End Of Spring Season, Almost The End Of My Freshman Year.

Hello all, its been a while! I apologize for my sluggish behavior towards this blog, but at least now I have an accumulation of enchanting subjects for you to mull over. Its been an interesting couple of months. The last time we spoke I had just been back home to surprise my little sister on her birthday. That trip was nice but I must say I probably should have waited until spring break to venture back home as it was during school time.

However I got my head down and raised a couple grades so all is well. My spring break was a very relaxed one, we decided rather than go to Mexico or Panama city and poison our livers, we would just spend everyday at the beach, which I must say was the right decision.

As far as 'soccer' goes our spring season is officially over. The spring serves as a kind of Pre-season with the fall fixtures acting as the games that count. We played four games, two against pro teams (FC Tampa Bay & Orlando City) and the other two against college teams (Universidad de Nacional Colombia and UCF)


The game against FC Tampa bay was my debut and it went extremely well, although I was disappointed to not get on the score-sheet. The closest I came was a left footed finesse shot from out side the box which crashed against the crossbar. The teams overall effort was incredible and we showed that we can compete at the level. Also after the game I was approached buy the head coach who told me he'll be keeping his eye on me, which is always good.

Shona Hill (Daughter Of FC Tampa Bay Head Coach) And I

The next game was away at Orlando City who I would say is the best team I have played against. A very strong professional outfit who remained strong for 90 minutes and denied us a sniff at goal. I spent the majority of this game running across their back line chasing the ball to no avail.

The Moment I Should Have Shot...Annoys Me To This Day.

We then had our first home game against Universidad de Nacional Colombia. I was determined to get my first goal, especially as we were at home and I had my local family in the stands. We went ahead in the 5th minute when I assisted fellow Englishman Craig Laird for his first goal for Tampa, I then slotted past the keeper 20 minutes later to a warming roar from the home fans. It was a great feeling, one I will never tire of. We then conceded two goals, one of which was a penalty. But the lads didn't drop their heads and our captain Brian Fekete scored the winner in stoppage time.


Our fourth and final game was yesterday away at UCF (University Of Central Florida) which if I'm not mistaken is the largest school in the country with over 60,000 students. It was mind-blowing to see their campus for the first time, a small city which made Enfield Town look like a suburban bulgarian village. After drooling over their 7000 seater football stadium the game got underway.

We went behind in the opening five minutes and to be honest our heads dropped from there and we never really recovered. We had some late surges but nothing to really threaten them. The game ended 1-0 and with it ended our spring season.


We now have no games and no practices until late August. So it weights weights weights for the remaining two weeks before final exams. So I must now get up to date with all my work and prepare myself for finals. 


I Cannot wait to come home though, even though after a week I'll want to be back in the sunshine state. This semester has definitely felt as though its flew by, which is quite scary as It means I will no longer be a freshman. 

Well, I hope you all have a great week and I'll definitely post a couple more times before I return home.


Thanks for reading,


Ty.

SURPRISE!!!

Good day all. Hope you had a tremendous week and also a fulfilling weekend. My weekend has certainly been entertaining/eventful. The last time I posted, my impeccable acting skills were put on show and most of you thought I would be in Tampa this week, little did you know I was packing my bag to London at the same time.

It was my little sisters 18th birthday on Friday the 17th, so me and my dad planned for me to make a surprise appearance. On paper this seemed absolutely brilliant, however this trip (apart from seeing family and friends) has been one of the worst.

It started on Thursday when I began my travels from Tampa. I received a text message from British Airways telling me my connecting flight from Chicago to Tampa had been Delayed by 6 hours. I almost threw up.

Anyway I got there and sat around for the entire time miserable. The only thing that kept me just the tiniest bit peppy was the fact that nobody knew I was coming back, not even my dear old mother. I didn't think It could get much worse, that was until I realized by seat on the long haul flight didn't recline and the little shit behind me started kicking my chair. Not to mention the lady in front who decided to recline into my lap. So I then spent ten or so hours watching Johnny English on the woman in fronts screen whilst getting kicked in the back.

But when we landed I was excited, and couldn't wait for the surprise to unfold. I went down to collect my bag, and then watched as every other passenger collected theres including the little shit......They managed to lose my bag. I was shocked, in a world with so much technology where they can scan a bar code which is on the bag and then locate it globally they had actually managed lose it.

I was furious but I went with my dad to pick up my sisters birthday present and then surprised her, my brother and two uncles....

Don't ask me why I said "Mans on a surprise ting" I too cringed at that. It must be the London air. It was brilliant to see the looks on their faces but I was genuinely upset she didn't cry. 

Since then, Ive been with my friends and family and they mean more than anything to me. I would gladly sit through ten of those flights to spend time with them. It is now Monday and they still have not "Traced" my bag. This is bad for two reasons. One, that bag is full of swag and therefore I have been dressing like a good looking version of Anthony Carabotta, and two, All of my school books and notes are in my bag, and I have work due this week which means I am going to fail.......Cheers sis!

The Chisora Pose

This Kids Got Issues

I fly back this Wednesday and It doesn't look like I'll be receiving my bag before then which is just ridiculously inconvenient. But i've enjoyed myself and made my sister a happy girl. Oops I mean woman* Damn.

I hope you all have a less stressful week than my weekend was, and would appreciate if you could all pray to St.Anthony for me and ask him to locate my bag. 

Thanks for reading, 

Ty.

Cold Tampa, Hooters & Weights

Hey all, hope you enjoyed your weekend, and for those living in England I hope your enjoying the snow. Its actually been a bit of a chilly week here in Florida, although if it was this temperature in London, the majority of you would be down the park with your tops off. Here, their scared to go outside.

I've not been up to much, just enduring these demanding weight sessions, and struggling to wake up every friday morning for 5:30am weights. We've been playing an occasional match between ourselves whenever a trialist is in town and I've been feeling good. Im just more and more anxious to make my debut.

The team morale is extremely high at the moment and we are all hoping it can remain there for when we go into our first game and beyond. The only problem I think we might face is lack of playing time. We don't actually start soccer training until February 28th. Which is only a few days before our first game. I've heard the spring season consists of more fitness than the fall (If thats possible) so I have a feeling when it comes to our first game we will be lacking the technical side. But I'm definitely looking forward to playing with this team, and closer to the time I'll post our fixtures.

Weight Sessions Obviously Paying Off...NAT!

First Member Of The White JLS, Craig Laird

Apart from that, in this last two weeks I've been to the cinema twice. Once to see 'Safe House' which I thought was brilliant, and I also saw 'The Woman In Black' which reminded me why I don't watch horror films. I just don't see the gain in paying money to come out of a cinema in a bad mood. Never again!

I also had my first Hooters experience which sucked to be honest. For everyone who hasn't been, its not like the movies unfortunately. I've always wondered how they hire staff in Hooters. Does the manager hand the girls a bra and say "Here, fill this out."

So this week I shall be continuing to cut up my hand with weights, I pray you have a bearable week and the weather doesn't prevent you from doing too much.

Thanks for reading,

Ty

First Week Of Classes, First Beach Trip And 2nd Gasparilla

Afternoon! No post last week as there wasn't much to talk about to be honest. Last time I posted I just arrived and since then I've had to get back in the swing of things and get used to juggling class, homework, soccer, and weights. Thankfully the fitness coach has made it easier by putting our Friday weight sessions at 5:30am, how generous.

My first week of classes was mundane, I've increased my credit hours so there will be a bit more work this semester but I'm sure I'll be fine. Im being forced agaisnt my will to take a math class and those of you close to me know that math to me is like learning Chinese. Speaking of learning Chinese I am also taking elementary chinese 101. Don't ask why, I just thought it would be fun to learn and so far my prediction was correct.

Apart from classes and getting my ass handed to me in the gym, me and the boys had a chance to visit the beach for the first time. And it was pretty easy to spot us as tourists as we were the only ones swimming in the cold water as if it was the Caribbean.

The English Boys Messaging Their Mates Back Home To Get 'Em Jealous

Also just yesterday we had Gasparilla. Which to those who don't know is a Tampa Bay tradition were they re-enact the invasion of the pirates in Tampa. Although every college student uses it as an excuse to wake up disgustingly early and drink until the pass out, which is usually about 3pm.

Gasparilla '11

Gasparilla '12

 It was a fun day, the only downside is that I know have a terrible tank top tan line, need to get that sorted. Any-who enjoy the coming week and I shall speak to you next Sunday.

Thanks for reading,

Ty.

Back Im Tampa...

After a cold winters return to London I have arrived back in Florida. Im back with mixed emotions, yes I'm glad to be back and being able to play. But just as I start developing close relationships back home and spending time with my family, I have to jet off again.

One of the positives I'm taking front this return is that this semester is almost 50% shorter than the last, which means I fly back to London May 5th . . . and stay home for an entire three months . . . that, I'm looking forward to.

I had an amazing winter break, met some fantastic new people and spent time with those I truly care about. Yes Nandos that includes you. My classes start tomorrow which means today will be spent re-stocking on school supplies . . . and maybe a trip to the pool.

Thank you to everyone who came to my leaving party and also everyone that made me feel right at home whilst I was back. Tales Of A Sweetboy is now back so be checking every Sunday. I hope you all have a good week, as I spend it standing in class introducing myself to a bunch of strangers I have no intentions of interacting with.

Thanks for reading,

Ty.

Home Sweet Home

Just one hour until I start my journey back home to London and I am more than excited. Since sunday I have had two finals, both of which went very well and I knew more than I actually thought, I guess this studying stuff really pays off.

My journey back to London begins with a drive to the airport, a one hour flight to Atlanta, a one hour layover in ATL, then a ten and a half hour flight to Heathrow. I'll be air born the entire night basically, so while you're dreaming, or up all night  playing Call Of Duty I'll be up in the sky blaring christmas jingles for all to hear.

So This will be my last blog post until I return to Tampa on January 15th. I have decided that my last ever  blog post will be the one which contains my graduation picture. I look forward to seeing all of you again, and thank you for being avid followers of my life.

I leave you with "The Many Hats Of Craig Laird"

Thanks For Reading,

See You Soon,

Ty.

GREAT Britain, Police Raids & Soccer Clearance

Hello everyone, I hope you have all had an enjoyable week and are feeling all Christmasy! I for one am not in the Christmas spirit completely. I mean I try and listen to a few songs but when theres girls walking around in bikinis whilst you hearing "And the snowman brings the snow" it docent really sync. I think once I touch down in London I'll be feeling a bit more festive.

This week had its ups and downs. It started with a match between England and USA on Tuesday to prove who was the better nation. Obviously we won, 10-4, I scored eight. That day was then capped by the arrival of my US drivers license. 

Also thought Id throw in a video from a couple of weeks ago. Just showing you what a Florida winter looks like.

The next day I received some of the greatest news I had heard in a while. I am cleared to play starting from January! You all know that I was unable to get clearance at the start of the year, and I was due to serve a year of residency until I can step foot on the pitch. That would mean I wouldn't have been able to play until August 2012. However due to some sheer persistency and handwork from the staff here at The University Of Tampa, they found a by-law in the system which has enabled me to play starting January 2012. There is only 5 or 6 games in the spring season but thats 100x better than just sitting in the bleachers.

Later wednesday the yanks demanded a re-match to show that they were the superior country. We gladly obliged, and despite them signing six new players we shuffled our squad brought in a couple europeans and spanked them once again, highlights below. Watch out for my pile driver to make it 1-1.

Saturday night introduced a hilarious story. For everyone who has seen 'SuperBad' the cops that raid the college party made an appearance at UT. No not Seth Rogen and Bill Hader but to glorified mall cops who spend their weekends ruining college students lives.

They burst threw the door as though they had not been watching the news and had been tipped off about Bin Laden's where a bouts. then proceed to lifts up mattresses, open draws and sniff red cups. Luckily it was not my room, and I did not have alcohol on me. I couldn't help but laugh, they took this so serious! I couldn't help but think that if this was in London the cops would have joined in due to the legal drinking age. It bamboozled me to think that 18 year olds can fight for their country in war over here but can't have a white wine spritzer on their birthday.

Anyway this onslaught of good news on clearance and England being the better country came at a price. On friday I was informed on the death of a good friend of mine Callum Boyhan. I have known Callum for about ten years, and can honestly say he is one of the kindest men I know. Caring, honest and absolutely hilarious. I still can't fully comprehend the situation, when people close to us, or people around the same age pass, it is hard to understand and comes to terms with. I would like to send my condolences to his family, I can't imagine what your going through. 

I bumped into Callum not long before I moved out here and offered him a ride home. We talked, he made me laugh as he always did and we agreed we would meet up for a drink soon. Unfortunately we never got around to it. It just scares me to think that something bad could happen to a member of my family and I'm all these miles away. Thats why you have to cherish the time you spend with them even if its a few weeks. 

This time away from home has taught me a lot, but most of all, how important your family truly are. So next time you see your mum, dad or siblings just give them a random hug and let them know you love them, because lives are so incredibly fragile. Callum we'll have that drink one day mate, don't you worry.

Rest In Peace Bro x

So this week, I have my last two finals. One on Tuesday and one on Wednesday before my flight. Also monday will be dedicated to buying candy. I'll post a blog on Wednesday afternoon before my flight, but until then have a great week.

Thanks for reading, 

Ty.