games.'
The victory, coupled with the 6-1 midweek demolition of Derby, was the required response after last weekend's FA Cup shock at the hands of Barnsley, and it came as no surprise to the manager.
Grant said: 'Chelsea wants to be a big club and sometimes even people from outside need to know Chelsea is a big club.
'When we lose a game, it makes us stronger, it does not make us weaker.
'You saw the response after the Carling Cup and the FA Cup - it was not easy because we were all disappointed.
'But we are not changing our way because we lose a game or because we win a game.
'I am happy with the result, of course. It is not easy to play here. Sunderland are fighting for their lives and they fought very, very well.
'We started the game very well. We scored a goal, we could have scored more, but then in the second half, it was more difficult and Sunderland were very dangerous.'
Opposite number Roy Keane was left to reflect upon a second successive home defeat with a mixture of pride and disappointment.
He said: 'I am disappointed with the result. It was a sloppy goal we gave away, a needless corner and we never quite recovered.
'As Chelsea have done many times before, they are quite good at set-pieces, good delivery, big strong men attacking the ball.
'But the players' reaction over the 90 minutes, performance-wise, I thought they were brilliant - but we lost the game 1-0.
'We have to play with that intensity and level of commitment to the club.
'But on top of that, what really pleased me today was that when we did win the ball back, we played some good stuff.
'We had chances - over the last few weeks, we have not really been creating chances, but today, we had opportunities.
'I have said many times before, football boils down to what happens in both boxes - Chelsea had a chance, they took it; we had ours and we didn't.
'That's why they are going for titles and European Cups. But it is very rare you lose a game at home and get applauded off the pitch.'
Meanwhile, Keane dismissed as 'utter nonsense' rumours that Kieran Richardson, Daryl Murphy, Michael Chopra and Anthony Stokes, who were not included in the 16, were missing for disciplinary reasons.
GettyImages
John Obi Mikel grapples with Grant Leadbitter
The England defender struck after 10 minutes to score his first goal for the club since August 2006 and maintain his side's Barclays Premier League title hopes.
• Grant: Title tilt on
Terry's intervention was decisive on an afternoon when the Blues were far from their best, but still created more than enough opportunities to win the game comfortably.
However, having failed to take them, they were left hanging on as the relegation-haunted Black Cats mounted a sustained fightback which came up only just short.
Blues keeper Carlo Cudicini had to make fine saves from Andy Reid and Grant Leadbitter either side of half-time, but it was striker Kenwyne Jones who might have snatched a point with 15 minutes remaining, only to head straight at the Italian.
However, if Chelsea boss Avram Grant was disappointed with his side's performance, he was at least able to console himself with a clean sheet and a victory which keeps alive their title challenge.
By contrast, opposite number Roy Keane could not fault the efforts of his players, who were warmly applauded by a crowd of 44,679 as they left the pitch, but a second successive home defeat leaves them entrenched in the battle for survival at the opposite end of the table.
Chelsea arrived on Wearside having smashed six past Derby in midweek, but still smarting from their shock FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of lowly Barnsley.
If Keane had sent his troops out warning them of a continuing backlash, he was not to be disappointed as the Blues started in determined fashion.
Midfielder Michael Ballack could have put them ahead with just five minutes gone when he managed to lose his marker to meet Lampard's corner, but the German directed his header harmlessly across goal.
But for some brave defending, the home side would have succumbed three minutes later after Didier Drogba had carved them open with a driven pass to Salomon Kalou.
The striker was denied by a superbly-timed tackle from Phil Bardsley before he could shoot and when the loose ball arrived at Joe Cole's feet, Jonny Evans responded with a vital block.
But the breakthrough finally arrived after 10 minutes when Terry, who had earlier survived penalty appeals for an untidy challenge on Roy O'Donovan, powered another Lampard corner home to end his personal drought.
Joe Cole was inches away from converting namesake Ashley's 18th-minute cross, with Sunderland finding themselves repeatedly stretched down their right flank.
However, just when it looked as though Chelsea might run away with the game, Keane's men gritted their teeth and set about the task of dragging themselves back into the match.
Cudicini was not troubled by Carlos Edwards' wayward 23rd-minute volley, but he was fully extended to keep out Reid's curling free-kick four minutes later.
That set the stage for a determined fightback as Jones kept Terry and central defensive partner Alex on their toes, while O'Donovan's industry and Reid's quality on the ball caused problems for the visitors, who had lost a little of their shape.
However, the title-chasers continued to look dangerous in attack and it took a good save from Gordon at his near post to deny Lampard in first-half injury-time after Kalou had pgicked out his run into the box.
The visitors returned seemingly determined to kill the game off as quickly as possible, and might have done just that had first Kalou and then Joe Cole not missed the target from promising positions inside the opening four minutes of the second half.
But once again, Sunderland rolled up their sleeves and threatened to get themselves back on to level terms.
Leadbitter called Cudicini into action with with a 53rd-minute shot from distance and from the resulting corner defender Danny Collins headed just wide.
A weary Edwards, playing his first senior game since breaking his leg on December 1, made way for striker Rade Prica with 28 minutes remaining, but Chelsea could have increased their lead three minutes later had Drogba not fizzed his cross just over the unmarked Lampard's head.
Keane introduced Dwight Yorke as a 73rd-minute replacement for O'Donovan and he handed the unmarked Jones a glorious opportunity to snatch a point within two minutes of his arrival with a delicate cross, but the striker glanced his header straight at a grateful Cudicini.
Substitute Prica headed just wide after 81 minutes and Jones landed another on the roof of the net in the dying seconds, while Drogba and Dean Whitehead went desperately close at either end in a tense finish.
Grant: Title tilt on
Chelsea boss Avram Grant is refusing to give up on his dreams of lifting the Barclays Premier League title after seeing his side scrap their way to a narrow victory at Sunderland.
He said: 'If there is even one in the club who does not believe, he should not be in football.
'I am positive and very optimistic by nature, but if I was in a situation where I did not believe, I would be looking for another job.
'The belief was here maybe from the second week I was here. We have shown there is a reason why we can believe in this.
'We believe, even if sometimes we lose games.'
The victory, coupled with the 6-1 midweek demolition of Derby, was the required response after last weekend's FA Cup shock at the hands of Barnsley, and it came as no surprise to the manager.
Grant said: 'Chelsea wants to be a big club and sometimes even people from outside need to know Chelsea is a big club.
'When we lose a game, it makes us stronger, it does not make us weaker.
'You saw the response after the Carling Cup and the FA Cup - it was not easy because we were all disappointed.
'But we are not changing our way because we lose a game or because we win a game.
'I am happy with the result, of course. It is not easy to play here. Sunderland are fighting for their lives and they fought very, very well.
'We started the game very well. We scored a goal, we could have scored more, but then in the second half, it was more difficult and Sunderland were very dangerous.'
Opposite number Roy Keane was left to reflect upon a second successive home defeat with a mixture of pride and disappointment.
He said: 'I am disappointed with the result. It was a sloppy goal we gave away, a needless corner and we never quite recovered.
'As Chelsea have done many times before, they are quite good at set-pieces, good delivery, big strong men attacking the ball.
'But the players' reaction over the 90 minutes, performance-wise, I thought they were brilliant - but we lost the game 1-0.
'We have to play with that intensity and level of commitment to the club.
'But on top of that, what really pleased me today was that when we did win the ball back, we played some good stuff.
'We had chances - over the last few weeks, we have not really been creating chances, but today, we had opportunities.
'I have said many times before, football boils down to what happens in both boxes - Chelsea had a chance, they took it; we had ours and we didn't.
'That's why they are going for titles and European Cups. But it is very rare you lose a game at home and get applauded off the pitch.'
Meanwhile, Keane dismissed as 'utter nonsense' rumours that Kieran Richardson, Daryl Murphy, Michael Chopra and Anthony Stokes, who were not included in the 16, were missing for disciplinary reasons.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
The England midfielder is running out of patience over his contract situation, which could remain in limbo until the summer.
Lampard, who scored four goals in Chelsea's 6-1 demolition of Derby last night, insists he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge but is perplexed by the fact no offer has been made.
'I've been approached a few times by the club saying they are going to come to me with something and they haven't,' declared Lampard.
'That means they're saying they will have to wait until the summer and I don't really know what that means. I said at the beginning of the season I didn't want to talk about my contract because I wanted to concentrate on my football.
'They have made contact but it hasn't been with any news. They've been saying that something is going to happen but if we wait until the summer and nothing happens, then I've got a year left, which is not a position I want to be in.
'I've made it clear I want to stay here and I want to know what's going on. I love playing for this club, I'm enjoying the greatest days of my career.
'Every time I run out for the club I don't think about the contract but when I am at home I would like it to be sorted out.
'It's dragged on this season and that's not ideal for me.'
Lampard's change of emphasis on his contract situation will throw the spotlight back on the club's plans.
Coach Avram Grant refuses to talk about his contract negotiations, saying it is not his area.
Grant believes Lampard will stay but Chelsea are in danger of losing one of their biggest assets if they do not open negotiations before the end of the season.
Lampard took his goal tally for the club to an amazing 107 in almost seven years with his four-goal haul as Chelsea's victory over Derby put them right back in the title race.
They are now just five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.
Both Arsenal and second-placed Manchester United are still to visit Stamford Bridge and those games are likely to have a major bearing on the destination of the Premier League crown.
Lampard became the first Chelsea player to score four goals in a game since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink achieved the feat eight years ago.
The player's goal return from midfield has been phenomenal but he admits he found it hard to hit the net when he first arrived from West Ham as a replacement for crowd favourite Gus Poyet.
'It was a difficult first season when I arrived but there were a few goals that were important to me,' said Lampard.
'Looking back it was a great building block to get me where I am now. When I signed I knew I needed to score goals for the club and it was a nice pressure to have as I think it spurred me on a little bit.
'My first couple of seasons were a bit quiet on the goal front but the last few have been very prolific.
'I was out in Wimbledon with some friends shortly after joining the club when some Chelsea supporters recognised me. They started asking me how many goals I was going to score for the club and if I thought I could do well at Stamford Bridge.
'Of course I was confident and told the fans they wouldn't be disappointed but I never expected to get 100 goals during my time here. I think it has been made easier because I have had the fans behind me from day one.
'They have always supported me and it's been excellent. We have a special relationship and it is something I appreciate. It's the first time I've scored four at the top level and it feels very nice to do it - especially from midfield.'
Lampard has won back-to-back Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and an FA Cup during his time at the club but out of all his goals there are two that stand out - the double that earned Chelsea the title with a 2-0 win at Bolton in 2005.
'Other than the birth of my two children, that day was the best day of my life,' said Lampard.
'Just hearing the commentary gives me goosebumps let alone watching them. It was just a special day all round, for the club, for the fans, everything was meant to be that day. It is something that will live with me forever, it was amazing.'
The England midfielder is running out of patience over his contract situation, which could remain in limbo until the summer.
Lampard, who scored four goals in Chelsea's 6-1 demolition of Derby last night, insists he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge but is perplexed by the fact no offer has been made.
'I've been approached a few times by the club saying they are going to come to me with something and they haven't,' declared Lampard.
'That means they're saying they will have to wait until the summer and I don't really know what that means. I said at the beginning of the season I didn't want to talk about my contract because I wanted to concentrate on my football.
'They have made contact but it hasn't been with any news. They've been saying that something is going to happen but if we wait until the summer and nothing happens, then I've got a year left, which is not a position I want to be in.
'I've made it clear I want to stay here and I want to know what's going on. I love playing for this club, I'm enjoying the greatest days of my career.
'Every time I run out for the club I don't think about the contract but when I am at home I would like it to be sorted out.
'It's dragged on this season and that's not ideal for me.'
Lampard's change of emphasis on his contract situation will throw the spotlight back on the club's plans.
Coach Avram Grant refuses to talk about his contract negotiations, saying it is not his area.
Grant believes Lampard will stay but Chelsea are in danger of losing one of their biggest assets if they do not open negotiations before the end of the season.
Lampard took his goal tally for the club to an amazing 107 in almost seven years with his four-goal haul as Chelsea's victory over Derby put them right back in the title race.
They are now just five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.
Both Arsenal and second-placed Manchester United are still to visit Stamford Bridge and those games are likely to have a major bearing on the destination of the Premier League crown.
Lampard became the first Chelsea player to score four goals in a game since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink achieved the feat eight years ago.
The player's goal return from midfield has been phenomenal but he admits he found it hard to hit the net when he first arrived from West Ham as a replacement for crowd favourite Gus Poyet.
'It was a difficult first season when I arrived but there were a few goals that were important to me,' said Lampard.
'Looking back it was a great building block to get me where I am now. When I signed I knew I needed to score goals for the club and it was a nice pressure to have as I think it spurred me on a little bit.
'My first couple of seasons were a bit quiet on the goal front but the last few have been very prolific.
'I was out in Wimbledon with some friends shortly after joining the club when some Chelsea supporters recognised me. They started asking me how many goals I was going to score for the club and if I thought I could do well at Stamford Bridge.
'Of course I was confident and told the fans they wouldn't be disappointed but I never expected to get 100 goals during my time here. I think it has been made easier because I have had the fans behind me from day one.
'They have always supported me and it's been excellent. We have a special relationship and it is something I appreciate. It's the first time I've scored four at the top level and it feels very nice to do it - especially from midfield.'
Lampard has won back-to-back Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and an FA Cup during his time at the club but out of all his goals there are two that stand out - the double that earned Chelsea the title with a 2-0 win at Bolton in 2005.
'Other than the birth of my two children, that day was the best day of my life,' said Lampard.
'Just hearing the commentary gives me goosebumps let alone watching them. It was just a special day all round, for the club, for the fans, everything was meant to be that day. It is something that will live with me forever, it was amazing.'
Thursday, March 13, 2008
something yellow
I have been intending to write something personal for the past few weeks. Ever since my exams ended, I wanted to make my blog more interesting. Ann has a rather nice design for hers and the yunnan photos she put up are really wonderful.
No one comes to my blog anymore. Not that it really matters to me. I have always been a advocator blog discretion. What ever is written or posted here jolly well is my own business. I am actually looking for the freedom to just write everything I want. Even if it offends someone. Even if it offends an organization. Even if it appears racist or nationalistic of which the latter is highly unlikely.
Anyway, if i do manage to find time in the future, then we shall see how i can give my blog a facelift. For the time being, I shall continue to put up things that I find hilarious and interesting.
Ever wonder why I have had no girlfriend for so long? the picture above spells out my expectations. It is not alot to ask for. Just a date that is visually aesthetic, receptive and enjoyable.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
爱的真正重量
好久不看自己的模样我是别人的眼光假装模样好久不听自己的旁徨以为那时人尽冷暖的终生每天我害怕看见阳光越逃避我就越接近黑暗当你已不在我身旁站在舞台上谁来为我鼓掌我一天一天迎接阳光找回生命的重量减去躲藏决心勇敢唱出新的希望我一遍一遍写着曙光体验爱真正重量刺破黑暗不再漫长回到自己最初那个模样好久不看自己的模样我是别人的眼光假装模样好久不听自己的旁徨以为那时人尽冷暖的终生每天我害怕看见阳光越逃避我就越接近黑暗当你已不在我身旁站在舞台上谁来为我鼓掌我一天一天迎接阳光找回生命的重量减去躲藏决心勇敢唱出新的希望我一遍一遍写着曙光体验爱真正重量刺破黑暗不再漫长回到自己最初那个模样我一天一天迎接阳光找回生命的重量减去躲藏决心勇敢唱出新的希望我一遍一遍写着曙光体验爱真正重量刺破黑暗不再漫长回到自己最初那个模样
Thursday, March 06, 2008
A post in a while
I am writing this in mid morning. It is already 9.30am, I have stayed awake for the whole night, doing nothing much except play my game. Today is friday, 3 more days before my emed posting begins. A whole week just passed me by. It is amazing how easy one can just squander the holidays away. Perhaps I should have gone to Taiwan with chinsiang and kahhua. I miss the freedom of being overseas. No stipulated time to go home, no appointments and nothing to do except try to figure out how to enjoy yourself as much as possible, together with sightseeing.
My 19" screen is giving me problems. Sometimes it just fades and leaves me with a fuzzy screen that wouldnt go away until I hit it really hard alot of times. I bought a new portable speaker for $11 last week, together with a $20 USB controller. I can hook up my cpu to the lcd tv and really enjoy the sensationally large display, and totally enjoy my game. However I am having difficulty learning how to use the controller. Too bad I wont learn it in time to join the EA Sports Game competition.
I went to sing the other day. Alone. I prefer it that way, at least I get to hog the mike and sing all my favourite songs. And no one would be there to suffer my horrible singing. Panda Xiong has a new song, the mtv that came with the song is really touching when you listen carefully to the lyrics. He gained alot of weight , to the extent that he seemed totally unrecognisable, just like a gigantic lump of flesh with a protrusion which is his head. Even his face seemed to be buried within layers of fats.
Time for breakfast with mum.
My 19" screen is giving me problems. Sometimes it just fades and leaves me with a fuzzy screen that wouldnt go away until I hit it really hard alot of times. I bought a new portable speaker for $11 last week, together with a $20 USB controller. I can hook up my cpu to the lcd tv and really enjoy the sensationally large display, and totally enjoy my game. However I am having difficulty learning how to use the controller. Too bad I wont learn it in time to join the EA Sports Game competition.
I went to sing the other day. Alone. I prefer it that way, at least I get to hog the mike and sing all my favourite songs. And no one would be there to suffer my horrible singing. Panda Xiong has a new song, the mtv that came with the song is really touching when you listen carefully to the lyrics. He gained alot of weight , to the extent that he seemed totally unrecognisable, just like a gigantic lump of flesh with a protrusion which is his head. Even his face seemed to be buried within layers of fats.
Time for breakfast with mum.
Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea he is out to 'kill' them when he returns to management.
Jose still loves Blues but wants to 'kill' them
Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea he is out to 'kill' them when he returns to management.
The former Blues boss reiterated his love for the club he managed for more than three years before his sensational departure in September.
But he is desperate to meet them in Champions League combat next season and knock them out of Europe.
'I hope to play them next season in the Champions League,' said the Portuguese, speaking in Valencia at the official global launch of MiCoach.
'If I play them in the Champions League, I want to go there and kill them - that's my message.'
Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant, who had originally been brought to Stamford Bridge as director of football.
He refused to express an opinion on his successor, saying: 'I feel nothing for him, I feel everything for the club, but not for him personally.
'I still feel Chelsea is a part of me, I'll have Chelsea in my heart forever.
'I left and for five months you couldn't get a bad word from me in relation to the club and you cannot do it in the future too.'
Mourinho's departure was shrouded in mystery, with the build-up dominated by rumours of a falling out with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
But he revealed he and the Russian had kept in contact and were on good terms.
'I think it was last week that I spoke with people from the club,' he said.
'I was speaking with Mr Abramovich and (chief executive) Peter Kenyon because we still keep in touch.
'I was telling them I wish them always good, I wish them always to succeed, I wish them always to win.'
Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea he is out to 'kill' them when he returns to management.
The former Blues boss reiterated his love for the club he managed for more than three years before his sensational departure in September.
But he is desperate to meet them in Champions League combat next season and knock them out of Europe.
'I hope to play them next season in the Champions League,' said the Portuguese, speaking in Valencia at the official global launch of MiCoach.
'If I play them in the Champions League, I want to go there and kill them - that's my message.'
Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant, who had originally been brought to Stamford Bridge as director of football.
He refused to express an opinion on his successor, saying: 'I feel nothing for him, I feel everything for the club, but not for him personally.
'I still feel Chelsea is a part of me, I'll have Chelsea in my heart forever.
'I left and for five months you couldn't get a bad word from me in relation to the club and you cannot do it in the future too.'
Mourinho's departure was shrouded in mystery, with the build-up dominated by rumours of a falling out with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
But he revealed he and the Russian had kept in contact and were on good terms.
'I think it was last week that I spoke with people from the club,' he said.
'I was speaking with Mr Abramovich and (chief executive) Peter Kenyon because we still keep in touch.
'I was telling them I wish them always good, I wish them always to succeed, I wish them always to win.'
Jose: Back in Italy or Spain, then England
MILAN, March 6 (Reuters) - Jose Mourinho hopes to return to soccer management next year in either Italy or Spain, the former Chelsea coach has said.
The Portuguese tactician added that he wants to go back to England before finishing his coaching career as Portugal's national team boss.
'Now no, I am studying,' the 45-year-old told Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport when asked if he wanted to return to coaching. 'From next year however, yes.'
He was sacked by Chelsea in September after a disagreement with club chiefs despite winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups in three years at Stamford Bridge.
'Italy or Spain,' Mourinho said when asked about his future. 'Afterwards I want to go back to England and finally be national coach of Portugal.'
The colourful if controversial coach, who turned down the chance of managing England in December, has been linked in the media with Barcelona and AC Milan, whose respective coaches Frank Rijkaard and Carlo Ancelotti are under pressure.
Holders Milan were dumped out of the Champions League by Arsenal in the last 16 on Tuesday after the Premier League leaders won their second leg 2-0 at San Siro.
'I respect Milan and Ancelotti but Arsenal deserved to qualify over the two games,' added Mourinho, who won the European Cup with Porto in 2004.
There has been further speculation that Mourinho may be in line for the Inter Milan job despite Roberto Mancini guiding this season's leaders to the Serie A title last term. Mourinho played down the talk but said he admired Inter owner Massimo Moratti.
'I respect him very much as a person that loves football and his club deeply,' he said. 'However I have never talked with him.'
The Portuguese tactician added that he wants to go back to England before finishing his coaching career as Portugal's national team boss.
'Now no, I am studying,' the 45-year-old told Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport when asked if he wanted to return to coaching. 'From next year however, yes.'
He was sacked by Chelsea in September after a disagreement with club chiefs despite winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups in three years at Stamford Bridge.
'Italy or Spain,' Mourinho said when asked about his future. 'Afterwards I want to go back to England and finally be national coach of Portugal.'
The colourful if controversial coach, who turned down the chance of managing England in December, has been linked in the media with Barcelona and AC Milan, whose respective coaches Frank Rijkaard and Carlo Ancelotti are under pressure.
Holders Milan were dumped out of the Champions League by Arsenal in the last 16 on Tuesday after the Premier League leaders won their second leg 2-0 at San Siro.
'I respect Milan and Ancelotti but Arsenal deserved to qualify over the two games,' added Mourinho, who won the European Cup with Porto in 2004.
There has been further speculation that Mourinho may be in line for the Inter Milan job despite Roberto Mancini guiding this season's leaders to the Serie A title last term. Mourinho played down the talk but said he admired Inter owner Massimo Moratti.
'I respect him very much as a person that loves football and his club deeply,' he said. 'However I have never talked with him.'
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