Manfull's Handfull

It's been a while since I've been able to take a minute to write about what's going on in this magnificent world- forgive me, but growing up takes a lot more work than originally anticipated. In the last few months, in a whirlwind of events, I went from participating in nightly drink specials downtown Iowa City, to graduating college, to landing my first real job. Needless to say it's been a while since I've been able to actively arrange my thoughts on my much very neglected blog. However, here we are- ready to get back into action, much like the US Women's National Team. It has been 16 years since the women were able to take the World Cup home. Many moons since legends like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain became household names and role models alike. It's been 16 years since Brandi Chastain's response to beating China incited quite the reaction to conservative soccer mom's and fans (scoffing at Brandi? They should see Miley Cyrus now). ...

"It all seemed so very arbitrary...No matter how you get there or where you end up, human beings have this miraculous gift to make that place a home" - Creed Bratton, The Office finale. Who knew a stupid show about a paper company would be able to sum up the most incredible four years of my life--yet it did, flawlessly. The Office, the show that single handily defined my senior year (watching the entire series with all my roomies snuggled up on our love seat), is more than just a show. It's only fitting that the final episode made me spew waterworks in an absolutely disgusting way. This happened last night, when my last remaining roommate convinced me that watching the finale was a good idea- in honor of her last night in Iowa City. Well, it was full of fabulous quotes about how life changes when you meet the right people and immerse yourself into your environment...que the post-grad feels and tears. It seems impossible that four years ago I was leaving high school ...

I used to be positive that I peaked at the ripe age of 16. I flourished in high school, and probably a little too often felt like I, personally, owned the hallways of West High. I was skinny, with extremely long blonde hair and a brand new freshly braces-free smile. I finally lost all my baby-fat, and it was when I started to realize that I was, in fact, a girl. It was at 16 when I finally got a guy to notice me, and ended up snagging my first boyfriend. Yeah, 16 was a beautiful year. Then I got to college. Why did I ever think that I peaked in high school when I had so many more fun-filled years ahead at Iowa. I guess I didn't really do anything to that would qualify as "peaking", but I finally started to figure out who I was- and I knew I was more than just that skinny blonde girl from high school. Turning 21, I felt on top of the world, and that I was totally invincible- the day after really proved me wrong. My junior year I packed my bags and left for Ireland,  wher...

"When you die, it doesn't mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. "- Stuart Scott This is not the first time I've blogged about cancer, and I can guarantee this will not be the last. You see, there's something so evil about this disease, something so unfair about it's infectious control over undeserving people, that constantly pulls at my heart strings. I can't help but have all the feels when a new story surfaces about someone else fighting the cancer battle. It's hard to ignore that cancer affects millions of people every year- millions of families, friends, and children all battling for their lives every single year. Let that sink in. I often find myself thinking about how hard my life is. With school, jobs, starting a new series on Netflix, what to eat, etc. There are days where I just sit in self-pity and expect the world to cater to me and fix life's "horrible...

N*SYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block…ah, the childhood boys that painted my walls and who will always be my very first crushes (Lance Bass- I still can't believe you threw me for a loop with that one ). Anyway, these once boy-bands (BSB is most definitely a man-band now…and I don't hate it), are not simply just something of the past.  It just seems that each generation has a band that somehow defines them. The Beatles controlled the 60's, just as the Backstreet Boys ruled the 90's. But like I said, boy bands aren't dead- nope, they're very much alive now than ever before. Yes, I am 100% referring to the beautiful men who make up One Direction. Before you click away, you have to understand that not only these men are insanely attractive ….but they can out right sing . Whether or not you want to admit it, they're really good- like, put their new album on repeat good. Maybe I'm just a sucker for those European accents, alright I'...

We see sadistic headlines fronting newspapers every morning, we hear of corruption everyday as we turn on the news, this harsh reality is nothing new to viewers- we've been trained to numb the emotions the world curveball's us. Often times, we use sport as a way to escape our bleak reality, looking to rectify the heart-tugging headlines. But often, in hopes of rallying behind a team in search of happiness, we neglect to realize that sports are not institutions immune from reality. Sure, we see plenty of headlines regaling Mr. October, and the winner of this game or that, but all too often our sports heroes do something to shock us, and humanity as a whole. Terrifying tales of NFL hero's turned villains are a story too frequently revived. From OJ's infamous isotoners, to the damming elevator footage of Ray Rice knocking out his girlfriend. Especially in recent news, NFL Public Relations teams have been working overtime trying to fix each scandal before the next one e...

It's hard to believe that only a few years ago the game of soccer seemed nothing short of a call into the wind for majority of American sports fans. But judging by the fact that nearly every bar in downtown Iowa City was over capacity, bursting at the seams with people standing on tables and chairs just to watch the World Cup, I think the tide has turned when it comes to American soccer fans (finally). Some may think this plethora of new found fandom is nothing but a stint of bandwagon-ers. But I don't think that's the case, especially when it comes to a team that's essentially dripping red, white, and blue. When I think of jumping on the bandwagon, I envision a closet full of NBA jerseys, stacked chronologically from most recent championship winner…or any team that LeBron plays for. See, Bandwagon-er's usually identify with a single player, or a team that 'might be good' this year. But for the World Cup, American's don't identify with a single ...