Wow... I actually passed...

Haha can't believe my eyes when i actually saw my French 4 results. Guess what the rest had been saying was true that its although its not easy to score in NUS module, its difficult to fail too. Oh well i guess i should be grateful. I started French in year 1 on my own outside and i m glad that i actually managed to complete a sort of intermediate level where i now feel comfortable reading and using the language in my final year as a NUS student. With the result i got from my first 2 tests, i really think its by heaven's grace that i actually passed the module (even though i know i had passed the module based on my own appraisal of my understanding of the language). It was a tumultuous semester with all that had happened, rushing to and fro between CGH & NUS, taking Malay lessons and many many other stuff. Haha though my initial secondary aim of taking up French was not fufilled, i think i can finally give a good close to this chapter of my life :)

PS: Dun worry my friends, currently i am still sane and not brave enough to dare to take up the challenge of taking German 2 next semester :p

Merry Merry Christmas... ...

2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 ... ...

4 years... As i stared upon the beautiful night and pondered over the events that had happened over the years, i realised that 2001 was the last time i actually had a peaceful and optimistic "silent night"... Its been a long wait but i believed eventually it will come. May peace be upon me come next year

Haha! Studying week???

This week is supposed to be the one week break after 2 months of intensive postings. Nevertheless, the underlying truth is that it is not supposed to be one. Had full day lectures from monday to wednesday (and thats excluding a self-imposed holiday on Thursday plus inability to wake up for morning sessions). Been busy revising but sadly, whenever i read my books it always made me think, will reading up past legal cases stirred up more interest than all the stuff now which somehow just seems too logical and sensible that i can't stimulate my brain to memorise them :(

Oh well, maybe thats why i was so bored that i began to watch the "White Tower" vcd which i bought in Melaka. Was supposed to be with KKK liao but his neverending affinity with the ED drama had resulted in a postpone of me lending the CD to him. And oh boy this turned out to be a big mistake on my part. The drama is really gripping and it really highlighted the difference between the medical and the surgical side yet emphasise the need for the 2 to work together. It also provides good food for thought for a lot of other stuff... Haha thats a interesting thing to do for this xmas i guess :)

Yup as my msn nick suggests, i do not really feel like playing mj on a supposed "ping an ye" but i think its an inevitable consequence for the 2nd year running liao... There was supposed to be an alternative but honestly speaking i do not think spending 33 bucks on a kbox session on xmas eve is worth it...

Group A -- Costa Rica

Costa Rica (or los Ticos), a relatively unknown from the CONCAAF region is however no stranger to World Cup, this being their 3rd World Cup over the last 20 years (missing out in 1994 and 1998). If not for the exploits of Roger Milla and gang in Italia 90, the world may have already taken notice of the team. Unfortunately, failure to qualify for the next 2 editions consignated them to football wilderness again. Their return in Japan 2002 was overshadowed by a rampant Brazil and a Ilhian Mansiz inspired Turkey. The draw against Turkey was not enough as they failed to outscore Turkey when matches against China (But on a side note, their 2-5 defeat against Brazil did earn me some money and it will be forever remembered by me for the excitement that took place that day while watching the match)

This time round, they are drawn into Group A against hosts Germany and thus have the honour of playing in the opening game at the 2006 World Cup. They would definitely fancy their chances this round as the underdogs had traditionally enjoyed the good fortune in the opening game, albeit it used to be against the champions, not the hosts. The strong showing by their club side Deportivo Saprissa in the recently concluded World Club Championship, finishing a creditable 3rd place with their fighting spirit would surely do good for their confidence.

Without a doubt, their most famous players to local population would be Paolo Wanchope, the striker who piled his trade in the English Premiership. He may be getting on in ages but he still had a bit of stuff left in him to lead the team to Germany. Among the unsung heroes are Walter Centeno, the 31 year-old midfield veteran who plays for Saprissa, as well as, young defender Gilberto Martinez, currently plying his trade for Brescia in Serie B. Young upstart Cristian Bolanos would be the one many would want to keep an eye on in the coming World Cup. Playing for Saprissa, the 21 year-old was voted as the 3rd best player of the tournament, adding to his name the numerous awards he won at youth level for los Ticos.

Nevertheless it is also important that coach Alexander Guimares is back to lead the team, rescuing them from what had seemed liked a disastrous attempt at qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. He left after the team failed to make it past the group stages in the 2002 World Cup but being wiser now from his experience, he must be quietly confident about his charges’ chances for the coming World Cup.

Post-call sianess

If i m not wrong, post call should begin only after one finishes the stuff for the day or at 1 pm, which ever is earlier and not at 8am... Anyway was quite disappointed today but luckily the aunties in my ward made my day for me. One commented on how appreciative she was to see me always smiling and in a happy mood while in the ward and her neighbours actually all agreed. It was a simple statement but i am glad that i managed to rub off a bit on them, especially when they have to be subjected to blood taking every day.

Countdown to World Cup begins... ...

Yup the draw is out and the battle lines drawn. Think i will just give a intro to the teams on my blog based on my own opinion, so that at least i won't feel so frustrated when i see views in newspaper that are contrary to mine. Haahahahhhahahahhaha

PS: Its a pity though that i can't load the pics in. Will find a way somehow i hope...

Group A -- Germany

Germany, only 2nd to Brazil in terms of World Cup achievements, boasting a record 3 victories, 4 runners-up, 3 semi finals appearance and at least a quarter final finish ever since the World Cup was started. They had also participated in every other World Cup except for the first edition which they were not invited to make the journey across the continent to faraway Uruguay and the 1950 World Cup where they were just recovering from the war.

Boasting such a rich tradition, it had therefore been considered an embarassment where they exited at the quarter final stage in 94 and 98 to Bulgaria and Croatia respectively, the supposedly lesser teams. But the team won back some admirers with their fighting spirit and discipline too reach the finals in 2002 where they were unlucky to lose to Brazil in a match where they were more than a match for their opponents. It was only a mistake by their goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn, who had been superb throughout the tournament till then, that allowed a rejuvenated Ronaldo to sneak in the opening goal.

Under new coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany had been through a roller coaster ride. Ditching the so-called boring old Germany, Klinsmann had seen the transformation of Germany into an exciting and vibrant side with a maturing Michael Ballack helming the midfield and Sebastian Diesler & Bastian Schweinsteiger creating havoc for the opponents. Sadly though, gone are also the days of their famed defence. With Christoph Metzelder plagued by injuries, Klinsmann is still trying to search for a reliable steady centre defensive partnership. And the erractic form of both Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn will not help his cause either. Furthermore, they also have to deal with the curse that had been inflicted on the left back position. Tobias Rau and Philip Lahm are both out with long term injury and experments with Bernd Schenieder and Thomas Hitzelperger had yielded distastrous results. Up front, the rebirth of Miroslav Klose and Kevin Kuranyi and the blossoming of young striker Ludovic Podolski had certainly raised the country’s hope for a successsful 4th victory.

Mandate of Heaven

(Just to emphasise: this entry is purely soccer related with no hidden meaning)

Its a fast and furious week all right, with me doing like 5 to 6 discharges every morning for the past couple of days and with the soccer action coming in thick and fast, on and off the pitch.

Man U was eliminated from the Champions League and that brings the team i support in the competition down to 2.5 (I dun like Bayern but for Germany's sake i just have to support them). Anyway i did wake up at 430 to watch the match and bleahhh.... they simply sucked. Haha but i was still a happy boy after that because haha Bremen qualified. Yes when the chips are down, the miracle happened again (just like how they qualify in the first place) and it was with only 5 minutes left. Sorry Man U but i was looing at Eurosports news and willing for Barcelona to score throughout the last 10 minutes instead of hoping u will get the equaliser against Benfica : p. Thus i conclude, it seems that they are destined for great things this season (after the baptism of fire by Lyon last year, i m sure they can pull off more surprises this season). So let's bring on Juventus in the next round, before revenge on Lyon in the quarter finals.

Yup and Germany got a relatively easy group in the World Cup draw. I really hope they can win it this time round. The group opponents are manageable and the next round is the exciting one with Rooney and co as potential opponent. Anyway i learnt my lesson to not think too far ahead. But i really seriously hope that i will be able to fly over there and see them play in the final. Whoever's going to be in the same posting as me next year and happen to read this, please do not compete with me for leave during the week of the final please. I scared it may be another 30 years or more before i will get to see Germany host another World Cup ,,,,,,,,,,,

Time does flies

Time really flies and it's been 3 weeks SIP gone. Conclusion? I haven't done an urinary cathetherisation, my blood culture still sucks and i m still tyring to find my way to stabilise the needle without drawing air. And of course there's still teh ABG... ....

Sounds quite terrible right