You Play Ball like a Girl

Whether or not you follow the Little League World Series or sports in general, you'd better get yourself acquainted with Mo'Ne Davis. The talented 13-year-old is making a name for herself and paving a way for girls to take over the world. While Beyonce has been singing about the girls running the world, Mo'Ne Davis is showing up the mound to show she can run the world of sports. 

Though I'm not the type to be overly vocal about my beliefs that women aren't just dainty little flowers that need to be protected, I don't hide the fact that I aspire to be a strong and independent woman. Perhaps this stems from my youth, growing up as one of the few girls on my street and one of two who would play tag football with the guys. Regardless of where, when or why, it's great when you see girls, especially young girls, give it all they got to be a girl on top of a man's world. 

To all my sisters out there, whatever you do, bring it. And bring like a girl. There will be a day when "You play ball like a girl," will be the compliment of all compliments and perhaps that day is sooner than we expect. 

Sincerely, 

Cybill 

The Different Ways to Say "I Love You"

Happy Valentine's Day! A holiday for the love birds, candy companies, florist and Hallmark greeting cards. But if you as me, I think it's a holiday for everyone and anyone, whether you're in love or not.

I once read there are a number of ways to say "I love you." "Text me when you get home," "Put on your seat belt," "I baked you some cookies," and "Thank you" are just a few examples that I think are right up there with "I love you." And you want to know what else? These words of affection aren't limited to those with whom you share romantic feelings. They can be for anyone and can happen anywhere.

Let's take the Olympics for example. It goes without saying, the Olympics, with all its pomp and circumstance, its triumphs and tribulations, the drama and the daring, there's always a story. A good story. A heart warming story. A story that transcends across countries and across generations. If you boil things down, you'll always notice the essence of love. Whether it's a person's love for their country, their sport or a litter of puppies, you'll see it.

US Slopestyle Skier and Olympic silver medalist, Gus Kenworthy has the power to melt the snow in the mountains of Sochi with his attempts to rescue a litter of puppies. Call him a dog lover and you can just call me in love, because who wouldn't fall in love with these pups after just one look?

Then there is the story of Canadian coach, Justin Wadsworth replacing the broken ski of Russian cross-country skier Anton Gafarov. Wadsworth was quoted saying, "I wanted him to have dignity as he crossed the finish line." There was definitely dignity and of course, compassion, both of which disregarded the boarders dividing countries and teams...something politics forgets.

As we're reaching the one week mark of the 2014 Olympic games, I'm sure more stories that capture the spirit of camaraderie during competition will arise. Hearts will break in defeat, but hopefully spirits in humanity will soar, because there are a million different ways to show someone you care. There are a million different ways to tell someone "I Love You," you just have to listen.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sincerely, 

Cybill

{Photo Credit//GIF Credit}

Playing for Payton

In light of the recent allegations against Florida State quarterback and Heisman Trophy front runner, Jameis Winston, coupled with the mess between Miami Dolphins offensive linemen Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, it's easy to find yourself rolling your eyes and sighing.

As we live in an age of overpaid athletes, student-athlete-celebrity hybrids, public pre-Madonna tantrums it comes at no surprise when scandal stands as the leading story. But for anyone who believes in the the spirit of sports, specifically Florida State football, you know there's more to it than National Championships, Heisman Trophies and what's considered ESPN newsworthy. There's the reason guys play the game and so many people cheer for them, there's the inspiration they invoke in others and others invoke in them, and there's the story of Payton Poulin.

I share the video and story in hopes to deviate from the negative and focus on the positive reasons to play. With everything bad that can and do go on in our day-to-day, maybe leading stories should start focusing on sparking smiles instead of sighs.

I hope y'all have a great weekend! Go Noles!

Sincerely,

Cybill 

College Football: A Love Affair

No, thank YOU, Stanford. | November 7, 2013

As someone who is emotionally invested in Florida State Football, I quickly learned the messy love affair that is college football.

Last night, a number of Seminole fans (myself included) huddled around televisions to cheer on the Stanford Cardinals as they played the Oregon Ducks. The Nole Nation was invested in this game, as a Stanford victory was a step closer to a BCS National Championship game between Alabama and Florida State. That investment and that support from Nole Nation was obvious scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed with so many Seminoles going as CardiNoles that evening, but it also lead me to wonder, How many times have I hoped a team would fall short one evening only to cheer for them later in the season?

In retrospect, I can't count the number of games I've watched when I found myself glancing at another screen (or channel) to check on another game. However, I do recall moments during FSU home games when they'd update the crowd with scores from other games going on around the country. In those moments, the crowd would hoot and holler when outcomes were in our favor and of course, whenever the Gators were falling behind.

Now, I'm not going to go into the complexity of college football, the rankings -- AP Poll, Coaches Poll, BCS -- and how a team's record, coupled with their conference determines who and when they play. However, I will say it's the reason for the love affair, it's the reason you cheer for other teams and it's probably the reason it's so much fun.

There's a certain level of friendly rivalry and camaraderie within college football. I will go ahead and admit, while I'll cheer for an ACC team whenever they play out of our conference, I won't cheer for them when they play Florida State, but I believe it's that small link that ties college fans together. No matter where you are in the season and whom you may be playing that evening, it won't always be a lose-hate relationship and it may very well be the only accepted love affair.

I hope y'all have a great weekend and may your football team(s) take home a victory. Go Noles!

Sincerely,

Cybill

{Photo Credit}