this must be written.

I’ve just had one of the most enjoyable talks with my folks here at our supper table tonight. Revolving around “deportes”

So, I found out that my dad was a gym teacher for 5 years in a high school. I can completely see this. He seems like the perfect “gym teacher” figure. It made me really happy. From what I think I understood, that’s what he went to school for: to become a “professor” in Physical Education. I also learned that he’s the youngest of 4 brothers, so I got to hear about how they each had their own groups, but would sometimes combine and make a big group to play sports or go to the movies and cause trouble and whatnot. I knew I liked him for a reason! He’s just super.

That being said, it makes sense that today when Ecuador was playing Uruguay to increase their chances of making it to the world cup, he was interested, because he’s interested in sports. What I didn’t realize was the fierce and intense passion for sports that lives inside my seemingly sweet and fragile 66 year old mother! No kidding around here folks. I’ve always known that she is the one in charge and running the ship much like the “man of the house” but today I got a better idea as to why. Due to the unfortunate early death of her older brother, she became her dad’s “son” and he took her to all the sporting events so she’s grown up watching and enjoying sports her whole life and thus was quite the tomboy. What I didn’t expect to hear her tell me was that when there’s a sporting event on, my Dad isn’t the one glued to the set- it’s her!

Supposedly, Dad gets antsy, nervous, and/or bored and can’t sit down and watch the entire game in full, but Mom, NO- she’s right there with her whole self wrapped up in that game. For this reason, when Ecuador tied today, there was obvious anxiety the entire time, and when it was time for us to sit down for supper, she ended up with a headache from the stress. It was great!! (I mean, not that she had a headache, but this woman’s “umph!” I tell ya what!)

And thus, I live with two very avid sports fans. I’m hoping to convince them to help me cheer on a certain beloved football team this weekend. The Buckeye Nation can always use more members, right?

So Ecuador because of this tie is still in the running to have a chance at the World Cup, but will have to prove themselves against Columbia (at least from what I understand).

Thus, I wait in eager and hopeful anticipation to see what will happen with both my fútbol and football team.

¡¡VAMOS ECUATORIANOS!! Y LET’S GO BUCKS!


Ps. On a sidenote- our food in the US is definitely dyed. Trident – yah, that red food coloring they put in the states does nothing. The white piece I just stuck in my mouth has the same pleasant cinnamony taste I’m used to minus the illusion that red=cinnamon. Cinnamon is brown anyways, so why do we think it’s red? Oh, U.S.A…. what am I going to do with you?