Who taught: Kathy

On the ball (source: http://www.choicehow.com)

One more week! Then, I will become a homeowner for the first time in my life. Not sure whether it is a good thing or not because many of my friends have told me, “Terry! You are getting yourself into a series of troubles but it is kind of fun.” I kind of get what they mean but it is still pretty exciting. About a month ago when I first singed on the sales agreement, I felt like I am just buying a thing, which is true. The only difference from the things I have ever bought so far is that I cannot take it with me. It is kind of irony. Isn’t it? Buy something that cannot be taken with you. Well, as time goes by to get closer to the closing date which is March 31, 2011, I feel that this is real. That house is mine and I will live in it soon.

But, it has not been just simple. Ever since I signed on the sales agreement, I have been very busy with home inspection and documents preparation, etc. What can I say? Nothing is easy in the world! During the process, I have been keeping in touch with a few different people and one of them is Kathy who works for my mortgage company. A few days ago, she asked me to buy a home insurance and keep her informed as the last step. So, I did it and sent an email where I put quote number and name and phone number of the sales agent I talked to, etc.

A few hours later, she sent me a response. It was very short. She said, “Boy! You are on the ball.”

When I first read it, I thought I was able to understand what she meant but not sure whether my feeling was right or not. One thing I can say, though, my feeling about a new expression is getting better and better. 🙂 So, my first feeling about the expression, on the ball, was “I am doing good.” To find out whether I am right or not, I googled it. Here is the meaning of the expression! “Well-informed and be in complete control.”

But, the more important part is its etymology. Where is it from? Doing my research, I found this forum in which you can find a lot of different stories about its origin. I will leave it up to your discretion. Being a huge soccer fan, my choice is that it is from soccer just like a English guy’s argument. Baseball is too small to have a feeling of being on the ball. Soccer ball is big enough to have my foot be on the ball. Hence, I can totally imagine that I am in full control over the ball by putting my foot on the soccer ball. I am sure you would have the same feeling if you’ve ever played soccer.

What do you think?