As a big fan of Chipotle, I knew coming to Ireland I’d be making a big sacrifice not having it for a year. When I heard all the Irish raving about how Boojum was their version of Chipotle, except better (they lied), I knew I’d have to give it a try and see for myself. When it was my turn to order the worked said “you ok?”. I found out later she wasn’t concerned about how I was doing, that’s just the way of saying “how can I help you”. At the register I had a two-minute-long conversation with the cashier and I’m still not sure what it was about. I couldn’t understand a single word he was saying so I just nodded and smiled. He could have been throwing out insults at me and I still would have just been sitting there smiling and nodding away. I was also surprised that the music they played was all American pop songs. For whatever reason I didn’t think that people in Ireland listened to American music but that’s definitely not true

As good as the burrito was don’t believe the hype when they tell you Boojum is better than Chipotle. It’s just not true, but it was really good and I’m sure I’ll be finding myself there a lot in Cork.

Around mid October, I had the absolute privilege of having my two favorite people in the world come visit me in Northern Ireland. My parents are my best friends, and having them here was very much needed.

A little about our trip: my mom and dad arrived on a Thursday in Dublin, so I took a bus there to meet them. That night we did a ghost tour around different parts of Dublin, which was really cool. On Friday, we went to the Guinness Store House as well as the Book of Kells tour at Trinity College. We then drove back to Belfast in their rental car, where we ate at Nando’s for dinner and stayed at an air b&b near my campus that night. Saturday morning, we got up and went to the Titanic Museum in Belfast, which we toured for a few hours. I had been there before, but really enjoyed going again with my parents. I could probably go there 10 more times and still not get tired of it.

After that, we went to Ulster University at Jordanstown for my basketball club game, which we won. I have to note… it was a really cool experience for my parents to watch me play overseas. I have 3 older sisters who all played college basketball, so my parents have been traveling all over the East Coast of the United States for the past 20+ years watching the four of us play. For them to cross the ocean to watch me play was such a surreal experience for me. They have put so much effort and sacrifice into giving me the opportunity to play this game that I love, and for that I will always be grateful.

After my game, we went into Cathedral Quarter to get dinner and a few pints. On Sunday, we drove out to the Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, and the Dark Hedges. It was a windy day, so we did not get to cross the bridge, but it was still really neat for them to see these prime spots of Northern Ireland before they went back home on Monday. I think they really enjoyed it!

Overall, it was an incredible experience for my parents to get to see my home away from home, experience the culture, and meet my new friends. My mom and dad are the most important people to me, and I am so grateful that they have helped me get to this point in my life. So thank you mom and dad, for giving me the world! I miss you both so much everyday. And thank you to Sport Changes Life and the Rory Foundation for making these moments with my family be able to happen. I feel so lucky to be a part of this program. Cheers!!!

Living here for almost two months and continuously adjusting while living and learning each day, I’ve found that I am constantly reminding myself of a few words that keep me thriving

Patience and Perspective

Patience: It’s a virtue that time and time again I used to tell my sister Maura that I truly did not obtain (I like to think its improved tenfold since my arrival). So, when I’m sitting on a crowded bus (that doesn’t entirely smell like Mom’s fresh laundry) that I almost missed because the timetable was off – or on time if that’s 12 minutes late-  in a sweat that I won’t make it to my coaching session on time, it’s safe to say that my patience is surely tested. Or when I arrive to the Cork Garda office for the third time in two weeks and get there early enough (6:30am) to be first in line, only to be sent to the back of the queu because we “loitered” too long in the foyer (sincerest apologies sir, it’s pretty nippy outside and your doors were open, didn’t realize we weren’t allowed to sit in the lobby to wait! And yes, you can consider this my Trip Advisor review) Or when my team is battling in a game against girls twice their size and 4 times their skill level, and unfortunately face a 97-3 loss, and I stand dumb funded on the sideline as a competitive coach who probably takes coaching a bit too serious…patience, again—tested.

But its times like this, when my patience is short, on the bus, in the Garda, or on the sideline when a small reality check quickly compels me to change perspective and improve my attitude. It’s the little kid on the bus who smiles wide when he sees my shirt that says “Victory Scholar” and asks me about Sport Changes Life, or the other struggling foreigner in the Garda office who is also laughing at the absurdity of being sent to the back of the queu, or the parents of my u12 girls who tell me their kids didn’t care about the score because they were just so delighted to be on the court playing a sport they love, that I am positively reminded that the opportunity at hand is much greater than small instances that might test my patience, and that the rewards of my daily experiences of Sport Changes Life are much greater than the frustrations. So, ultimately, as my dad always says: Attitude is everything, and with that, patience and perspective are key.

Phamily

-a large part of what enabled this Victory Scholarship experience is my family (with a PH, but not because they’re basic) The endless love, support, motivation, encouragement, (should I go on?) both my parents and siblings continuously provide me with is what still inspires me on a daily basis. Whether it’s  a thoughtful card  or package from one of my sisters who I know are extremely busy with school or work, a snapchat from one of my cousins at a family celebration in Hawaii over 7,000 miles away, an extended FaceTime, or simply a text to “check the pulse” my family never fails to make my day. So, quick shout out to the fam—Mom, Dad, Eileen, Anna, Paul and Maura-thanks for being my rock, know that your work at home continues to motivate and inspire me on a daily basis across the Atlantic.

oh, and one more thing…

Phun

With all that goes on in the life of a Victory Scholar, it’s easy to forget to simply enjoy the experience. The college work will get done, the hard work will be worthwhile, the kids will be happy and fulfilled. Smile – life is good, have FUN! 🙂

“It’s not sarcasm, it’s character”

-Coach Mark Foley

This past month has consisted of a number of firsts, as I am learning to embrace the Irish culture as well as truly living on my own for the first time. I had (and surprisingly enjoyed) my first cup of tea in this country – my first purchase back in America may likely be a kettle. Not so surprisingly, my first attempt at cooking chicken was so successful. I went on my first run in the countryside where I did as much photography as I did actual running. Soon came my first basketball practice, coaching session, eight-hour class day, Guinness, Gaelic Football experience, you name it. And most recently I had my first horse-back riding lesson as I went on a limb and joined Equestrian Society, something my childhood self has always wanted to do.

But among a number of firsts, I can happily say my first time feeling homesick has yet to come. I am sure that the day will arrive in which I truly long for some extra sunshine, snow instead of rain, or seeing family and friends in person rather than on Facetime. In the meantime, however, my pale skin is a bit healthier than it otherwise would be, my raincoat is keeping me dry (most of the time) and I am feeling extra grateful for the fact that loved ones are just a simple phone call away. Most importantly, I’m doing my best to take advantage of every first as I know my days in this wonderful place are numbered.

Moving to Ireland for a year was initially very intimidating, as I did not know much about Carlow, nor the people that live here. However, everyone has been so willing to go out of their way to make sure I am situated. Moments after Kojack learned that Johnny and I had not tried a certain Irish chocolate, he pulled off the road to get us some. Due to my limited cooking skills, my teammates have Friday night dinners and teach me how to cook various meals. Another teammate has surprised me with home cooked meals simply out of thoughtfulness. Others have driven me to see the view of Carlow from night as well as to a mountain where there are miles of farmland. A cashier once took fifteen minutes out of her day to draw a map displaying a recommended running route.

I live nearly 3,000 miles away from home, but it is acts of kindness like these that make me feel at home. Moving to a different country without knowing anyone there is a daunting thing to do. However, the ways in which the people of Carlow, as well as the strangers of Ireland, have gone out of their way to assist me is something I could not be more grateful for. It has made me realize the way life could be, as the past twenty-three years I have often found myself living in a haste, tunnel-vision manner. After being the outsider looking in, I have learned how meaningful little acts of kindness can be. And if there’s anything I can take away from this experience thus far, it is to try to implement this way of living as much as possible in my own life.

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

This past weekend two of my best friends from home came to Ireland to visit both DCU Victory Scholar Samantha Hyslip and I. The four of us were teammates at Stonehill College, where over the past four years our friendship grew into one that I know will last a lifetime. It wasn’t until I met up with them in Galway this past weekend that I had my first serious epiphany while here in Ireland. With all of the change I have been adjusting to, it has been so easy for me to get absorbed in my daily to-do list. But during this moment I took a step back to fully appreciate what was in front of me, and how it all got there in the first place.

It was in this moment that I saw two of my best friends, neither of which are from the same state that I am from back in America. I saw behind them a gray cobblestone street with adorable shops and pubs lining it on all sides. I heard live Irish folk music being performed by young musicians up, and shivered as along came the cool Irish breeze. And in this moment it struck me how this scenario ever came about in my life.

Sport. The game of basketball has taught me a number of life lessons. It has instilled discipline, work ethic, passion and determination inside of me. It has knocked me down as much as it has built me up, shaping me in so many ways into the person who I am today. But beyond that, basketball has given me a life full of opportunities and memories. This sport has blessed me with my greatest friendships, a free ride to college, seven states and four countries I otherwise would not have seen, as well as daily entertainment for nearly twenty years of my life thus far.

Basketball has done so much for me. My proudest moments are because of the game, while a number of lows are also because of this game. Sport has given me an identity and a lifestyle. As I get older and the days of my life being so invested in this game are numbered, I cannot help but feel incredibly blessed. I’m grateful for the people I have met, places I have seen, adrenaline rushes I have felt and utter disappointment I faced as well. I do not know where or who I would be if it wasn’t for this sport, but without it I would never have found myself roaming Galway with Stacy, Iz and Sam. And that alone I could not be more thankful for.

Now having lived in Ireland for two months, I have been able to do a good amount of touring this beautiful country. People love to make jokes about tourists, and often it definitely is funny seeing a foreigner adapting to a new culture…I know I personally have had my fair share of “tourist moments”. But to be honest, I am not at all ashamed of it. Rather, I think being a tourist is one of the most special things to be in this world.
So far I have explored Dublin a number of times, officially having experienced my first Guinness accompanied by live Irish music. I was able to witness the Giant’s Causeway and ponder how so many hexagonal basalt columns got there in the first place. I traveled to Belfast and interacted with members of a community that was once, and still somewhat is, so divided. I went to Howth, a fishing town full of more sailboats than I could have even counted. Most recently, and probably what has amazed me most, I visited the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. At the Cliffs I experienced breathtaking views while frightened by the shear drop-off leading to crashing waves below. In Galway, I simply fell in love with everything: the cobblestone streets and their performers, the cozy pubs and shops stalked with wool clothing, and the warm vegetable soup that never fails to hit the spot.

Well now I officially could not sound more like a tourist. However, I am never so tuned into my senses than I am when I’m somewhere I’ve never been before. The little details I typically don’t think twice of suddenly become so noticeable when I am traveling – the Celtic font on pub signs, the extra beauty of an Irish rainbow, the consistent friendliness of everyone I come across here. There is so much to see and experience in this world, whether it is the scenery, the people or the unique culture of a community. And if being a tourist means being in awe of such minuscule features, then I will happily be deemed a tourist…a tourist who takes public transportation as opposed to attempting to drive on the left-hand side.

For twenty-two years now, I feel as though my life has always been planned. Growing up in America that’s often just the way it goes. Granted my life has often involved its fair share of unknowns, but I have never been one to truly step outside my comfort zone so as to go after something that might not be a part of my so-called plan. Just two years ago the idea of moving to another country for a year was simply just that…an idea…and one I never really even considered at that.

Yet here I am, day 2 in my new home of Carlow, a place that has quickly stolen my heart. Between meeting the other incredible Victory Scholars as well as the inspirational youth around the community of Belfast, this new plan of mine has instantly felt right. I cannot get enough of the rolling green hills with horses, or the view of the castle down the river when I look out from my balcony. Nor can I get enough of hearing the term “wee” in replace of “little” or “tanks a mil” in order to display gratitude. I can now understand why this country is deemed the “land of a thousand welcomes,” and that alone I know will help me get through any homesickness or troubles that are inevitably to come my way. This week has been quite the adventure, involving two new countries, thirty-three new friends and a countless number of laughs.

However, I know the true excitement is in what lies ahead. What children will I inspire? What will my teammates be like? What information will I learn not only at IT Carlow but also the life lessons and self-knowledge I will inquire along the way? There is so much unknown to this journey, this unplanned plan of mine. But I have a strong feeling it will be one of the best years of my life full of incredible people I would have never met otherwise. If I told you I knew I’d be in these same shoes just even a year ago, I would have been lying. But sometimes different paths come up and lead you in different directions even if they’re towards the same destination. Regardless, I hope my path leads me to positively impacting those I meet and vice versa. Based on how this previous week went, I have no doubt that that will happen…with plenty of good craic along the way!

Getting to continue my basketball career past college is a dream come true for me. Before finding out I was accepted into the Victory Scholar program, I was mentally preparing myself for a life without any more “competitive” basketball, and it was definitely not fun to think about. When I found out that I was accepted into the Victory Scholar program, I became incredibly excited by the thought of playing at a high level for another year. Alongside this excitement came a lot of nerves. I was scared that basketball might lose some of its magic, as I would not be playing in a familiar Grinnell College uniform. I was very close with my college team and unsure if basketball in a new context would give me the same thrill that it did in college.

Fortunately, basketball has not lost its magic for me at all! I’ve had a great time playing for the NUIG Mystics club so far. Our team consists of a lot of players that have actually not played together for very long, so Amy and I had a very smooth transition into a fresh team. The teammates are an awesome bunch. On bus rides to our away games, I often feel like my teammates are giving me lessons on Irish history and culture. The most pure team bonding happens at strength and conditioning sessions on Wednesday mornings at 7am—aka when we frequently have to run 10 suicides in a row. Last week, a teammate told me that I finally responded appropriately when she greeted me saying, “What’s the craic?” Apparently I’m finally catching on to the Irish lingo!

While our win-loss record is unimpressive on paper, our improvement so far this season is exponential. We are getting closer and closer to our first win every time we play, and we are keeping our heads up! I am blessed to be able to continue my basketball career with this fantastic group of women, and I’m looking forward to our continued improvement this season.

I’ve been very fortunate to have several family visitors while here in Ireland! First to come were my Uncle Tom and Aunt Carroll. I met them up in Dublin and spent some time exploring the city with them along with my cousin who attends medical school at University College Dublin. I loved getting the chance to see St. Stephen’s Green and Trinity College! It was very nice to see faces from home just a few weeks after settling into Galway. My dad’s twin brother was my next visitor, and I got to explore the town of Cong with him. I’ve never seen the movie “The Quiet Man,” but I guess I’ll have to watch it now that I’ve been to the town where it was filmed!

My parents came over to visit in late October. After an away game in Carlow, I was able to stay in a hotel on the grounds of Kilkea Castle with them. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience! While we were in Carlow, we visited the cemetery where some of my distant relatives were buried and then attempted to find the old “Morrissey” house. We drove past two girls on the street, and my dad rolled down the window to ask if they knew of the Morrisseys. The girls told us that they knew exactly where the old house was and that they were related to us! In true friendly Irish fashion, we were invited into their house to sit down for a bit and talk about our familial connections. They even pulled out some old pictures of the Irish Morrisseys that we have copies of back home in Chicago. We learned that the Morrissey brothers loved hurling and that some of them were very good at it too! It was one of the craziest days of my life. We are definitely looking forward to staying in touch with them. In addition to the Carlow trip, we also visited Kylemore Abbey and Ashford Castle—2 beautiful landmarks in the west of Ireland. My parents had a great trip, and I was very happy to show them my new life here!

Starting up with coaching kids in Galway has been fantastic. Many scholars are coaching for specific club teams, but Amy, Tom, and I are getting a unique chance to do a lot of consistent work in schools. The first day at all the schools, I asked the kids how they felt about basketball. Many of them admitted that they hadn’t had too much exposure to the game, but they were very excited about the sport and the new challenge! I really enjoy the coaching at the schools, as we really have the opportunity to get the kids excited about basketball at a young age. One day, a kid asked me, “Miss, can you dunk?” Luckily, the hoops were at a modest 7 feet tall, so I didn’t disappoint! I’m hoping that some of the kids end up sticking with basketball and joining clubs because of their experiences with us!

A teacher at one of the schools told me that having basketball sessions actually improves the kid’s attendance. I was shocked to hear this. At one school in particular, there are some kids from disadvantaged backgrounds that end up with somewhat frequent school absences. While it’s not good that the kids miss school, I’m happy that my basketball sessions with them can provide some incentive or excitement to make it to school. Classes are very important for kids at their age, and I’m glad I can use basketball as a vehicle to encourage the kids to do well in the classroom.

I like to think that I’m teaching the kids a little something about basketball, but I definitely know that I am learning and growing from being with these kids. With just a few weeks of coaching under my belt, I already find myself becoming a more effective and confident communicator. I’m also learning about how to be patient and understanding when a kid doesn’t quite grasp something and how to help the kids resolve conflicts. I try to incorporate a couple of games into each session for the kid’s enjoyment, and sometimes their competitive nature really comes out. The first few times I had kids get into arguments, I just tried to break up the conflict and have them move on. I’m starting to realize the importance helping the kids actually resolve their conflicts and apologize to the other person if necessary. The coaching is definitely helping me become a better communicator and leader, and I’m looking forward to taking what I learn into future coaching.

Amy, Tom, and I arrived in Galway for the first time on a Saturday night, and the city was electric. The cobblestone streets were filled with people, and there was authentic Irish music playing around every corner. I knew immediately that this was a great place to be.

The next day Tom had his first team practice, so Amy and I decided to take a walk to the gym with him. Little did we know, we were embarking on a 2-hour journey. In reality, the gym was only about a ten minute walk from our accommodation, but we made about 30 wrong turns. Tom actually ended up getting to practice on time by some miracle. On a positive note, getting lost did allow us to see a lot of Galway!

After settling in for a few days, the Galway crew (Tom, Amy, and I) decided it was time for another adventure. We took a tour bus to the Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Cave, and Dunguaire Castle. Despite claiming they were afraid of heights, Tom and Amy got very close to the edge of the cliffs. I tried to keep my distance. In all honesty, I’ve never been so impressed with a natural landscape in my life.

Later in the week, I had a fun time meeting my classmates at orientation and learning some more specifics about my exercise physiology program. I also realized that the “tea and biscuits” culture is the best! I haven’t done any formal playing or coaching yet, but I am looking forward to getting out in the community and starting up with my team soon!

Hey everyone! It’s hard to believe I’ve already been here in Ireland for about three weeks. For our first week, all of us were together at Ulster University for training. It was great meeting everyone and getting to know each other so well. When it came time for all of us to go to our different universities, you would have thought we’d known each other for much longer than just one short week – with a mix of sadness to be leaving all of our new friends and excitement for all of us to be starting our journeys for the coming year.

A week after our arrival in Belfast, Kayla, Tom and I made our way to Galway. We spent about two hours driving through endless green fields, seeing more sheep than I’ve ever seen in my life. Arriving in Galway left us all jaw-dropped, it was exactly what comes to mind when someone pictures the quintessential Irish city – quaint yet so alive, with cobble stone walking streets lined with restaurants, pubs, and shops. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the moment the three of us turned the corner onto Quay Street for the first time. We all froze, wide-eyed and in awe, as if we were about to step foot into a painting. The street was packed with a great mix of locals and visitors bustling about.

We also couldn’t have asked for a better location for housing, with a balcony that looks out right over the harbor. Kayla and I have spent the past week getting to know our seven (that’s right, seven) new housemates. Let’s just say getting food out of the fridge is more intense than any game of Jenga. Some might think nine girls sharing two bathrooms will inevitably be a disaster, but we’re all really embracing the cramped quarters. We all seem to naturally levitate towards the kitchen and living room just to eat and hangout together. I’m sure there will never be a dull moment and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

After a few days in Galway, we had a free day with nothing planned and decided what better way to spend it than take a trip to the Cliffs of Moher (can you really say you’ve been to Ireland if you haven’t taken a picture standing inches from the edge of the cliffs?). They were overwhelmingly beautiful and terrifying at the same time. As a person with a fear of heights, I still recommend you cross the safety barrier and stand inches from the edge.

Classes also just started at NUI Galway and I am really looking forward to studying marketing here. The marketing program has people from all over and it’s been wonderful meeting and connecting with people from all sorts of different cultural backgrounds.

Over the past two weeks my parents were able to make the trip over to Ireland and it was so nice to spend some time with them and show them around Galway. They planned out a whole road trip around the country for their 30^th wedding anniversary, with a slightly extended stay in Galway for about four days to visit me. I was happy that they absolutely loved their time here and definitely made the most of the past two weeks (I’m basing this off the 100s of pictures my mom sent me each night of their daily adventures).

Over the weekend, I got to spend my whole Sunday with them and take them all around Galway. Our first stop had to be the market that happens here every weekend – I knew the fresh, 80 cent doughnuts were something my dad wouldn’t be able to pass up and they certainly did not disappoint. Later, we all walked to Salt Hill for the first time, and there could not have been a better day for it. They loved how quaint, quiet and pretty the walk along the water was.

We were also able to make a day trip out to the incredibly impressive Ashford Castle. My parents actually went back a second time and were able to get a nice behind-the-scenes tour of the inside of the castle. And based off the many pictures from my mom, the inside looked incredibly nice and well-kept, complete with its own personal theater. After learning the typical nightly rate for a room in the castle, I can only hope that one day I’ll be wealthy enough for an overnight stay in the castle.

My favorite part of the trip to Ashford, though, may have been the falconry. I would have never thought the word ‘cute’ could be used to describe a hawk but having them swoop down onto your arm and eat food right out of your hand proved me wrong. I’m also guessing my parents really enjoyed it, as this was the second falconry they had stopped at on their trip.

All in all, I was so happy my parents visited and really enjoyed the country. With a mom who is a true home body and whose ideal vacation tends to be lounging on a warm, tropical beach – I really hoped she would still enjoy the international trip with the slightly less tropical weather of Ireland. It’s safe to say now that the beauty and charm of this country has her wanting to plan a second trip.

Coaching has really begun picking up and its been so enjoyable. We’ve been going to a bunch of different schools around Galway, working with kids of all different ages and skill levels. Some are classes of primary school kids, while others are teams of secondary school kids. We’ve also been helping out at the regional academy sessions with u14 kids from all around Galway. It’s really nice to be working with groups of varying ages, allowing us to mix up our session plans. With the younger kids we get to throw in a lot of fun games to help with their development, but then with the older ones we can really focus in on more technical basketball skills. Most importantly though, we’ve been lucky enough to be placed with great groups that really enjoy having us come in.

Running from class to these coaching sessions really provides such a refreshing break from any of the stresses of our coursework. They’re all so energetic and ready to just run around and have fun, as for most of them it’s also either a break in their school day or part of an after-school program. Being American, there have been a lot of questions about our favorite NBA teams and players. The most common definitely being, “do you like LeBron?” However, one of my favorites had to be the, “do you know LeBron?” question (as in personally). As cool as that would be, the boy seemed a little disappointed when I had to break it to him that unfortunately, I had only ever seen him on TV. It also made me very happy to hear a few kids bring up the classic and timeless Kobe versus LeBron debate – glad to know this topic has had an impact on today’s Irish youth.

While basketball is still gaining popularity here in Ireland, it is really fun and interesting to see how the more traditional Irish sports have such a big impact on the youth here as well. I remember one weekend session working with two different basketball clubs here in Galway, the first question one of the kids asked me was “do you play hurling?” Unfortunately, this answer was also a no; I still don’t really know anything about the sport but would love to see a match. It’s also clear to see with these kids that soccer and Gaelic football are both very popular here. We were doing a simple passing drill the other day, and one boy dropped one ball, and, almost simultaneously, all the other kids threw their balls down and started kicking around the one on the floor. In summary, the words, “this isn’t football” were used many times that day (even once against me in the most sarcastic tone after I kicked a ball up to myself, and I guess I really should have seen it coming).

Our team has been practicing for the past few weeks, and we’ve now had a couple of games. I definitely think basketball here has been a very unique experience for everyone on the team. Just about all of us are new to the team this year, we’re pretty small in numbers, and we have a new coach as well. I really believe all these factors have helped bring us together. A lot of the teams that we’ll play will be a little more established and will have played together for a longer time than us. It is enjoyable, though, that we’re all in the same boat here. We’re all trying to figure out how each other play and what we need to do to be successful. I feel very fortunate to be playing with these girls, all of us have clicked very quickly which definitely helps with the overall atmosphere. As our coach likes to say over and over again, “we’re a small row boat that we have to keep afloat,” we are all working really well together and playing very unselfishly. It’s nice to see the improvements as we all get to know each other better and learn our system of play.

This past weekend, after our first home game, we had a lovely team dinner at the Italian restaurant, Venice, and then went to test our teamwork capabilities at one of the Escape Rooms. It was the first time all of us have hung out together outside of basketball, and it was honestly so fun. First of all, the food was great, so already the team bonding was a success in my book. The Escape Room after dinner was also a success. The theme of the room we were brought to was a quarantined hospital room. We had 60 minutes to get ourselves out, and we were able to figure it out with three minutes to spare. We’d like to say we also did it without asking for any clues, although Ailish may or may not have completed this room before and she may or may not have given us some tips while we were in there. Either way, we were pretty impressed with our timing. The worker was even impressed with how quickly and calmly we managed it, as he was used to seeing a lot of bickering and arguing on the cameras.

I am really looking forward to continuing to play on this team with these new friends. Just from game one to game two we’ve shown great improvement and I’m excited to see how things go this season.

About a month before I left, I started to get pretty nervous about traveling across the country. I was incredibly excited to go to Ireland and get to mentor, study, and play, but I was uneasy about transitioning in a new culture.

My parents and I embarked on a long 15-hour road trip for the Victory Scholars launch event in New York. Every few hours it would hit me that I was leaving the country for a whole year. My mom wouldn’t be coming to all of my games like she did in college, and I wouldn’t be just a 4.5 hour drive from home. As a true Chicago woman, I had never been to New York. So, my parents and I started our travels early in order to see the sights in the city. We trounced about the city until our feet hurt and took advantage of the opportunity to see the 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. We journeyed to West Point to visit my cousin, who is entering his second year at the university. West Point was breath taking and truly a place embedded in American history. It was amazing to be able to spend some quality time with my parents before embarking on my journey to Ireland.

When I woke up in the morning on August 24, it was almost surreal. I had been waiting for this day to come for months, and the day had finally arrived. My parents and I reported to Marist College, and I began to mingle with the other scholars. I could tell that some of the other scholars were just as jumpy as I was, and seeing their nervous smiles gave me comfort. The launch event was incredible. The speakers exuded passion, and I could tell that everyone involved in the program was extremely dedicated to the mission of Sport Changes Life. Gareth and his daughter took some time to chat with my family and I, and I remember thinking that it was so cool that the CEO and his daughter took time to talk to me at the launch event. In this moment, I knew that I was not only going to be a part of the SCL program, but rather the SCL family. Some of my nerves instantly faded away, as I knew I would have another support system to turn to in SCL.

In the blink of an eye, we said our goodbyes, hopped on a plane, and arrived in Dublin on the morning of the 25^th. The jet lag hit us hard, but we had a booked day of training in Belfast to keep us awake! The SCL staff had us play basketball to keep us alive and moving. It’s safe to say we were definitely not at our best!

I learned a lot during training week. We were exposed to the R City program, which aims to bring together kids from different backgrounds and enhance their personal development. I read a little about the religious tensions and history of Ireland before coming over, but it was still surprising to hear about the religious tension that still takes place. I saw how programs like R City and Sport Changes Life can really help bring kids together and help them realize that they have more similarities than differences.

Another highlight for me was our trip to a secondary school around Belfast. We were warmly welcomed by the staff, and they provided us with tea and scones. The scone that I ate was actually one of the best things I have ever eaten. At lunchtime, I sat with a girl who confided to me that kids had bullied her in her previous school. She told me that she spends a lot of time researching other countries on the Internet and learning about other places. Apparently her classmates thought this was “dorky.” While she was saying all of this to me, I realized that I could really make an impact on kids here. I knew that she would remember what I said to her. After all, I was the funny looking American that she had lunch with on her first day of school. I essentially told her to be herself and ignore anyone who tries to put her down. Uniqueness makes the world function, and we need more kids like her to feel comfortable expressing themselves. I’m not going to say I changed this girl’s life, but I do think that I planted a seed in her mind. Working with the young people on their first day of school was definitely a fulfilling experience and one that I will remember forever.

By the end of training week, all of us scholars had become a little family. We got the chance to explore the Giant’s Causeway, and I was blown away. It was sad to go our separate ways, but we were all excited to get to work in our respective host cities.

“ You can’t win unless you learn how to lose.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Professional Basketball Player

Ever since I was little, people have praised my athleticism. I was always the quickest in gym, the strongest at arm wrestling during lunchtime, and the first picked for any sports team. I don’t think any of my middle/high school classmates would be surprised that I went on to become a successful college athlete. However, they would probably be surprised if they heard I got destroyed in a “friendly” game of badminton by a 65 year old woman. To be honest, the beating I received wasn’t too “friendly” if you ask me. However before I dive into how a 65 year old woman slaughtered me in badminton, let me take you back.

It was a beautiful thursday morning, the sun was shining and the birds were chirping (the day might have not looked exactly like this but you see the point). My fellow Ulster scholars and I have just been told, we will be going to a community center to play badminton with the 50 and over club. I was excited to say the least. I was already in a great mood from a great morning and now I get to go play badminton. The last time I played badminton was in highschool and I loved it! It’s rare that a New York City school allows their students to do more than basketball, soccer, or volleyball in gym class. So badminton was rare and beloved among my peers and I. With that being said, I also remember being extremely good at badminton (boy was I wrong). This false assumption in regards to my badminton skills, set me up for a serious hit to my pride.

When entering the gym, we were told that the members of the 50 and over club were really good and to not take it easy on them. This should have been my first red flag but it wasn’t and I just laughed off the statement. I remember thinking something along the lines of “maybe it’ll be nice to let them get some points on the board.” Fast forward I’m now two losses in with my 60 year old teammate Joan telling me, “to not worry, I’ll improve with practice.” Boy was Joan wrong! Week after week I came back and still sucked! No matter who I played or who was my partner, I sucked and we probably loss. But for some reason people were still willing to team up with me. Everyday I came, someone would ask me to play with them and everyday I would be confused as to why? That was until Joan, shed some light on the situation over tea. Joan said, “I have friends that can barely walk to the grocery store and here I am playing badminton for just a bit of fun.” That’s when I realized that winning and losing wasn’t the main focus here, this is all for a bit fun and a way to stay healthy. It changed my perspective, no longer was winning my first priority, instead I came to have fun before anything else. Not only did I feel better leaving that gym everyday but I also started to improve (even crazier, I started winning). Who knew that a bunch of 50 year olds playing badminton would teach the athlete on how to be a good athlete!
Until Next Time,
Kollyns Scarbrough
#IBelieveInVictory

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”

  Overall, I was extremely excited to be selected as a Victory Scholar. I mean, who wouldn’t be? I’ll be able to make a positive impact on the community and children around me. While continuing to play the sport I love and get a free master’s degree. Let’s not forget, the fact that I get to experience all this in the beautiful country of Ireland. My family is proud of me, everyone tells me “you’re so lucky” or “I’m so jealous”. So you could understand my confusion, when there was this slight internal fear that was being masked by my external happiness.

I know you’re probably like, “Kollyns of course you would feel a little scared, it’s a new place and you’ll have more responsibilities now.” Which some of my fear did stem from those reasons, but mainly I feared losing touch with my friends back home. I wouldn’t consider myself the best at long distance communication. So knowing that, I set up a game plan. Weekly scheduled Facetime calls with my friends and family were set in place so I couldn’t possibly lose contact. I even got to a point were I was willing to sacrifice making relationships in Ireland if it meant being more focused on my relationships at home.

Well, that plan blew up real quick! As soon as I started meeting my fellow scholars, I knew there was no way my previous plan would hold up. Every one of us just clicked! By the third day of introduction week it felt like I knew everyone for years. Everything we did during introduction week helped us unconsciously bond at a level that I’ve never thought possible. Whether it was working our first ehoops group or just having lunch, there was this positive energy that we all fed off.

I started to see a change in myself. I didn’t have that underlining fear anymore. I was more and more excited about what was to come as the days went on. I was just happy to be able to bond with so many amazing people. In a bizarre turn of events, it caused me to start calling my friends and family more. I was excited to share my day with them and tell them about all the people I’ve met. It’s crazy how the relationships I was willing to sacrifice, are the same ones that has helped strengthen the ones I was afraid to lose. With the week now ended, I miss all my fellow scholars dearly. However I can confidently say I do not fear losing touch with them, but rather I am excited to see how this journey strengthens the friendship between my new 33 friends and I.

Now if you excuse me, I got a friend to call.
Until Next Time,
Kollyns Scarbrough
#IBelieveInVictory

Future scholars be warned, the refs will call fouls on you for breathing on the other team. Make sure you don’t look at the other team too hard as well because I swear that’s a foul too. You’ll surely dominate the stat line over here in points, boards, assists, blocks, and fouls. My only message here though is to remain calm! Life will go on and you will get to play another game. Don’t be frustrated with how things work, just do your best to change the culture of the sport.

We just played our first game for our school team last night and the level of play is not quite what you’d be used to. Handle it with humility and remember what it can be like to be on the loosing side of things. I hate to sound over confident or cocky, that’s not my aim, but the culture in Ireland is not focused around basketball. So you will come in with a higher level of play. Use it to grow the culture over and teach as much as you can. Part of our mission is to create a stronger culture by showing that we are used to performing at a higher more detailed level, but also by humbly sharing our knowledge and experience with those around us. You really will be able to see the difference you make when you push a teammate to be better, or correct a kid trying to learn fundamentals. Not many people play basketball here and that tells me two things. There definitely is space for improvement in all aspects of the sport, but the people involved are passionate. Everyone playing really does love it.

So, again, handle yourself like the pro (or more precisely semi-professional) that you are about to become; your influence is greater than you might think. Also side note to all the basketball scholars; do your school work early. I can’t speak for most other places, but in Sligo, the first semester, depending on your masters program, you might have a lot of large assignment all due on the same week. I’d say that right when you get assigned them start working, because they pile up quickly.

Okay, time for my joke.

Why shouldn’t basketball players drink too much?

They’ll dribble…

I’ve been cooking a lot more than I ever have. I just found the cheddar I’ve been searching for as well, so the egg breakfasts are looking up. Some easy stuff to cook are noodles with sauce and any kind of meat like chicken or sausage. Also if you shop at Lidl regularly get some pastries! I recommend the chocolate croissants and caramel waffles. If you budget you’re stipend well you feed you self a lot in one month. That being said, having some extra cash on the side is pretty helpful.

So far the only other country I’ve been to is England. I stayed in London for half of a week to see a good friend and some museums and Hyde Park. Lovely area. On my list of places to travel when we have more free time I’ve added Germany (Berlin & Hamburg), Prague, Copenhagen, Sweden, Italy. I’m not sure what all I want to see in those specific places yet but those are the ones that come to mind first.

Zack and I had a chance to see the northern lights the other night too which would’ve been awesome if it wasn’t a cloudy night. We still got some pretty cool pictures and learned about cameras during it. As of late I have been choosing a dissertation topic as well and think I’ve narrowed it down to sports and e-sports and some sort of relationship there. Side note, watching Shark Tank to help inspire marketing thoughts may or may not help.

Also I forgot to add a joke to my last post… so I have two for you this week.

So,  a vegan says to me “people who sell meat are disgusting!”, to which I replied, “well those who sell fruits and vegetables are grocer.”

Now Zack is annoyed with me tell too many dad jokes and locked me out of the house. I texted him “Oh pun the door.”

I’ve been thinking of things I might’ve liked to have with me. Not having them won’t be life or death for you but I digress. First in the list. More warm clothes and work out stuff. The clubs and school teams will have some jerseys and game stuff for you, but you obviously practice more than play games. If you sweat as much as I do you might want to leave that extra pair of socks because you don’t think they’ll fit next to you hats in your backpack. Also try and get water proof everything. Not a dig on Ireland (and SCL don’t worry I don’t need anything) but make sure your shoes don’t have a hole in the sole. It’s not fun to go on a cool hike and find out when you slip into a puddle.

Second in the list: a tool kit. Well more specifically, a screw driver. Now I know I could go get one at store easily, but I had a really nice one I got in college that does the thing where it doesn’t twist back and now it’s on a shelf in my room in Texas and there are pictures in my apartment screwed in that aren’t terrible, but still.

Third, and this is something you should really come with. Humility. In college you might’ve been in a spotlight and let me tell you, it’s brighter here. Kids, friends, coaches, Professor, everyone has a good idea about what you’re doing most of the time. So have fun, but be smart about what you do on and off the court. I don’t think any of you will be outrageously crazy but a reminder never hurts.

That’s it for the list of things to bring, but one last, quick note, look for opportunity while you’re over here. Make connections, explore your area, inspire someone, or makes a kids day. I guarantee the more you give, the more you’ll get.

Oh one last thing. A canteen (and hiking boots) and super useful. Okay, that is all.

I have always written in journals on and off because I think it is good to write down my thoughts that I don’t necessarily want to share with other people. That journaling was more so for the difficult times, when I needed to vent things out. The idea of having a journal for all my new exciting adventures, not just the difficult times, was something new to me, but something I definitely knew I wanted to do this year. I’d like to be able to look back and not just read through the pages, but relive all the experiences I will have had.

A few days ago, it was beautiful outside- nice and warm, sun shining, with a cool breeze. We have a park connected to our campus, so I packed a bag with a towel, my journal, and a speaker for music. I walked into the park and picked a spot in the middle of the grass with no one around. I sat down and put some music on and just took in my surroundings. Then I pulled out my journal and started to write away! It was really nice to just reflect on my time so far and explain the new, fun, and challenging aspects that were coming my way.

This journal entry was like no other entry I’ve ever written. It took me longer because I was thinking deeper, rather than just ranting on about an emotion I was feeling in the moment. About halfway through it, I was overcome with a feeling of pride. Here I was, alone, in a completely new place, writing about this new journey of mine. I took a second and thought back to my younger self, who relied on her older sisters for virtually everything. I never wanted to go to even the bathroom alone, and I certainly would not have given a thought to traveling alone. “Sam, look how far you’ve come” I thought to myself.

I truly am grateful for this experience to jump outside my comfort zone. While my journal entries may not always be so positive, and some pages fill with loneliness or fear, they never cease to end with the word appreciative. And I know that when I look back and read through, I will read this entry and be able to nearly feel the sun on my face as I tilted my head up with my eyes closed and my smile wide.

Recap: We are now on hour 4 of Sam and I’s journey. The four of us (Simone, Rebecca, Sam, and I) are currently riding on the LUAS back into town after a slight 20 minute setback of riding in the wrong direction. We narrowly got Sam back on board but we are getting closer to our pub food destination. You’ve made it this far, the end is in sight.

We are making our way into the City Centre with the assistance of the navigation app and when people with red or blue jerseys exit the tram—the jerseys represent the two teams playing in the Gaelic football match. So another 20 minutes pass and our surroundings are starting to look familiar so we are going to get off in the next couple stops. As our generation does, we are paying more attention to our phones then we are and we get off a few stops further than intended. As we all exit, each of us are deciding the best route to take next (quickest and fastest is preferable) on our phones.

Well… one of us isn’t because their phone is still on the LUAS! Simone realized that she left her phone on the LUAS and we all freeze for a second as we are stunned and take off in a mad haste after the LUAS. Sam, Rebecca, and I take off as we have on tennis shoes. Rebecca than turns back and tries to make sure that Simone isn’t just overlooking her phone and starts calling it. Sam heads back as well and I think I’m too far gone to turn back. I try to keep up with the tram as long as I can until as it is now travelling uphill (my absolute Achilles heel). I am starting to lose ground and the tram turns the corner about 300-400 feet ahead of me and I am thinking it has to stop soon to let other people off. Well, it does but I am way too late and it goes into a non-pedestrian area—the point of no return.

Now this is when I realize that my phone is ringing—Rebecca is calling me. But I am afraid of picking up international charges, I send it straight to voicemail and response with a text. I wait for them to walk the rest of the way to me and tell them I wasn’t able to grab the phone in time. Lucky for us, Rebecca was able to call Simone’s phone and a woman answered it. She got off at the next stop which turned out to be the last stop before we would’ve lost the phone forever—and also about 100 feet away from where we were standing. We thank the lady graciously for grabbing the phone and returning it to Simone and we think about how the luck of the Irish has been with us today.

Mind you, Sam and I are now on hour 5 of no eating and once again, further from our destination. We put on our map Drumcondra and start heading in that general direction. It is close to match time—about 1.5 hours until it starts. As we are walking through the City, it is pretty empty but we can see Croke Park to the North so we know we are getting closer. Pubs are standing room only which is what we are looking for but many places have stopped food sales because people just want to drink as they watch the match. At this point, we are just looking for somewhere to sit down and eat; forget about the match. Us four travel from pub to pub just looking at food menus and space for us to eat.

On our food voyage, we are immersed with the Dublin “Boys in Blue” fans (Dublin vs. Tyrone in All Ireland final match). *INSERT VIDEO* and come to the realization that all the pubs in this vicinity will be doing alcohol sales and standing room only. So we decide whatever restaurant that fits everyone’s needs—mainly two vegetarians. We finally decide on a place: Shouk. A small, fresh, authentic Mediterranean literal hole in the wall. A meal that gets its own blog J

We leave the restaurant and decide to catch the end of the match. After many unsuccessful attempts at finding a pub that can seat four, we stumble upon one with a large sectional couch with the match being projected onto the walls. Either the couch is too comfortable for us or we have the ‘itis’ because we all end of dozing off after about 10 minutes. It doesn’t last for long as there are a couple of rowdy fans—namely a screaming toddler—that gets us up. Anyways, we watch the gaelic game (once again confused as how scoring works) and realize that it is ending soon—Dubs with the lead!

Sam and I knew how packed it was when we passed through town, so we can only imagine what the streets were going to look like once people started filing out of the stadium. On top of that, after the home team won as well! We get ourselves together and realize it is time to call it a day (at 5 p.m.). The Trinity girls head back into the City Centre while Sam and I head back to DCU.

It has been a long, eventful day but one that was well-needed. What better way to begin our year here with 10 miles walked in a beautiful city getting lost with two other Victory Scholars, experiencing the hype of one of the Irish’s traditional games. I can honestly say I think I’m really going to like it here.

Fun fact: We encountered more international/foreign people when asking for directions than we did Irish people which demonstrates the amazing diversity Dublin has to offer.

Recap: It’s been 5 miles and 3 hours later since Sam and I have eaten so naturally we are starving. So that is the first thing on our mind. We have arrived to the City Centre and we finally caught up with the Trinity girls: Simone and Rebecca to watch the Gaelic football match.

On Sam and I’s way to the City Centre, we discovered a pub that looked like it was going to be packed during the match; obviously we are going to want to be there. We all decided to make that our destination which means more travelling. But by which means? We’d all experienced the buses and taxis back home and I don’t think Sam and I could’ve possibly walked any further without eating (but you’ll be surprised at how resilient the human body is). So we chose to take the LUAS which is Dublin’s tram system. The four of us had seen them as we went into the City Centre so why not give it a chance…

Remember that we are four Americans that have just arrived in Dublin for really the first time with limited knowledge of the area, no recollection of the name of the pub that we want to go to except for its on approximate location on Drumcondra St, and no clear instructions on how the tram system works. This sounds like a solid plan… Outside of Trinity College, we find a LUAS station and we assume getting the tram to a place near Croke Park will be our smartest bet since we want to be as close to the crowds as possible. We buy our tickets and we wait for the next one to arrive.

We hop on the LUAS and of course it’s packed. It’s a beautiful Sunday in Dublin with a huge match happening too, which means we have to be on the lookout for places to sit… tough luck—we have to stand. To describe the LUAS simply: an above ground subway train: same smell but no performers. We’ve been on for about 10 minutes and we start to notice that it is getting further and further from our destination and decide to get off at the next stop… little did we know, we would have to cross LUAS tracks and run for our lives for the next tram that was coming and pray we make it on time and don’t get hit in the process.

Looks like our stop is approaching, all four of us get out in time and see on the monitor that another LUAS going in the direction we need will be here in 1 minute. We rush across the tracks and make it to the other side right on time. The LUAS stops and opens its door and people are rushing off and we are trying to find our way on… Rebecca, Simone, and I make it on in time; Sam is left outside of the LUAS as the doors are closing. Now is the perfect time to demonstrate how foreign we are in this country because we start screaming and banging the door so that it will open for Sam. In our struggle to make anything happen in those few seconds, a kind stranger presses a button on the door and it opens quick enough for Sam to jump on before it slams closed again as the LUAS starts to depart. Talk about a close call.

At this point, we are another hour into this journey, Sam and I are on the verge of passing out from hunger and sleepiness, but we keep trekking on. Determination and pure grit keep us going further, plus we were able to snag seats on our ride back into the city.

This is when yous reading ask, “can it get any worse?” and to that I respond: “check out part 3 of my blog to find out…”

Fun fact: Dublin transportation consists of buses, taxis, LUAS, trains, bikes, but mostly walking. It is also one of the most expensive transportation systems I have experienced thus far.

I have been in Dublin for a couple days now and we have practice on Monday. I am a bit anxious and nervous and excited; just a whirlwind of emotions is happening as I gear up for playing real competitive basketball again. But for now, I am going to focus on this new wonderful place that I am in: Dublin, Ireland! We have moved into temporary dorms as the accommodation gets ready for the new residents, so we must hold off on making these rooms like home. This gives us plenty of time to explore one of the best hubs in Europe.

Sam (fellow Victory Scholar and my American teammate) and I decide to go on an expedition.

Before I tell you the story of our travel that day, I must set the scene:

• One of the biggest rivalry Gaelic football matches in Dublin is being played in Croke Park
• We have no idea where we are going but we know we want to get to the City Centre which is about 2.5 to 3 miles away to meet up with the Trinity girls to watch the Gaelic match.
• Dublin is having a record drought period when we arrive so nothing but blue, sunny skies for our adventure.
• Dublin City University (DCU) is in a more residential area so we aren’t exactly in the city, city.
• We are working off of one iPhone that has international data, but it is not the quickest we could have for navigation purposes.

Anyways, Sam and I want to get to the City Centre because most of the things globally associated with Dublin are located there. At least, that’s what we have heard. So, Sam and I schedule to wake up early to get the most out of our day. We head out after eating a delicious traditional Irish breakfast to the City Centre. We have our iPhone navigation system ready to take us to our destination and we are off. To the Southeast of our campus are mountains and honestly, it’s the only marker we are able to see through the thicket of the trees so we use that to gauge our progress.

As we have been walking for about 15 minutes from our rooms on campus, we see a game of hurling going on. Now this is one of the most brutal games I have seen live but it’s so interesting and tactical at the same time. It is like the game of lacrosse mixed with self-toss baseball combined with the force of tackles in football minus the pads. The few minutes I was watching, I was just beyond confused.

After watching some hurling, we keep walking for about another 10 minutes and then we realize we haven’t been paying attention to the navigation which probably has been telling us to turn left for about 10 mins… so we decide to let it re-route us as we make the next possible left. We just so happened to stumble into the most gorgeous park: Griffith Park. It is incredible that we find—in the middle of the city—such serenity and beauty. Being in that space, was the most at ease I have felt since I first learned I would be a part of Sport Changes Life. This is also when I realized that dogs can freely roam without leashes and they don’t run up to you either! I cannot imagine my pup being able to do that; kind of wished he would be that trained though. During our walk in the park, we are alongside the Tolka River with ducks (more animals familiar to me, yay) and the most beautiful swan. Of course, I had to stop and take a picture… but what was really crazy to me was that the swan was posing for the picture!

At this point, Sam and I have made little progress in our journey to the City Centre after 45 minutes. But we are still determined to get to our destination, so we decide to keep walking south along Drumcondra.  This is when we realize that one of the largest matches between Ireland and the UK is happening soon. We continue walking and take a couple of roundabout ways because we listened to our navigation system and some out of towners…and we finally make it after an hour to the City Centre to meet up with the two Victory Scholars placed at Trinity College: Rebecca and Simone.

But this isn’t where the journey ends…

TO BE CONTINUED…

Fun fact: in Ireland (and across Europe), City Centre is the same as downtown for Americans.

The 17th of October is a night that incapsulates my time in Waterford perfectly. After meeting one of my teammates at the Mansion House for dinner, the two of us walked to De La Salles Secondary School. This is one of the schools that I do my coaching at, only tonight I was not going to coach basketball. We were going to see De La Salles production of The Addams Family.

We had initially decided to go to the play to support our teammates little brother, and our team’s number one fan. The play was fantastic. It was an amazing night from the atmosphere, to the acting, to the homemade baked goods being sold in the corner of the gym. I even got a picture with the star of the show.

After getting home that night I thought about how awesome the night truly was. I am so fortunate to have made so many meaningful relationships in my short time in Waterford, and that night was the perfect example. It was a reminder of how blessed I am to have this opportunity, and it makes me that much more excited to make an impact in Waterford. #Victory