World Cup 2006: Time to Make Friends

That's the slogan for this World Cup. Host nation Germany has certainly made many friends with their style of play, so different from their defensive ways in past campaigns. Champions Italy may not have made as many, but they have showed strength of character, putting up a united front and some excellent displays of skill and flair amidst controversial circumstances back home. France have proven that age is no stumbling block when all you need sometimes is a winning mentality. Zidane's act of madness, though unfortunate, reminds us that he's still human. Portugal, being the dark horses of the tournament, gives us the chance to cheer for underdogs. Barring the dives, they have played beautifully too.

So many nationalities can be seen cross representing each other. There are Dutch coaches for smaller football nations, a Brazilian coach for Portugal, players not playing for their country of birth or origin and referees from all continents. Heck, I was blogging for Australia on a football website and I'm not the least bit Australian. The world has become a community, where barriers to communicate and reach one another are almost non-existent now. You might find it easier to connect with a penpal half-way across the world than your next door neighbour.

Just yesterday morning, I received a phone call from Cambodia. It was one of the kids from an Orphanage which I visited and did social work at. If it hadn't been quite so early in the morning, I would have been so touched tears might have fallen. The call was a small gesture but it meant a lot. I could hear how earnest he was, telling me what he has achieved and hopes to do in the future. It was tough not being able to tell him when I will return. The bond forged in such a short time, a mere 18 days, almost three years ago now, still remains. Nothing has changed. Time has pushed us along, but connection is immediate when deep memories are awakened.

I am grateful to have made many friends from all over the world. Circumstances were such that there are so many opportunities to do so. From having classmates of a wide variety of nationalities, to friends from my travels, and also from comrades in faith. As I pursue my dream of being a journalist, I hope to increase this global pool of friends, and in turn make the community itself, appreciate the wonders of friendships across borders.