GOOLLL!
30.06.14 
This post is a paid collaboration with Crest and Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are mine.
These pictures were taken the day before the World Cup games began, which was also the day before my son was scheduled to leave to Philly to be with family. Needless to say, we didn’t get to watch the games together but there have been plenty of calls, texts and Skypes filled with disappointments and cheers alike. Soccer is really the only sport I enjoy so it’s awesome that my son can tell me about games and players, and I actually know what he’s talking about!
The games have been a nail-biting and exciting experience, but what I love the most is how countries and people have come together. I felt so much pride when Ecuador played their hearts out with Alexander Domínguez leaping to stop those goals. However, I have to admit that my overwhelming joy was accompanied with a bit of sadness. You see, I grew up with a lot of tradition brought down to me from my grandparents and great aunts and uncles. And after moving to LA, a lot of that was lost. My son will never know the beauty of seeing grandparents talk over a cup of cafecito, going to la iglesia con los hermanos y hermanas and knowing what it’s like to be surrounded by tías and tíos at Sunday dinner. Sure, I’ve tried to pass down as much as I could to my son but being second and first generation myself from each parent – It’s simply not the same. It was through fútbol that I realized this needed to change, and that I had spent too much time trying to adapt to my new circumstances instead of working harder to make sure my son truly understood where he comes from.
Right now, Crest is at its peak of the Celebrate Closer campaign, which includes posts like this one illustrating that the further your team goes, the closer you get. You definitely want to make sure you’re nice and minty if you’re watching games with family and friends. We have
3 comments
for beginners, it’s already good enough for Michael to like soccer……a game for boys and girls alike, some say of British origin, interesting sport, a bit rough but exciting, full of emotion, feeling, and passion. Michael must register with one of the professional soccer club’s juvenile categories, because he’s surely got all the makings to become an all American soccer star and represent USA in Russia’s 2018 World Cup or Qatar’s 2022 World Cup.
It’s somewhat sad to see that you have let your move to LA “water down” (as you stated) your Latino culture. Our culture lives in us and even though you no longer live in NY surrounded by family, I think it’s important for us as Latinas to carry our culture with us wherever we go. It’s also important to instill that culture and pride into our children (which I will do when I have them). Especially considering you work for LBC. Your child is still at an age where you can instill the pride and customs of his Latino heritage. I hope you take the time to do so. It’s such a beautiful pride to carry around, it would be sad to see your son or even yourself lose it. Just a thought. Saludos!
Oh, I agree. But I never said I didn’t carry my culture or feel a sense of pride. I am a Latina through and through. However, as a first-generation-multicultural-Latina from New York, I had experiences growing up that simply cannot be duplicated, especially because my son is also not full Latino. He has other beautiful roots that he’s proud of as well. However, it did occur to me that I may have swung the pendulum a bit more towards adapting to a new way of life, as I see that much of what I say gets lost in translation. Much of my parenting style is absolutely influenced by the traditions and customs that were passed down to me – It’s engrained in who I am. But it hit me that more needs to be done with language (being enforced currently) and travel because I want him to really experience the beauty of our culture (beyond me). We’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico. You and I know that it’s life changing to visit the island. It’s a must-do.
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