AFC ASIAN CUP 2015: Australia 2 - 1 Korea Repubic

Last week I went to my first ever soccer (or football) match! It was so exciting. I mean, I love watching soccer matches on TV, but when you're actually there, the atmosphere is amazing! People cheer for everything - whenever someone gets the ball, loses the ball, gets a penalty, and of course, a GOAL! I actually went with my friend Monica & our boyfriends to the South Korea semi-final against Iraq and so that was my first actual match. And then, when we found out it was going to be a Korea vs. Australia final, we just had to go - no matter how terrible the seats. All four of us got tickets last-minute and so they were pretty high up but it was so much fun. We were amongst both Australian & Korean fans so it was all the more exciting.

We were closer to the official Korean supporters so I got a clearer picture of the flag. It was really cool how they 'raised' the flags during the national anthems. Korea even raised it again when they scored the late equaliser in 91st minute - it was incredible. Everyone was at their feet, cheering as the match went into extra time. No one thought it would happen but they did. And then there's the other three-quarters of the place, all green & gold, thinking we had won the match already. Honestly, it sort of looked like an episode from the Simpson's, seeing all the yellow :D

But ultimately, Australia scored the winning goal in extra time and so they took the trophy home. We didn't stay for the ceremony because we wanted to get out before the traffic, but it was a great finish to a great tournament. And I think it was Australia's last year competing in the Asian Cup so a great win for them.

Also, I know it's probably a common thing in most matches, but I'm not a huge fan of the booing. It just ticks me off sometimes but I guess, that's the 'fun' of it all? I don't know. Is anyone else like that? I'm sure no one loves it and alcohol is a big contributor to these matches, but it doesn't feel so sportsmanship-y to me.

Anyways, I hope you've all been well. Sorry I've been pretty absent both here & on my Instagram in particular, but I'll try to make more of an effort. Thanks for reading though!

Love Always,

Anna Banana ♡

TOTEM: Cirque du Soleil

I'm gonna be real with you... I'm terrified of clowns. But after last night, I am a convert (for some clowns - the IT clown freaks me out and probably always will). It was my first time at the world famous Cirque du Soleil. I hadn't been to the circus since I was little - which by the way triggered my fear of clowns - and honestly, I'm not sure why, but I wasn't expecting this to be in an actual tent-like thing. When I saw it, I'm not gonna lie, my expectations fell...but man, I was blown away.

Kalen & I were lucky enough to have been gifted these tickets by his parents and I just couldn't get over the amazingly great seats they got us. We were literally four, five rows from the front so a huge thank you to them for getting me absolutely hooked on this production.

There was a clown doing some pre-show tricks & stuff to entertain us and I was petrified. Kalen kept reassuring me that it wasn't like the white faced, red mouthed clowns with the line through their eyes and that he was a funny, sad clown. I wasn't so convinced. But as the show went on, I absolutely loved this clown's personality! He was absolutely hilarious & actually quite adorable. p.s. I looked in the programme and wow, he's cute :P

I hate that the souvenir items & programmes are so overpriced there but we got a keyring, magnet & a programme. I always like to get a programme whenever I go to musicals & now circuses because they're a nice reminder of the things I went to, etc.

I can't wait to see what other shows they'll have after TOTEM & will most definitely be going again! All the acts were absolutely jaw-dropping & honestly my legs were cramping up because I was so nervous they'd get something wrong or fall or drop something. Am I the only one that does that?

Well, let me know if you, too share my fear of clowns & love of Cirque du Soleil. I'd love to hear your experiences & recommendations as well.

Love Always,
Anna Banana ♡

p.p.s. HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can't believe I didn't do a special post but here is a belated greeting to you all! I wish you & your loved ones all the best in the new year ♡ Thank you for all your support last year & I can't wait to become even better friends in the years to come...