Steven Gerrard

I've shared my obsession for Steven Gerrard and Liverpool Football Club on this blog before and then a couple of weeks ago I went through the uprooting of my life and moving to another city and my blogging took a dip. I did spend a lot of time on Twitter and Instagram sharing reflections about him but he deserves a post which is dedicated to him.

At the beggining of the year, Steven Gerrard announced that he would be leaving Liverpool FC and I was beyond heartbroken. I watched his interview where he discussed it and I cried my eyes out, in fact as I recall it and while I am typing this my eyes are filling with tears again. 

You see, I've read Stevie's books (more than once each) and I know him as much as he's allowed the fans into his life. I have watched any documetary I could get my hands eyes onto and I have loved this man - so much. I wish I could pin point what it is that I love about him but I think it's everything, it's his insipring nature, his beautiful blue eyes, the permanent frown lines, he's incredible talent and his overwhelming passion. This man is a man. He's had a lot of tough moments as a Liverpool player and captain and he's come out on the other side the better man for it. 

I've often said to my family if I could find a man that I love even half as much as I love Stevie, I would be happy for the rest of my life. I know that sounds strange but there's this odd feeling I get when I see posts or read articles or think about this man so I know the way I love him is sort of how I would love my husband, unconditionally and with admiration for the man that he is. However, I digress, this post isn't about my future husband, no, it's of Stevie. 

You see, this weekend the new English Premier League started and a part of me dreaded it. I love EPL football but the fact that Stevie wouldn't be featuring in it just felt wrong. I've spent over 10 years watching and loving this man and this team and well, obsessing over him and suddenly I've felt slightly lost. So yesterday was the game, Liverpool FC versus Stoke City FC and it was good because we won but as it ended I really just missed seeing Stevie playing. 

In case you were wondering, Stevie is still playing football or soccer now for LA Galaxy. He's even scored already... he looks so happy with is family in LA, I swear Alex Gerrard was made for Hollywood. I am so pleased that he has adapted to LA life but I will miss him being a part of the EPL. It's just not the same without him... 

Also today is a public holiday in South Africa because yesterday was Women's Day but because it fell on a Sunday we get Monday off and while I'm still working it's a more relaxed mode.. so if you're in SA or wherever you find yourself in the world, have a great Monday!!! 

Confessions of a Football Loving Girl {Link Up #8}

Good morning everybody!!! 

Can't believe it's Wednesday already and this week I decided to theme my humpday confessions with Kathy because, I didn't have enough interesting confessions to share I wanted too. 

I've made it no secret that I love watching soccer or football (whatever you want to call it) but I'm not sure I've told you why...so let's get into it. 

I confess : 

* my dad started a soccer team when I was four years old and that's where I was surrounded by soccer games and training and men with sons

* I was mostly the only girl with my mom and the other footballer's wives

~ Link ~

* This team went on for almost twenty years and through the years the friends I made along the way made different reactions 

age 4 :

~ Credit ~

age 12:

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age 18:

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* Guys always say they want a girl who appreciates soccer but then we go on a date and I know more and they look at me like this...

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* A couple of years ago, a friend and I walked into a store after a big championship game had been on the night before and one of the coaches had lost it.

~ Credit ~

The guys in the store started talking loud about what happened but then they were contradicting one another so I very easily told them what happened and they all look embarrassed and well, didn't say much more to us.. 

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So basically, every time I thought my knowledge would enhance a conversation with a guy it actually highlights their lack of knowledge and that's never comfortable.

*Despite the above confession, I still love to watch the game. My teams were eliminated very early in the tournament but I have continued to watch every game including Brazil's historic loss to Germany.

What are you confessing this week???

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Last Minute Father's Day Ideas

Morning Everybody!!

How are things on your side of the world? Johannesburg is super cold and I'm counting the days hours until I get to go back to Cape Town. While I know Cape Town is ridiculously cold and raining Johannesburg's weather is so chilling I can feel it in my bones. 

The thing that is keeping me warm is my adrenaline with all the excitement of the Fifa World Cup starting last night and Spain will play today and England tomorrow (Whoop Whoop).

Back to the point of this post, it's Father's Day in South Africa on Sunday and as per usual I'm behind on purchasing gifts so I figured if I'm behind here must be others who are looking for gift ideas so here's what I recommend:

* A good jersey or cardigan :

If you opt for this option, you know whether your dad is more of a V-neck or round neck kind of guy. Also black or beige jerseys are never bad purchases. If you dad likes a particular brand go for those but if not, Woolworths usually has great options. Also if you're not sure what his style is don't buy him anything with too much detail. With dads, less is more!

~Woolworths R325.00~

* Pajamas 

In South Africa Father's day is always in winter so a good pair of Pjs are perfect if your dad is into comfort. Try to buy neutral or dark colours. Men are not like us, ladies, they don't want to be bright and noticeable. 

~ Mr Price - R69.99 ~

* If you want to give a more personalised gift, a few years ago my brother and I bought cufflinks for my dad and then got them engraved with his initials

* If your dad is a sports fan or has an appreciation for cultural events then buy him tickets to a game or a comedy show but make sure you buy one for him and for you so the gift is also some quality time!

* If he's passionate about a team, buy him his favourite club's team jersey.

I bought my dad the shirt his wearing and we went to watch a game together! 

So, I hope this helps you out if you haven't bought anything yet or if you have another option please share with me!!!

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Have a great weekend, tell me what you have planned?

L is for Liverpool Football Club (A to Z Challenge)

I don't ever remember not being a Liverpool Football Club fan. When I was younger I was surrounded by majority of Manchester United's fans in the beginning of Man U's glory days. I grew up in a house where my dad and I are the Liverpool fans and my mother and brother are Man U fans. It was tough. It was not Liverpool' finest hours but it taught me a lot about what it means to be a football fan.

Being a Liverpool FC fan has not been easy but I think it's the reason that being a true fan has been so character building. Yes, I've had the benefit of watching and supporting the greatest comeback in European Championship history by winning the Champions League in Istanbul to when Steven Gerrard inspired the winning FA Cup final against West Ham in 2006  but other than that, supporting Liverpool has been challenging. Challenging but worth it. 

Look How Excited I was!!! 

In the midst of the LFC vs Manchester City game yesterday (Which LFC won!!!) my mom was making fun of the fact that Liverpool had lost the two goal lead and I remember saying to her "This isn't just for fun" to which she laughed because Soccer is supposed to be fun. However for me and for most Liverpool fans, it's not just about fun. It's passion, love and loyalty. 

Perhaps the reason Liverpool fans feel so much for their team is that our current leader, Captain Fantastic, Steven Gerrard is so incredibly passionate about Liverpool and despite his once youthful wavering mind to leave Liverpool, loyalty trumped his ambition. 

~ Credit ~

I cannot explain how much I adore supporting my team, through wins, losses or draws - I have shouted with joy at their wins and I have cried with their losses. When I visited Liverpool a couple of years ago, it truly was one of my favourite memories and while a lot of people asked about Scousers and how they treated me, I only have good things to tell. 

I'm trying to keep this post short, which is extremely difficult because this is a topic I feel so much passion for but I will say that when you support a team, any team ... there's a difference in supporting and being passionate about them.

Have you ever been passionate about a team or sport or player?

Bucket List - Liverpool FC vs Kasier Chiefs LEGENDS Game

I don't think it's accurate to include this particular game on my bucket list because I would have never thought it would be possible to even watch some of the players I did watch.

On Friday, I mentioned how excited I was and I had no idea how that would only be the tip of the iceberg.

I bought the Liverpool Tattoo when I visited Liverpool in 2010 ~ I knew it would finally come in handy

Last week was rough for me, work was rough and my sleeping patterns were completed messed up and if I thought that was hectic, things only got worse when we almost missed our flight because we were running a little late and the lady helping us well, didn't help! She printed my ticket twice and my dad was left without a ticket then when we finally all had tickets I thought my flight wasn't boarding so I went to buy a book and almost missed my flight. So if you were in OR Tambo on Friday and saw a girl running thought - it was me!

When we arrived at King Shaka International, none other than Kaiser Chiefs (and more so Bafana Bafana) legend - Doctor Khumalo was on my flight and he was nice enough to take a quick picture with me.

Back to the game, I was so psyched on Saturday to see so many Liverpool fans and for the short time it felt like we were all going to see Liverpool play at Anfield. When You'll Never Walk Alone was playing at the beginning of the day, it was definitely a "MOMENT".

Liverpool lost over penalties but the game was played in such a good spirit and there were so many goals it really was a great experience.

When leaving Durban on Sunday evening I then bumped into Liverpool FC legend, Bruce Grobbelaar and I am so happy that I got that opportunity. I was definitely reminded this weekend I am extremely blessed.

Who is the most surprising celeb you have met? Were you at the game?