If only Oscar Wilde could see the Italians play today...

I sometimes think that God in creating man, overestimated his ability.
- Oscar Wilde (In Conversation)

I slumped on the sofa with my silky Italian soccer jersey twisting underneath the blankets and glanced at my Italian wristband. I could not believe what I witnessed on television and for a moment I was embarrassed to be Italian.
I remember my teachers asking me to complete an assignment about why we were proud of our heritage and I asked her what happens when you have two nationalities – Chinese and Italian. She told me I had to choose one nationality, because students of mixed origin were seen as abnormalities or mutants. My eyes glazed over as I pondered her absurd request. You don’t ask people whether they like their left or right eye better or for them to choose which arm they would like to have, so why must a child choose only one racial background because students with mixed origin are rare. I surveyed the classroom and realized I was the only Asian in the room so I decided I would be Italian for the day. My last name was Italian and there were other students of the same ethnic origin. It only made sense to erase my Chinese heritage for the day and take on an entirely different persona. I now think that decision was made in haste. ; )
Flash forward 20 years and you will see Albherto Gilardino lead Italy to a 1-0 victory against United States in the World Cup when suddenly Christian Zaccardo decides to “help” his team block a goal by kicking it into his own net! I understand he didn’t do it on purpose, but what a moron! I really can’t see the Chinese doing something so silly even if it was an accident. lol. Thankfully I was able to finish reading Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic , which made me laugh and forget the whole blunder.