World Cup 2010 South Africa

I was born in the year 1978, the year where the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup was coincidentally held in Argentina, and the Argies went on to win it for the very first time. Of all the games that my father watched that year, he must have held me in his arms when Argentina lifted the Cup in the Final where they beat the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time. Perhaps that is the reason why I grew up supporting Argentina? Interesting and debatable eh. I can't remember a thing though! Nevertheless, I guess I started supporting them in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup where Diego Maradona was at his peak, performing miracles.

The next edition of the World Cup will be held in South Africa, in 2010 next year. All the big guns have already qualified and that includes England, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Argentina, Brazil and Italy. It will be interesting to see how Argentina fare in the tournament next year, after a less than convincing qualifying campaign which saw them earning South America's final automatic berth for next year's tournament during a do or die battle where they eventually defeated Uruguay 1-0 away. It will also be interesting to see how England cope with the mounting pressure of being seen as the best ever assembled England squad in recent years. The first and also the last time they ever won the prestigious tournament was back in 1966.

You can bet people from all walks of life will be glued to the TV from 11th June till 11th July next year. I have female friends who claim that they'd never watch a football match, but when it comes to World Cup, it's a different story altogether. You can hear them talking, discussing or even condemning referees who failed to award penalties to their teams. That's the beauty of World Cups.

I can't wait and I'm certainly looking forward to next June, but what could be different this time is I will have the chance to watch the games with my little one!!! Coincidentally, he will be born in a World Cup year as well. You can bet I will have him all nicely dressed up in an Argentina baby jersey (if there really is one), cradling him in one hand, with a can of beer in another. Milk bottle more like it...LOL

Parenthood Excites Me

I thought it was about the right time we announced it. Jan is now in her 16th week of pregnancy and we are expecting our first child at the end of March 2010. We have always thought of keeping a low profile, waiting for the right time, but deep within us, you know we always wanted to share this joyful news with everyone. So here we go.

The prospect of becoming parents for the first time is exhilarating, and at the same time pretty scary. We know there is going to be a big change, but we're excited about it. We are taking things slowly as they come, and at the same time, planning ahead where it matters.

It has been quite good so far, apart from some 'spotting' at the beginning which got us quite worried. Jan has since been experiencing terrible nausea and vomitting, but things are improving now that she's into her second trimester. She has also been complaining of stomach cramps once in a while, she just had to find the right position and it just eased off. I know it's not going to be easy though, but I will try to be as supportive as I can. Food craving symptoms are not seen yet though *phew*, but I'm sure the time will come.

Are we as thrilled to know whether it's a boy or a girl? Well we have no real preferences basically, but after few sessions of heart-to-heart talk, Jan likes a baby boy and myself is leaning towards a baby girl. Don't ask me why. Anyway, it's not all that important, what matters most is a healthy baby.

We're over the moon and truly thankful that God has presented us with this precious gift. I'm hoping for a smooth 2nd and 3rd trimester till delivery for Jan. Let us all pray.