MU survived a two-nil down scare: What I was doing

posted under by lhnkhang

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

At the preview show, a commentator said that Chelsea would win and MU would draw. Hmm, I was preparing the dinner at that time. Leaving all for my wife, I sneaked off to see the kick off.

About 10 minutes later, MU conceded 1st goal. I had to have dinner after that. I was having dinner but my eyes stuck on the 21" TV screen 8 meters from me, over Tâm's shoulder. Wish I had a 42" plasma TV at that time.

15 minutes later, I stretched on the sofa once again for the rest of 1st half. My wife was baking some cake, and she sat next to me on waiting for the cake to be ready. No more real chance for MU, and I could not concentrate on the game as my wife kept talking and eating.

At the break, I sadly (but not desperately) went online, as the second half was coming soon. Chelsea led 2-1 at the break. Never mind, MU used to be down 0-1 at haft time, and came back to win 4-1 against Blackburn. Tâm left to pick up his friend at the airport.

After the break, hoped that Ronaldo was on duty, but he wasn't, instead, Richardson prepared to join.

A couple of chances were created for MU, but either the goal keeper was fast to block the run of striker, or strikers were too slow to convert to goals. I shouted a couple of times and looked back to my room, as I thought that my wife would react by showing herself at the door. But she didn't.

Not so long after that, Everton scored the 2nd goal. The scorer got the skill (and later in the game he showed off once again, but unsuccessfully. Maybe ManU should pay attention to him, a talented player). I thought of some terrible consequences.

Some opportunities were missed, again. I thought that the goal keeper had his day.

59th minute: Finally the turning point came. Giggs floated a corner kick in and the keeper looked to have caught the ball with ease before destiny stroke: he dropped it at the feet of O'Shea, who banged the ball in the net. A gift wrapped goal and a lifeline for United. This time I shouted loudly and received a complain from my wife who was in the kitchen for the cake.

Things looked like routine now. An own goal from Neville. The commentator said "Neville scored for Man. United". Poor him. He was too unlucky to be at the wrong place (at the post) and wrong time (goal). A fast switch to Star Sport and I was too happy to know that Bolton leveled with Chelsea. My wife said that I was greedy, as I wanted to see two channels at the same time.

Ronaldo started to involve in the game. Smith was off.

The last two goals were indispensable. Full time: Everton 2 Manchester United 4. At the same time, Chelsea were held by Bolton. Sir Alex celebrated the victory soon, as he shook hand with his opponent coaches before the game finished. I remembered Moaninho last year, at the final minutes during the game against Man United, he shook hand with his members, too.

After the final whistle, The Red Devils were very happy as if they have already pocketed the EPL championship.

About Moaninho? Chelsea were denied a 'Jose' penalty for a handball outside the area, something that we'll be hearing about soon.

That's what was happening during the classic game between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park.

0 Comment

Chat with doctor

posted under by lhnkhang

I went to University Health & Wellness Centre (UHWC) this morning to have a doctor check my fingers (fingers: long story). A nurse at the reception desk entertained me with a smile and asked me some questions. She has strange accent (according to my ears) and I could not understand her well, or maybe at that moment I hold a lot of things in my hands: backpack, umbrella, "the Ridge" magazine and the queue number.

After reading half of "the Ridge", my Q number appeared on an electronic board informing me my turn and I went to a designated room. The doctor that I met I met him 3 years ago, in the same room. At that time I did a medical check up to register to the University. This time, I showed him my injured fingers and he did a thorough check of my ... blood pressure and heart rate. He asked me in details of my injury, including place and time. "Everything's fine. Don't worry." "How's about my fingers? Do I need a scan?" "No need, it will fully recover." Then he showed me a catalog that I believed he showed all the patients. There is a photo of a hand like mine, and a lot of description. He showed me some highlights in this catalog, and stopped at a line "fully recover in 9 to 12 months". So that's it.

At that time I thought I would stand up and quit the room, like I did in all hospitals in Vietnam, he started asking me about my leisure time, in details. He asked me whether I had other problems from head to toes. I said no. He kept asking as if I probably had some problems on my body, and I, in order not to discourage him, thought of something I had occasionally. Maybe he's happy to ask me about that or he thought that the sole prescription of injured fingers did not worth to pay a doctor visit and basing on this occasion, he did a full check for me. Anyway, I was happy about it because this was the first time I encountered such friendly care from a doctor. Fine! I told him everything about me that he asked. He let me go 20, 30 minutes later after giving me a name card and reminding me to call him if I have any problem. ANY problem as he emphasized it.

So, the doctor in Vietnam was right when he wondered why I needed to check my fingers (that story is here). But they treated me like an animal (maybe I exaggerate, as I deduce from the queue number of that hospital - will show that photo when I have time). Here in UHWC they treat me as a long-time friend.

When I went home in the evening, I was stunned when I didn't see my bicycle at my usual parking slot. After a while, my wife told me that we took the bus in the morning because it rained.

0 Comment

Ghost Ship

posted under by lhnkhang

Tonight we wandered to the opposite side of the channel, and my wife took a series of photos. Finally, I stitched them and produced a scary photo, especially in dim light. Literally, there are some "ghosts" inside.

0 Comment

Food maniac

posted under by lhnkhang

I don't know why I was served with lots of delicious food last week, maybe I was well-behaved, and the food was my presents. Anyway, just looking at these photos makes my mouth drop and my stomach ravenous.

Click on photos for big sizes

Fried shrimp cakes

Sliced shoulder cut pork meat, green bean paste and pepper are mixed up in the middle of this Khuc cake. The outside is a mixture of bean and sticky rice. (c.f. vnesegod)

Spring Rolls

If you open a restaurant and want to advertise your food, don't hesitate to call me. I can take photos as nice as above and your food will be more delicious.

0 Comment

Miss Singapore Universe 2007

posted under by lhnkhang

One of them will be Miss Singapore Universe 2007. Pick your favorite ugliest now!!!

Catch 'em 'live' on Channel 5 on 22 April, Sun, 7.30pm.
Full story here

And the winner is....

Jessica Tan

Final question is: "If your mother violently disagree with the man you truly love, what would you do?" The answer I like is something like "I will ask him to go to the heart of my mom like the way he goes to mine" by Peggy.

The winner of this competition seemed to be decided before the competition, as no. 7 (Jessica Tan) got outstanding marks compared to others'.

1 Comment

Sticky Rice with Mung Beans

posted under by lhnkhang

She likes to cook. Lucky enough for me that she doesn't invent any new recipe but only popular meal. And usually I am the one who cleans everything, from the food to the utensils. She can cook immediately almost everything that she thinks of, and I must say that most of her products are delicious.

Click to enlarge

Yesterday, being tired of eating expensive and tiny (but delicious

) "fast cake" bought outside, she decided to make "sticky rice with mung beans" (bánh da lợn). I wonder why people don't call it "pork's skin cake" for simplicity. In fact there is no sticky rice in the ingredients but tapioca and rice powder. . After finishing it, she told me "Cooking is easy, eating it is more difficult"

. This was the first time she cooked it (so I didn't expect a very HQ cake) but it is edible (which is important

). The cake is sticky at first, and it's difficult to cut it apart or chew. I put it in the refrigerator, hoping it be drier tomorrow.

Yet other good food from her:

Bread

Long bean

Bánh xèo (hmm, fried cake)

My all-time favourite

0 Comment

In one thousand years

posted under by lhnkhang

If you don't know what's happening, read here and here

Basically, my under-graduate supervisor will retire in 3 months, but they forced him to retire sooner, due to a ridiculous reason that he does not have enough ability to lead the department. (The word "department" in this context means "bộ môn", not "khoa" as defined carelessly by somebody sometime ago in this university). Looking 10 years back, when our department was established, no one could think that this was the cradle of potential talented engineers, researchers, or whatever they call... that will succeed at major academic or industrial areas all over the world. Their contributions, in many ways, more or less help the name of this university be known by more people all over the world. The impact of our department is obvious, but they do not (or dare not) see it. Sad.

My supervisor does not have the ability to flatter or wheedle anybody. That's why ppl hate him, and try to put him down. In three months he will retire, and they don't have anymore chance to do this, that's why they set up a stupid decision to make him retire early. He has lots of experiences and connections which can help students a lot when he is still in command. The university must see that, and keep him by all means, but they didn't. It's not their duty to keep him and keep flourishing the dept, as well as the university. Students are those who bear the consequences. In Singapore, professors, who are in their 60s, 70s, still work hard and the universities really need those people and prevent them from retiring. What a contradiction!

Last year, someone said that Vietnam needs over 150 years to catch Singapore's current development. I think Vietnam needs more than that, maybe 1000 years.

0 Comment

Good news for the weekend

posted under by lhnkhang

that Cristiano will stay at MU until 2012. No more rumors about his leave to Real or Barca. He is the key to the success of MU this season.

CRISTIANO RONALDO FACTFILE

1985:

Born February 5 in Funchal on the Madeira Islands, Portugal.

Begins his career at Nacional Madeira before moving to Sporting Lisbon.

2002:

Makes his debut for Sporting in the Portuguese Super Liga at the age of 17 after winning international caps for Portugal's youth sides.

2003:

August - Scores in pre-season friendly against Manchester United, which marked the opening of Sporting's new stadium.
ugust 12 - Completes a £12.24million transfer to United, taking the number seven shirt following the sale of England captain David Beckham to Real Madrid.
August 16 - Makes his debut as a second-half substitute in opening-day 4-0 win over Bolton at Old Trafford, impressing in his 29-minute run-out.
Plays for Portugal full national side in 1-0 win over Kazakhstan.
September 21 - Caught up in post-match melee after the final whistle of United's goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford, following Ruud van Nistelrooy's late penalty miss which had brought manic celebrations from the Arsenal players.
September 24 - Along with team-mate Ryan Giggs, is charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his involvement in the Old Trafford fracas.
November 1 - Scores his first goal for United in the 3-0 victory over Portsmouth at Old Trafford.
December 1 - Fined £4,000 penalty and warned as to his future conduct at an FA disciplinary hearing into Old Trafford fracas after charge of improper conduct against him found to be proven.

2004:

May 25 - Scores the opening goal in United's 3-0 FA Cup final victory over Millwall at the Millennium Stadium.
June 6 - Voted United's player of the year by supporters.
June 24 - Scores in the shoot-out as Portugal knock England out of the European Championships 6-5 on penalties after drawing 2-2 after extra-time in their quarter-final in Lisbon.
July 4 - Finishes on the losing side in the final of Euro 2004 after hosts Portugal are surprisingly beaten 1-0 by Greece.
July 27 - Named in Portugal's squad for the Athens Olympics.

2005:

September 8 - Plays a crucial role in Portugal's World Cup qualifier in Russia just hours after the death of his father.
October 19 - Arrested and questioned by police after an allegation of rape at a London hotel was made against him. Ronaldo asserts his innocence.
November 18 - Agrees a two-year extension to his United contract, keeping him at the club until 2010.
November 24 - Police announce no charges will be brought against Ronaldo over the rape allegations.
November 30 - Burglars steal £30,000 worth of jewellery from Ronaldo's Cheshire home.
December 7 - Television pictures show Ronaldo making a one-fingered gesture to the crowd after being jeered during United's 2-1 defeat to Benfica in the Stadium of Light which saw them knocked out of the Champions League.

2006:

January 14 - Sent off for lunging at Manchester City's Andy Cole in United's 3-1 derby defeat at Eastlands.
January 17 - Football Association disciplinary commission reject appeal against wrongful dismissal.
January 26 - Charged with misconduct by UEFA for making obscene gesture to Benfica fans.
February 3 - Banned for one match and fined £4,000 by UEFA.
February 26 - Scores in United's 4-0 Carling Cup final vctory over Wigan.
July 1 - Protests to referee Horacio Elizondo after England striker and United team-mate Wayne Rooney clashes with Ricardo Carvalho in their World Cup quarter-final. Rooney is sent off and television pictures catch Ronaldo winking towards the bench. Scores the winning penalty in the shoot-out to knock out England.
July 8 - After losing the third-place play-off to Germany Ronaldo reveals he wants to leave United, claiming no-one at the club supported him in the Rooney incident. Admits he would like a move to Spain, having been previously linked with Real Madrid.
July 12 - United stress there is "no possibility" Ronaldo will be sold and the player remained at Old Trafford after Rooney pleaded with him to stay.
August 20 - Ronaldo scores a goal in the first match since the World Cup against Fulham.

Despite being on the receiving end of supporters' abuse at each game, Ronaldo is in scintillating form throughout the season.

2006:

February 6 - Named captain of the Portugal team for a friendly against Brazil a day after his 22nd birthday.
March 19 - Again attracts controversy after claiming he was "too good" for some people following a number of contentious penalties.
April 11 - Scores twice and is the lead tormentor as Manchester United humiliate Roma 7-1 in the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford.
April 13 - Agrees new five-year deal at Old Trafford.

Dream Team

posted under by lhnkhang

Even the most optimistic fans never dream of this result. This is outstanding.
Final score: Man. United 7 - 1 AS Roma.

0 Comment

1st ceremony

posted under by lhnkhang

"Time goes by, so slowly..." (Hang up by Madonna)

Not in my case. In fact, one year passes very fast. I used to say a long time ago, in Vietnamese, that,
"nhắm mắt mở mắt hết một ngày,
quay qua quay lại hết một tuần,
quắc quắc (?) hết một tháng,
luẩn quẩn hết một năm",
suddenly it's correct now.

It was my wedding ceremony yesterday. In the morning, I received an offline message from a friend that I thought at first place that this would be a greeting message. But not, she queried about my injured toes, which I hope it'll never come, as I only have my injured fingers.

This time last year, I almost used up my reserved power for the wedding. I was tired and always sleepy. Sleeping at night was not enough for me, I even slept on taxi all the way to my destinations to complement to my thirst of sleep.

Once I was proud of myself that I didn't sleep much. 6 hours per day is enough, and I've followed this habit for long. Now, I always feel dizzy every time I wake up, and I want to sleep a little more. Maybe I have other priorities in the nights, such as football, tennis and even internet.

Yesterday we intended to stay together for dinner, but for some unexpected reasons, we could not make it. Anyway, I had a memorable celebration, full of ... animals (monkeys, pigs, lion, dog), water melon, mango, pears and candles.

Another year has come that gonna have lots of expectation, I guess...

"Time goes by, so slowly..."

3 comments

Have the guts?

posted under by lhnkhang

Some of my friends started their own business a long time ago, some have just started, some are thinking about it. Most of them invest in stock, which has recently become a fashionable activity in Vietnam. I was in Vietnam some months back and met my friends for 15 minutes or less. They were all talking about stock. Even in my family, my uncle says bravely that if he was jobless, he would invest in stock, although he has limited knowledge about it.

Personally I don't like stock. I feel that it (stock) reserves for some old aunties who have some money, don't know anything about stock market and buy stock blindly following advice of some bloody agencies. Amazingly they earn some money at first, and maybe still earn money later or not, I don't know. Once in SMA, some friends invested in stock, and I noticed they refreshed their computer screen once every 5 or 10 minutes, and I wondered why they needed to keep track of stock index regularly. I thought in the end of the day, the final index will say it all. They had enthusiasm in repeating the boring habit that later I understood when I involved in some other similar things (will tell when time comes)

Starting their own business is not a stylish trend. They made some big turns over in their lives. They quit their high-earning jobs for other dreams. If putting money aside, their dreams, as I interpret, are to contribute more to society as they don't have enough conditions and spaces in their current jobs to contribute. Their abilities are overwhelming. Only at their own business that they can do what they want.

They really need big guts to make big decisions in their lives. How many big decisions have I made so far? Maybe not many, or maybe I cannot see how big they were, or maybe other people can see. But I know one thing, I never dream of doing my own business. That's for sure.

1 Comment