Despite the really desolate weather condition outside, try 10 degrees and a wind chill that feels like –20 degrees, nothing can stop the fever pitch that this Sunday's big game is drumming up.

I t is Super Bowl XLII time and boy, is it really time to party!!! Everyone (well, almost) pulls all the stops to everyday living and plans all things human around kick-off time, which in the Midwest would be 5:30 p.m.

You have to understand what this game means to the American public and to most of the immigrants who have come to love the game as well. The Super Bowl ranks way up there in the highest echelon of the most awaited sport and the most watched event. For the sport's enthusiast, Sunday's football game is akin to a PBA championship game, maybe a hundred times over when it comes to media glitz, coverage and advertisements.

The suspense culminates every last Sunday of January or the first Sunday of February when two teams meet at a warm neutral zone to duke it out for that prized Vince Lombardi trophy.

American football, not to be confused with the Filipinos version of football - soccer, is an interesting game to watch. For a neophyte, it could be perceived as a senseless game, gladiator-like and maybe hard to understand. How the game is played, the different positions, the number of players could contribute to the complication. In my opinion, who cares about all that, right?

Here's my take. I look at the teams when they play and when it is time to pick out a winner, I simplify the process. Often times, I pick the team with the nicest uniform color or the team with the cutest looking quarterback. It helps that the players wear those tight-fitting pants and on a big screen, high def TV, um um um… it is not that hard but I digress! No stats, no game analysis, no listening to sports reporters…just plain old visuals! This strategy has worked for me many, many times whether we're talking football squares or the actual Super Bowl winner.

But on a serious note, as I began to understand the intricacies of the game a long time ago, I have learned to watch the game like a man minus the beer of course. I have learned to understand terminologies like touch down, or punt, or first down or a field goal. I have learned to appreciate the tackles, the hard hits and the Hail Mary throws. I cringe when I hear the intense sound of two helmets colliding. I scream to cheer, I get up and do the hand thing, I yell at the TV like an idiot who thinks the player can hear me. I am a fan, a lover of the game and there is no denying, we will party like it's 2008 come Sunday.

In the cold tundra such as Chicago and the mid section of the country as well as out East, Super Bowl Sunday means good times with family and friends whether it's at home, at a bar or a restaurant. It is a great reason to come together, have fun while watching the game and enjoy a good game, great food and beer.

The food spread this Sunday would include anything from chili, to fried chicken, pasta, Italian beef, hotdogs and burgers to fancy gourmet food. The sides are of course not to be forgotten – chips and dips, salsa and guacamole, cocktail shrimp and the old hardy peanuts.

Since the game is between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, there really is no pressure for people like us from Chicago . Last year was a different story. I remember my husband and I were in Los Angeles at the time and it was quite weird to be donning a Bears' jersey in a different city plus it was warm and not –20. But even there, I was surprised to meet quite a few Bears' fans. However, for some odd reason, there is just something different when you watch the Super Bowl in a 70-degree weather. Must be a Midwest thing!!!

This year's game is highly anticipated for one reason; it could be the Super Bowl where history in all it's 42 glorious years will be made. The Patriots have a perfect record this year, 16-0 while the Giants have10 wins and 6 losses. Since the Giants are considered the underdogs, they could go down in the annals of the NFL (National Football League) as the one who beat the team with the perfect record this season or it could be the Patriots' year to have that rare feat of achieving the all-time perfect record. We shall see.

But let's be honest here. Sure I like to watch the game and all but what really keeps me glued? The commercials and the halftime show. Yep, the shows have become quite lackluster since the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction from a few years ago but you got to give it to the organizers. They try. But the commercials? This is one time and only one time will people sit to watch them. This is when companies will pay bucko bucks for a 30-second commercial. They unveil their biggest, grandest and newest commercials on this day. These companies who pay millions usually do not disappoint.

So when it's kick-off time on Sunday and the Las Vegas ' bookies are getting ready to place their bets, expect the whole country to be on a standstill.

Never mind that it's Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, never mind that the federal government has taken under step to ease the bleeding of the US economy by cutting down the interest rate again, never mind that it's frigidly cold outside. For about four hours on Sunday, a lot of people are going to get together and have fun and enjoy each other in the process.

After all, the love for the game of football and a great time runs deep in the fibers of the people of this great country. Whether one will cheer for Giselle Bundchen's quarterback boyfriend, the Tom Brady guy of the Patriots or the QB with the great pedigree, Eli Manning of the Giants, I am thankful that I do not live in Boston or New York . Otherwise, I will be talking a different talk. As for the Bears, there's always next year. Yeah right!

Till next time, take it easy. Do not let life bring you down. Remember, God is bigger than any of our problems!!!