2007 North Texas Soccer League

Yes! After missing last season, I have make it a point that I register for the coming season soccer league! Just received an "official" e-mail from Encik Mani on the league details and heads up on who is in our team and who is not. Our team name is FC SINUSA=FootBall Club Singapore United States, a team make up of Singaporean and American. There we go, a team of diplomatic Allies.

Frankly, I was pretty proud to be part of the team and be playing in this league. This is the first time I ever played in a Official soccer league. This time, we are registered to play in Division 10 and the league season start 19th August and ends at 21st October. So from now to than, most of the weekend will be spend in Scrimmage games to train up for the games.

Glad to see my name mention in the list of new players (kudos to Encik Mani) and whats with the nickname "Carvalho"? Oh...a Portugal player as I read from Wikipedia. Man...I better live up to that name cause I am an awful player sometimes. The running is not a problem but my ball senses is totally off. Maybe because I spend too much time as a Goal Keeper in the past and not having too much experience chasing and getting chased on the field. Slowly and surely, all this soccer games I played in US have improve my game play slightly. I gonna make the next few training games count. I think I like playing on the attacking side and running through the offside lines. Still have no news what position I will be playing but I will have no qualm playing left defense too. Time to use more of those sliding tackle in the coming games.

Thinking of buying a soccer ball to train....hmmm... Here is the official website for the league.

http://www.ntpsa.org/

And did I mention that this season, our team is proudly sponsor by our favorite car workshop, HON ACURA. Louis the boss there. Wow... I think he is betting on our team too.

Car Wash Announcement!!!

Car Wash Announcement for my US colleague who are driving a car...well...everyone is driving one don't they?

http://www.venusroom.com/carwash.html

My dogshed in July

Time for some pictures update of my dog shed. Been quite a long while since I updated pictures of my dog shed in the US of A. This is where and sleep, slack and sloth...

Living Room or Gambling Den during weekend when group of us gather of Texas Hold'Em

Kitchen. Only good for food...

My connection to the outside world, my desktop. And the wall is my travel scrap book. Looks cluttered but alive.

My dream center. Just changed bed sheet today. Those spaces above the bed really need to be filled up.

Bath room with nice posters. This first person view every morning I walk into the bath room.

Bat in the Base

Recently a bat flew into our hanger, flew into the structure flight room and injured itself when it collided with something. We brought it to our bay and as all of us are experienced with fixing mechanical birds, we are totally at lost of how to recover this organic flying creature. Somehow I don't know why but I must have some kind of premonition that I decided to bring along my digital camera to base today. So this present a excellent opportunity to take some photos for memory sake, my first close encounter with bats. Bats are blind so flash light from the camera is Ok with them...






One of our guy left it in a foam cushion box overnight, haven't got a clue what we should do with it. Unfortunately, it pass away the next morning. Postmortem conclude either internal injuries or the cold air conditioning might me the C.O.D (Cause Of Death).

I thought I might consider going for some Bats Watching around where I stay since Texas have the largest colony of Bats in United States ... WEB LINK

A call make a bit too late

Oh dear, I thought of giving her a call to wish her a safe and entertaining business trip to Bali but....but....I guess I call a bit too late. Should have take the initiative and ask her the flight time. Called 3 times and each time its the same message, "The M1 customer that you are calling is currently unavailable". AHHHH!!!!....Where is the voice mail??? Sigh.

The Highest Point Of Our Road Trip

Headed out of Air Force Academy, past Denver City and right into Rocky Mountain National Park on the 2nd Day of our Tour (28th Jun 2007). The sky is gloomy, the clouds are low and it drizzle occasionally, not a good moment for sight seeing. However we decided to press of with the drive to the “Alpine”, the Peak of Rocky Mountain National park approx 11,000fts above sea level. Rain or shine, we got to make it there or forever regret not doing so never know if we will be able to come back here again in the future so why give the place a miss now when its just right infront of our eyes??!! Turn out that the higher we go, the better the weather become and at 11,000ft, we are right above the rain clouds! Excellent oppurtunity to take lots of pictures.

"Click Me!"

Monday.... its today 12.28am. I gonna work at 8am tomorrow and heading up the Chinook for a test flight. Been a long time since I last don my flight suit. Pretty excited about work although its suppose to be a Blue Monday for many. First time bringing a Junior guy for test flight. ZzzzZzzzzZzzzz

Program for this weekend

A fully pack Saturday Morning and afternoon for me,

1- Head down to Plano for a soccer scrimage with some China guys. Was told about the match this afternoon. Good thing I got my Adidas Shin guard and 2 pair of soccer socks today at Sports Authority (Finally some decent gears other than my soccer boots). Will be meeting Mun Kit at 8.30am and head down to the Soccer pitch in his Mazda Miata. Got to play hard and smart tomorrow to train up for the upcoming league. They say I can run and have big lung but have no ball sense. I say...its really true. So thats my problem and awareness is the first step to correction.

2- The soccer match should end at 11.30am where I will head back home, take a quick shower and meet up with a group of colleagues at 1.00pm. We will be visiting the Louis Tussand's Wax Museum and the "Ripley's Believe it or Not" museum at Grand Prarie. Sorry guys, I push back the timing from 9am to 1pm so you guys can wake up later, I could play soccer in the morning and Adrain could come back home for a rest after his Guard Duty today. Attendance list for tomorrow outing-

1. Riccardo
2. Master Andy
3. Garfield
4. Chip Chip
5. Ashley
6. Ricky, Ricky's Girl Friend, Ricky's Sister
7. Mun Kit and Shirlene
8. Sen Long
9. Ryan
10. Adrain
11. Ah Chan
12. John

First time organizing an outing. Hope it will be a success. Next outing plan will be Six Flag Amusement Park...

ZZzzzzzzzZzzzzZzZZzz

A Letter from God-Father

Came back from my routine run today and went pick up the mail as usual. Surprised to see a letter send from Singapore, Woodland. I wonder who it is. Open it up, read it and realize it was from God Father (sound really Mafia)! Have not met him since the March when I head back to Singapore for a short home trip holiday. Was a pretty lengthy letter thought. I knew my God Father since Secondary one and I am but one of the many God Son under his care. Ok, before you think he is some Mafia big boss or something, he is actually a teacher in my secondary school back than and pretty famous for his unconventional way of handling Ah Beng in our school. A bit light GTO but not too extreme. What I know is that he got lots of respect from the school Ah Beng especially those from Normal Technical classes. This is my reply to his letter....

Dear Godfather....

Dear Godfather,

Thank you for sending me a letter from home, its the first time I ever receive any letter other than those from my ex-girlfriend. Sorry, I never hand good handwriting and words often goes slanted on a piece of paper so I elected to type my letter instead.


Read about you Insomnia problem from the letter. I always knew you have problem falling asleep in the past and have been undergoing medication at some point of time. I read about drinking hot honey water before sleeping will help slow down the metabolism and relax the body which should help you to fall asleep. Try getting pure honey and not those with artificial preservatives and sugar added in. When I head back to Singapore for another short holiday near Christmas, I will bring back a bottle of raw honey for you. I'm sure it will not only help you sleep well but improve your overall health too.


It sure is sad to hear that your Godson and friends are calling their marriage to an end a few years after marriage. I guess many have been burying themselves too much in work and unknowingly neglected the family and their own social life. Sometime one wonder if they are moving too fast for their own love one to cling on too or is our working stress and long hours just pressuring a relationship to the breaking limits. I hope I be the wiser one and learn from the lesson of others. "Money can buy happiness", that come with limitation. I rather earn enough and lead a fulfilling life outside work that include my family than sloth for long hours earning an extra thousand or two but seeing relationship breaking up. Well thats my opinion, everyone have theirs.


I still remember my first airline trip oversea and that was to Penang with you many years ago. Thank you sir for making that opportunity for me and giving me the air ticket (my first one). Since than I have flown to a few places and lots of Domestic flight in United States both in Airlines and our Military Helicopters, flying is no longer fresh and exciting as the first time I did for the Penang trip (unless I get to fly the plane myself!). Oh! Hope you still remember when we got back to Singapore, I lost some cash in my wallet and you gave me 50 bucks. That money mean alot back than, it weight gold. Thanks again.


Sir, may I ask you if the passion is still in there to teach again? I hope you don't give up being a teacher for some other kids in their life despite the health problem you might have right now. I always believe God created each of us for a purpose in life and I thought yours was to guide students you teach on the right path and be good and purposeful citizens and family man. Of course being a teacher is not only about being the slave of some stupid "getting corporate" MOE style but the guiding kids on the right path in life. Its too early to say "No, I don't think I will be able to teach again". Take a break now and maybe write to yourself, your reflection of life and maybe just at a moment, between the pen the the words you might have an enlightenment or inspiration.


Keep in contact Godfather. I might not be able to help you every way, every time or better than others but I will definitely reply your letters and e-mail. As requested, I drop some pictures of me in military uniform together with this letter. Please put it in the album you are creating. Take care and God Bless You.



Sincere and with Respect,
Riccardo Tan


By the way, my Birthday is 12th November, not December. :)

The Start of my road trip. First stop Cadillac Ranch!

The start of my long holiday Journey from Dallas Texas to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming!!! It all happen on the 27th Jun 2007 till 7th July 2007. Joining in my road trip is my good colleague and photographer for the Trip, Garfield-san with his US$2500 Camera and lens set. We drove westward throught Texas to the City of Amarillo where the Cadillac Ranch is located. Ended the first day of driving and touring at the Air Force Academy Inn located in Colorado, few miles South of Denver.

Ok I know its kind of funny that the few previous blog I was talking about all the places I tour near the end of my tour. Excuse me, there was tons of picture took from the start of the trip that it almost took forever to filter out the poorly taken one and Garfield only pass me pictures of the last 2 days of our tour initially. Thus I bo bian have to blog from the end initially. Ok lah, so here goes...the start of my trip. As usual its a photo-blog again.

"Click Me!"

Hmm...start to find my blog black background very dull. Gonna work on changing the background from black to something else... I thinking of filling the empty spaces with dynamic pictures or maybe my own sales ads or my favourite Yourtube video or flash animation or.....wah....lots of option but need to make time for it.

Car Henge Nebraska

Ever read about the mystical StoneHenge of England? A mystical group of large standing stones arrange in concentric patterns and believe to be a symbol of Pagan worship many hundred years ago. In the PC games, Heroes of Might and Magic, the Stonehenge is a Sorcerer's Town dwelling where Druids can be recruited to be commanded on the battlefield unleashing energy bolts at distance foes. Today, some believe a mystery energy still exist in the center of Stonehenge that remain for the chosen one to unleash.

"Many came but none are chosen"

In United States, In the State of Nebraska and right at some Ulu Ulu Farmland lies the evil twin of the England Stonehenge. Build not more than 100 years ago using modern technology like junk cars and crane, having no mystical energy at all, no worshiper but instead visitors.....its the Carhenge!!!

Right after the 4 days tour in Yellowstone National Park, we drove east out of Wyoming into Nebraska. Headed towards Alliance city as planned. Althought Wyoming and Nebraska are neighbouring states but the driving distance is like from Singapore to KL and further north. Stayed over night at America Inn and visited the Car Hedge at some Ulu farm land the next day. Have uploaded the "CarHenge Nebraska" photo album. As usual, click on the photo collage below to access the pictures.

"Click Me!!!"

Starting from my next blog, I decide to write about my Yellowstone Road trip starting from Dallas instead of going backwards from the end. Thousands to pictures still to sort out. Before uploading to my online Album.... oh check out the Photoalbum link on the side bar too! I post some old photo album links right over there.

"School Rumble" rocks!!!

I can't believe myself watching anything other than Mecha, Medieval or war story Anime. Not until someone introduce me to the anime call "School Rumble". Oh dear, not another of those cutie pie anime which is nothing but all about love story and character just acting cute and girlie, I thought.

Well, just after watching Episode one of "School Rumble" I am already hooked to the series for its school life love story of Harima Kenji attempt to get close and confess to Tenma Tsukamoto which often put him in embarrassing situation and couple of hilarious screw-up. However Tenma Tsukamoto was too unaware of Harima and have a crush on the class quiet and block head guy, Kurasame who seems to be totally disconnected from the rest of the world. The "Initial D" parody in the first episode when Harima chase Tenma and Tenma chase Kurasame on a bicycle was one hilarious parodization of Initial D which make this Anime even more appealing. Here is the video clip from Youtube.

Overall a comical and like hearted Anime that will definately get you hooked and in some way relate back to our secondary school life in one scene or another. Somehow Harima Kenji remind me of 樱木花道 from Slam Dunk and Karasuma of 柳川风。 I was doing guard duty in base yesterday and watched 15 episode in one go on a big projection screen. Well its a good change from watching all those big robots war story anime like Gundam. As a appreciation to this wonderful Anime (5/5 in my rating), I extract some part of the video and make a desktop wallpaper.

Moving house for my plants

Nice flowers in a slum settlement.

Tall tower with weak foundation that often topple in the wind.

My plants are just screaming for help everyday. You see, they are no longer baby anymore for they are now pretty mature teenager with bushes and flowers. They have out grown the Ben and Jerry Ice Cream container I initially plant the seeds in and with no more room to expand those growing roots of theirs, the growth is getting bit retarded. Furthermore, that limited amount of soil means I got to water more frequently cause there is no room in the pot for more soil thus more water retention. Sometimes, missing out a watering schedule make the leaves look half dead, droopy.

They got to thank god that today I am on off day and thus is oblige to move house for all the plants still hanging on to their dear life in a Ben and Jerry Ice Cream container. Took me an hour and US$8.50 (for the new pots, soil and shovel) for the house moving effort. Plant pruning was also carried out for all the plants as they tend to grow anyhow up down left right. With too much leaves around and also dry ones hanging on to their last breath, it sometime impede to growth of flower on the plant itself. So do I want the nutrients to go to the flowers or the leaves? The flowers of course! No one give leaves to girls right? Only flowers and bit of leaves.

No more Ben and Jerry, just proper plant pots.

Since its summer, I decided to try out a pot of sunflowers. Just gonna sit back, water everyday and with lots of Sun Shine, I should see the seedlings in a few days.

St Louis GateWay Arch in Missouri

Today I like to show you guys (and gals) Pictures I took in St Louis Missouri. This is St Louis in the State of Missouri. The famous St Louis Gate Arch is located right here! Also known as “Jefferson National Expansion Monument built to mainly commenerate the westward movement of American Explorers and Pioneer as you know America was founded by the white guys from the East Coast. I was here on the 5th of July after almost 10 hours drive from the State of Nebraska, passing throught the State of Kansas. Driving for long distance cause hallucination. I'm glad I made it here in one piece! Click on the photo piles to access my online photo Gallery. Next up, the Car Hedge in Alliance City, Nebraska.

Click Me!!!

and now, before I head to bed, got to show you a video that I just can't get tired watching it. Its the opening clips from the Anime, Lucky Star!!!

and a very hilarious Initial D parody from Lucky Star.

Steamed and well done.

Sometime I amaze myself of how stupid and lack of SA (Situation awareness) I can be when it comes to warning sign and kitchen hazard...

"Do not touch, cover or obstruct this steam vent"

and the hazard today came from a steam vent of the kitchen while I was cooking some rice to go with the canned curry chicken and mutton. I was searching for something in the cabinet above the rice cooker and a portion of my arm was almost well done by the steam within seconds....

Ouch....

Excruciating pain! You know the story of the frog sitting calmly in the water while it slowly heat up and boil but it still did not jump out? I think I am the frog right now, casually placing my tricep over the steam vent for a minute too long. I wonder why I did not feel the steam initially before it took a layer of skin of my arm.

Milk is an effective pain reliever of burns so I soakrd my arm in a plate of milk. Have to drive down to Walgreens to get some First Aid. I suggest every family to have a first aid kit at home I regret not having one at home. Instead of 12 days to heal, a properly dressed burn wound only take a week.

First Aid Cream, Wound Pads, Tapes and 300 Cotton Balls.


I gonna draw something on it to make it look cool

Precious Moment Chapel, Carthage, Missouri

During my return trip from Yellowstone National Park, I decided to drop by this place only because it was along the way. The Precious Moment Chapel turn out to be a very beautiful display of art and a place where you can find the meaning of peace, hope and love just by looking at the painting of Sam Butcher (Creator of Precious Moments Figurines). A must go if you ever visit the State of Missouri. For Christian, especially, you will find the story behind the chapel and the art work very religiously meaningful. For non Christian, I'm sure you will be captivated by the art work which I simply say very very Kawaii and innocent!

The center piece of this Chapel is the Hallelujah Sqaure, a wall mural that celebrated the live of real children but whose life were ended to soon. But they are in Heaven and their stories continue to bring love, hope and peace through this wall mural. The wall mural is an impressive art by Sam Butcher, his unique vision of how Heaven looks like, not only does it take alot of effort to create, its also progressive in nature. Any time the artist feels like adding a character here or there of just painting a few more objects, he will do so during his unannounced visit to the Chapel. Now it not only have children in it but also close friends and relative of Sam Butcher been drawn onto it. As an appreciation of the United States Military, the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast guard character are in there too!!!

Besides seeing the Chapel, there is a Precious Moment Museum show casing the history and the line of figurines since the first introduction, a small park and a gift shop to take home some figurines and souvenirs. Brought 2 Precious Moment Figurines and couple of post cards before I left that day.

I have created a Photo-blog this time round using Picasa2 from Google. Save me lots of time to individually upload the photos and typing each caption right here. Click on the photo collage below to view the Photo-blog for Precious Moment Chapel

Back from Nature, Back from Holiday and Back to Dallas

Suppose to go to Heaven but God banish me back to Earth, missing by a few feet

Howwwwwddddddyyyyy hoooo!!!! Anyone miss me? I hope not cause I don't miss anyone back in Dallas especially work! (Just joking lah, miss my friends back here in Dallas and Singapore a bit).

My tour have brought me estimated 3500 miles around the United States in a 3.6L V6 Pontiac G6 that suffer tons of bugs splatter in the front bumper which should disgust the car rental company when I return the vehicle tomorrow. Brought back from my tour lots of Inspiration, eye opener, ideas, eagerness to see more of the world and America, a Speeding ticket, Sunburn and travel souvenirs.

It all started 1 and a half week ago from Dallas to Amarillo to see the Cadillac Ranch than off to Colorado for a night rest at the Air Force Academy Inn.

Day 2 was Rocky Mountain at Denver where besides taking a plane, I headed up to 11,500 ft where the air is thin and a walk feels like a run.

Day 3 was spend driving all the way from Denver to Wyoming to the US first National Park, the YellowStone National park where me and my travel photographer Garfield stayed for 4 days, 1 day in a Hotel and 3 days of outdoor camping.

On the 7th Day of our tour, we spend the whole day just driving to the City of Alliance at Nebraska to see the Car Henge and spending the night in a Inn.

8th Day was another day of almost 10 hrs driving passing Kansas and into Missouri where we rest for a night in Whiteman Air Force Base Inn, the home of the B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.

On the 9th Day, we drove to the City of St Louis to visit the Jefferson National Expansion Monument a.k.a the Gate Arch. Incredible, when I thought its just another metal sculpture it turn out to be a huge museum under ground and also a tram ride up to the top!

On the 10th Day, which is today, we headed to our last destination.... Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri all the way at the west edge of Missouri, near Oklahoma State. Understanding the back ground behind the art and figurine, I no longer think its just cute stuff for kids and girls.... its a figurine and art that brought peace and joy to people as a gift and collection. The Chapel is an amazing display of art strongly inspired by Christianity.

Anyway, its good to be back home cause I miss my bed and my blogging. Got to wash clothes, do house work, pay overdue bill and consolidate the travel expenses. Good thing got the July bonus to buffer my heavy spendings this month. Well, I need the pictures from my travel buddy to blog onwards from here. Stay tune next time ok? Good night!

Did not come back empty handed for myself, as usual.