jenepel

We've found a good internet cafe in Durban (same one as before) and we have a few down days so it's a good time to catch up and catch our breath after a very emotional time.

Been a wild couple of days, driving to Rustenberg (ugh) for USA match and then Bloemfonteng (didn't spellcheck) for the England one. Don't even know what to say about the Eng/Germ match. Ran the full gamut of emotions in just 90 minutes. It was painful to be right there watching it, esp as we were in the 5th row, directly on goal and could easily see that it was well in. It wasn't the best view for full watch matching, but perfect for being an amateur (better than the profs?) linesman. We were celebrating like insane people, actually up on our chairs jumping, screaming and waving the flags, and then it was disallowed. It's rough to sit there in the stadium after, feeling all that, while around you there is celebration. And as for our boys, well is it too much to ask for a little drive and PASSION? I think not. The fans have it, so why don't they? We've traveled all this way, and they barely protest a bad call or even look upset at the end of the match when they're out? Sickening.

I'm just so discouraged with English football right now. And I don't even have the time to start on the rant I've got going about technology inclusion into the sport and FIFAs antiquated notions in general.

BUT...life goes on and we still have almost a week in South Africa! I definitely have to say what a fantastic job the country has done with the cup. We've only had one bad experience with a stadium/place not being able to handle the influx (Rustenberg) and everywhere else has been top class. Also the people have been welcoming, friendly and helpful.

I guess for the rest of the tournie I have to say my moneys on the Dutch now that we're out. Maybe it's finally their year? If not them then the Spanish I guess. But please let Holland kick Brazil out next round!

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: Durban, South Africa

Okay I don't have time to write a proper update as we are just in an internet cafe and I think about to leave, but

silly_cleo was bugging me about it on twitter (love you really!) and so I have decided to just cobble together all the email/FB/twitter updates that I just did and that will be info enough! There will be some repetition though - sorry for the lack of editing.

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Trip is FANTASTIC! Small safari bit in PE was good and as well as all the matches we have been to. SA is really beautiful and (fingers crossed) no sign of trouble as yet. We are going to the USA match tomorrow and then the England one the next day - both their round of 16 efforts. Pretty excited about seeing England v Germany, so resigned to how that turned out, hope it will be epic as they are picking up their game. The Slovenia match was pretty tense and we were right off the goal so had a perfect view of Defoe's.

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Hi! We are jumping online quickly at an interenet cafe in Durban. this is the first time we hve checked it since we were in cape town with the wi-fi. Its been a bit dodgy on being able to find access. Everthing is great so far, we have been to three games, adn two were england (sorry for the mistakes this keyboard is weird and i am in a hurry) the second england game was a lot better thant he first - very tense despite the lack of goals, but some good chances adn i can't believe they didn't score again. we are going to see the USA/ghana match tomorrow and then the next england one the next day. We have seen drew and his friends at severl matches so that was good.

Also the elephant park was awesome. we drove around and saw tons of animals close up, although not any predators as they don't have many of those. we also went to ride elephants which turned out to be great - we got to feed them as well and it was amazing they are so lareg and interesting up close. lots of good pictures too!

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Trip is FAB! SA is beautiful & (fingers crossed) no troub yet. Going to USA tmrw & Eng next day - both R16. Slovenia match tense & right off goal, perfect view of Defoe's. Excited abt seeing Eng/Ger, hope for epic, but will see. Ran into Martin Tyler(!) @ Durban airprt & he said thot
Eng had good chance as Ger team young versus our boys (older, exp). He did admit that might
just be his Eng bias tho!

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(AND AM EMAIL WRITTEN BY MY BRO TO OUR PARENTS)
Hope you're enjoying the Cup over there in the UK. England v Germany is an absolutely ridiculous match up for the second round; talk about history. If all goes well, we could be playing Argentina in the next round too which would mean meeting our two biggest international rivals in one World Cup: unthinkable. We're having a great time over here. I guess Jenn gave you a pretty good synopsis of how everything's going over here. We've been watching a lot of football of course but we've managed to see a lot of the country too I think. We had a great time in Port Elizabeth and the Addo Elephant Park. Now we're going to be travelling on the road for two days to see the USA and England matches. I really hope we'll be celebrating on the return journey or it'll be a quiet drive back. As far as safety is concerned, we've not seen or heard anything that would worry us in any way. I've been to far dodgier places as far as I'm concerned. Cape Town and Durban are so cosmopolitan you could be in Europe, and Port Elizabeth's suburbs on the coast were the same way even if the city center had a more 3rd world feel. There have been crowds everywhere though and we've been very comfortable everywhere we've been. The people here have been amazing too. Everyone everywhere we've been has been incredibly welcoming and in great spirits. I wasn't sure how South Africans were taking the hosting of this Cup but the people seem to be truly excited about their visitors and the event. The organisation has been top notch too. Parking lots, venues, public areas, our accomodations and everything in between has been really well organised and planned for. They were definitely ready for us.

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Guess that gives you a picture! Actual pictures when I get back - we have taken millions and have tons of good ones already.

Current Mood: ecstatic
Current Location: Durban, South Africa

So April kind of sucked. And when I say kind of, what I actually mean is that IT REALLY sucked*. I spent the entire month working on taxes, stressing about working on taxes, not working on script frenzy, stressing about not working on script frenzy, freaking out about world cup tickets, not sleeping at all, getting terribly sick halfway just in time for the April 15th deadline, and burying myself in Kradam/Bandom fanfic every time I got a chance just so that I would stop worrying about all of the above for a while. So yeah, it sucked. I sincerely hope next year's is better. I'll have to be better prepared...or something, IDK.

*Except for all the parts concerning Adam Lambert.

But now it is May! I have high hopes for it! I've already had over a week of it, and so far it's been lovely and relaxing. Of course, the first three and a half days I was home in Norfolk at my parents' house because of the bank holiday weekend, so I'm not quite sure it counts, but even the workish part of it after that was good! Norfolk as usual was easy and diverting and filled with people who knew me when. I played tennis with my dad and bridge with my mom and her friends, and ate lots of good food. And then the work week, whatever, although I did manage to make it to Glee night, FINALLY meet up with Rach for a drink, and then have a DrWho marathon while watching

sily_cleo pack, on, you know, various days. (OMG those Angels/River episodes were SO SCARY. I am a total wuss; I was completely freaking out.)

We had our long planned BBQ on Sat, which really would have been better with nicer weather, but what can you do? That's what happens when you plan things six weeks in advance! We had a decent turnout, and we did end up grilling, but it was threatening rain all day, and there were a ton of people who wussed out because of weather. Probably better just to look outside, see that it's a nice day, and then invite people over? On the flip side, we spent much of Sunday, which was slightly better weather, inside, mainlining three different Robin Hoods in readiness for the new one. We did Prince of Thieves, Men in Tights and the Disney one, and I have to say Disney pretty much beats all. It's SO GOOD. Not sure about the new one, but it's all free with my Cineworld card (LOVE IT) so I'll probably go with Daniel.

In other news, changes at home and at work. Londoners listen up! Job going at my office - part time, 20 hours a week, £10 an hour, mainly secretarial, no tax experience required. Starting probably early July. Also, we are making plans for the house since Julie and Nick leave in early July. We are trying to get subletters to fill out the lease, and right now need one for July plus the first two weeks of Aug. Probably around £540 all inclusive. We also *might* have a room going from September for the full year (rent £427, bills around £75) but that isn't at all definite yet. At least it looks like we're actually staying in the house. Basically (as I say every year) I NEVER WANT TO MOVE AGAIN. Famous last words, I know.

As it is summer finally, I'm in the middle of holiday plans. I leave in FIVE WEEKS for South Africa! Thankfully we have everything sorted except the possibility of a safari, which is kind of half-sorted. Also, I've already paid for everything, and currently am owed $500, so I'm feeling good on that front. Next up is planning my US trip in August. I'm waiting on my parents to plan THEIR US trip, other people coming to the wedding to decide when they'll get there, and (yeah) Kris and Adam concert dates. There actually is a GA concert (Kris) that was announced today, and since I was (probably) planning on going through there to see my bro it could work. But if I could manage to be in a city to see Adam too that would be awesome. It's not that I would rearrange my entire trip, but there are people in lots of different cities I could visit, so if there is one at the right time it might work out. Texas, for example = PERFECT. Anyone live in GA and want to come to a Kris concert with me? I don't really want to go alone, but I can't see me convincing my bro, especially since it also includes Maroon Five! (Too bad it's not the Barenaked Ladies portion - I would LOVE to see them.) Blah blah blah whatever. I can't make a post without AI stuff in it lately, huh?

Tomorrow is 12 of 12! I'm going to attempt to, you know, actually do it and post it for once. I haven't since Dec I think - I just got out of the habit and never got back in it. I'm hoping that once I start back I'll be doing it every month like I was before. I kind of miss the pictures.

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Location: bed

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Entries tagged with world cup

more drive by posting from SA

Hodge podge from South Africa

These look disturbingly like MAY showers to me.

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December 2011

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