Of Dad and World Cup

Before I left for Kl a year ago, dad is usually away. Seldom we talk to each other about our stuff(I am the one listening to him talking about his work). Most of the time he was at work. What frustrates me was his night shifts, he sleeps when I am awake and vice versa. So can't blame we are not as close as I am to mom. Financially, he's the one I always go to. Have to. Mom always says: " Go to ur dad if u wanna buy this and that." I did.

Father's day?Father's day is just any other day during my days in Penang.

That changed when I came here, esp. its been one year from the last dad's day.
I went back to Penang.

Dad's was as usual as he is. The emotionless one. but i knew he is happy to see me. Surprised actually. I din tell him I am coming back till I reached the bridge. Unfortunately, he broke his arm while working temporary in an aquarium center( he retired a year ago as a loyal servant in Motorola). It wasn't as bad as I imagined it was. Phew. Mom did some exaggerations on the phone.

It was Father's Day the next day. And the unfilial son in me has nothing to give dad as present. Heh. So, we had dim sum as breakfast, and I paid, to the surprise of Dad. I know. I don't do this usually. But since its Father's Day, at least give me a chance la. He did actually wanted to pay me back the money, and I was like, WTF? (I din say it loud tho, duh).

The World Cup looms around, and Dad loooves World Cups. He has been a loyal fan to the biggest event in football, since..I dunno. People say: Football gets the world talking. It does. Me dad and I are talking non-stop about it. It was the first time we exchange words for more than ten sentences, probably.

Watching World Cup and hearing my dad commentating during a match is fun and erm, frustrating at the same time. I had to divide attention between the English and the Hokkien version. Practically, as usual we are having our football session in my aunt's house and the whole family gathers around....will come to that later. Now, back to dad.

Its a farcry from the days that dad was working. Back then, I seldom see my dad sitting on his fave rotan chair. Now, I can see him sitting on it almost 24/7. Its kinda unusual to see him around in the house, but its worth getting use to it.

On Dad's day, Dad spent most of the time reading newspapers. Other times, we just watched DVDs together. He used to travel a lot, but since he's injured, that makes my travelling session during that time much much lesser. Its weird to discuss what I did in college, the daily events happening in Penang and of course the world cup with my dad.. But hey, its very...i dunno the word..u just feel fun to have him around la.

Practically, its a very meaningful father's day to me this time around.

_________________________________________

My history of interest in World Cups is not a long one. The first time I know about the event is in 1998. Back then, the only player I know is David Beckham, thanks to the Brylcream ad. I watched with my dad for the first time. I remembered the one question I asked my dad: " Why are they just passing around instead of shooting at the goal?" I can't remember what my dad said. It somthing about tatical and stuff. Back then, I am just blur.

2002. The second World Cup in my life. This time around, I knew quite well about the more famous faces in football. Figo, Owen and of course Beckham. I still have no idea about what the heck is formations and countries such as Argentina and Croatia are just weird names to me. Dad is still the evergreen commentator in our family. By the end of it, I was just thrilled by the games and thats when I involved physically in football. The Germany team with Oliver Kahn maybe the inspiration.

2006. World Cup is just as exciting to me as in 2002. Now, I can name the countries participating, the stadiums they are using, the whole England, Brazil, Spain and France squad and all the faces I ever saw in club football. This time around, my dad has to ask me who is who. So, similiar to what we used to do every weekend for club football, we gather at my aunts' place for the usual football session. My aunts are just as interested as we are in football. We shouted whenever a goal or a miss is conducted. We make fun at fat ass Ronaldo and Jar-Jar Binks, a.k.a. Ronaldinho. We booed whenever England touches the ball. Not really. We discussed about the refree and the formation bla bla bla bla bla. Basically, we indulged in every match.

Class started on Tuesday, and unfortuanely I have to leave again. There are so many things to do, yet so less time. Somebody please quickly invent the damn teleport machine.

Out.