World Cup 2010

I've been to a lot of football events but nothing will top the next one my lovely wife and I will embark on! The 2010 FIFA World Cup final in Johannesburg! Yes, the fookin' FINAL!

For two fanatics of the sport and good servants to the game, we can not think of anything else that could top this match. We're excited to meet and party with people from all over the world. And to do it in our honeymoon, on the 6th month anniversary of our wedding, makes it all that special!

Match tickets are bought, flights and hotel booked... South Africa here we come!

Stress, Headaches and a Possible Bright Side!

Finally getting around to update my blog rather pleases me! Its not that I have been slackin' around when it comes to that, but the chore of updating everyone about my triumphs and tribulations simply doesn't come to mind lately. I really feel terrible about putting things completely on the side once I get bored about something. Anyhow, maybe I can bring this blog and my WDKF writings back to life.

During my last complaint, I mean entry, I was moaning about not having a job at the moment and the like. Just to give you an update, I was recently given a job offer by a big company in Leipzig to teach Business English. I was ready to take the position but was unable to thanks to paperwork. Good thing though, the powers that be really like my resume' and are currently holding the position 'till I get my working permit in January.... perhaps the tides are turning when it comes to that part...

German studies are going quite good as well although it gets more and more complicated for me. I don't think it is a problem for me, the speaking and understanding bit, but I find it hard to keep up with all of the rules. I may know them but often forget to put it in practice in actual situations. I must say though, I feel that I can communicate and get my thoughts across better than most of my classmates despite my grammar. But as you all know, that is not good enough for me and drives me to the brink of insanity. Let's just hope it starts to click soon and gets better along the way!

On a brighter note, I'm really starting to get excited about January. Even though I have been in Leipzig for quite a while and have started a whole new life with some new cool friends, I still miss people from the States. I'm really pumped to see my Family once they visit in a month's time. Also looking forward to seeing the two friends who prove to be most patient when it comes to dealing with me. Maybe seeing everyone once again will give me the motivation I often lack lately...

Still in Limbo...

354 days have gone by since I started my job search last year. And still, there is no career to speak of, and no, the liar job as a promotions manager doesn't count! Although that is the case, I'm starting to enjoy life once again as things seem to be settling down after moving to Leipzig in June. Going to German language course has done wonders for my sanity since it has been key to having my own life.

Its brilliant really, I no longer rely on Christin and her friends to have a life of my own in this wild jungle called Germany. Having my own crew to hang out with, go to football matches with and the works makes me feel great at the moment. There is a future after all!

Anyhow, things are slowly falling in place. Friends check, wife-to-be check, fun times check. All I want really is a career, not a job, but a career. Hopefully that is the next one to be ticked off the list...

Back to School...

Since I don't much to do lately in Leipzig, I've decided it would be best to go back to school. My German lessons haven't been going too well despite the effort of my tutor and myself due to the lack of structure. So it makes good sense to go to one of their community college type school and get my language skill ASAP.

I thought I was finished with school, but here it is again. I have to admit I'm actually looking forward to it... I just need more $$$ or €€€!

Andrew Don't Know Football

I'm officially a football pundit. I'm officially "the enemy". I officially love it. Just the opportunity to write about football on a daily basis gets me excited about it. I'll end up focusing on the Bundesliga side of things since wedontknowfootball does not cover it much. Eversince joining the lads(and gal), ideas about the football culture here in Germany has been flying off my head. Lets just hope I get a ton of readers, that's all I ask. In the end, I just want to show another side of the game in the typically mislabeled "narrow-minded uber-stern" Germany.

Check it out: http://wedontknowfootball.com/

Ladies & Gentlemen... RB Leipzig!

Of all my travels in Europe, particularly Germany, I have never seen a football mad city so deprived of the beautiful game. For years Leipzig has been starved of the quality football it truly deserves. FC Sachsen Leipzig and 1.Lok Leipzig, the two "top" clubs in this beautiful eastern German city brought the town nothing but disappointment and embarrassment for close to two decades. From dodgy financial accounts, hooligan troubles and shocking football, there always seem to be another excuse on why they bounce up and down between the 5th-7th tier leagues of German football.

Whenever the discussion about local football came up, you will always find the normal Leipziger voicing his or her discontent. They are simply fed up with FC Sachsen and Lok's fan hooliganism, bankruptcies, terrible football and name changes that happens so often that they're not quite sure how to call their clubs anymore!

Since the city is currently in football turmoil, one investor is willing to take on the challenge of bringing this city out of football hell. Red Bull for years has been searching for an eastern German club to invest in and take on the mighty west. Due to strong fan protest Red Bull avoided pursuing investment in Sachsen and Lok altogether and settled for a much smaller club in SSV Markranstädt, a club in the outskirts of the city. Red Bull, a powerhouse in world sport picked Leipzig and SSV Markranstädt as it has 500,000 strong citizens ready to support a Bundesliga club.

With plans of a €100million investment over the next 10 years, Leipzig and its football mad people can only benefit from this injection of funds. It will take the new Leipzig club some time to build up its stature compared to its city rivals. Sure, RB Leipzig and its new supporters will be ridiculed for having no history, buying its way to higher leagues and all of the other insults that may come their way. Bottom line is that RB Leipzig will bring entertainment to the city and write football history while FC Sachsen and Lok Leipzig along with their 'die hards' rot on the side with jealousy and further football failure. As one Leipziger said, "Simply, they've had their chance, Leipzig can no longer put up with their incompetence".

Bavarian Beauty

Whenever I asked Germans from the north, west or Stuttgart area how Bavaria was, I always get the same response... "Ah, its Bavaria! Its not Germany!". I always thought it was a bit snobbish to make such claims almost instinctively. But after spending a few days in München for the Audi Cup, I came to one conclusion. They were right.

Most of the things the rest of Deutschland told me were actually true, such as München is bloody expensive, that Bavarians speak with a funny accent, they do this and that etc. I had the impression that for the rest of Germany, this southern state is simply not "German" enough. But see, even though they may not admit to it, I felt that the place is still very much Germany, I just think that Bavaria is the exception to the rule. Most of it. Unlike the rest of Germany, most Bavarians will give you a smile. Unlike Saxony, München will not simply stare at you with a frown on their faces. Unlike Hamburg, München enjoys a warm and sunny weather. Unlike Berlin, München is a big city with a small town feel.

All I can say is visit München and Nürnberg before passing judgment to a truly wonderful place. Come hang out in one of their hip biergartens. Drink a freshly made hefe-weizen beer. Visit the Allianz Arena with FC Bayern's friendly supporters. And most importantly, enjoy the sight of a beautiful Bavarian girl in a Bavarian dress :D