We got the Feeva...

It's just 2 weeks until kick off and there's a couple of serious cases of soccer feeva going down at my house. And I don't even really like soccer...
The teams have started arriving, in alphabetical order, I might add! The opening ceremony and first game (South Africa vs Mexico) of the tournament will take place in Johannesburg exactly a fortnight from today. On that same day, we've got tickets to watch France vs Uruguay. To say that we are excited about the World Cup is an understatement. We have big plans to decorate our house in support of our local Bafana Bafana (Translation: the boys, the boys)team. We have South African flags and vuvuzelas and South African flag sweets and chocolate soccer balls and soccer mugs all over the show. Jake is really into it all and I'm just so excited to be able to share this moment in history with him. And it truely is that, especially since this will be the VERY first World Cup ever held on the African continent. And it's here. In our country. In our town...

Patriotic? You betcha!!! I love everything about this country; I love the people, I love the land, I love the beaches, the mountains and the weather (except winter)and I just could never imagine myself living anywhere else in the world (except maybe on the beach on some remote island in Greece. Or wherever Jake goes, but my heart will always be here). On the threashold of such a momentus event, I can only say that have goosebumps at the thought of so many people being able to experience South Africa for all that it has to offer. I am so proud to be able to "share" this beauty with so many. I am totally proud to be South African and I will be rooting for our soccer team with all my might (even though this is their first appearance at an event of this magnitude - good luck boys!). I am emotional for the young men who will be representing our country, I want to cry when I think about their mothers watching them face some of the best players in the world. I probably will when I hear them singing our national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica (go read the translation - it's a beautiful prayer).

During the world cup, I have plans to keep a score chart running with Jake and we are planning to prepare meals/snacks according to which teams are playing each day - you're all welcome to pop in and join us! All matches will be aired live on our national television station (it's free for all) and while we may not sit glued to the box, the TV will be on and we will be part of Fifa's World Cup in 2010...
Above: Zakumi, the 2010 mascot