As an American living far away form the Land of the Free and the Home of the Supersized McMenu, I am often asked what I miss most from America. I can tell you lots of things that I don’t miss (tipping, picking up after my dog, paying for gas), but there are few things that I miss so, so dearly. If I want a hamburger, I cough up the money and go to Friday’s. If I want an American brew, they sell Sam Adams at the supermarket next door. En fin, I’ve learned to adapt and still retain my Americaness.
But if I want this, well, I just have to remember that college football is only three months of the year.
There are few things I love more than hearing “Touchdown, Iowa!” and screaming IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII as the black and gold flag is waved at the student section. No better way to start a football Saturday than cracking a beer to the darlings of the Hawkeye State on Melrose Avenue at 6am. For a state with no professional teams, the Hawks are about as close as they’ve got, and fans pour into Iowa City during every home game. So, yes, I miss Hawkeye Football and everything that comes along with it (Kirk Ferentz’s trastero included).
My elementary school gym teacher had a yellow and black bumper sticker on the door to his office, 80s-style old-school, that read: It’s great to be a Hawkeye! I got a postcard announcing my acceptance into my first-choice school which proclaimed the same. Damn, it feels good to be a Hawkeye.
Yes, this is from the kids’ section, and yes, you can make fun of me for it.
About Sunshine and Siestas
Big fan of black and gold. But, that’s pretty much it.
Yinzer, please.
I’m not much for football (college or otherwise), but I do loveeeeeee college basketball! Also, sorry but I hate black and gold. It’s not your fault; it’s Purdue’s. Worst school ever. Hah. I’m sad to be missing this season, which promises to be a good one!
Anyone who thinks Purdue is cool is not my friend. And, oddly enough, I don’t like basketball (Iowa is much more of a football than basketball school). On Iowa, GO HAWKS!