June 29, 2010

The Worldcup IS a BIG deal!

Thyda into sports?  No way!  Since when?

I was never one that was really into watching sports.  I am a bit clumsy and I also suck at playing any kind of sport.  BUT... I did used to play soccer for awhile during my younger years.  Middle school years was when it all started.  I loved the sport because it was so intense and whenever I got kicked in the shin or tripped and fell flat on my face, it was a good feeling that sort of woke me up.  I would get back on my feet and felt this strong bolt of rage run through me and knew that it was finally game time for me... time to kick some ass.  Just kidding... sorta.  I used to always say that my life is sort of like a game to me.  Friendly competition and challenges make everything a little bit more fun and exciting, doesn't it?  (Though there is a place and time for everything... my last statement doesn't apply to EVERYTHING in life, but thats another post of its own)

For awhile, I was into the NBA games and the road to find the champions of 2010.  I would tweet about it... but I can't really say that I was THAT into the game.  I told people (those who ask anyway) that the reason why I was rooting for any team that was playing against the Lakers was to spite those around me.  My Husband and about 98% of our friends were all Team Lakers!  Of course they are Team Lakers because they are here from the Los Angeles area... I would be too if I was them.  But... what fun would it be if everyone was rooting for the same team?  I wanted to throw in a little bit more competition in there and stir things up for them and really get their blood pumping.  It worked because some of them really were angry and started ignoring all my trash talk.  I thought it was pretty funny, but I know that one day they are going to beat me up for spiting them.  Another reason why I was anti-Lakers is because I felt like the Lakers fans didn't really love the team, but they were all on Kobe Bryant's nuts, if anything.  I hated all the credit that they gave Kobe.  Seriously... why don't you just lick his butt crack already if you loved him that much?  (I'm sure some of them would if they could... sadly)  If I was the other players on the team, I would have just said, SCREW IT and threw in the towel or fall asleep in the middle of the court and wait for Kobe to win the championship by himself.  After I thought this silently to myself, its funny that one of the final games, the team really did give a half assed performance on the court and Kobe did have to work the entire game himself.  Don't get me wrong... I understand that Kobe is a great athlete and is the M.V.P. of the team, but give the other guys some credit.  You know... the ones who assist Kobe on the shots, the ones who have strong defense and block the opponent's shots.  Anyway... congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers... you guys really did deserve the title.  But you Lakers fans out there, I hope you realize that the Lakers is not a one man team (though it seems like it sometimes).  If you give the other players the credit that they deserve, just MAYBE they would bring their best games and you guys can hold your title for the third time in a row next year.  :)

Anyway.... the World Cup IS a big deal!  It only happens once every four years and its a little friendly competition for countries all over the world.  They practice for months... actually, years just for this tournament.  Soccer is a sport where you really have to play as a team.  Its amazing to see how people of different countries can get together and show such strong support for their representatives in the game.  I cried during the American National Anthem.  I know that it sounds a bit dramatic, but its pretty emotional for me because I imagine what its like to be in their shoes... working so hard to get that far and then seeing all the support they get from their home country.  Its a beautiful, beautiful thing to see.


I would wake up at 4am... sometimes 5am (missing part of the earliest match) just to watch the World Cup.  Call me crazy, but I don't even want to move when its on because I could miss something at any minute that I take my eyes off the TV screen. 


I am still very upset that USA lost to Ghana the other day because I had really high hopes for our team.  My heart broke when I saw the unjustified bad calls made by the refs against USA... but it was also heartwarming and touching to see that the boys kept fighting for the goals that they wholeheartedly earned.  Anyway, I am still proud of them for getting as far as they did.  Better luck in 2014, USA!


Now, though the team that I would want to go all the way (USA) is not in the game, I still try to follow up.  This morning, the last team from Asia was eliminated after an intense 90 minute game with a 30 minute overtime AND a kick off.  First one in the 2010 worldcup.  Heartbreaking to see the Japanese boys cry... so I shed a few tears myself.  It just goes to show how much heart and soul these players put into the game. 


I understand that there are more problems in the world and a million more things to cry over or worth shedding a tear for.  But sometimes, we have to relax and not take life so seriously and enjoy the leisure and entertainment that we are blessed to have today.  Sure, it would be great if the world can be saved and we can put an end to poverty, hunger, and various life threatening diseases... I commend anyone who tries to create peace on earth this way.  We also have to remember that we only live one life and we deserve to enjoy what we have now.  So relax and sit back and enjoy a game that has brought so many people together (though with all the drama during the matches, I wouldn't be surprised if its a cause of a war in the future... halfly joking).  Its great to be concerned of the negative things in life, but don't forget to embrace all of the positives either.


Okay I admit... I don't know what I am saying and am not going to reread this entry.  My eyes were mainly on the match on ESPN rather than the computer screen so please excuse the typos and ramblings on nonsense.

By the way... Portugal just lost to Spain.  Better luck in 2014, Portugal!  (Cristiano Ronaldo... ooh weee!)

3 comments:

  1. Great post Thyda! It's great to know that even though you don't watch sports as often as maybe those around you or other sports fans in general, you can still find ways to embrace and appreciate them! That's the type of attitude that I think can definitely deepen your interest in sports =).

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  2. Why thank you! Wow... I honestly was not expecting any comments on this post because its not really my typical.

    I appreciate sports and its fun... great way to bring a team AND communities together. And there's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition! ;)

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  3. I was rooting for Netherlands, but I think that's because Spain subjugated my people until about 1898. :)

    Ps. I was following your tweets on the world cup, and I wanted Asia to get to at least the Quarter Finals, but le sigh.

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