alive and teaching

Today, again, my class was extended beyond its intended time. And a few students actually ask for an extra class tonight, a wish which I grant. As Popo have put it, maybe I've changed a bit, in a sense that I am liking class more. But to tell you the truth, I've never hated going to class which I teach. I might be saying this a little bit early since I consider myself still a rookie at teaching, but teaching actually makes me feel alive. I think everyone should feel like this doing whatever they're doing every day. It's an indication of love, and although what I teach in physics might beg to differ, love is a very strong force (in physics, technically, love cannot be a force since it's a psychological discipline and cannot be quantified. Sorry I can't resist that. I teach, remember?). It drives you and keeps you going through thick and thin.

Then again, maybe it's who I teach that gives me all this feelings. Anyway, I'll end with this quote that I found inspiring;

Education is not like filling a bucket, but lighting a fire

reflexion

A student of mine actually sent me a text message apologizing for leaving class early. Throughout my years as a student I've slept in class, arrived late and left class early countless of times, and never once did I contemplate apologizing. And to think that the time she left was actually waaay past 5 when the class should have ended at 5.

Budak UIA memang baik gila sial.

horny monkeys

Monkeys are ravaging the watertank above my lab, french kissing (I think) and, well, fucking freely. All done while wet (with the water from the tank, in case anyone is thinking about some other kind of wetness).

I get it there'll be lots of baby monkeys soon. I've never heard of monkey condoms.

my best twelve

The World Cup finally came to an end. A lecturer I met in IIUM said "habis dah masa qiam.." hehe. As always, the analysis starts after the event ends. Not enough time being the reason, I'll cut it short and name my best team of the WC.

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Oli Kahn (Germany)
I think Klinsmann went a bit overboard in 'changing the face of German soccer' by relegating this man to the substitute's bench. He played for only 90+ minutes in the third playoff against Portugal and pulled some superb saves Lehmann can only dream of, letting in a goal that no goalkeeper can save, except maybe one with sixth sense. One stare from Oli Kahn and most strikers would pee in their pants.

Right back: Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy)
He played so well in this position and went for attack so many times I forgot many times that he is actually a left back. Scored one goal ( a superb one while at that), he's always a menace going up and controls the ball much like a midfielder, rarely going for hasty clearances.

Left back: Philip Lahm (Germany)
In the semifinal against Italy, he tackled the Italians like the Italians. Also a menace in attack, he complements Scweinsteiger on the left flank, forging a superb partnership. Lahm is the most consistent performer in the German team he hardly gets substituted I don't think. Scored the first goal in the World Cup. And what a goal.

Centre back: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
Who else? If not for him, Buffon would have a lot more to do this World Cup, and I don't mean buying souvenirs. No longer getting past him with a football considered impossible, I think it borders more on the unthinkable. I can imagine most managers' instruction; "if Cannavaro's in front of you, switch play!"

Centre back: John Terry (England)
Eriksson can look back at this World Cup and be thankful for one thing he did right. Terry was undoubtedly England's most consistent performer this summer, even performing 'saves' that Robinson were unable to do. Criticised for his lack of pace, he compensates with his superior reading of the game and never-say-die attitude.

Central midfield: Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
Superb as a holding midfielder, superb as an attacking midfielder. Created Italy's best chances in the tournament; launching attacks when need be, and blunting them when not in posession. Also a set-piece specialist. The big clubs are all queueing for when Milan gets relegated. If, that is.

Central midfield: Ze Roberto (Brazil)
Much has been said about the 'magic quartet' before the World Cup, but the one who performed up to 'Brazilian standard' is one who is not in it. Ze Roberto acted as cover for the defenders and as a 'back-up plan' for the attackers, and in both tasks he performed superbly. Undoubtedly Brazil's most consistent performer.

Central midfield: Zinedine Zidane (France)
At 35, still no one can take the ball away from his feet. Exited the World Cup rather disgracefully with that infamous headbutt (a semi-bald one, while at that). Still, he's one of the world's best midfielders, if not the best, as Brazil learned painfully for the second time. Good close control and always with an eye for that killer pass, it's sad that he left a sour note upon retirement, although still at the top.

Striker: Carlos Tevez (Argentina)
Jose Pekerman once commented (jokingly, I presume) that "if you want to see the Argentinian strikers, see Snow White and the seven dwarves.." and not because Argentina have a beauty with a soft spot for apples as one of their strikers. Small though he is, you can sense the danger every time Tevez has the ball. An eye for goal and an eye for the killer pass, Tevez is also a big fan of nutmegs. I imagined he can also drift a little deep and to the left side and Pirlo to the right, providing an option for the team to play 4-4-2 as a variation.

Striker: Paulo Wanchope (Costa Rica)
Against Germany, he got two chances and scored two goals. Wanchope is the very definition of the Tico's attack, such as that if one should ask "what's 'The Attack of the Ticos'?", people will answer in unison; "Wanchope!" OK I'm exaggerating. But only to a certain extent. Had he be given more service I think he'd be in the running for the golden boot with my other striker;

Striker: Miroslav Klose (Germany)
The ever reliable striker. Fox in the box? Yes. Unselfish? You bet. Scores goals? He's top scorer at the WC so what do you think..? Klose epitomises the German work ethic. He never gave up and don't fall down too easily. On top of that he is not easily provoked. As if proving something, unlike four years ago where he mainly scored with his head, at this WC he scored mainly with his Copa Mundial-clad feet. But waitaminute..won't that make him the complete striker? At the WC, you bet.

Manager: Guus Hiddink (Australia)
Give him 11 unknowns and he'll turn them into football stars. Shown time and again that he has the uncanny ability to mould any meagre football team into formidable ones. Hiddink has the ability to motivate, and his organization is up there with the best in the business. Heck, even Cocu looked like a superstar under this man.

So there, my best twelve. I think these people have had significant impacts in their nation's WC campaign, and so deserve a place as my best twelve (cewah, macam best sangat je best twelve aku). Until the next World Cup, I hope FIFA does something to curb the synchronised diving. And oh please, please find a replacement for Collina.

international

I got a teaching job at IIUM. That's INTERNATIONAL Islamic University Malaysia, the key word being international, which is obvious since it's in bold and capital letters. Looking forward to my first international cap heh, heh.

On another entirely different subject but also concerning international caps, I think Henry somewhat dived to get that penalty against Portugal. For all his exploits in Nike commercials and Cantona's bold statement; "..divers are thrown into the pits..", I think Henry should be thrown into the pits at least twice; once against Spain when he clattered with Puyol and won a freekick and the other for that penalty against Portugal, which goes to prove that the World Cup is worth sacrificing some of your ideals (or which goes to prove that ref memang kayuuuu) . To some people at least. But what do I know? Not like I've already won my first international cap or anything..

and so the show goes on

And so the quarter-finals have been concluded. I hate the fact that other continents (apart from Europe, that is) will be, from this point onwards, just spectators of the FIFA World Cup. Although I've always predicted Germany to win this edition of the WC, I've always hoped that the two South Americans meet in the final (I know the sentence sound strange; but predictions are all about being realistic, and hope is all about, well, hope). That'd show those Europeans! But for all the creativity and flair of Riquelme and Ronaldinho, beating the organization of the Europeans is never an easy feat. And so Germany and France have shown. Then again, not all countries have the luxury of an Algerian-born playmaker. Old is gold, bebeh.

And so Sven got quite a bashing from the English media. And so he should. He dared bring a young striker that have never played in the top flight to the WC (and two unfit ones, while at that), but dare not play him. And here I thought Walcott was some kinda secret weapon or something. I can't help wondering; is it just me or do everyone think he should have brought in Walcott instead of Crouch when that wunderkid of his got sent off against Portugal? I mean, I watched some talk show this morning and there's this Englishman (who's a sports columnist or something) and he said "to not play him is criminal.." (referring to Walcott). Why he brought Crouch to the WC in the first place is a mystery in itself (not to mention Walcott). I can't remember Crouch being prolific in the air, in case he wanted to use his height for aerial advantage. And in all fairness, Beckham is capable of all sorts of crosses, not just the ones you have to use your head to score with. But then again, in all fairness, Portugal have got Big Phil.

It's rather sad for England I reckon, since I believe this was their best squad that I can remember. There were so much quality that the team virtually selects itself. Then again, maybe the problem is with the quality, not lack of it. I mean, can you seriously imagine Sven playing unknowns instead of Gerrard and Lampard? There should be only one central figure, the others are just the supporting cast, not unlike France in their game against Brazil where les bleus centered around Zizou (finally! In their group matches they can't really figure out whether it should be Zidane supporting Henry or the other way around). Zizou called the shots against the Brazilians. And how he did it. Sigh.. what's left now are the maybes. England are out. And so are the two South Americans (one rather disgracefully I think. Siap gaduh lagi).

Well then, good luck to the semi-finalists. It'd be less entertaining sans the South Americans, but the show must go on. I originally predicted this edition's final would be a repeat of four years ago, but with Germany coming out tops this time around. My prediction remains, albeit with a bit of an 'alteration', of course. 2006 WC final prediction : Germany vs France. With Ballack et al bringing the cup to West and East Germany this time around. But what do I know, huh?