Super Tipster

Not only was Germany a big winner in the World Cup, but also me :) I was the super tipster! I won our work "tip round" of eight people by 17 points. I had a 24-pt lead at one point..but I knew I could more risky at the end! I ended up with 152 points total which, from what everyone has been telling me, was a score no one else seemed to even come close to. I'm really not tooting my own horn here as I'm equally surprised I performed so well!

During our monthly management meeting I was presented with a hand-made trophy (mein Pokal). I couldn't stop smiling. And it didn't take long for me to start eating the delicious Brazil-colored candies inside the trophy. Naturally, I shared. I also received some chocolates which I will also share with the team.

I definitely plan to have a Tiprunde in 2018...let me know if you want in ;)

Handmade three-piece trophy - filled with Brazil-colored marshmallow-like candies

Lastly, since it never made it in...



June 26, 2014 | Germany vs. USA

I went to bed with my German outfit planned and just so, so excited for the big game. When I got dress that Thursday, I immediately felt pangs of guilt. I was wearing black, red, and yellow and not one shred of red, white, or blue. And I didn't even have any! I felt guilty. I was supporting the USA, and even tipped in their favor (!) going for the upset. Luckily, on my walk to work I passed through the weekly market and someone happened to have an American flag scarf for sale. Thankfully it was only 5,00€ because I probably would have paid even more!

In the office, I taught my colleagues a new phrase, "fashion disaster". My black, white, yellow, red, blue mix was not the most stylish, but I felt so much pride -- for both my teams.

Note the earrings!

WELTMEISTER! DEUTSCHLAND! ****

Germany did it!
 
1954, 1974, 1990, & 2014!

They get their fourth star!

Too many explanation points!!!

While it was a stressful, yet exciting game, it was completely deserved. The core players on the national team have been on my radar since at least the 2008 Euro Cup...perhaps sooner, but I can't recall exactly. A good majority of that core also plays together for Bayern München, so it's a team I really know better than the US team. And they are good. Really good. Obviously. It was so amazing to see it all come together. I'll never forget this World Cup, really, I'm pretty sure I won't, even though I can hardly remember a minute of 2010. It was so special to celebrate this World Cup in Germany. I already feel a small void knowing there's no soccer this week. Plus, you know, I won the "Tipprunde" at work and gained a lot of respect for Americans overall. That's how I see it at least. I'm so excited that America has finally seen the greatness that is the world sport of football.

I'm still trying to think of a good example, but can't come up with a good comparison to describe what I witnessed and felt last night. Everyone, EVERYONE, was excited and watching and celebrating. Young, old, men, women, soccer players, and non-soccer players. Everyone is interested. In one team. In one game. The post-game car honking and flag waving and cheering and unity was was beyond measure. You don't get that at a Superbowl or even the Olympics (try to get everyone to agree on one sport!). Maybe you get the patriotic pride on the Fourth of July, but no one is ever going to be *that* excited about fireworks and BBQs.

Is it 2018 yet?!

Schlaaaand!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RLZUKqpXYzU