Abandoned Blog

This is the 1st time in a long time that I've not posted anything. Such is the level of busyness that I'm not inspired to post any! Lots have happened recently, and lots will be happening in months to come. I view this as one of the most crucial periods of my life.

Few simple reasons:

1.) Graduation! Well not yet, but nearly there. I'm just a month plus away from completing my studies as an English major, but I'm already starting to get lazy. Typical no? But yes, do that, and I'm doomed. Need to buck up.

2.) Work. Oh boy. I didn't think it'll come to this, but it has! What do I want to do after I finish? Teach? Go into music? Counsel? Options, but not many doors opened.

3.) Mission Trip to Triang, Pahang! At first I didn't want to go, but for no reason I suddenly got the inspiration. This time though, I don't want to make a decision just for the sake of making a decision. I want God to lead. Hmm....

Well, that's it for now. Will come back soon. I hope =D

Clear-out Summer

As the title implies. That's what Liverpool needs. The latest set back in our Europa League journey has shown that this club needs a massive clear-out in the squad in order to improve. Otherwise, we won't even last in the Champions League group stage.

Many has discussed it before, and I personally share the same view, so here are the players that has to go:

Christian Poulsen

Sorry, this old horse just doesn't have it in him to play in the Barclays Premier League. It's so tough that his old legs can't catch up. He has tried his best - give him credit - but sorry, he's not going to get first-team football the way he plays. Perhaps he can be good for other teams, but not Liverpool.

Paul Konchesky

An okay left-back, but not enough experience playing at the highest level. Perhaps playing at Fulham too long has gave him that sort of mentality to play "average" football, but a sudden switch to a club expected to play at a higher level has costed him. Now he's on loan at a lower division club, where he has scored his first goal for Nottingham Forest already. Should be sold in the summer.

Milan Jovanovic

I feel sorry for this lad. I don't what is it about him that makes Dalglish not use him. Quite a talented player he is, and even chose to stay despite interest from many other clubs. However, he's just not given the chance to prove himself, and unless Dalglish wants him in the squad next season, he should go too. For his own footballing career.

David N'gog

Now, this needs serious thinking. He's young, at times proven himself (and I say, at times) but when called upon, doesn't seem to deliver. He does make a great impact as a substitute, but when asked to start, occasionally stars, but otherwise, flops. He is still learning I have to say, but learn well he must. Otherwise, I don't see him having a future at Liverpool.

Maxi Rodriguez

ONCE a great player, but now no more. He may be a player who keeps tidy possession, but sometimes Liverpool need more than that. Past his prime? You can argue that, and perhaps that's why he also needs to be sold.

Joe Cole

Another one that needs serious thinking. Unlike Maxi, Joe Cole still has something to offer. His ability to twist and turn away from defenders can be a great asset, though most of the time he ends up being closed down too early, or goes down to a tackle to easily. Unless Dalglish wants to keep him, perhaps for his own good, or for Liverpool's good, he should go as well. High wages, but no high performance.

Now, having mentioned all of the above, I won't say who Liverpool SHOULD sign. There has been a lot of rumours, linking Liverpool with different players from almost all over the continent. Honda, Young, Hazard, Downing, Gervinho, Contrateo (or whatever his name is). Phew. Great players. Young ones too. But the question always remains: Are they good enough for the red shirt?

At the same time, there's also the academy to think of. Players like Kelly, Spearing, Pacheco, Eccleston, Ince, Flanagan, Coady, Ayala, Suso, Sterling, Darby, Mendy, Mavinga, Robinson, Gulasci, Wisdom. All these players are the future. But are they good enough to be in the first team?

Conclusion: Liverpool Football Club has A LOT OF WORK TO DO during the summer.

~eNd~

Who I Am Hates Who I've Been - Relient K

I watched the proverbial sunrise

Coming up over the Pacific and

You might think I'm losing my mind,

But I will shy away from the specifics...

'cause I don't want you to know where I am

'cause then you'll see my heart

In the saddest state it's ever been.

This is no place to try and live my life.

[Pre-Chorus]

Stop right there. That's exactly where I lost it.

See that line. Well I never should have crossed it.

Stop right there. Well I never should have said

That it's the very moment that

I wish that I could take back.

[Chorus]

I'm sorry for the person I became.

I'm sorry that it took so long for me to change.

I'm ready to be sure I never become that way again

'cause who I am hates who I've been.

Who I am hates who I've been.

I talk to absolutely no one.

Couldn't keep to myself enough.

And the things bottled inside have finally begun

To create so much pressure that I'll soon blow up.

I heard the reverberating footsteps

Synching up to the beating of my heart,

And I was positive that unless I got myself together,

I would watch me fall apart.

And I can't let that happen again

'cause then you'll see my heart

In the saddest state it's ever been.

This is no place to try and live my life.

[Pre-Chorus x2]

[Chorus]

Who I am hates who I've been

And who I am will take the second chance you gave me.

Who I am hates who I've been

'cause who I've been only ever made me...

Be My Escape - Relient K

I’ve given up on giving up slowly, I’m blending in so

You won’t even know me apart from this whole world that shares my fate

This one last bullet you mention is my one last shot at redemption

because I know to live you must give your life away

And I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and

I’ve been locked inside that house all the while You hold the key

And I’ve been dying to get out and that might be the death of me

And even though, there’s no way in knowing where to go, promise I’m going because

I gotta get outta here

I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake

I gotta get outta here

And I’m begging You, I’m begging You, I’m begging You to be my escape.

I’m giving up on doing this alone now

Cause I’ve failed and I’m ready to be shown how

He’s told me the way and I’m trying to get there

And this life sentence that I’m serving

I admit that I’m every bit deserving

But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and

I’ve been locked inside that house all the while You hold the key

And I’ve been dying to get out and that might be the death of me

And even though, there’s no way in knowing where to go, promise I’m going because

I am a hostage to my own humanity

Self detained and forced to live in this mess I’ve made

And all I’m asking is for You to do what You can with me

But I can’t ask You to give what You already gave

I fought You for so long

I should have let You in

Oh how we regret those things we do

And all I was trying to do was save my own skin

But so were You

So were You

Keep It or Lose It

I saw a video on Facebook today. It was a video about a man crying over the death of his wife/girlfriend (not sure). Well of course, I won't bother posting something like this if the video did not carry any significance.

I wanted not to describe how she died, and in what manner, but I change my mind, 'cause the way she died shows the importance of something else. Let's begin:

The couple were riding a motorcycle WITHOUT HELMETS when somehow or another, they slipped. The lady banged goodness-know-what, and her brain SPLIT INTO HALF. The man saw it, and cried like hell.

Yes I can tell you, the horror of watching that video still haunted me, especially as I'm a motorist myself. The road is dangerous; it is full of pot holes and dangerous fellow motorist, drivers, bus drivers and yes truck drivers as well! We have to be careful and watch out for ourselves and others on the road.

Although yes I've also said before, "On the road, 50% of the accidents are avoidable. The other 50% depends on others", that 50% avoidable accident INCLUDES wearing a helmet when you're riding a motorbike. Riding safely is also part of that 50%.

And ohh please. I'm not saying that wearing a helmet totally protects you; at least it "keeps you safe" from a really "Permanent Head Damage".

So please. Value your life, wear a helmet when you ride. Never think that "Hey the distance is short. No worries mate. We'll come back alive." Keep the discipline and wear it.

~eNd~

Digging It

"You won't have a breakthrough unless you make a break through."

Yes sir. You don't dig it, you don't get it.

We always proclaim Jeremiah 29:11 which says "For I (God) know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future." Then we go home satisfied, knowing that that verse is promised unto us. Thank you very much God.

But that's it. We stop THERE. We get too comfortable with our lives. That's why a lot of us do not have breakthrough in our lives, and when we see others having superb breakthroughs, sharing great testimonies about how God has work in them, we wonder why God doesn't do the same for us.

When actually much of it is our own fault.

We need not only claim it, but also dig for it. We need to discover what is God's plan for us, not just sit around and wait. It's a matter of whether or not we REALISE the urgency deep in our hearts.

Yes we attend church on Sunday, get all hyped up and say we love God and that we want to serve Him forever. We proclaim He is great and will put Him first in our lives. After service, all is forgotten. Typical? Yeah, 'cause that's us.

I started this post with the quote, and I'll end it with the quote:

"You won't have a breakthrough unless you make a break through."

Your choice.

~eNd~

They Were Not Good... Enough?

Roy Hogdson's reign as manager saw many criticisms from many people (particular from a certain Jamie. Not Carragher though). All of them made (or decided to make) the same decision - Roy is a good manager, but the players are not good enough.

A month plus into his sacking, and the very same players, under a different manager, are on a roll. Yes, four games winning streak, four consecutive clean sheets, two back-to-back away wins since 17 months ago, and confidence restored. And now that Jamie is saying Liverpool has got a very good squad. Contradictory? Ask him.

Some also argued however, that yes Roy is a good manager, but only for certain clubs, which is why he's been recently linked with the job to West Bromwich Albion. But one thing is for sure now: He's not good enough for Liverpool.

For those who are still stubborn, tell me: How can the very same Christian Poulsen that was taunted by fans a few months back, be a good player now? How can THE Raul Meireless who went 16 games without a goal for Roy, scored 4 goals in 5 games for Kenny? And yes even though he left, Torres, in 5 games, managed to score half the amount of goals Roy managed to get out of him in more than half a year!

The difference is simple: knowing how to use the players to their best potential. Roy didn't know how to; Kenny did. And I'm not saying that everything Roy did was wrong; I'm kind of glad he gave the reserves a run out at the Europa League. Still, Roy's tactics were enough to see Liverpool go close to the bottom. Now, we're challenging for a Champions League spot.

And indeed, what a turn-around it has been (minus the Torres departure). Enough said. Next up - Wigan.

~eNd~