Recently, Kanda University of International Studies held the annual KUIS Cup which featured a brand spanking new artificial turf ground to play on; and boy, was it heaven! It was soooo soft and smooth compared with the
a) dirt grounds that are fast and hard, or
b) grass grounds with knee high tufts every couple of steps

Usually this event is held over two days and of course on the Saturday night, we go out and have a few drinks. Maybe a few drinks is a gross understatement. We usually go to a restaurant that offers a $10 all you can drink so needless to say our performance on the Sunday is very ordinary. This KUIS cup was played over one day only and as such we improved our performance. Our team, ELI FC, came a very respectable 7th which incidentally involved two wins and two losses. This was the ELIs best ever result and boy did we celebrate! First we had a few tinnies outside the local convenient store, then moved onto the all you can drink place, followed shamelessly by a bar that people only go to because it is open till late.

From a personal standpoint, I also did alright. I scored from a long range strike against China in our 1-0 win and also scored a penalty kick when our game against Iran went into penalties.

From the top:
1. Our team photo. The local press likened us to the all conquering Liverpool team of 2004. Some have even asked Barcelona scouts to come and see our next game to replace the has beens of Ronaldihno and Marquez.
2. Me and Saki, one of my best students who was the manager for the Russian team. Apparently they all had a shot of vodka before one of the games and forced poor Saki to have one too!
3. Ben FS about to level us at 1-1 with a header against Iran.
4. Me about to take the spot kick.
5. The ball in mid air
6. GOAL!

One last sunset..

After 6 weeks helping my parents out in the Bahamas, it was time to leave my mojitos and margaritas behind and move on to MI where the weather hasn't been nearly as warm and pleasant. On my final day in the Bahamas, I finally got my mom in the water, which she says she's always too busy to do! We went snorkeling and saw a huge barracuda and a manta-ray swimming around near the dock. We had a delicious last meal together where we ate surf and turf and lobster mornay. Nick's been jealous of all the good food I've been eating while he's stuck in Japan cooking for himself! Thankfully now that I'm back in MI, I've joined Bally's on a 2 week trial pass that's free! And when the 2 weeks is up, I'll go scam my way into another gym :)