Hello Friends,

I did something extremely out of character a day ago. I entered the City to Surf (for those abroad it’s a 14 kilometre running race).

But do you know what I say to people when they tell me things never change?

I simply say, “I eat chilli.”

It was only a year and a few weeks ago that I could only eat bland food. When I thought sweet chilli sauce was pushing my pain barrier, and whenever anyone would even try to push me on why I don’t eat spicy things, I would scream, “If it felt on your tongue what it feels like on mine you would NEVER eat it!”

Then one year ago, exactly, I went to Bali. I ate a lot of very spicy street meat and spent the rest of the ‘romantic’ zen experience with the worst case of stomach flu I have ever endured. However, I pushed through the pain barrier and returned to Australia, never to return to a bland plate again.

The City to Surf isn’t that different. The thing that apparently separates those that finish and those that don’t, is part of the race called Heartbreak Hill. It’s literally one massive, swirling hill where every time you think you’ve kicked it, it surprises you with another twist. It’s not steep, it’s grinding, relentless and at many points of it you can’t see the end. Much unlike the condition it’s named after really.

When it comes to Heartbreak Hill I’m not afraid to say I definitely know that I am well and truly in shape to whip that bad boy in the arse. All it takes is a bit of perseverance and a few moments when I’ll know doubt become enraged and yell out “f#ck you.” Then I will finally accept what a “mother” it really is and climb it in pretty good timing.

Still, lately a lot of people I know have been feeling reflective and looking back on their lives to what was happening a year, possibly even two years ago. They then look to the future and feel nervous.

A year ago when I was in Bali I couldn’t have run 100 meters and I was definitely afraid of heartbreak (type not specific). Hence, I would never have imagined that I would be ready to climb it, let alone run.

And this week, as I smothered yet another meal in chili while taking calls for the organisation of where I was watching the Australia versus Brazil game for the World Cup, I couldn’t help but think how glad I am to have added a little spice in my life. I thought how much Chili reminds me that through any situation, things can change for the better just out of the blue.

Take the World Cup for example.

At one time, Australians ‘being big in Germany' was a polite way of saying YOU SUCK! Actually, possibly it’s the same for Americans. David Hasselhof launched his music career in Germany.

Hence, when ‘the best of the best’ couldn’t get a look in, they went to Germany where the population is plentiful and the reception isn’t as Kransky as Down Under.

The feeling for soccer in the mainstream media now is:

The boys have fought long and hard to get recognition and the Cup has brought that change into action.

Present Australia is a multicultural country with many amazing races which make us who we are. It’s the cup of life and just what the doctor ordered.

The two hottest words in Australia are:

Kaiser (followed by) Slautern.

All of a sudden there are people on the streets talking football. These people had never really given it a second thought before - me being one of them.

Last Sunday instead of watching a bad reality television show I was watching The Footy Show and laughing at in-jokes between Fatty Vaughton and Shane Warne.

I then caught public transport for 90 minutes into the city and drank a tin of beer with a strange English man. I napped on a couch at a friend’s house and then met up with some other friends at 2am to watch Australia play.

And just like life, the Cup has its mysteries.

Like, why does the highest-paid player in the world also have really bad teeth and horrible hair? Surely he could afford to look after himself?

Or?

How can some people do that much exercise and still look like they’ve had one too many burgers? It would seem exercise doesn’t work for everyone.

For me watching the World Cup has been another chilli moment. I never would have thought I’d feel butterflies in my stomach before watching a game. This morning I was chatting to my mum and told her how I had to get up for it. She was like, “Emma-Kate, is that you?”

To me, watching the World Cup is kind of like the cup of youth, only obtainable and better because Instead of just watching all your friends age and die while you look still like a teenager, you actually have fun.

It also shows how the world you live in can always change to be worlds apart from what you once thought it would be.

Just like chilli, just like running Heartbreak Hill, the Cup of Life is anything that sets a challenge and unites people.

Plus, it’s not every day you can be on your way to work and yell, “You ain’t got a kangaroo,” and strangers will instantly start singing with you.

See, the World Cup for people the world over is, the cup of life!

GO AUSTRALIA!

Email me, Emma-Kate Dobbin
editor@tootstar.com