Tag Archives: mitchell scholarship

November 2008 Reflection

There’s a perfect way to pour a Guinness. Although I’ve heard the nuances of the craft vary from bartender to bartender over here in Ireland, the general rule of thumb is to pour two-thirds of a pint, let it settle … Continue reading

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November 2008 Reflection

As I walk through the old campus of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, I pass beneath gray stone buildings dripping with bright red ivy and accented with arches and towers. Overtaking the ruins of Maynooth Castle at the college … Continue reading

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November 2008 Reflection

Two days ago, I finished the 2008 Athens Marathon at the exact same hundredth of a second as two fellow Mitchell Scholars, Erin and Vicki. Before embarking on my year as a Scholar, I never could have imagined I would … Continue reading

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November 2008 Reflection

A little over two months ago, my wife Kacey and I embarked on an adventure here on the Emerald Island. The two of us enjoyed living the 9 to 5 in Washington, D.C., but the thought of a year of … Continue reading

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November 2008 Reflection

After only two months in Ireland, I’m happy to say that I am a bit more Irish now. The realization came to me about a month ago while sitting in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral during an Irish-spoken Mass, wearing my Kerry … Continue reading

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November 2008 Reflection

As I sit in front of my four foot tall Christmas tree, complete with white lights, light gray pearls and a silver star, I reflect on my experiences, both here in the Emerald Isle and abroad. It has been nearly … Continue reading

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November 2008 Reflection

I came to Ireland to challenge myself in ways that I have not had the time to since I was a kid. I have spent so many years living an intensely scheduled life, driving from piano to soccer, running from … Continue reading

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November 2008 Reflection

“I wish I could live life in horizontal,” I moaned to Erin Rhoda, a fellow Mitchell, while lying in bed with a stomach bacterial infection that seemed to have a keen sense of direction. Over my three days in bed, … Continue reading

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June 2008 Reflection

I’ve always possessed a character trait that I consider both a blessing and a curse: I hate to be alone. My dad has it too, so I get it honest. I derive my energy from interpersonal interaction, and after a … Continue reading

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June 2008 Reflection

There is a cozy old pub on Poolbeg Street and my older sister and I are sitting in it, Smithwick’s in front of us, chatting and reminscing as we drink. The ornery old publican is pacing up and down the … Continue reading

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June 2008 Reflection

There was a time when, desperately homesick and severely jet-lagged, I sat with Allison and Brendan in a very old pub in Blackrock on our first night in Ireland thinking to myself, ‘This is going to be a long year.’ … Continue reading

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June 2008 Reflection

Well, our year as a Mitchell class is slowly drawing to a close. Some of us have already moved on, the rest sticking around to finish work on final projects. I actually left Ireland yesterday and am writing this from … Continue reading

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