divided loyalties…

courtesy of wallwidehd.com

Rose Boras
Facebook post
April 15, 2012

Croatian by design.
U.S. citizen by birth.
Mexican resident by choice.

The bad thing about having surpising loyalties, is that sometimes it can cause divided loyalties. My birthday was on Monday and I had a marvelous time of it. But I have to say the two hours Croatia played Mexico during the World Cup, I bit off my fingernails and fingers.!! Plus everyone kept asking me who I was rooting for because apparently it wasn’t clear to anyone. While, I am Croatian by ethnicity, I have strong ties to Mexico.

Luka Modric of Croatia and Hector Herrera of Mexico courtesy of zimbio.com

However, I decided the moment that I heard Croatia was playing Mexico on my birthday, I would root for Croatia.! Even though one of my friends accused me offline of really rooting for Mexico.! jajaja… But in all seriousness, it was a tough game to watch. I love both countries.! Regardless of who won or lost, I would feel elated for one and heartbroken for the other. But such is life right.? Bittersweet at all times. And that’s exactly what happened when Mexico won. I was happy for Mexico and all of my Mexican friends. But truly sad for all my Croatian family and friends. It had been nice to watch Croatia on a world stage albeit for only a short time.!

Danijel Pranjic of Croatia controls the ball as Paul Aguilar of Mexico gives chase courtes of zimbio.com

I have to admit, I’m not looking forward to the next time my heartstrings are pulled in such a fashion. And that was only a soccer game. I can only imagine the discord in one’s psyche when you have parents from two differing places or people caught up in ethnic strife. I hope the next time my loyalties are tested and divided, it’s because I can’t decide between chocolate and vanilla ice cream.!! No manches.!!

surprising loyalties…

courtesy of societeperrier.com

I am always surprised when I meet a person who is loyal to another country, team, or ideal than the status quo. For example, in Chicago you would expect to find Chicago Bears fans, Blackhawks fans, and Cubs fans. But when someone is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks or the Cleveland Browns, you might be intrigued, but not surprised. And usually you will discover they have some predilection towards that particular town because they lived there or grew up within its confines.

However, there are some loyalties that do surprise you. That is until you look deeper. For example, I have a former coworker who worships Holland. Upon much questioning, you realize she lived there for several years. Or maybe you know a certain Croatian-American girl with an affinity for Mexico. Upon some research on her blog, you discover she lived in Mexico. But what makes a man from Brazil who has never lived in Croatia, love the Croatian national soccer team. In this case, it’s all about loving the underdog… Watch the video, it’s amazing 🙂

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/y=2014/m=6/video=the-brazilian-croatia-fan-2384144.html

fifa…fafafa…

courtesy of fifa.com

A satirical look at FIFA, the international governing body of football or soccer. John Oliver from Last Week Tonight is hilarious.!! Enjoy.!! And please remember “football is religion.!” jajaja…

Goooaaal…..

courtesy of 101greatgoals.com

Croatia is still in the game baby.!! Yay.!! I was so hoping we would not get eliminated playing Cameroon. And we didn’t.! Final goal was 4-0 in Croatia’s favor 🙂

I have to say prior to the game start, I was a little apprehensive for two reasons. Firstly, while Croatia played a solid game against Brazil, bad reffing left much to be desired. I was hoping not to relive those bad calls again. And secondly, Mexico only beat Cameroon by 1-0 during their match. El Tri, as Mexico’s team is known, is ranked number 19 in FIFA standings. Croatia is ranked number 18. So, needless to say, I was concerned about a tight scoring game leaving very little of my fingers left let alone my fingernails.!!

courtesy of jakessteaks.net

But I had very little reason to fear. I’m not sure if I should be thankful for the extensive heat in Manaus, Mario Mandzukic’s return, or Alex Song’s eviction from the game, but hallelujah.!! It all worked out in the end. In fact, I felt a little sorry for Cameroon 😦 But I do believe, Croatia needed this win and in a big way. They face Mexico on Monday (my birthday by the way) and the win against Cameroon was essential to get their head back in the game.!

I’ve had several people ask me today, who will I be rooting for during Monday’s game, Mexico vs. Croatia. And I have to admit, I will be slightly torn and maybe even a little guilty not rooting for El Tri. But since I’m Croatian by design and it is my birthday that day too – soy Croata en lunes durante el gran partido.! jajaja…. Unless of course Mexico wins…..jijiji…just kidding 🙂

four years ago…in a country far away…

courtesy of fifa.com

Unfortunately, Croatia lost to Brazil yesterday 3 to 1. I could spend the rest of this blog talking about how bad the reffing was on the part of the FIFA referee, but I won’t. Sometimes, you win games and sometimes you lose. I think the most important aspect is that you are fully participating in the game and in life. I’m just super happy that Croatia made it back to the international soccer stage in such a big way.!! I can’t wait for the next few games.!! However, besides my excitement, this World Cup is bringing back memories of another World Cup.!

courtesy of fannation.com

Four years ago, during World Cup 2010, I was lucky enough to be in Mexico. I had just graduated from my Master’s Program in June 2010. I also had an interview the following week lined up with Starbucks Mexico in Mexico City – which reminds me I still owe you a post for that trip.! On top of all that, my birthday was the week after the interview while I was hanging out in playa.! Also, one of my very good friends, J. aka my birthday buddy, was also celebrating her birthday a few days later.

watching World Cup 2010 at Tequila Barrel

So J. and our mutual friend, A., decided they would meet me in Playa del Carmen the week after my interview in D.F. We were going to celebrate all of our graduations plus mine and J.’s birthdays.!! All the while taking in the beach, sun, and of course some tours. Not to mention, eating, drinking, and watching as many of the World Cup 2010 games that we could catch.! And we did just that.!!

celebrating J.’s birthday

And I have to tell you it was exhilarating.!! Everywhere in playa, people were watching the games.!! It didn’t matter what country was playing or what time of day, everyone was watching. When I would go to my boyfriend’s house to watch a game with his friends, all the houses had the games on. By the way, that’s when I first learned to curse – “chinga su madre.!” – at bad ref calls.!! Which by the way, I was also utilizing very strongly during yesterday’s opening game.!

more drinking and World Cup watching in playa

Quinta Avenida was also on fire with all the bars packed with people drinking and watching the games.! And if Mexico was playing, well no one was really working. All the maseros would stop whatever they were doing when Mexico scored a goal.!! Everyone would be screaming, shouting, and high-fiving even the tourists.! Hell, even the tourists walking down Fifth Avenue would join in on the celebrating.! When in Mexico, you gotta cheer for Mexico.!! The excitement for the game was tangible.

courtesy of fifa.com

And that’s what I miss about this year’s World Cup. Chicago is too big to have that electrically charged atmosphere. And unfortunately, not that many Americans watch World Cup. But I also think it’s different because the World Cups give me a timeframe, a barometer so to speak, to gauge my hopes, my dreams, and my realities. For starters, I’m no longer with that boyfriend or in Mexico for that matter. Heck, even our dream of going to World Cup Brazil 2014 didn’t materialize. But what I do have are different hopes, dreams, and realities. And, in the meantime, I have found a select, albeit small, group of soccer lovers who are going to help me cheer on the games.! But oh how I miss World Cup 2010 and all of it’s glorious memories. ¡Órale!

world cup fever.!!

courtesy of croatiansports.com

Today is the first day of World Cup 2014.!! And I am super excited because Croatia is playing the opening game against Brazil.!! How spectacularly awesome 🙂 And albeit, a little scary too, since Croatia did not even qualify for World Cup 2010. However, in their World Cup debut in 1998, they finished third.!! I’m hoping for a similar end result this time around.

Soccer holds a special place in my heart because as long as I can remember, I’ve been going to soccer (football) matches with my father. But the World Cup has an even greater hold on me because it reminds me of my first year in Mexico. I will tell you all about that trip tomorrow.! Until then, please enjoy this video supporting the Croatian soccer team. And let’s bring it Croatia.!!!