Horoscope Time!

I am definitely not a horoscope person at all.

I can really carry on with my days without checking what the stars have for me, i dont care about astrological compatibility, and i can proudly say that i have never based any major or minor decision on these things.

That being clarified, ill move on to tell you whats the reason behind the picture displayed in this very post.

A couple of mornings ago, i was on my way to work when a girl came to the car window and offered me a free sample of this newspaper called Metro.. I gladly accepted it and while being stuck in traffic, i started reading it..

Since i live in Mexico City and im lucky enough to drive during rush hours, i had enough time to read all the content (and actually re-read 2 or 3 of the best articles!)..

At some point, i eventually got to the horoscope section, and of course.. i read it too. Not only my sign, but everybody's. After all, i know at least one person of each sign, and you never know when that kind of info could be useful.

Anyways, ill get to my point..

My horoscope talked about new things: We trust things that we are familiar with. But new things can also become a nice and lasting part of your life.

My boyfriend's horoscope talked about new things too: New things may seem risky in the beginning, while familiar things are more of the same. Take the final step.

Its funny they could be so aligned, especially now. This time, ill choose to trust astrology at least a liiittle bit.

If you are a loyal reader, you know that in a couple of days, my boyfriend and I will take a step. I dont know if its a final step. But definitely an important step. We will dare to try new things.

I hope, as my horoscope said.. this new thing will become a nice and lasting part of our lives.

Magic Three

3 goals was all Brazil, France and Ukraine needed to continue in this World Cup! (damn dutch and spanish btw, not only they lost but they screwed up my predictions)

We can complain all we want about Ronaldo being a bit too chubby and Zidane a bit too bald.. but truth is: these old farts can still score!! Life is full of irony.

Just like these guys, im also living up to everyone's expectations... my forecast kept an accuracy level of 75%.

The teams who will keep running around to take the golden World Cup home:


And i just noticed an 'interesting' fact here... since the tournament started in 1930, only 7 countries have won the cup: Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy & Uruguay. So yeah, ladies and gentlemen.. nothing new under the sun! The party-crashers: Portugal and Ukraine!

My bet on semi-finals:

1) Germany - Italy
2) Portugal - Brazil

Jugamos Como Nunca..

.. y Perdimos Como Siempre.

What can illustrate the game on saturday better than this line?*

A phrase that can be repeated every 4 years, and typically at this stage. Its been 20 years since Mexico advanced to Quarter Finals the last time. The party killers so far: Bulgaria, Germany, USA, and the latest: Argentina.

If i have to be very honest, i had low expectations for the game. I was hoping we could at least leave the WC with some dignity, and not with 6 goals in our net. I was hoping Argentina would at least have some difficulties scoring those 6 unstoppable shots...

But that was all only until the match started and i saw my team's performance in the field.

Then everything changed. Then i was really positive, then i could really see it, and for 120 minutes i thought we could finally make it. We were no different from Argentinians. We also had a chance. We could win this game. Bring on Germany!!!

When the extra time finished, i had (and still have) mixed feelings. I felt frustrated that we couldnt advance, that once again we were out, that we kept trying and it didnt work. I felt happy with the way mexicans played and the heart that they all showed. Unfortunately it was not enough, and even if it was 'only' 2-1 in extra time with a lucky wonder strike, the fact is... we lost.

You cant really celebrate a loss, even if it was a pretty-looking one. Thats the first step to mediocrity no? On the other hand, based on my original expectations, i was not let down.

Anyways, my two favorite teams got kicked out this weekend (and no, im definitely not gonna say aything about the Munich Fiasco).. so, needless to say that the World Cup has kinda lost some spark now :(

In a serious attempt to keep the interest up though.. i will have to pick up new teams to support. I think going for Brazil and Germany would be a bit too boring.. so my living-on-the-edge spirit makes me wanna go for: Portugal and Spain. Oh damn, but im so smart.. theres no way both could go to the final.. see.. theres no point anymore!

Okay, in solidarity to a good friend and with my boyfriend's forgiveness.. ill cheer for Italy and Portugal. Go Meds!


_______

* Which can be translated to something like 'We played like never before, and lost as always before'

Round of 16

I bet you still remember that chilly and legendary December 13th, 2005.

The day when i published my official forecast about the 16 teams that, according to my studies, would advance to the World Cup's second round.

Now finally the moment of truth is here..

The countries that made it to the round of 16 are:

Group A
Germany & Ecuador

Group B
Sweden & England

Group C
Netherlands & Argentina

Group D
Mexico & Portugal

Group E
Italy & Ghana

Group F
Brazil & Australia

Group G
France & Switzerland

Group H
Spain & Ukraine

My Standard Error: Ecuador, Ghana, Australia, Switzerland & Ukraine

This means my forecast was 70% accurate. Thats not thaaaaaat bad eh?

So now (even when its really painful), i will dare to share my predictions for the Quarter Finals:

1) Germany - Argentina* (this is what i mean with painful :S)
2) Italy - Ukraine
3) England - Netherlands
4) Brazil - Spain

May the best win!!!


* Yeah yeah, i know this totally contradicts my previous post, but i dont want to screw up your bets. I still have hope though, and i wish this time my standard error includes a very rewarding surprise wrapped in green/red or blue/yellow.

You may be capable of GREAT things

But life consists of small things.

Today a 'small' thing made my day.

Hope dies last

Well well well.. even when my favorite teams in the World Cup had a really dull and scary first phase, they managed to advance to the round of 16.

Argentina & Germany, be afraid! Your World Cup comes to an end next saturday.

And to top it all off, you know which is THE Quarter Final of this tournament?

Mexico Vs Sweden - June 30th, 2006.

Mark your agendas today.

Grand!

The Alternative Life

During my uni years i met Carlos, a guy who, just like me, studied Business Administration at one of the best schools in the country, and unlike me, belongs to a very wealthy family in Mexico. His career path was defined a priori, so to say: Dessignated CEO of one of the family businesses. One fine day, he discovered his passion was not Business but Bread Bakery.

When i lived in Stockholm i shared apartments with Akemi, a girl who -unlike most of the people I know- did not have anything to do with the business world or a 9 to 5 office job. When the time to decide came... she went for Ceramic.

I have had some talks with them about a so called 'Alternative Life', and the advantages and disadvantages of it over a 'Conventional Life'.

I think ever since i met them, i cant stop wondering what it would be like if i dared to drop my 'conventional life' and switch to an alternative path. What if MY thing is something else?

I guess the question pops in my head more frequently because, even when my current job is 'interesting', i dont feel im working with what excites me the most!

Now the million dollar question: What is that? What is that which excites me the most?

My very eloquent answer: I have no freaking clue.

Or well... I have some kind of a clue.

Sometimes i really wonder if an office job is what makes me feel best about what i do. If business is truly my thing. If this is what i am looking for. If i can, and more importantly, if i want to do this for 40 more years.

Anyways, if i were to choose an Alternative Life.. what would it be?

- Professional writer -- I would love to write novels, books about random stuff, a column in a magazine or a newspaper... almost anything.

- Event organiser -- Yeah, arranging logistics and all those technicalities but only to make parties and fancy gatherings! ;)

- Designer -- I think i really like design. Graphic things. Marketing stuff... Web design would rock! Not to mention i would be IN (for a change)!

- Photographer -- Ahhh.. shooting wonderful pictures about all kinds of things. Find the beauty in everything i see around me, then have exhibitions and win prizes and awards and all that yada yada :p

- Tourist guide or Travel agent -- Oh yes! Learning about different cultures, places; just the interesting things though. I think theres something exciting about travels, even if its not me travelling myself :)

- Run my own Cafe/Restaurant - Now this is funny, cause a) Im a fraud in the kitchen and b) Im a BIG fraud in the kitchen. But anyways, i think it would be fun to learn and after all, ive had this cafe idea for a long time so... im being consistent, you know..

Please note that all these top choices include the Independency factor, which is something that i appreciate A LOT these days. After a couple of years of working experience, i have officially concluded that i strongly dislike this hierarchy thing, and i LOVE to be able to make my own decisions, be the owner of my time and be the one bossing myself around.

The only thing that annoys me is that i dont think i have enough natural talent for some of the choices i listed, which kinda complicates the plan a little bit.. but well, im still allowed to have wishes and to publish them in my blog no?

Uh Ah Africa!

After the (lame) goalless draw between Mexico and Angola last friday, i also felt like congratulating this guy...

Without doubt, HE was the man of the match!

And no, hes not mexican, DAMN IT!

More like this...

Dear audience, tonight please call me Mrs. Ljungberg and bring on those brits!!

Viva Mexico!

June 11th, 2006 at 18:00 in Nuremberg, Germany.

Mexico Vs Iran

Debut match for both teams. Mexico is favorite and 100 million people want a good reason to drink and party on a sunday afternoon.

---

28 minutes later...

36 minutes later...


75 minutes later..

79 minutes later..


And after 90 (suddenly very stressy) minutes...


Mexico 3 - 1 Iran

Yessss, Victory is SWEEEEET!

And by the way, Oswaldo ROCKS da house!

Expect the Unexpected

WTF?!?!

Pure Mathematical Forecast for WC 2006

Well people, lets face it.. there are few things in life that are as exact, certain and reliable as Math. Therefore, the following forecast can be taken literal to your bets accounts. Pythagoras & his friends were no bullshitters!

1. Brazil won the World Cup in 1994, before that, they won the WC in 1970. If you add 1970 + 1994 = 3964

2. Argentina won their last World Cup in 1986, before that, they won in 1978. If you add 1978 + 1986 = 3964

3. Germany won the World Cup in 1990, and of course they also won in 1974. If you add 1974 + 1990 = 3964

4. Brazil won the WC again in 2002, and this makes clear sense cause they also won in 1962. So 1962 + 2002 = 3964

5. To know who will be the World Cup Champion for 2006… 3964 – 2006 = 1958. Who won the World Cup that year?.... Bingo!

Brazil again!

AND HERE COMES THE BEST PART:

Mexico has a very good reason to cheer and celebrate… we can say -with mathematical precision- that the World Cup 3964 is ours!!! (0 + 3964 = 3964). We only have to wait 489 WCs more to finally be champions!!

Meanwhile... WC 2006 in Germany starts TODAY!! Yay!!! Go Mexico!!

Farewell Marathon...

OFFICIALLY KICKSTARTED!!

In 30 days...

I will move to Denmark.

I will start living with my dear Jonas.

I will be temporarily unemployed.

I will not have a long distance relationship anymore.

I will make English my primary language.

I will change Mexico City for Copenhagen.

I will say 'See you' to my family and friends.

I will leave my country (hopefully) for good.

I will give Love a chance.

....