Manfull's Handfull

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...

It's been a long and wild ride being a Hawkeye fan this weekend, and not one Iowa fan is mad about it. After hosting six, yes- six, home events this weekend, Iowa City has sent off it's visitors and returned to the bustling college campus that it is. Iowans are known for their hospitality, generosity, and pleasantry toward our opponents--and even though we conducted good sportsmanship (my Minnesotan Aunt and Uncle can vouch for this), we sent all six visiting opponents back home empty-handed. Sorry guys! Thanks for playing! The weekend of Hawkeye Madness began Friday as the Women's basketball team defeated North Dakota 83-61, followed by Men's hoops crushing Gardner-Webb 76-59- a much needed defeat after falling short to Augustana in a last-second game-winning swish during the final exhibition game. I'm sure it left them (and the fans) feeling more than a little embarrassed, but it seems that it was just the fire they needed to figure out how to play. Maybe it w...

WE DID IT. Today marks 21 days. Although there were a few imperfect days when it came to food (It was Halloweekend, cut me some slack), we never missed a workout. That's 21 days straight of busting my butt. That's 21 days of watching what I ate, drank, and how much activity I got. I've truly feel so incredibly proud of myself for completing this 21 day fix. It feels amazing to not only see physical changes, but to feel them as well. I'm a genuinely happier, healthier, and better version of myself. To be honest, today I fought a ghouling (get it??) hangover that left me feeling zero motivation to walk anywhere besides the bathroom. BUT, thanks to my workout parter/bff/superhero-mom, who nursed me back to health (God bless you mom) with a green smoothie and toast, we walked my dog for 2 miles, and came back to do our last day of yoga. Mom's are never wrong, and she wasn't kidding when she said a little fresh air would cure the haunting hangover (and advil, of ...

In the wise words of Rodney Atkins/ Winston Churchill (equals, right?), "If you're going through hell, keep on going". It's officially been one week of the 21 day fix, and after the third day I doubt I would have made it if I hadn't had that quote above running through my head. In a quick synopsis of my week, it very much was a huge adjustment that my body initially didn't know how to react to. I was irritable, crabby, exhausted, and so bitter that I couldn't eat the chocolate bar I had previously stored at the office. Or worse- I had to turn down beer with coworkers, friends, and family one more than one occasion. If you know me at all, beer is my go-to. It's my thing. A self-proclaimed beer connoisseur of sorts. Anyway, as Friday hit (day 5), I knew there was no way I was turning back. By Friday, i woke up feeling absolutely on-top of the World. Never did I ever think I would receive the support I did from posting my message on Facebook. I had fr...