I, personally, does not have any real interest in table tennis. To me, it's just some sport I can play if someone asks me to. It doesn't differ from badminton or chess or tennis. It isn't like volleyball. Volleyball is serious business for me. I may not be the best player in the world but I always put my heart whenever I'm playing volleyball. I see to it that I assist and support my teammates very well so we can win even thought it's just a friendly game. This is so until I came here in the US to live with my husband. He has real passion for table tennis. He loves table tennis. Table tennis is not just a serious business for him, it is his life. He learned how to play table tennis when he was a high school student in Antipolo, Rizal. His team was so lucky to find a talented coach who taught them everything they know but doesn't ask much for compensation. They were sophomores when they started playing. As beginners, they performed well but not well enough to be the champion. The following year, they were able to beat all of their seniors. They went on to meet other schools and they gained experience and knowledge from all these exposures.
I think my husband knows everything there is to know about table tennis. From the equipments to the service strokes and techniques, he always has something to comment about. When he got here almost three years ago, he was able to find a table tennis club so he bought a paddle. A paddle and its rubbers that costs 200 bucks. This paddle comes with a bag, a case, a cleaning solution and a sponge. He also has a set of "expensive" orange balls. See how he loves it?! When I got here, we agreed that he'll teach me how to play, and so he bought me a beginners paddle. I think that costs at least 160 dollars. Whew.
Last year, he spent a lot of time surfing the net to find the best deal for a table. We were always talking about what kind of table tennis table to buy, would it be Stiga, Butterfly, Joola, Prince, and would the table have two boards or four boards so it'll be easier to keep. But we have a big problem. We don't have any room for it in our apartment. The table tennis table can fit in our living room, but that means we have to remove the sofa and everything. Or else, there won't be enough space for the players to move. Luckily, we met a new friend, a Filipina who plays tennis, and, table tennis too. She was also so fond of table tennis because she was playing it back in their province in the Philippines, so fond that she agreed to house the table tennis table in their basement. SUCCESS! We have a place to play now! That very moment, we went to the mall to buy a table tennis table, it is a gift for himself his 28th birthday.
Every now and then we visit our friend and play. I find this game as a GREAT form of exercise. Not only do I need to respond quickly, but I have to teach my eyes to study what stroke my opponent used and what type of spin the balls is moving right now and then I have to decide at once what's the best stroke to use as a response. Stressful, right?! Unlike tennis, which is limited when it's getting cold during the fall season until it gets warm enough in spring time, we can play table tennis anytime of the year. This coming summer, we are thinking of bringing the table tennis table out to our backyard. More friends can come over and enjoy playing outdoor table tennis.
I hope, the next time I post here, I already acquired new skills in table tennis so I can share it with everyone. 'Til then!
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