The Journey of the Late Bloomer. ed.

My love for football was born right before I turned 21.

When the World Cup started, just like everybody did, I picked my team. Because I didn't have a single knowledge of which teams and players were good, I had to rely on instinct. I was somehow aware of the buzz created by English football as well as its fans. Also, somewhere in my childhood I can clearly remember dreaming to step foot on English soil. So I chose England.

The first game of the event began. At first, I saw it just like how I did any other show- uncritically and uncomprehendingly. That time, it was just a 'game of running men' for me. But that didn't last very long. Germany scored within the first 6 minutes. Then again at 17th. Then at the 61st. There was just adrenaline rush. The game caught me by surprise. I appreciated the game! I appreciated A game for the first time. England was not playing until the following day. I followed the game of my team, as expected, but this time more closely, with my gradually growing level of enthusiasm for the sport. I knew I had to pick a favorite player. One lad seemed to constantly aim for a goal. Frank Lampard. Their second game and third games followed. He was consistently performing well. Right at that moment, I realized he was the man.

Unexpectedly, the group faced an early exit. Only God knew how disappointed and shocked I was. I stared agape at the TV screen. It was 530am here in the Philippines. I still haven't slept. I stayed up until that time to catch their game; something I've never imagined I would do for a sport. But I did. And yet I got disappointed. Right there and then, I knew that when the World Cup ends, my love for the game continues.

Then came the EPL. This time, I struggled to pick my favorite team among the pool of English teams. But my initial thought was, it might be sensible to pick one based on the players I liked in the recently concluded World Cup. The names that first came up were: Lampard, Cole and Terry of England. Then Klose and Ballack of Germany; Robben and RVN of Holland; and Shevchenko of Ukraine. Where can I find any of these players?

Surprise, surprise! I found 6 of them, including Lampard, in Chelsea. Chelski. The Blues.

I may be unlike many people who have vivid chilhood memories of football- going to the live games at Stamford Bridge with their moms and dads or siblings or both, buying and wearing football kits until they wear out, screaming to the top of their lungs with other England/Chelsea fans to share the victory with each other- but I know one thing is for sure. When I'm old and aging, I will have my own share of that. Even if it all started when I was already out of college.

People, the journey of the late bloomer has just begun with England.