Champions League game

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

The evening saw the first game I was in Newcastle upon Tyne for - Champions League tie against Portuguese side Benfica.  Champions League games are what every team hopes to bring to the club.  Along with it come huge revenue and wonderful prestige, meaning chances to sign bigger and better players to don our club’s colours.

This was the first time I was making a trip to the club I adore.  I have seen photographs of the stadium thousands of times.  I had been hoping that I could one day be physically at the stadium and experience the amazing atmosphere I have always read about.

Marching to the stadium got me all excited.  To ensure I would be able to get tickets to the game, I paid to get hospitality tickets.  I was not sure how much usual tickets would cost but I knew balloting for them gave me little chance.  What was more improbable was I wanted to catch this game, along with the weekend’s home Premier League game against Fulham.

So, I had tried to get in touch with the sales team with the team and was led to purchasing hospitality tickets for the game.  It meant that I would be paying for the pre-game meal and tickets, with the promise of an ex-player joining us.  I had thought that we would be watching the match at seats in the restaurant after that, but I found that I was to be pleasantly surprised later.

I was not sure what time to be at the stadium but decided to be there two hours before the game.  I was fortunate to be right.  I was allowed to go to Wings - a restaurant in the stadium for dinner.  It was a three course meal - with starters and a main course before the game, plus dessert served after the game.  I was seated with three others at a table of four and we exchanged pleasantries, plus some news we have about our team.

Ex-player John Beresford came to speak to us and I learnt that we were given seats in the stand at the Leazes end of the stadium. I was sat behind the away team’s goal in the first half, with the away fans singing loudly for many periods during the match.  It was a great performance by the team and I was glad to celebrate our team scoring thrice to win the game.

After the game, we were allowed back to Wings to have dessert.  It was just as well as I did not wish to leave the stadium with the thousands there.  The entire experience was wonderful!

Hello Newcastle upon Tyne!

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

The transfer from France to England did not go very smoothly.  To start things, the aeroplane we boarded was small.  Twenty-six rows of two seats on either side of the aisle with two air stewardesses on it.  I understand that they use such aeroplanes for short-distance flights but there was not in-flight entertainment and little air-conditioning!  What really irked me was that we were made to wait in those conditions for an extra thirty minutes after boarding the aircraft a little later than scheduled.

When the aeroplane finally got moving, it taxied on the runway and stopped intermittently. It got me thinking that we would never take-off!  So after what seemed like aeons, we started the flight.  I guess I was impatient to get to my destination after finding out that the game was on that same day!  It was either miscalculation or a misunderstanding due to the difference in time.

Somehow, the plan was to reach the airport, take the metro to the hotel, before wandering around a little and make my way to the stadium for the game.

The metro was a cross between the MRT and LRT we have.  I think there are not many cabins, though.  Still, it got me to the Central Station where I wanted to go.  I chose the hotel Flex from Four Points by Sheraton due to its location - I can walk to most places I want to go.

One shop we will commonly see here is Gregg’s.  It sells pies and sandwiches - good for tea.

I bought a ticket with the help of a staff at the metro and asked around to confirm I was on the right train.  A friend mentioned that it was brave of me to make this trip alone.  I reckon I was not overly worried because there is no problem in language.  I was a little worried of the Geordie-accent I heard about from the Internet so far.  Being alone meant I got to do only what I wanted to do so it should be all right as long as I took care of myself.  Forcing my wife to sit through the games with me was selfish of me, so I thought it was not such a bad idea.

So ask I did.  I spoke to a couple - Andy and his wife - who was returning from their holidays in Japan themselves.  They were friendly and helpful, and that was what I found in most people here.

These are common sight of buildings in Newcastle.  We do have such colonial buildings back in Singapore too.  A few were surprised that I made the trip halfway across the world just to catch the games.  Like I reasoned to myself, it might be once-in-a-lifetime experience for me and I wanted to visit St. James Park with the team before we shifted to a new one a few years later.

Also saw the famed bridges arching over the River Tyne before I checked in at 3pm.  I told myself that I would visit and take a better look when I had the time later.  While walking around, I saw quite a few groups of people donning either the Newcastle United or Benfica jerseys.  That was before and around 3pm; the game was at 8pm so I was a little puzzled if I had got the timing wrong.  I decided to make my way to the much-anticipated game at about five-thirty here.

On holiday to Newcastle upon Tyne - How It Started

I am waiting for my connecting flight to Newcastle upon Tyne at 8am local time (2pm Singapore time) as I write.  I have not written for a long while and decided that I can try capture some sights and scenes on my trip.

It all actually happened just a couple of weeks before this trip that I had seriously put my plan of visiting St. James Park for the first time in my life into action.  Not having a lot of spare cash and a bigger family that we have, I could never put ideas of my wishes and wants into motion, much less have these dreams in the first place.  I had leave to clear for the current calendar-year and did not wish for leave to be forfeited like the previous year.

Since Newcastle United had done relatively well last season - finishing fifth in the league, they qualified for the Champions League competition this season.  I had hoped to watch the team in the same competition when we qualified two years ago but that wish was, like most others, shelved and more serious things were considered in life.  I wanted to catch two home games - a Champions League and a Premier League game and a chance presented itself when I checked the calendar.  We played Benfica on 22 October and Fulham on 25 October!

I had initially hoped to make the trip with my wife but she could not change her leave days to coincide with the dates of the games.  Still, my wife suggested I go alone.

After a few weeks of communicating with Sales Executive Mr Drew Harper from NUFC, where he provided me the options and assisted me in the purchase of tickets, I finally dared to look at flight tickets and accommodation.  I had sought assistance and advice from Singaporean fans who had gone to catch a match but received no help, much to my disappointment.

My wife has always been supportive of my thoughts and decisions, so when she heard that I was toying with the idea of travelling, she was all up for it.  She helped me make online flight and accommodation bookings whilst I concentrated getting the match tickets alone.  Things gradually began to take shape as we secured tickets from Air France online via booking.com and accommodation to Four Points Flex at Sheraton, which is just by the Central Metro Station.  She further helped me sign up for e-Sim so I could have a mobile plan to use in England and I got travel insurance from my ex-colleague, Janice.

My wife and son sent me off at the airport last night after dinner there.  It was after they left that I checked with the staff at the departure lane if I was at the right place.  The lady I spoke to said I was but asked me if I had my ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) approved.  That sent alarm bells to my head - what was it?

It turns out to be sometime like a VISA requirement and I had to pay a little extra for express approval of the travel document.  At the eleventh hour, approval came through to my email just as the counter said they were about to close for the day!  Phew!

So this started my trip full of uncertainties to watch the games of the beloved club I have been supporting since 1996!

Feeding the monster

Kayleen can be such a darling.  Her smiles can melt the ice-cold hearts.  However, as she aged and took on more in her life, she seemed to have lost some of this adorableness.  Maturity changes a person.  Sometimes for the good.  Sometimes for the worse.

I think I will not write about how her mother and I think about her from the time she was young.  There had been too much...  some heart-warming...  some bring smiles to your face...  others just plain frustrating...

Being in Primary Five this year, she has yet to take her school work more seriously.  And that is worrying.  Her tardiness and lack of self-discipline are areas where she can improve on greatly.  She has so much stuff - so many soft toys, so many pairs of shoes, so many sets of clothes...  if I were a friend of hers, I would be full of envy!  But then again, is that the same for all children these days that makes her think that she has little??

So with the great amount of things, she should keep them properly.  We somehow associate girls with being neat and tidy.  Well, not this one.  She stuffs everything - everywhere!  Nothing is a problem for her, until her parents catch sight of the stuff and nags at her for them.

But she argues that she has no where to put her things!  (It may be our fault for indulging her with too much and not giving her room to place her souvenirs!)  Reminds me of a children's book I read - "Ïf you give a mouse a cookie".

She has been sitting around when she is home, regardless if she has work from school undone.  Most times, she will be on her mobile phone - doodling or reading comics.  She requires constant reminders from yours truly to get her homework, her stretching for ballet, her piano practice, and all things, done.  It can get frustrating as I cannot be home to watch her all the time.

I have been speaking to her to ask her things.  Generally, she has been quiet and refused to divulge in her thoughts.  A couple of days ago, I asked her what she needs from us - her parents - in order for her to take her work more seriously.  She could not give me an answer but I demanded for one.  Told her to think about it and get back to me...

Questions I have no answer for

Scalded my fingers a bit. Forgot the garlic to cook. Realised that I forgot to cook the rice when I was supposed to fry the rice. After cooking the dishes, forgot to put the meat with the rice to fry.

I was so affected by the happenings of today. Made me think a lot. What am I to others? What kind of a person am I? What virtues / characteristics do I stand for?

When my friends tell me that they do not refer my services to their friends, is it really true that they do not wish to recommend ANY financial consultant to their friends? If I was a responsible person whom others have no qualms over in terms of personality / ability, why am I kept a 'secret' who they do not even visit themselves when they know they probably need to look at their summaries?

When friends find out that I am in this line when we meet and know that I am with Prudential, what do they mean when they say, "Ï'll keep that in mind"?

Am I - like what I keep telling my boss and friends - too late in this industry / job? I am not even trying to make lots in this! I am just trying to help people around me understand what they have and be better protected! In doing so, hopefully I can earn my share for the work I put in. Am I wrong in doing so?

This business I am in is so different from the days when I was young. Back then, you probably could still get a few people to talk to you, in view of discussing more with you on the topic, when you stand on the streets and do surveys. You can hardly get anyone to stop in their tracks these days.

I went door-knocking for a period of quite a few months. What was the problem? Is it due to my gender? Looks? The time I went to knock on doors? The area? It only resulted in ONE hospitalisation plan signed, after months of toiling and door-knocking.

The business has become such these days that referrals are so so important. Why do I hardly get any referral? Do I do less than enough? Is my work not good enough?

To date, less than a handful of friends have referred someone who needed some sort of insurance help to me. Another recently took up my advice and told me that I was the only person he could think of when he thought of the topic. You know who you are - I thank you with all my heart.

No longer a complete person! - part 2

(Warning - a gory photograph is embedded in this post.  Not for the faint-hearted!)

 On Thursday morning, the tooth still felt fine.  But as the day progress.  The discomfort returned and pain soon intensified.  I was left with little choice but to call the dentistry where I frequent, and where my ex-secondary school classmate - Angela - works.  I knew that I probably could not get an appointment immediately, and any delay in my calling would only mean a further delay to get my problem eradicated.

After describing to the assistant / receptionist, I was told that there were no empty slots that day, nor were there any the next few days.  She told me to leave my name and number so that she could call me if any patient decided to pull out of an arranged appointment.  I kept my fingers crossed.  How much longer did I had to bear with the pain?

My prayers were answered at about 11,30am the next day.  A dental assistant called to inform me that a slot opened up for 12.30pm, and asked if I could take up the slot.  Of course!  I had just finished an online seminar by the company and had planned to take Felix for a haircut and lunch in Clementi,  So I decided to bring the boy along, let him have lunch as I went to the dentist.

I was quite sure that I would not be able to eat after my dental visit, nor did I want the dentist to be greeted to smell of my lunch and guess what I had taken.  I was not sure if I could eat for dinner too.  So I decided to take a last drink as Felix ate.

I had a Zoom-meeting with a client at 3pm.  I was not sure when the visit to the dentist would end, so I decided instead fr Felix to have his haircut while I was visiting the dentist.  That would save us a little travel-time.  I was reluctant actually, for the last time I had brought the boy for a haircut there, it cost us fifteen dollars.  I thought it was a tad high when I could possible get one for him for as little as five dollars.

I waited a short while before seeing the dentist, Dr Chua.  The gentlemen listened intently to my narration and decided that he wanted an x-ray before he could diagnose the problem.  The x-ray showed that the wisdom tooth that side (which was growing towards the top of my teeth from the top-left side of my mouth) had grown out a little further and was in contact with the tooth that was giving me pain.  And he sat me down to give me four options.

The first was to do nothing (that was not a choice since I had decided to address the pain and ready for an extraction).  The second was to give me medication and hope to control the pain (that might or might not work).  I cannot remember what the third option was (it was not something that I would go for).  The fourth was to extract the molar that caused the pain - a simple option that would resolve the pain.  The last option was to have surgery to remove both the molar and the wisdom tooth.  It would involve cutting the gum to remove the wisdom tooth, and sewing the gum back later.

I asked if I could still speak at 3pm as I had an online meeting.  Dr Chua replied that I could most probably have bleeding stopped by then if I took option four, which I was inclined to too.  And I was set.  Anaesthestic was injected into my gum (ouch!) and in what was a less-than-five-minute simple procedure, the offending tooth was extracted.

The infection / decay shook me.  All my years of lack of proper oral hygiene had been hidden from sight, but had been waiting time-bombs.  The first has exploded.

The monetary damage was not great.  But it remains to be seen what physiological damage it would cost.

For all my friends who are reading this - please start / maintain good dental health!  Hope it is not too late for you!

For me, I am not sure what is next to wear-out / give-way.  Sigh...

No longer a complete person! - part 1

Forty.  To some, life begins at that age (however that shapes their lives).  Others find their lives settled - with their career path set out and being happily married (with or without children - their choice, really).  For me, it is the start in deterioration of my body.

Getting involved in the road-traffic accident for me at the age of twenty-one was both unlucky and lucky.  Unlucky for the obvious reasons - to have almost died and lost the ability to run and enjoy sports, to lose a possibly rewarding career in the army.  Who knows what I might have achieved if I had stayed healthy and fit?  I continue to have a dull pain in my lower back when I exert myself in that area.

However, I say I am lucky because I met the mishap at such an early stage - where my body has had time to slowly recover.  No, I will not be (and never be) back to a hundred per cent.  But it has allowed me time and space to think of and understand the situation I had been in, to understand myself and what I had faced.  And as life would have it, it led me to meeting my wife - something that could never have happened if I had stay fit and healthy.

These couple of years have made me realise that my body is slowly, but surely, deteriorating.  A few years back, I found my vision not being the same as before - I could not read things that were held close to my face well.  Presbyopia had set in a little before I had turned forty.

And just the past couple of days, it felt like there was a piece of something wedged between the tooth and the gum.  It was far back on the top left-hand side of my teeth.  Using my thumb and index finger, I tried a few times to pull the foreign object out.  I finally succeeded after numerous tries.  Peace, at last.

Or so I thought.

After a while, I experienced a dull pain and discomfort in the same place!  To be exact, it came from the last few teeth on the upper side of the teeth at the back - my molars.  Did the foreign object cause much damage already?!

I reached a finger in and touched the teeth - the one that was causing the pain shook a little from the nudging.  Not good.  This was exactly the kind of shaking I felt when a tooth was loose and about to fall out.

Oh no!  Did I have to have it extracted?

I bore with the discomfort that day, hoping for it to go away.  And like a miracle, it did!  The pain left me like it had been a dream.  Although the part where the tooth stood was still shaking, that portion was felt numb.

The day went on and all was fine.  Little did I know that it was the calm before the storm.

(To be continued...)