Manfull's Handfull

For the first time in 108 years the Chicago Cubs are in the World Series. Chicago Cubs and World Series haven't been tied together in a sentence for over a CENTURY. Obviously people are losing their minds, and draining their bank accounts to be a part of history-- and I don't blame them one bit. The thing about this is- until very recently I couldn't have cared less about the MLB, or the Cubs in general. I could name a handful of Cubbies, and maybe throw around some general knowledge...but a fan? absolutely not. All I knew was that Kris Bryant was a hottie, and Anthony Rizzo was a cancer-beating badass teddy-bear. But I couldn't help but take notice the second the Cubs started their post-season journey. There's something about a team being so lovable, even in the face of a century of disappointing losses, that really resonates with me as a life-long Hawkeye fan. There is something so captivating watching the fans come out of hibernation, flood the streets, and...

If you know me at all, there have been a very limited amount of times during my young life where I've been left completely speechless. I can almost always come up with a comment, opinion, or at least verbalize some sort of response in most situations. Be it sarcastic, humorous, or semi-intelligent, I'm hardly ever left without words. However, on Saturday night, the only response I could muster when Coldplay took the stage, was a stream of (happy) tears and a smile stretched a mile wide. It's seems dramatic, pathetic to some, to admit that I was brought to tears due to a musical performance. But at the same time, it's completely reasonable. Music has this incredible ability to bring you to certain places, memories, and people. It shapes your not only your day, but your life, and ultimately who you are as a person. For me, Coldplay has been a band that will always resonate with me, because during some of the darkest, or happiest, or most memorable times, it has alway...

Almost every day I find myself reading an article or listening to a song that is preaching body positivity, constantly reminding women that no matter your age, size, skin color, or religion that you're beautiful! I mean, hell yeah! I'm so on board with empowering women and our bodies- however, all the positive messages and lingo floating around is demolished the second a woman steps into a clothing store dressing room. I've always been a short, curvier woman (except for that small stint where my gallbladder stopped working and I was rail thin due to sickness), and let me tell you something: finding clothing has never been an easy task. My body type has never been something that has been displayed on posters, or magazines, or sizes in stores. It's been a frustrating battle for as long as I can remember. From broad shoulders, a seemingly ever-growing chest (thanks so much birth control!!! Bras ain't cheap), flat stomach, wide hips, junk in my trunk and very strong t...

"The world would be a better place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog" - M.K. Clinton I've been a believer my whole life that dogs have the inherent capability to make a life whole, without even trying. In fact, I'm pretty sure the answer to all of the world's crippling problems would be instantly solved if everyone had a dog who loved them. It's a pretty naive thought, but i like to think it's mostly accurate. A few years ago I returned home from studying abroad for 6 months, and while my parents shed a few tears upon my arrival back home, no one greeted me quite like my family dog. We pulled into my driveway, around midnight, and my dog came bolting out of the house right into my arms, crying, shaking, and unbeknownst to me until I stood up, peeing. I don't know about you, but I have yet to meet a human who pees with excitement when they see me. There's something about the unconditional love that dogs will alway...

It’s genuinely hard to find the right words to describe the array of emotions an Iowa team makes you feel throughout a season. Trying to  portray exactly the thoughts that ran through my head, the words that left my mouth, or the way I felt post-games  is somewhat of an impossible task . Maybe it’s because  a single game can stretch  my emotions from elation, to devastation. Fro m jumping up and down screaming with excitement, to silent headshakes riddled with neasuating disappointment.  It would be impossible to pick just one, or even two, thoughts and emotions that surge through an Iowa fan on game day, but there is something Iowa does. It makes you feel.     There’s no doubt that being a fan of a consistent team would be  a good time . You’d never have to worry about the outcome of a game, or whether or not they could step it up for the next game after a  shocking  upset . But if we’re being honest, where’s the fun in that? Where...