9 things I loved about this game:

1. Liverpool is now back on track in their bid for a spot in the knockout stages of Champions League.

2. It was a good comeback after their appalling performance against Porto last September.

3. 2 goals by Nando (one of which was the decisive goal that put them just 1 point behind Porto in Group A).

4. Those 2 goals were his first for Champions League.

5. Harry Kewell played and set the goal up for Nando.

6. Pepe Reina's save.

7. Steven Gerrard equalling Michael Owens' record of European goals for LFC.

8. 4-1 :)

9. "Rafa's going nowhere."

Next up: Beat Marseilles!

This photo made my heart melt.

 

My kind of shirtless. Haha.

 

Fernando Torres' hat-trick

Well done Nando! They were pretty decent goals as well. I wish I saw this game. Apparently he was being challenged by the Reading defenders quite a lot but he stood his ground and delivered for the team. But poor boy had no idea what to say during the post-game interview. I think he understood the bit about how he's going with his English though. And he did say 'thank you' in the end. Ahhh que lindo! :)

***

These came in the mail today.

Brasilian lollies, Ceu cd, hand cream, earrings and bracelet from Doug. Last couple of times I received parcels from Brasil, they were detained by Customs. And once, my friend thought it'll be funny to send flour in a clear plastic bag. The flour was yummy and I don't think it's available here. But man, no wonder it took over a month in Quarantine. The powdered white substance in the clear bag sure looked suspicious.

Doug, if you're reading this, I'm happy to announce that Customs didn't even bother opening my birthday present. I got the box in one piece. Obrigado!

 ***

Warming up to my new kitchen

 

Homemade tacos, Carbonara, Fish with Thai inspired sauce and stir-fried tofu, Beef Pho

I look away for a second (ok, more like 2 weeks) and what happens? Fernando Torres scores his first goal for Liverpool (and a brilliant one at that)! :) Unfortunately, Chelsea equalised with what apparently was a wrongly awarded penalty. The match ended in a draw.

I never thought I'd say this but I'm actually a bit sad about Fernando Torres leaving Atleti. Thirteen years is a long time, after all. He has dedicated so much to the same club which he also supported whilst growing up. But as with most things, there is a time to move on. And I actually think that this move can be good for all the parties involved.

Having said that, I'm very happy to see my favourite footballer in my favourite Premiere League club. Now I don't know about Torres being the missing link that will bring the championship to Liverpool. There are certainly some high (and possibly insane) expectations out there. I'm a big supporter but I do think that he has big shoes to fill. It may not happen instantly but I believe he'll grow into them as he goes along. He has proven that he has class. And we've witnessed his great skills. Hopefully this stint in Anfield can unleash that even bigger potential in him.

 

From Atletico's website:

Fernando Torres is sold to Liverpool and will hold a press conference on Wednesday, the 4th


Club Atlético de Madrid has reached an agreement with Liverpool Football Club for the sale of Fernando Torres to the British club. The player, accompanied by Don Enrique Cerezo and Jesús García Pitarch, will hold a farewell press conference on Wednesday 4 July. The event will take place in the VIP Room of Vicente Calderon Stadium at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. The media must get accredited by sending an e-mail to the address comunicacion@clubatleticodemadrid.com.


From Liverpool's website:

Torress Passes Reds Medical

Liverpool Football Club has announced Spanish striker Fernando Torres has passed a medical ahead of his proposed move from Atletico Madrid.
The 23-year-old is now expected to officially complete his transfer to Anfield on Wednesday before being unveiled to the media.
 
A club spokesman said: "The player has passed a medical. All the agreements are now in place and he will put pen to paper on the deal on Wednesday."
 
The striker has spent the previous 12 years at Atletico Madrid, the club he supported as a boy. The Spanish giants snapped him up at the age of 11 after he netted 55 goals in his first season at amateur side Rayo 13.
 
Three years after his arrival, Torres was named the best under-14 player in Europe following his performances in the Nike Cup. He signed his first professional contract in 1999 but had to wait until May 27, 2001 to make his debut against Leganes.
 
Still, at 17 years and 68 days, he was Atletico's youngest ever player. Within a week, he'd scored his first goal in a match against Albacete.
 
The 2001-02 season saw him net six times in 36 league appearances, helping his side win promotion to La Liga.
 
Meanwhile, he was still making waves on the international scene.
 
Torres was top scorer and player of the tournament in the 2001 European Under-16 Championships and 2002 European Under-19 Championships, both of which Spain won.
 
The frontman bagged 13 goals during his first season in the Spanish top flight, earning him a first under-21 cap for his country.
 
The 2003-04 campaign proved to be a momentous one for Torres. Not only did he score 19 goals in 35 league appearances, but he was also handed the club captaincy. At 19, he was the youngest skipper in Atletico's long and illustrious history.
 
On top of all this, the youngster was also called up into the senior Spain squad, making his full debut in a friendly with Portugal on September 6, 2003. The following April he scored his first international goal against Italy. He was then part of the Spain squad which traveled to Euro 2004 in Holland and Belgium.
 
Torres got his first and only taste of European competition when Atletico entered the Intertoto Cup prior to the 2004-05 campaign. He scored twice in five games but tasted defeat in the final at the hands of Villarreal.
 
The player nicknamed El Nino (The Kid) because of his youthful appearance was selected for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he scored three goals.
 
In May 2007 Torres hit the headlines when he revealed the words 'You'll Never Walk Alone' on the inside of his captain's armband during a match against Real Sociedad.
 
If he completes his move to Anfield as expected on Wednesday, he'll leave Atletico with a record of 82 goals in 214 league appearances.

If you know me well, you'll know that I've been kinda excited about this for a bit now. Sana tuloy. :)

Nando, va al Liverpool por favor. :)

May has been crazy busy cos of immigration stuff, work commitments, trips to Sydney, concerts, recommencement of classes, etc. It's good that things have started to slow down cos I'll be needing some new energy when June starts. I've been home for almost a week now and I must admit that it's a relief to finally be back. It's not a bad place to reenergise despite all the things that I've had to organise while I'm here. I've obtained my NBI clearance for my pr application. I've also sorted my requirements with POEA. They were both very interesting experiences that deserve their own entry, btw. Maybe another time when I'm more masipag... I'm just worried that they'll drain the energy out of me all over again. I've caught up with some friends and family as well. I just wish I can stay a bit longer because it feels like I just got here. I haven't seen a lot of my friends and I haven't had time for the usual trips to the spa, hairdresser, etc. I'm afraid I'll have to give them a miss this time. I'll be off to Singapore on Friday morning and I'll stay there overnight to catch up a bit with Erika. I'm taking the plane back to Sydney on Saturday morning and I should get there sometime in the evening.

Let me know if you have bilin people. I have to tick things off my shopping list by tomorrow.

***

Should I watch the Champions League final at 2 in the morning? I was meant to go to the Dicta License gig with Pia but I have an early appointment tomorrow morning. I guess waiting for the match defeats the purpose of staying in tonight. I'm very tempted to stay up late though.

I'm going for Liverpool but I think it might be AC Milan's year this year. Do you remember the Champions League Final two years ago? AC Milan and Liverpool were also going for the title. Milan was leading 3-0 by half time and the Liverpool fans started leaving the stadium because they thought that was it for their team. And then Liverpool scored goal after goal after goal in the second half. They tied the score and eventually won through penalties. I think AC Milan might be seeking revenge later, we'll see.

My friends are going to watch the game at Verve. Apparently they're opening extra early to host some keen football fans for breakfast. I'll be watching it by my lonesome. At least we have ESPN and star sports here.

***
Disclaimer: I've never been a Big Brother fan. But...

I crush Bodie from Pinoy Big Brother. Haha.