2 weeks to go...

Ok, so I haven't blogged for a while. Big whoop, wanna fighdaboudit?
So, the real deal is that, after England beat Ecuador, and then lost to Portugal in the QFs, I lost the will to blog completely. I was so down in the dumps, I didn't eat, drink, sleep or breathe for a week.
But we've put all that behind us and we're moving on.

Here's the new news with me:
- I got my visa to the US (a 5-year student visa)
- I'm still working at Costa Coffee, earning as much money as I can.
- I hate that America is not a welfare state and that I have to pay exortionate amounts for insurance.
- 2 weeks today I leave for California and get to see two wonderful people get married to each other (as well as see a lot of other people I haven't seen in forever).
- That's all.

Oh, I know Jón and Marisa wrote this on their blog, but for anyone going to their wedding, (or those living in the Chicago area also), if there is anything you want from England, i.e. something small or food or wuteva, then let me know and you can pay me back when I see you.

England go through top

A nervy game with Sweden tonight finished 2-2 with a late goal from England, and an even later one from Sweden.
Michael Owen's knee injury in the opening minutes was a heartbreaking shock for the team and the country, and we await a scan tomorrow to see whether his World Cup is over.
A wonder goal from Joe Cole is something you wanna watch on the highlights, and even though England didn't beat Sweden (yet again), it wouldn't have mattered if they did, as they finish top of the group, with Sweden second.
Also, a mention to the Germany 3-0 Ecuador game, where both teams also go through to the next round, where England will play Ecuador, and Germany will play Sweden. Should be a good game for England, but you never know with these underdogs. Heh.
Here are a few match pictures:





(Owen injured; Joe Cole scores; and above, England celebrate Gerrard's late goal).

And... Here is me sporting the new England away kit!

Italy - USA

Thought this game deserved a special mention. What a crazy match, hey?
For those of you who didn't know, the result was 1-1, but that is only part of the story.
3 sendings off, 2 for the US and 1 for Italy.
What do you guys think of the sendings off? The two USA reds were just stupid and badly timed, but what about de Rossi's violent elbow on McBride? I was outraged, as was most of the country, and was even more behind the US. De Rossi has let down his country, his team, his sport, and himself. What a moron.
Here is the incident (which was harder to find photos for than I thought)...












After this atrociously vicious elbow to the face, de Rossi still has the nerve to protest. All respect for this man has been lost.

Also a mention to the biggest upset so far:
Czech Rep. 0-2 Ghana.
Did not see that one coming.

England win again.

A great win for England, who beat Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 yesterday. A better performance than against Paraguay, and a wonder-goal from Stevie Gerrard.
Well done to Ecuador who also qualified for the 2nd Round, after beating Costa Rica 3-0.
Here are a couple of pics from the England match..

England's two goalscorers - Crouch and Gerrard

Also a special mention for John Terry and his goal-line save.

England Forever!

So England won 1-0, and yes Schrecky, England didn't play at their best. They did however, play well as a team, and gave a respectable performance, in my opinion. The first game is always difficult for the bigger teams, and we can't forget to take into account the high temperatures which slowed the England team down. A special mention must be given to the Mexican referee who undisputedly took Paraguay's side on an unrealistic majority of decisions. Nevertheless, our boys done good.

This is the England goal. (Just thought it was a good photo.)

This is David Beckham, the England captain, who gave a cracking performance...

...and here is an England fan, sporting St George's Crosses to cover his hairy nips.

In other news, the USA put up a dissapointing struggle against the Czech Republic today, losing 3-0, the biggest defeat in the World Cup so far. I think they will have to beat Italy to qualify for the second round, which seems unlikely after today's performance.

Fever Pitch

I dunno about you, but every 4 years there comes a time when my heart thumps and my emotions rise as if I'm manstruating or whatever the male equivalent is. This is that time.

The World Cup has started my friends, with the first two matches played today.
Two great goals from Germany against Costa Rica. Maybe two of the best in the tournament.
And a boring game between Ecuador and Poland (it has to be said), but a good win for Ecuador. If they win their next game against Costa Rica, it is likely they will play England in the second round. Wahey!
So, tomorrow is the big game. I say England 3-1 Paraguay, with Lampard, Gerrard and Crouch on the scoresheet.

Pride and Passion

Work's been regular. It's been fine. Although today I'm going to ask my boss to get time off during the England matches. Really I should have planned this ages ago.
But aside from work, I'm frantically getting all the things I need for my visa application interview on the 26th June. Seriously you guys, could someone have a word and just tell them to let me in? Maybe?! Please pray for this whole visa thing to go smoothly, because I'm kinda concerned about how close I'm cutting it.

On a more important note... Is everybody excited for the World Cup?!!! Booyah!! Admittedly, USA have a tough group, but I think they'll get through. This paragraph is mainly for the guys, if you hadn't already noticed ...and the girls who like football (...Chelsea & Bethany). And yes I will be cheering for Ecuador. I work with a Polish girl who asked me if I will be supporting her country, to which I replied, "Not against Ecuador." But yeah, Schrecky, J, Jummy, Jistin, I was just thinking how strange it would be staring at a box in the corner of our living rooms, watching the exact same thing as each other.

I don't know if you know this, but there has never been anything in America's history to unite all people, nomatter what colour, religion or political views they hold. However, in England, there have been two things. The World Wars, and International football. Every shop in every town, every window in every wall, all you see are England flags. The passion and pride for our country's football surpasses all differences to unite all people. And you thought that England wasn't very patriotic compared to America?!! Ha!
...At least we know what we are cheering about! ...errrrm...you're not gonna let me into your country now, are you?
...Oh well, what the heck... COME ON ENGLAND!!!

I got work!

For the last week or so, all I've been doing is working at a pricy Italian coffee House called Costa.
It's pretty good. And I like it.
I got hired to work part-time, but actually, every single day I've gone in to work, the manager has given me more work. I'm down for a 15 hr a week contract, but in the last 7 days I have worked 48 hours. Ha.
I really need the cash for college, and God has really helped me out here. Awesome!

Finding work and pics of kids

Firstly I wanna say Congratulations! to Chaz and Rebecca on their marriage. (can't wait to see photos Pam!) If anyone else is getting married, then please let me know. I mean I know of some, it's just that I've been away from the blogging world for a little bit and I feel kinda out of the loop.

Anyway, I'm back home, still trying to find work. It's not so easy over here. I have a trial work day at a coffee shop starting on Friday, but that will only be for part-time work. Please pray that I'll find work. Thanks.

Oh, I thought I'd take this opportunity to post a few pics of some of the kids of students at my college. I don't know if you remember, but on my photoblog a while back I posted a photo called 'Blackanese Baby' of a half Korean, half African kid. Well, I posted a couple more of him taken recently so you should go and take a look at them. Here are some of him, his sister and a cute Japanese kid.

Photos from my End of Year Bash

So, before I left college, we had this end of year bash. I thought I'd share some photos with you (and some of my college friends who will read this). Above is me with my date for the evening, Chisako Mori, of Japan.

Satoshi Kobayashi (Japan) and Hae Rim Lee (Korea).

With my former Liverpudlian roommate, Mike.

Sarah Rivoire & Marcella Rendo, My French and Italian friends.

My good friend Justin, and his wife Katie.

Machiko and Chisako, from Japan.

Nathan and Simon, from London.

Simo Frestadius (Finland) and his date, Caroline.