I am so excited to share my story with every one here.

It has always been a dream of mine to attend the World Cup. Growing up, I watched countless soccer games with my dad and older brother. It is the major sport in our family. Last World Cup 2010, I had to work and stay in LA (I worked for a sports channel) and watched it on television like millions of people.

When I found out the next World Cup would be in Brazil, I knew I had to go. I signed up for the FIFA Lottery like millions of others, but got an email saying I was not selected. Also at the time, work, vacation days and money wise, all signs pointed to a “no go”.

I reread The Secret, searched videos on YouTube and did a vision board, one I had not done in years. Also, I took out many magazines, including one ESPN magazine I bought during the last World Cup. I remember specifically tearing out a sheet that said “Take Me to The World Cup” with a picture of fans in the stadium. Then I tore out another advertisement of a new ESPN magazine I bought, that had pictures of Brazil and there was one that had a big stadium with Brazil in the background.

At the time, there was just a dream of going. 3 days after I created my vision board my roommate sent me a text that said “Hey, my brother got 2 extra tickets in the FIFA lottery, would you be interested in one?”

I could have cried! I jumped up and down and said YES!!!

That night I started looking at plane tickets to Brazil. 2 weeks later I applied for a tourist visa, and found out the new guy I was dating was also going to be at the World Cup around the same time as me. And a pleasant surprise, my new work happily approved my 2 week vacation days and even asked me to bring them back a souvenir. I could not believe how things just started to work out for me.

I could not believe I was really going. The day before my flight to Brazil, I wrote down:

1.) I am going to go to 2 games (I only had a ticket for one).

2.) I am going to have the best time and be so happy in the stadium.

The next day I flew to Brazil. I could not believe I was there. I arrived and I was amazed beyond belief. I met up with the guy I was dating my first 3 days and we had a blast.

On my 4th day, I went to see the Christ Reedemer alone. I waited hours for the shuttle to get there and then an hour up the mountain. Once I was finally there I was in awe of everything.

As I was leaving the Christ Redeemer, I got in the long (and I mean long) line for the shuttle back to the hotels. As I was waiting almost an hour, some soccer fans got bored and started to argue and play with other fans. I said aloud, joking “If I have to listen to this for another hour, I will pass out”. The guy in front of me laughed, turned around and said “Me too.” I said, “Are you American?” He happily said yes.

After talking 10 minutes, I found out he had an extra ticket to the game the next day and long story short, I went with him to that game!

I cried as soon as I entered the stadium, tears of joy. We had the best time at the game, and the best part was he refused to charge me for his ticket. I cried tears of joy again and flew out that night to the game I had bought my ticket to. We are still friends to this day.

And the kicker? Once I got back from Brazil I looked on my vision board again. The picture of the stadium in Brazil was one of the stadiums I went to and I saw 2 games!