Do you like football? Or you hate it?

I am not a football fan but I am drawn to this World Cup 2006 Fever. Somehow, it is difficult to admit, as a woman, that I actually do enjoy watching football. Watching the best of the best in the world play is a sheer enjoyment. I wonder why I found it difficult to admit. Will it be that football is always associated with violence? Will it be that football is always associated with roughness?

But I have my own way of appreciation. The way the footballers organize the ball to score, to me, is almost like an art. The stamina and the fighting spirit of the team players always move me.

Born in Hong Kong (then a British colony), now a Chinese living in the UK (Scotland - can't support England, can I?), I always found myself awkard in the position of supporting which team. I remember when I was in Hong Kong, many Hong Kong Chinese hated the fact that Hong Kong was hanged over to China. But when it came to the World Cup or Olympics, almost everybody supported China. Does this mean that, in the bottom of our heart, we all need a country we can belong to? We all need an authority we can submit to and worship?

When it comes to World Cup, my hears always go out to the losing team. My cheers will be for those they strive and fight on even though they are facing strong bullies. I learnt so much from football. I am also motivated by it.

Over 40, I see my life now as having a half-time rest. I have had the most exciting and glamours jobs. I have won awards. I have scored a few goals and have had a few hurts at the same time. Now I am facing the second half of the game. What is my strategy? Who are the enemies? I need to remember that the direction of the goal has been changed, not the same way any more.

I wish I can have the fighting spirit of the South Korea team, the winning stamina of Ghana, the creativity of Brazil,  the scoring skills of Argentina and the supporting cheers for England to face the second half of my game in my life!

World Cup 2006 Dates and Calender