Spain, DC reUnited, and the Mid-Summer Classic

GOOOOOOOL!!! On Sunday, Spain became only the eighth country in history to win a World Cup. They did it by defeating Netherlands, 1-0, scoring in the second extra period. It was a good match to watch. Neither team had ever won it before, so they were both playing for their first championship. Also, when I watch football, or soccer as we call it in the U.S., I love to watch the passing. Spain definitely passes the ball better than any team that was in the tournament. I wish I could have passed like that in my day. Also, I don't mean to brag, but I predicted either Spain or Netherlands from the beginning. It really didn't matter too much to me who won, but since I don't speak Dutch yet, I have more of a connection to Spain. Also, it gave me the great joy of putting up my Spanish flag outside my parents' house. Viva Espana! We definitely have the only Spanish flag on the block. Especially after the 4th of July. It's like a sea of American flags in our cul-de-sac...

I finally made it back to DC on Monday. It felt great to be back and see my housemates. I had missed them a little (shhh, don't tell them). It was great. Allison was apparently in the mood for breakfast at dinner time, so we cracked open the griddle and got cooking. She had me do the bacon since her family was never a bacon family growing up. When I heard that my mind quickly went back to the year that Mom was on sabbatical and would pack me bacon sandwiches, mmmm. I mean, come on. Bacon is the food of joy, at least according to Sarah Vowell it is. Additionally, we had pancakes and eggs. Allison got pretty creative with the pancakes. She made A's, J's, and T's for Allison, me, and Tory, respectively. It was as if the eggs had skis on the newly christened griddle. The food was delicious, but I couldn't wait to eat it with A and T. I had to hurry up and watch last week's Bachelorette, so that I'd be caught up to watch this week's with Allison. Tory even joined us for parts of it. What started as an curiosity about trash television on primetime ABC has now become a weekly ritual. So the adage goes, "curiosity killed the cat". Now I'm hooked. The running commentary from our basement peanut gallery is what makes the show enjoyable. I was pretty sad to see Kirk go this week. Only three left... I have no idea who she'll pick.

FINALLY!! As if Spain winning the World Cup wasn't enough... the National League finally won the All-Star game! After a thirteen year drought, the NL finally rose to the challenge and defeated the American League, 3-1. I watched the entire game. I'm a pretty big aficionado of baseball, but it was pretty slow for the first seven innings--a lot of great pitching I guess. Much to my dismay, it was a member of the Atlanta Braves who was the hero. I was just happy to see the NL win. So now if the Phillies can pull themselves together and top the NL East-leading Braves and win their division and make the World Series for the third straight year, they will have home-field advantage. Okay, so it's a little premature to be talking about October, but still it's exciting. Whoever wins the Pennant for the National League will be able to rest easier knowing that home-field is locked up. Speaking of rest... that sounds good right now.