“No days off” is the truest, most honest statement that describes how the month of January has been for me. At the beginning of the semester, we were told that our winter break would be for a long two months. At the time, I was buzzing because finally, I would get a break from the madness of school and coaching to just focus on the important things… sitting on my butt, eating to my heart’s content and binge watching all the Netflix series I’ve missed. I was genuinely looking forward to some well-earned rest and relaxation. However, I slowly realized that the two months off would not be the peaceful veg out session I had in mind. Rather, it would be deemed as the most hectic holiday month of my entire life.

The difficulty of this month can be credited to exams being taken at the end of January. Rather than an anticipated month of lounging around, the entirety of it was spent studying day in and day out for the four finals lined up back to back, all in one week. Yes, taking exams all in a row is an intimidating feat, but the fact that each final determined 70% (100% for one of the classes!) of each class really made passing seem nearly impossible. Many thoughts flew through my brain like, “How much of this material do I need to know?… Maybe if I stare at it long enough, the information will engrain in my head… Please, academic gods, take the wheel!!”

Without trying to be, I couldn’t help but feel pressured. No matter how hard I worked to calm my nerves, test anxiety invaded my mind like a weed and even tormented me in my sleep. It was such a different experience from what I’m used to since my undergraduate exams were taken in December, a week after the last day of classes. Exams in December makes sense since the material was still so fresh in my head. January testing just feels so wrong and unnecessary. Aside from the worry and doubt, I found a way to push through and completed each final one by one. I walked out of my last exam with one thing on my mind, FREEDOM.

Moral of the story is, if you have the right attitude and a will to persevere, you can accomplish even the most daunting tasks that life throws out at you.

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” – Henry Ford.

Next Sunday the Patriots will play in their third Super Bowl in four years and tenth Super Bowl overall. In my lifetime alone, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing ten New England championships in professional sports. In fact, since 2001, I have only had to go through a 2 year championship “drought” once. Moral of the story; Boston is called the City of Champions for a reason. When people ask me where I’m from, I take a great deal of pride in being able to say I’m from Boston. I may have grown up in the suburbs of the south shore, but the city itself is deeply engrained in who I am and my relationship with sports.

When I think back to my earliest sports memories, they all take place in Boston. I remember weeknight drives into Fenway with my family, watching Big Papi hit a home run under the lights. I remember Saturday afternoon tailgates at Gillette Stadium before the Patriots Game. I remember road tripping down from school in Maine to go to the Bruins game, and cheering on the Celtics from the nose bleeds of the TD garden in my Paul Pierce jersey. The truth is (no pun intended), it’s way more than a game in Boston, it’s a way of life. Bostonians are no fair-weather fans; loyalty and pride run deep in our veins. If you don’t believe me just ask my dad, who reluctantly gave up his Patriots season tickets a few years back after twenty years of ownership. When you join a Boston team, you’re joining something bigger than yourself, you’re entering into a legacy of tradition and success that goes back generations. Win or lose, the entire city will have your back. That’s just our way.

This type of familial culture has had an undeniable influence on my own development as an athlete and as a person. It’s what I searched for when looking for the right college team to join, and what I continuously strive to cultivate and embody as I enter into new programs and organizations. I want people to know that I will give them everything I have, and regardless of the final score I’ll always be in their corner, because that’s just how Boston raised me. What I admire most about Boston teams isn’t just that they win a lot, although that helps, but more than anything it’s the way that they win. Do they have talented players? Sure. But they don’t win on talent alone. They win with grit and hustle and heart. They win after being down three games to none against the New York Yankees. They win after rallying from a 24 point deficit to beat the Lakers in game 4 of the NBA finals. They win in overtime after being down 3-1 in the third period of game 7 of the Stanley Cup. They win when they’re down 21-3 at halftime in the Super Bowl. It doesn’t always come easy, and it isn’t always pretty, but it is always unforgettable and undeniably deserved.

As I reflect on how sports have changed my own life, I can’t help but acknowledge all that Boston has given me. It’s provided me with a genuine appreciation for the power of sports and the life lessons they can teach us. But most importantly, it’s taught me that in the end, people are what truly matter; your relationships, the ones you love, and the lives you touch. After the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, this became even more apparent. Not only are our sports teams resilient, but our people are too. I’m forever grateful to the city that taught me what it means to put your whole heart into something, and to never give up hope. So when i’m on the verge of a panic attack next Sunday, screaming at the tv screen, just know that it’s deeper than one game. It’s deeper than one season. Outsiders might not understand it, and opponents might hate it, but it’s what it means to be Boston Strong.

 

 

Dear Tiffany ,

Friday June 26th you will be coaching for your first championship and two days after that you will be playing for one. Are you nervous ? Are you excited ? I know it’s been four years since you last been in this position. Try not to be too rusty okay ?! Promise that you will have fun and whatever you do make sure you leave it all out there. When you walk off that court win or lose make sure you gave your teammates all that you had.

Your mother is so proud of you , she can’t stop talking about the game. Your best friends Tor and Nicole yeah their pumped for you too ! Regardless of the outcome they are going to be proud of you okay ? You know why ? Many people where your are from never got to experience this. You are in Ireland competing for a national championship!!!!!

You can’t be nervous on Friday. The girls you coach are going to feed off your energy. They need to see that your confident so don’t forget to smile ! Through the good , bad and indifferent smile because your blessed❤️ So be that leader as a coach , as a teammate and as a friend…. Good luck Champ you got this 💪🏾

~Bless up

TC3

Last week, Faith and I went to see the movie “Wonder” at our local movie theatre. If you saw the trailer for the movie, then you know it was real tear jerker. I saw the trailer and balled my eyes out-so I tried to mentally prepare myself for the waterworks I knew would happen in the movie theatre. I made sure to get myself some Ben and Jerry’s going into the movie to really help with my emotions (also because Ben and Jerry’s is my favorite).

For those of you who haven’t heard of this movie or seen the trailer- in short, “Wonder” is about a young boy, Auggie, who was born with several different medical issues and needed 27 surgeries done to his face in order for him to be able to see, hear, breath, etc. The movie tells the story of him going to public school for the first time. Auggie is extremely nervous and upset to start middle school because of his facial deformities. Auggie loves space and always wears an astronaut helmet every where he goes to cover up his face. He is smart, funny, loves science, and loves halloween because that is the one time in his life he feels “normal.” When Auggie starts school, all of the kids are staring, looking, and making fun of him. The kids are afraid to touch him, call him a freak, and laugh at him. Cue the waterworks for me (and yes these tears continued throughout the entire duration of the movie) After Auggie’s first day of school, he is sitting on his bed crying and asks his mom “why do I have to be so ugly?” To which she responds, “you are not ugly, and anyone who cares to know you will see that.”

This scene in the movie hit home for me. If you know me at all, then you know I have always had a connection to those with special needs and disabilities. Maybe it’s because like Auggie, I’ve always felt like I had a disability.  For me, my face has always been my worst nightmare and my disability. Okay not always, but for many years now my face and my overall body appearance have been my enemies. Growing up as a kid and all throughout high school, I never thought much about my appearance. It wasn’t until I got to college and turned 21. Back in the U.S. turning 21 is a big deal, and everyone is given the gift of being able to legally drink. However, for my 21st birthday I received the start of lovely acne on my face. This was a big shock, as I didn’t have bad skin as a teenager so I thought I was in the clear by my 20s. However, I was sorely mistaken. Adult acne had hit me.

It started out pretty minimal so I thought it was nothing serious, however, by 22 it was coming in worse than ever, and by 23 I was devastated. I thought to myself how could this be happening, I am 23 years old! I saw every possible doctor and tried every possible treatment, and nothing worked. I felt so incredibly ugly every single day, thinking everyone thought the same and was staring at my face. As my confidence in my skin fell apart, confidence in the rest of my body did as well. I would then refer to myself as fat, and sometimes work out for 3 hours a day. I figured maybe if the rest of my body looked “good” then no one would pay attention to my face. I would also spend my days playing basketball, because that was one of the few times I wouldn’t think about my appearance and I could just be myself.

I felt my skin and my face disabled me from living my best and happiest life. I can remember multiple times calling my parents and saying “why me, I am a good person” and “why do I have to be so ugly?” Now, that is a crazy thing to admit in your 20s, and something even my closest friends don’t even know. See, I am pretty sure many people have no idea how much my skin has affected my personal confidence. I walk around very happy and for the most part confident. That’s the thing I am very happy in my life, I am so blessed in so many ways. Just the fact that my appearance is my biggest issue in life, means I am a lot more blessed than so many people who are dealing with way worse things. I also am extremely confident in who I am as a person, I’ve always been my own person, never got peer pressured, and I have strong values/beliefs. However, when it comes to confidence on my appearance I can tell you I have absolutely none.

So when I came to Ireland, as my skin got worse, I went to see a dermatologist here, who put me on the final stop for acne treatment. It is an extremely intense pill that makes you dry, itchy, moody, and just about everything else you can think of for 6 months. I am about halfway through my treatment, and things have definitely improved. While I still have a long way to go to get to the perfect skin I want, I also realize that I may never have it. Regardless of whether or not my skin improves in the next few months, the mental damage has already been done. After years of avoiding mirrors, calling yourself ugly and fat, you eventually start to believe it. If someone were to say I looked pretty, I genuinely wouldn’t believe them. And that is something I have been trying to work on mentally, and something I may be working on for the rest of my life. I hope that in time, I can once again feel good about my appearance.

In a world full of social media, we are encouraged to show only the BEST versions of ourselves, showing us happy and adding filters to look perfect in every picture. I am guilty of it myself. Society has conditioned us to solely judge people based on their physical appearances. However, throughout my time here in Ireland working with kids, I am learning that there are so many other important things in life.

We can learn a lot from Auggie in “Wonder.” By the end of the movie, Auggie has won the whole school over with his charm, jokes, and kind heart. The movie finishes with him winning the most prestigious award at the school- the one for overall character, and the entire school gives him a standing ovation. (Cue even more tears) This just reminded me that at the end of the day, people aren’t going to remember the way you looked, they are going to remember how you made them feel.

We all have a story. In a negative world, be kind, and remember we are all fighting our own battles. When my skin started to get bad, my mom always told me “do not let this define you.” While my skin might not be perfect, it definitely doesn’t define who I am as a person. That is why I am writing this blog, to share my truth, my story. To encourage anyone who is going through a tough time, anyone who struggles with appearance issues, weight issues, whatever it is you may be experiencing to not let it define you. No one was made to be perfect, and I will leave you with a quote that has gotten me through the worst of times, “maybe life isn’t about avoiding the bruises, maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it.”

 

Special thank you to my parents and family for the constant support

 

xo Mak

 

We are a few weeks into the New Year and it has occurred to me that I still haven’t made proper 2018 goals. With all my travels, school starting back up, and basketball in full gear I hadn’t properly reflected on this past year and what opportunities this new year has to offer. 2017 was arguably one of the greatest years of my life. From strengthening relationships to making new lifelong friends, from earning my undergraduate degree to starting my masters in Europe, from handing in my Emory jersey for an IT Carlow one and a coach’s whistle….this past year was one for the books. As 2018 commences, although it is a New Year, I cannot say I want a new me. I look to continue to build on these experiences and find new avenues to grow and prosper. So with no real rhyme or reason, I will list some of my 2018 goals. Hopefully I can come back to this blog in a years time and successfully say I have completed them…and adding many more along the way.

1. Land a full-time job in a field I am passionate about (still struggling with the age old question…”What do you want to be when you grow up?”)
2. Set up a 401k (Riveting stuff!!!!!)
3. Buy a car (another millennial in a Honda Civic?!?)
4. Visit 5 different countries
5. Visit 5 new U.S states
6. Go camping/hiking
7. Earn high honors for work-placement dissertation
8. Finish Top 4 in the National League
9. Take ski lessons
10. Read 25 books
11. Get back into yoga
12. Learn 20 new songs on the guitar
13. Go to a Broadway show
14. Coach my teams to more wins (having fun along the way of course!!)
15. Take an art class
16. Take a dance class (Salsa or ballroom? Open to suggestions)
17. Jump out of a plane (Sorry Mom)
18. Continue to coach or have some involvement in community affairs when I return to the States
19. Attempt to brew my own beer (this could count as art, right?)
20. Laugh every day

I cant wait to capitalize on the new experiences and obstacles I will face this year.

Sláinte!

 

P.S. Go Birdsss babbbbbyyyyyy!!!!!

 

“You are going to go home with a lot of stories”. This has been a phrase that my basketball coach has told me numerous times since I have been in Belfast. Although it may become repetitive, it could not be truer. I have been put into a situation where everything is completely different especially in the basketball realm of things. Between the NCAA and Basketball Ireland, the whole process is set up in their own unique way. No need to show up three hours before a game starts anymore…an hour is what you need at maximum. Driving back through late hours of the night through different States…now grab a pint at the pub with the opposing team afterwards and stay the night. It’s funny how cultural differences take a simple game where you need to put a ball in a hoop and culturally evolve the sport based around the city or the country it is being played in.

So as repetitive as my coach may be, I am happy that he keeps reminding me of the incredible opportunity I have been given. The scholarship ends in May and basketball ends in March, so it is only a matter of months before everything is over. Rather than complaining about being in a van for a six hour drive throughout Ireland for a game, it is my goal to enjoy every minute of it. Whether it may be the fans with their strange cheers in opposing gyms, Lithuanians telling you something that is hard to understand so you just nod your head like you know what they are saying, or just the fact that I am playing the game that I have loved all my life on a much different level; these last few months will not be take for granted and you better believe they will be blogged about!

Cheers,

Matthew

Hey guys 👋🏼👋🏼

So, I know in my last blog I told you guys I would keep you updated on how my exams went. Well ………. It was definitely two of the most stressful weeks of my life 😩‼️‼️‼️ Accounting , Marketing , Economics and Human Resource were the four classes I had exams for. Alex and I literally studied from sun rise to sunset .. It was an adjustment because during finals weeks in America basketball and other activities u may have are cut down.

There are no games for about 11 days and you may practice 2-4 times out of those 11 days but even then practice is modified to prevent you from becoming more stressful . Because exams were being held in the gym we practice in on campus we had to use another gym off campus which by bus was a 30-45 minute commute. When you add coaching on top of that at times we really had to manage our studying hours. But we found ways to get it done by doing things like studying during the ride to our games. Even though it was a very tough two weeks , it will be very worth it in the end when I’m smiling walking across that stage to get my diploma 😌💁🏽

This upcoming weekend is huge for my club DCU Mercy. We have three teams in the national championship games this weekend. So make sure you check out my blog next week it will all be about what happened !

#WillwebethenewNationalHulaHoopchamps ? #WillGlanmirerepeat? #u20srepeat? Find out next week ‼️‼️‼️‼️

~Bless up

TC3

So since I’ve gotten to Galway I’ve been eating a cleaner, plant-based diet. I no longer eat beef. I never really ate pork. I’ve cut almost all dairy out of my diet along with a majority of processed foods( cheat day is boojums). I still eat eggs but that’s something I’m slowly trying to ween myself from. I was good for a while I went almost 2 months without them. But I’ve since relapsed.

I start my morning with a heavy breakfast. Eggs, these “American pancakes” I found at Dunnes, wheat toast, oatmeal, and a fruit smoothie. The fruit smoothie is most important because that’s when I squeeze in my 5 fruit for the day and some of my protein. Due to my class schedule, lunch is something I tend to skip. Something I’m not too happy about but it is what it is. I can’t afford to eat out everyday for lunch. And there’s no where convenient for me to store and reheat my food if I was to bring food from home. Depending on what day it is, I try to eat a heavier dinner and eat it as early as possible. Dinner is where I squeeze in my 5 vegetables for the day.

Something new I’ve recently started which I’m excited about is incorporating a mass gainers protein shake. Not only does it ensure that I’m getting my RDA for protein but it also gives me a bit of a calorie boost. What I mean by that is, in order for me to achieve the body goals I’m reaching for I need to eat at least 3000 to 3500 cal a day. And like I stated earlier, skipping lunch makes it really hard but since I’ve started incorporating this protein shake that knocks out almost 1000 cal right there. Before anyone starts throwing a fit, my workout regime compliments a 3000-3500 cal a day diet.

Ever since I’ve switched to clean eating I noticed a significant difference within myself across the board. From the way I look to the way I feel. When I start my day with a big breakfast that keeps me from snacking too hard and that keeps me awake and have energy to get through these three hour lecture’s first thing in the morning. I noticed a significant difference in my skin! I looked at a picture of myself when I first got to Ireland to a selfie I took not too long ago and my skin is definitely flourishing, same with my hair. I will note that I’ve developed A pretty nasty sweet tooth like I crave cakes, candy, and other sweet items but what helps me curve this is those “American pancakes” I eat every morning. They’re pretty sweet and they’re not too high in sugar. Before I return to the states I have some goals I’d like to achieve with my body, hair, and skin. I’ve already seen a big difference and all three of those categories and it’s only been six months. If I continue to keep up my diet and work out, and stay stress-free as possible, I know I’m going to be able to achieve them. I only have another 5 months left, I can’t wait to see what I achieve by June.

 

 

The above cover photo was taken when the 24 of us scholars climbed Cave Hill the first week we were here. As mentioned in my last blog, I’ve experienced homesickness along the way, but I also feel as though I’ve grown since that picture was taken. I’ve befriended young people my age, coached kids a variety of ages and have strived to try to make a difference in other peoples’ lives, even in the smallest ways. I enjoy helping others andI’m lucky enough to have had coaches and mentors in the past who have emphasized the importance of keeping others in mind. Now, I hope to pass that same generous message on to the young people I work with. Here are five things I’ve learned about myself on this journey: 

1. I’m a people person. This is quite an obvious statement for those who know me, but it’s been solidified since I began working with others. There have been days where I’ve been tired going into an eHOOPs session, but when I arrive and feel the energy from the others’ company I’m delighted and I become energized myself. Same with an early morning Sundaycoaching session; the ride up to Holywood is usually dark and can feel dreary, but once I’m welcomed by the eager faces of the kids I coach and golf with, I’m excited to be sharing my time with them.

2. Although I’m a people person, I’ve learned that it’s okay to spend time alone. This is something I’ve learned more so from my housemates. We don’t have a television in our apartment, so we often play card games or Monopoly to enjoy our time together. I love that this has become an almost daily tradition, but sometimes, as we’ve all experienced, there isn’t a better feeling than curling up in bed with a candle lit nearby and Netflix annoyingly asking if I’m still watching.

3. Unplanned situations occur and when they do, adjusting my set plans accordingly is a must. There have been days where I have woken up thinking it’d be an off day, but it turns into a productive one and there have been days where I’ve woken up thinking I’d be coaching, but the weather had a different agenda. In college, I had a rigorous schedule that was pretty consistent week-to-week. Here, there have been countless changes and this has taught me to adapt quicker. Being okay with last minute changes is something I’ve been working on all year as the lifestyle here is more laid back (which at times I very much appreciate), but life after college can sometimes change quicker than anticipated.

4. Being present is incredibly challenging, but seriously satisfying. As mentioned in my previous blogpost, there have been times where I’ve contemplated the “what ifs” and that often includes planning for the future, or reminiscing on the past. It’s taken a lot of effort and practice to get myself to focus on the present moment. When traveling, I’ve been trying to embrace all of the scenery while also making sure I capture the moment with a picture so I can later reflect on how good of an experience it was. Regularly walking in the park opposite of campus that overlooks the Atlantic gives me the chance to reflect on all I’ve accomplished and have experienced since I’ve been here, while getting a chance to appreciate the beauty of Northern Ireland.

5. Optimism overrules negativity. There have been countless days where I’ve found myself complaining about the smallest inconveniences (thank you to my housemates for tolerating me on my whiniest days). If this experience has taught me anything, it’s that there is a greater picture to be seen than the minuscule one that encapsulates me in that negative moment. I’ve complained over the smallest things; the weather, school and a teetering schedule. After I vent or let out a complaint, I make sure to remind myself of the positives. I’ll look at recent pictures of my travels or think about the relationships I’ve formed here and I realize that there really isn’t much to complain about.

I’ve learned more about myself here than if I were working at an entry-level job for the sole purpose of receiving an income. While in Northern Ireland, I’ve had the privilege to work with young people, hopefully leaving a memory and an impact (or at least a goofy impression) and that makes me so happy. As a new week begins tomorrow, I look forward to working with the Carrickfergus Chargers, a Northern Ireland Special Olympics basketball team, our weekly eHOOPers, and coaching the Holywood Golf Club junior members.

Sports have 100% been the biggest part of my life for as long as I can remember.  For the longest time softball (baseball for girls) was my main sport and I absolutely loved it! One year I was playing on 3 different softball teams at once that is how crazy I was about this sport.  Baseball has always been a main topic in my house growing up, and for anyone who has met my dad you know he can turn any conversation into a baseball reference.  So I think it’s fair to say that I definitely get my love of sports from my him.  Even though baseball was and continues to be a big part of my life, high school is really when I found my passion for basketball.

The first two years of of high school, basketball was just a social thing I did. Don’t get me wrong, I am a super competitive person so I took it seriously, but I never really thought basketball was going to go further than high school for me.  It never even crossed my mind to try and play sports in college.  Thankfully, for my final two years of high school I had a coach (Coach Cal) who really pushed me to continue getting better as a basketball player. He is the one who got me on the right AAU team, which ultimately opened so many college doors for me to choose from.  I do owe him a lot in the sense he is the one who first motivated me to stick with basketball, and with his help I was given the opportunity to play Division I basketball at Siena College.  Never in a million years did I think I would play basketball in college, let alone a Division I school.  So, I am really lucky to have had Coach Cal in my corner because without him I don’t think I would have had the same opportunities for college as I did.

Going to Siena is probably one of the best decisions I have made thus far in my life.  No question, those were the best four years of my life so far. Granted it had its ups and downs, but I was able to grow so much as a person and as a player.  I can easily credit my head coach (Coach Jaques) with helping me grow so much during my time at Siena.  She pushed to be better both on and off the court.  On the court, I may not have been the best player out there, but I definitely was one of the hardest workers.  I think my hard work mentality is what defined me as a player at Siena.  Arriving at Siena, I remember after the first pick up game we played, I told one of my fellow freshman that I’m definitely not even going to get off the bench.  I was in awe of the speed and physicality of the college game and knew right from the beginning I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to be a contributing member of this team. Being a freshman and going into that college level basketball environment is intimidating to say the least.  I really didn’t think I was going to ever play, but I was honestly okay with that because I was just happy to be there.  Like I said before, I never thought I would find myself in a situation like being on a Division I team, so just being there was an accomplishment in itself.  I never could have foreseen that I would end up starting every game in my collegiate career  (guess I must have been doing something right after all LOL).  I did accomplish a lot basketball wise at Siena, but I think the most valuable lessons I learned were on a personal level.  Coach Jaques really pushed me to be a better in a lot of ways other than just on the court.  She pushed me to be a better leader, a better teammate, and she also helped me to gain confidence in myself.  When I first got to Siena I was pretty quiet and just kind of just went about my business.  Looking at where I was then to where I am now,  I can say that I definitely have a lot more confidence in myself and thats all because Coach Jaques decided I was worth her effort to help (also I talk a lot more now so that can either be a good or bad thing, I’ll let you decide that LOL).  Coach Jaques really challenged me to get out of my comfort zone throughout my four years.  Even if I was hesitant at first to do so, I am glad she made me because it really helped me to grow personally and as a player.  I really owe her and the entire Siena family a lot for helping me grow up.  I still can’t believe that my career at Siena is over.  It still feels like every time Siena has a game that its Game Day for me too. So, clearly I still miss Siena a lot, but that just means that the four years I had there were worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With my basketball career winding down here, it has me thinking a lot about how basketball has really shaped me into the person I am today.  At face value, basketball (and sports in general) teaches you how to work hard to be the best player you can be.  But the life lessons you can take away from basketball are priceless.  Basketball has taught me how to be a team player, improve my leadership skills, grow my personal confidence, communicate effectively, push my limits mentally and physically, be humble, improve time management skills, respect, etc.  The list goes on and on, and these skills go beyond sports.  They are invaluable skills that I can bring with me as I look to launch my career, and also as I continue my personal growth. When playing basketball is officially over for me it will be sad, but I am so happy that it has led me down the path that it has.  Being able to end my career in a program like SCL is really icing on the cake for me.

I guess the purpose of this blog is just to show how, for me, basketball goes beyond the lines on the court. I could honestly go on and on about how basketball has impacted my life, but this is a blog not a book. No blog post is ever going to fully describe my feelings towards basketball and my appreciation for all of the coaches that I have had throughout my career. So to put it simply, basketball has given me so many opportunities and I am so thankful for everyone who has played a role in this journey with me.  I am especially grateful to have such supportive parents who have been with me from the very beginning.  If it weren’t for my mom and dad, none of what I have accomplished would be possible.  They have always supported me and my decisions. Even when my decisions land me 7 1/2 hours away from home, or even now when I’m an entire ocean away.  They are truly the best and I would not be able to do what I do if it weren’t for them being in my corner unconditionally.  I love you guys and I hope you know how much I value your love and support.

-Meg

 

 

As many people know Ireland is known for their very wet seasons and especially winter.  Well I’m here to tell you that everything you heard about the wet winter season in Ireland is true.  What is so weird though is that one minute of the day the weather could be amazingly nice and sunny… and then all of a sudden a dark storm cloud accumulates overhead and blocks the beautiful sun rays that were beaming down upon us.

When I was in New York and Alabama, I would always say I could live in Seattle or Ireland where it rains all the time and not mind it one bit.  And I am here to say I still don’t mind it but would love if the sun would come out just wee bit more here in the Emerald Isle.  The one thing that I don’t miss about the New York winters is the snow and the slush that those storms bring.  Yes the occasional snow day was great and fun, but the shoveling was horrible and the days after in the slush and just looking at mounds of snow weren’t the best either.  Especially when it was after the holiday season in January and February because at that point most everyone just wanted the warm Spring March air.

One good element about the rain all the time in Ireland is that it is very nice to listen too and sleep too.  I don’t get to sleep in much but when I do I always hope that it is a rainy day (most of the time it is) and that it stays dark and cloudy out.  The one bad aspect would be that the bus is always delayed when it rains.  One would think that the public transit system would be used to the rain and inclement weather and would be on time but…… no.  Also when I take the bus it is usually to get to Neptune which means I will be walking for about 15 to 20 minutes from the Cork city center to get there.  Walking in the rain I don’t mind as much though because the helpful rain gear keeps me somewhat dry to train and coach!

I am excited to see how the spring and summer in Ireland are and I am hoping that I will see just a bit more sun and a little less rain.  I’m certain it will be warmer which will be good as I hope to travel and expand my horizons as I venture to tour new scenes of Ireland and Europe.

The first thing I was taught though when I arrived here in Ireland was, always bring a rain coat with you because the weather here is sooooo unpredictable. And I have thankfully stuck by that much needed rule!!

Getting accepted into the Sport Changes Life Program has been the best thing that has happened to me, other than getting a full basketball scholarship to college. In this program, I’m living in Letterkenny, Ireland where I’m playing basketball, getting a master’s degree, mentoring kids and coaching. It sounds like a lot but trust me, it’s not. Growing up, I was always told: “you never know how things are going until you’re on the outside looking in.” As a basketball player, you see things differently on the court rather than when you’re a spectator on the side. I remember in college, my coaches would tell me things and I would get upset sometimes, just thinking in my head “what is he talking about.  (Sorry Coach lol)” My coach would even tell the team things, both positive and negative, however, we would still get upset as a unit. As a player, I’ve thought some things were phenomenal and some things were pointless at times, but my coach always had a method to his madness.

As mentioned before I am a coach! My teammate Jon and myself coach St. Eunan’s College (high school) under 16s. This past weekend our team had 3 games in one day to advance to the All Ireland quarterfinals. Obviously, to move on, a team had to go 3 and 0. Unfortunately, we fell to 2-1 and got knocked out. I couldn’t be more proud of my team! Jon and I have been told that the team hasn’t been that successful in the past, but during our coaching tenured, we coached the kids to a 5-2 record. Now I see why people become coaches because there is no better feeling than seeing your team excel and having fun.

So, I named this blog “Sorry Coach” because um I’m actually apologizing to my college coach. I’m apologizing not because I did anything wrong, like c’mon me doing something wrong, never happens…jk. Seriously I’m apologizing for not always seeing your vision, criticism, and passion. I apologize for taking a couple plays off on defense, last minute lapses and not always playing to my full potential. Coaching has changed my perception of many things, on and off the court. I’m extremely proud of my team but seeing small mistakes, mental lapses at the end of games and untouched potential, almost drove me insane haha. By witnessing that has made me think and put the pieces together, even questioning things I’ve done in the past. “Is this how my team and I looked when we messed up?” “Is this how we looked playing down to our competition?” So many things have been brought to the surface since I became a coach. Coaching is fulfilling and gives you a huge appreciation for the small things. I wouldn’t trade my under 16s for the world and I wish we could endure this journey again but until next time!

Lastly, not only sorry… but a special thank you to all the coaches I’ve ever had (especially my college coaches Coach Anderson, Capell, Dodge, Coyne, Toste, Dwinell, Stafman, and JR). Thank you for seeing the potential in me that I didn’t know I had. Thank you for believing in me and trusting in me. Thanks for everything!

-Chazito Out

I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than to be able to go home for the holidays. It was a great balance for me to see Europe and then fly home for the happiest part of the year, Christmas. My journey home wasn’t too sweet, it was three planes in three days that I had to take to get back to America, which is why my travels weren’t sweet. However, that bitterness quickly passed once I saw my mom who picked me up from the airport and then walked through the door of my house and it was Home Sweet Home. I was greeted by my Unnah Darling(my dog) which made my long journey even more worth it because I had been dying to see her, I missed her so much. I was then able to see the rest of my family which just brought so much joy to my heart after the warm greetings it was straight to work however. My family would be hosting our Christmas Eve Party so I had some cleaning and errands to do for my parents which usually bothers me but I was so content with everything because I was just happy to be home. During our Christmas party I was able to see even more of my family that I hadn’t seen in awhile which made being home feel even better. It was perfect how everything worked out for me to see a majority of my family and catch up. The rest of the days I just enjoyed my time with some close friends, hanging out and also catching up on life.

I couldn’t imagine myself not being able to go home for Christmas or not be able to be around family for Christmas because as I grow up I really see the significant of family. I believe as older teenagers or young adults we sometimes take our families for granted because we might still be living at home and we’re frustrated. But this journey has taught me more on the importance of my home/family. It’ll always will be your constant and will always be there for you and I truly was missing it more than what I thought I was. This journey has taught me more lessons than none and I can’t wait for these next 5months to grow even more and learn even more.

Found out today that everyone from my course passed all of our classes last semester – something that hasn’t been done by a Masters program! So yea I’m pretty happy about that, not that I was worried or anything😅. Semester 2 started this week too, so I figured I take the time to blog about my educational experience here in Ireland so far. My course (MSc in Global Financial Information Systems) is very challenging, but as I mentioned before I love how it incorporates finance and technology. This new semester especially deals with a lot of “Big Data” topics that are growing in popularity. I am also being exposed to different software packages like Oracle, SAP (learning it this semester), SPSS, and others. What I have enjoyed about this course so far are the projects that we’ve done. Most of them have been group projects and so I’m gaining experience working with students from different cultures and backgrounds and I’m building skills for effective teamwork. My favorite project was for my data modeling class where we actually created our own mobile phone and contract database and demonstrated its capabilities to the class and our professor. Yes I learned how to do a bit of coding last semester 😎.

The teaching style is slightly different than back home. There aren’t a lot of lectures for the course as there were in my MBA program or undergraduate program. The expectation is for graduates to be more proactive and do a lot of independent studying, which was kind of a difficult transition for me. I definitely have to continue to improve my time management skills.

My favorite aspect of my course are my classmates and professors. My professors make class more enjoyable with their sarcasm, jokes, support, and clear passion for the subjects they teach. My classmates are hilarious and extremely helpful whenever I need anything. They are also showing their support by coming to my game this weekend at the Mercy. Can’t ask for a better class!

I also want to shoutout other administrators and campus faculty like the Porters, who’ve all been extremely nice and supportive during my time here.

Overall, I am having a great time at WIT. Despite the challenges of the my course I am glad I selected it. Now the real question is “Will this be my final semester of school?”😂 Three degrees later (if I pass this year lol) who knows!🤓

When I was a little kid, all I ever wanted to do was play basketball. I fell in love with the game when I was about 5 years old and it has been a part of my life every day since – I’m not exaggerating either! Throughout my school years, I was in season for basketball every day. From playing on my school team, to the local district team, to AAU (travel basketball) during the summer months, and of course all the practices and extra workouts – this routine was my life until I graduated high school and I loved every second of it. During my junior year of high school, I began to get recruited to play college basketball. I loved this game so much and having the opportunity to continue playing for the next 4 years was a dream come true. Though my 4 years at Brockport went by in the blink of an eye, I would not have changed a single thing. It was an honor being able to represent the College and the women’s basketball team.

For my blog this week, I thought it’d be fun to give you some “behind the scenes” facts about my experience as an NCAA student-athlete:

1. It is a grind. There are some days when you will be going 100 miles an hour trying to balance your school work in between workouts, practices, and games. These days make it seem impossible to do it all, but days like this teach you the importance of prioritizing your responsibilities and help improve your time management skills for the real world.
2. 6 am practices…you either love them or hate them. Personally, I loved them – well when my alarm would go off at 4:40 AM I wouldn’t say love, but it was nice being done with practice for the day at 8:30 AM! More time for school work!!!
3. The locker room is one of the best places to take a nap. In between two-a-day sessions, you could find me and my teammates all sprawled out throughout the locker room asleep waiting for the next practice to start.
4. Your team becomes your family. When you spend every day together, you form this special bond that truly cannot be broken. You know that no matter what, your teammates have your back and you have theirs on and off the court.
5. After a hard practice, your coach saying “okay let’s bring it in” will become the most beautiful sound you have ever heard.
6. The athletic training room becomes your second home especially during preseason!
7. Seeing your teammates on campus automatically turns into a dance party – not kidding. If I saw one of my teammates when I would walk through campus, I would instantly start dancing like a complete dork because I knew they were going to join in with me. I can only imagine how weird we looked to everyone else…
8. Anytime you wanted to get extra shots up or a quick lift in, a teammate was only a text away.
9. Your jersey number has a special meaning to you. In college, I wore #15 but prior to that #5 was my go to. When I got to college one of my teammates already had #5, so I switched to #15 and now I can’t picture myself ever wearing a different number!
10. The bus rides back after a big away game win were the best. Celebrating, laughing, dancing, and singing all the way home with my teammates are memories that I will cherish forever.

Being an NCAA student-athlete is hard work, it requires dedication and passion both in the classroom and on the court. The countless hours I put into the sport I love opened so many doors for me and I will always be grateful for the chance I was given. Without basketball, I wouldn’t have had this amazing opportunity to be a part of the Sport Changes Life family!

 

First semester of classes officially ended last week, and I am in the process of wrapping up my last few assignments of semester! The first semester of the Business Management masters program was filled with interesting classes, an array of group assignments, and relevant individual papers. Our first semester courses consisted of Human Resource Management in its Strategic Context, Applied Economics for Managers, International Business, Business Innovation, and People, Organizations, and Society. We put what we learned to practice in all of our modules through group assignments. We had to collaborate and write a cohesive paper between up to six group members. Everyone had to take accountability, and as a group everyone had to ensure that there would be no instances of a free rider problem where someone did not do their work. Overall the group assignments went well; the most interesting group assignment was actually in the Business Innovation module because we actually had to come up with, design, and market an innovative project.

The individual assignments were so important because they related not only to our personal lives and careers, but beyond. For example, one of our individual assignments for the People, Organizations, and Society module was designed so that each student picked a particular organization and assessed the employees’ attitudes and motivations, group dynamics, leadership, and organizational culture. We also had to identify a problem within the organization and propose a solution. This assignment was particularly interesting for me because I focuses on a nonprofit law office that I worked at in college. I was so interested because I got to look at the organization more closely than when I worked there, and I also got to understand the financial implications of a nonprofit more in depth. My favorite individual assignment, however, was the individual assignment in my Economics class where we had to look at the economic implications for Irish businesses in response to Brexit. I was so interested in this assignment because Brexit is so relevant right now not only for Ireland, where I am currently living, but also in the Untied States, where I am from. I analyzed the industries in Ireland that would be particularly affected by Brexit, but I also looked at the role of US multinationals in the UK and Ireland and how they would be affected after Brexit.

I really appreciated the opportunity to learn from such knowledgable professors this semester and the opportunity to work so closely with my classmates who are from all over the world. I also appreciate the opportunity to be educated in Ireland this year because it is an interesting time to be in Europe right now, and specifically Ireland, so I am interested to see whether or not the UK will stay in the customs union or the single market first hand.

 

As much as I am loving my time in Ireland, I can’t help to miss my hometown, family, and friends, especially since I wasn’t around to see them during the holidays. I never thought there would come a time during this year where I experienced “FOMO” (fear of missing out), since most of the time it was everyone else having “FOMO” through my experiences.

I went to undergrad at Saint Joseph’s University, which is a short drive from my house, so I don’t think I truly understood the meaning of being homesick. I definitely made the most of my four years at Saint Joe’s, and tried to make home seem as far as possible; but, if there was ever a time when I wanted to go home, I certainly could. For the first time, I was far enough where I couldn’t just hop in a car to come home, and it started to hit me around the holidays.

Thankfully, I was lucky enough to receive a plane ticket to go home, in West Chester, PA., for a short, yet perfect three days. My great aunt just turned 80 and my grandpa recently turned 90, two very important people in my life that I wanted to see, and were 2 of my main reasons for visiting home. The other main reason was my Mom, who was nearly crying to me on the phone about how she won’t be able to see me until April, when she plans to visit again with my brother and sister. I also wanted to see my brother and sister, and my hometown friends, considering this is the longest I’ve gone without seeing any of them too. The best part, it was mostly a surprise visit for everyone.

My amazing aunt basically set everything up to surprise my mom, and it was a complete success. She even arranged for a driver to pick me up from the airport, who was wearing a green sweatshirt that said “Ireland” in huge letters, along with holding a sign that had my name on it. As he pulled into the driveway of my home, my mom had a confused look on her face, especially when he mentioned that he was “making a special delivery”. Then, as I got out of the car, my mom nearly had a heart attack and started balling her eyes out. It was a moment I will never forget.

I then made all the necessary stops and visits I wanted to make within the 72 hour period I was home. I saw my sister, brother, great aunt, both grandfathers, two of my uncles, aunt and cousins, hometown friends, SJU basketball team, and one of my SJU roommates. On top of that, I got a delicious meal at Chipotle (one of the food places I missed the most), and went on a hardcore shopping spree at Trader Joe’s to bring some of my favorite foods back to Ireland with me.

Sure, I wish I could’ve been home a little longer, but three days was the right amount to get a little taste of home before I start another busy, yet exciting semester in Dublin.

 

 

 

 

So, I know I have a lot of blogs about all my experience with coaching, playing basketball, and traveling around this beautiful country but there is one area I haven’t really talked about too much in any of my blogs so far…school!

I never been a classroom kind of girl. I struggled a lot when I was younger and throughout high school. Yes, I would try but it never came naturally to me. That all changed once I got to Manhattan College. Manhattan is where my love for school and learning really began because it was material that interested me a lot, plus I was good at! I received my undergrad degree in Physical Education and let me tell you that was one of my best decisions. Not only did I have amazing professors and classmates, but it made me really interested in learning for the first time in my life. My goal once I’m back in America is to become a physical education teacher and be that role model I have had throughout my elementary school years in sports. The reason I decided to study Physical Education is because this is the subject as a kid where I felt like I had a purpose. I was never the most intelligent in math, science, or history but when it came to physical education class my eyes would light up and I would have a smile on my face the entire time. It was the highlight to my day every time I got to play sports. I felt like I had a purpose and I was finally talented at a subject in school.

Here at IT Carlow I’m getting my masters in Sports Analysis. On my first day of class I was a little intimidated walking in and realizing I’m the only female in the master program. All of the guys in my program work as sports analysis all around Ireland. Although at the beginning of the school year I was a nervous, now being half way through all my classmates have become good friends and great people to connect with and learn from. I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing program giving me the opportunity to finish my masters at just 22 years old! Sport Changes Life has allowed me to pay it forward to many kids in Ireland and I plan on continuing this once I’m back in America.

Now with a few months left I can’t help to wonder where life will take me next. Physical Education Teacher? Coach? Personal Basketball Trainer? Sports Analysis? All I know if I’m surrounded by a basketball I will have that same smile on my face like I had walking into physical education class as a little girl.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

 

If someone had told me one year ago today – the Holy Cross student-athlete trying to get comfortable on probably our longest bus trip to Bucknell over Christmas break while drafting my application to Sport Changes Life – that I would be in Cork, Ireland heading into the second semester of my masters, coaching two teams for Brunell, and continuing to play basketball, I most likely would not have believed them. However, halfway through this year, I can genuinely say that Cork feels like (a second) home. On multiple occasions while I was back in MA for the holidays, I got asked when I was heading back to Ireland, and immediately responded that I was going back “home” in a week and a half.

My trip to America and quick turn around back to Ireland was a much-needed whirlwind of a break where I got to see all of my loved ones and spend some quality time in Needham at good old 96, in the beautiful city of Boston, and in Worcester at Holy Cross. It was this great time at home that made me appreciate how much I love living across the pond.

To capture this unfamiliar feeling of home sickness for another place while being at *home*, through my nerdiest of efforts, I resorted to Google to see if such a word exists. I naturally ended up reading about words in other languages that do not completely translate to English. After reading definitions of beautiful, different words that cannot be properly translated into our language, I landed on a Dutch idea that is inherent to their culture. “Gezelligheid” (I’ll leave it to you to look up the pronunciation), converted into a bunch of English words, describes a “convivial, cozy, or warm atmosphere, but can also refer to the warmth of being with loved ones, the feeling of seeing a friend after a long absence, or a general togetherness that provides a feeling of warmth” (shoutout to the worthy sources of Wikipedia and Buzzfeed). This definition resonated with my feelings of loving being home with friends and fam and doge (and everything I listed in my last blog), while also recognizing how excited I was to return to Cork with all of the “gezelligheid” it has to offer as well.

Once I got back, three of my classmates – that have become great friends – and Ian and I went to Dingle in Kerry to celebrate New Years. While the sights, tastes, and smells of this oceanside small town were more than enough to contribute to the gezelligheid vibes, I actually got to meet one of my distant cousins who lives in Dingle. He owns Kennedy’s Pub, a very small and very charming pub in the center of Dingle, where my great-grandfather on my mother’s side grew up before moving to America. Chatting with him, albeit the time being brief due to the craziness of the pub on New Year’s Eve, was so interesting to hear about his family, time studying at UCC, and experience running Kennedy’s. Although meeting an Irish man related to me was definitely enough, the small-worldness of the moment became even greater when my friend Miriam realized that her grandfather actually knew Michael’s father. Overall, Dingle was great “craic” – full of meeting family, exploring new beautiful Irish landscapes, and making memories with friends.

Back in Cork, reuniting with my U12 team was also full of gezelligheid. Our game this past weekend, we got our first W (it was a forfeit, but hey) ! One girl on my team who is typically really hesitant and never wants the ball had not one but TWO fast breaks and the team played their best game by far. Only losing by 11 and actually walking away with the win because they played a girl more than her allotted two quarters, the team was ecstatic. Even though our not-so sparkling record is definitely not guaranteeing us anything in the playoffs, the girls have for sure improved over these past few months and it was wonderful to see.

Ultimately, I am very happy to be back and see what this new year and new semester has to offer – hopefully many more experiences full of the Dutch gezelligheid – a word that may not be able to be translated into English but is definitely very prevalent over here. Happy 2018!

What better way to get over jet lag than to go on an adventure! I told myself that I would be more adventurous this year and so, I teamed up with Steph, her teammate, and Meg and we headed to Belfast to hangout with the Ulster Scholars and to tour the city last weekend. As with any trip, I started it out by eating two delicious doughnuts from a shop in Dublin😍. We then took the bus and headed to Belfast.

On Saturday, I got to watch my first ever hockey match, the Belfast Giants vs. the Sheffield Steelers. The atmosphere was wild, but fun and the Belfast Giants took home the win. I was digging the cheer the crowd had after their team scored😂.

On Sunday, we decided to go on the Game of Thrones Tour. The scenery at each stop was beautiful. What I enjoyed the most was how peaceful being there made me even amongst all of those people. Like just hearing the sound of the water calmly crashing into the rocks. And just exploring each area without much conversation, just taking in the beautiful views.

My favorite parts of the tour were the Giant’s Causeway and the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede. So remember a few months ago when I was too afraid to jump into the Guillamene?🤔 Well check me out now! Walking across a rope bridge 100 ft above sea level with a smile (a smile filled with fear, but a smile nonetheless). I was proud of myself because I know how much I overthink in those situations, but for once I just did something without worrying about “how?” or “why?”. Except for when the bridge was shaking 🙃.

I can’t wait to do more of these trips during the year and to just experience something new each time.

 

December was a crazy month. Leading up to Christmas, my National League team, Team Northwest, strung together some great wins! One of those wins was a huge upset to get into the Hula Hoop Cup semifinal. For those of you who don’t know what the Hula Hoop Cup is, it’s a pretty big deal here in Ireland. This is a mid-season tournament, where all teams from the various leagues get to compete for a giant silver cup. It really unique in the sense that it you don’t have to qualify for playoffs or anything like that, everyone is given a bid in. It is very official and the whole country gets excited about it. I guess you could call it the Stanley Cup of Ireland! (for all the hockey fans out there)

As December came to a close, I headed home back to my farm in New York to spend Christmas with my family. All throughout the Christmas break, I kept thinking about our upcoming semifinal game. My Dad and I got to workout and get some game shots up, and if you’ve ready any of my past blogs, you know how important basketball is between my Dad and I. It had been over a year since I have had a game of such magnitude. Being as competitive as I am, I just couldn’t wait to get out there and play the sport I love, but most importantly play for something bigger than myself.

As the day approached, we took the long 6-hour journey to Cork. The whole ride, my teammates and I were getting so excited, discussing all the things we needed to do to win, and of course jamming in the car! We arrived at the hotel, and the next morning we had a shoot around. Whoa, man… this really brought me back to the good ole college game days. This got me even more excited and jacked up. After receiving our new warm up gear and our official player passes, we headed to the game.

Our competitors were the Meteors, a Dublin team, featuring two other super talented scholars Mackenzie and Shannon. We knew how good they were, plus the rest of the squad is very talented and tough. For the first time in a long time, I was actually nervous for a basketball game. The game itself was extremely competitive, and was pretty much a back and forth one-point game up until the end of the 3^rd quarter. We went on a strong run, and finished the 3^rd quarter 49-41 (up 8!) The Meteors brought it back to a tie game, and then we continued to trade baskets for half of the 4^th quarter. I was confident my team could win this game; we just had to hold on for five more minutes. Unfortunately, Shannon and Mackenzie took over the game and we could never catch up. Hopes of playing in the championship- crushed just like that. The only way that I can describe this game is that it was an absolute heartbreaker.

Now some of you reading this may be thinking to yourself, wow this girl is way too competitive, it’s only a game, move on. However, it’s important to note that I said the game was a heartbreaker, but I am most definitely not heartbroken. Although the game did not go how I hoped, and we didn’t make it to the championship, I am the furthest thing from heartbroken. My team played like absolute rock stars, most of them in their first ever big time game like this. They played with so much heart and I couldn’t be more proud of them. We started this journey in the national league as a brand new team, and I am pretty sure everyone counted us out from the start. Not only did we make it to the semifinal, but we competed and earned respect. There is no higher compliment in sports than earning respect in my opinion. I could also sit here and write a novel on how basketball has changed my life, so there is no way I can be heartbroken when I am getting to play the game I love. A year ago, I never thought I would even have the chance to play again, so this almost feels like a dream. For the first time in a long time, I am having fun with the game of basketball. That’s what they tell you right? You really don’t appreciate things until they are gone. Each time I get to suit up one more, is one more time that I am so thankful to be here where I am now. So while it was a bummer we didn’t make it to the Cup Finals, just having the opportunity to play for something bigger than myself and getting to be apart of Team Northwest is a huge blessing. My heart is happy.

(P.S. Check out my sick ups in this photo!)

When I graduated from Siena, a place so familiar and hospitable, I went into denial. My whole life felt like it was there; my friends, teammates, boyfriend and professors always greeted me with open arms. Graduating meant an extremely fulfilling part of my life was over and I struggled to see what came next. Over the summer I starting doubting myself often wondering, What if Northern Ireland wasn’t like Siena? What if I didn’t like the people? What if I wasn’t a good mentor and coach? I was overwhelmed with anxiety and I didn’t want to leave what I knew best. I wanted to stay home, get a job and be near my friends and family. I wanted to remain in a state of comfort.

One of my best friends recently sent me an article explaining my life path based on my zodiac sign (tysm Madi). She couldn’t have sent it at a better time as she somehow sensed I was beginning to suffer from severe homesickness. Reading it made me appreciate my sense of adventure and my willingness to try new things. Ever since I was a young girl I yearned to see new places and experience new adventures, but I’m also a girl that enjoys comfort. Accepting this incredible opportunity to live in Northern Ireland meant having to step so far outside of my comfort zone and that terrified me. Madi was also making a big change in her life as she was getting ready to move to California to start grad school. She constantly reminded me of what was ahead, how much personal growth I had to accomplish and that I needed to learn how to embrace the journey I would soon begin. Having one of my closest friends to relate to was reassuring.

My social media accounts are filled with numerous adventures and countless smiles and that’s because I want to share my most positive and uplifting moments. I enjoy posting pictures where I don’t just look happy, I make sure I post pictures where I feel happy. But this blogpost contradicts the above statement and that delights me in a way because it’s the truth. The truth isn’t always as optimistic as I envision it to be and it’s in this truth that I feel most vulnerable. Embarking on this journey means sharing every step of it, not just the joyous moments I post on social media. It’s embarrassing to admit that I’m homesick at age 22, but I’m starting to realize how normal of a feeling it is. God is reminding me that some things have to change so I can achieve the growth I initially sought. Feeling homesick and anxious every so often is an unwritten part of this adventure and it’s only going to make me more intuitive and more equipped for future challenges. It’s shortly after a severe wave of homesickness has ended and a change in mindset that I realize how lucky I am to have been blessed with such amazing people and memories that make missing home and my old college so difficult. I’m thankful there are more days where I want to fully immerse myself in the Irish culture and drink Guinness than days that I want to isolate myself from everyone around me.

My closest friends and family know how hard of a change this was for me to make, but it was a change I needed. And while this may seem like a miniscule issue to some who have faced far greater challenges, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to face; being engulfed in an anxious state that leads me to constantly wonder what if, what if I stayed home, what if I never took this chance, what if I went home for Christmas break. Waves of homesickness and anxiety will continue to come and go this semester, but re-emphasizing the importance of this experience is my most important New Years resolution. Reminding myself that I can’t change the “what ifs”, I can only change how I react in current situations

My brother and mom brought a piece of home with them when they came to visit for Christmas and I am so happy they were able to make the trek over. Home is obviously so comforting and will forever have a piece of my heart, but Northern Ireland is becoming a significant part of my life as each day passes. The most at home moment I felt was going absolutely crazy on NYE when the Buffalo Bills ended a 17 year drought period and made it to the playoffs. Even though I missed celebrating Christmas with my whole family and New Year’s Eve with my friends, I don’t think anything will beat that moment of celebrating a crucial Buffalo win with my mom and die-hard Bills fan of a brother.

Thank you Mom and Kevin for spending the holidays with me, I had so much fun and I miss you guys and the whole family so much. And thank you so much to everyone I’ve met in Northern Ireland who’s been so gracious and welcoming; Sport Changes Life, the golf and basketball communities, my housemates and the Maguire family. Thank you for being so hospitable and making Northern Ireland feel more like home everyday, I don’t know what I would do without you guys! I’m looking forward to another semester filled with new experiences and everlasting memories.

Before I got back up and running in Limerick, I took the time to go down to Cork for a weekend. It was the Cup Semi Final weekend, so all of the clubs still in the Cup competition traveled down to Cork. Since we were knocked out early in the competition, we weren’t playing in the semi-finals, but I still decided to head down for the weekend to watch some basketball and to hang out with some Victory Scholars. There were also a lot of Victory Scholars playing in the semi-finals, so it was awesome to get to watch them play.  I got to watch four scholars play against each other in one semi-final when MacKenzie and Shannon faced off against Mak and Faith. After the game, a bunch of the scholars were able to hang out and check out Cork together. It was a really fun night to see everyone and it is always great to see other scholars.

I also stayed over Sunday night with Maddy and Ian in Cork. I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore more of Cork. The only other times I have been to Cork have been for playing or coaching, so I never had the time to check out the city. Maeve, another scholar, also stayed over with Maddy and Ian. The four of us when out to a nice lunch in the city, and walked around the downtown area. We also went to a local brewery and pizza place for dinner and to watch some of the NFL playoffs. It was an amazing weekend with some great friends!

Now that I am back in Limerick, it is back to work. We have our first game since break and then are starting classes this week as well. My time away really helped me to appreciate the important people that I have in my life. Even during some of the toughest days, I know that I have my friends and family back home that I can always count on. I also know that I have the support of the other scholars and the entire SCL staff. This has really helped me so much throughout the year and I am really thankful for all of the support.

The week leading up to the cup weekend was an exciting one.  It started in Dingle for New Years.  Dingle is a very quaint town on the coast of Ireland.  The beaches were so relaxing but looked very very cold.  There was a man surfing in the ocean and I could only imagine how freezing he was.  I can’t wait to go back and visit the town and Fungie the dolphin of Dingle in the spring when it will be a bit warmer.

The weekend was filled with excitement as we played on a Friday night! The only problem is that we lost to a very talented Killorglin team in the final seconds of the game.  Despite the loss, having some scholars stay over in Cork helped to improve the weekend. It was great to see almost all the scholars again and to have the ability to host some of the scholars in our phenomenal city of Cork.  We had an amazing weekend as we woke up and had an amazing brunch at Brick Lane.  I had a monte cristo benedict, which is sour dough french toast with pancetta and Heagrty’s cheese, topped with free range poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.  It was unreal.

Then we ventured around the city and shopped a little as we explored the sites of Cork. Then we walked across town to my absolute favorite coffee shop now.  My parents actually found this coffee shop as they stayed in the hotel next to it and went to it almost everyday (They even eft me a loyalty card for a free one when they left hahaha).  The shop is called The Bookshelf Cafe and I literally only get a mocha every time I go in. It’s warmth and dusted chocolate over the top lighten the heart and make the day that much better.  We finished the night watching the NFL playoffs, having a pizza and a pint at the Rising Sun Brewery in Cork’s city center.  It has amazing pizza and Gold Medal winning beers.  While in the brewery we met a very nice couple from Florida visiting the Emerald Isle.  Even though they were from Florida they were big Red Sox and Patriot fans which resonated well with three out of four us. Maddy, Matt and I were pleased but not Maeve with that.  The night out at Rising Son ended a great, fun and exciting day in Cork with great people!

As 2018 starts, I think it’s important to take a look back on 2017 before going forward. When the year started I just wanted to finish out the basketball season on a good note and graduate from school. Both of those things ended up happening and provided me with a lot of joy. Following basketball season I ended up needing surgery. This left me basically stranded in my apartment for a few months with a lot of uncertainty. I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do. Luckily, it was during this time that I got an email stating I had been chosen for the next round of interviews with Sport Changes Life.

Long story short, I ended up accepting a Victory Scholarship and moving an ocean away from everything and everyone that I knew. One thing I’m really grateful for this year has been the opportunity for growth. Part of that comes from being in a master’s program and continuing to play basketball. The other part comes just about everyday when I’m forced to do something outside of my comfort zone. Had I not become a part of Sport Changes Life who knows if this growth would have occurred.

If somebody had told me a year ago that I would be starting 2018 in Galway, Ireland playing basketball, getting my masters, coaching, and getting to see the world I would have said that sounds pretty amazing. The last year has been a whirlwind but I’m happy with where I’ve ended up. I can’t wait to get 2018 started and look forward to all that it promises.

Over the holidays I was lucky enough to get some time off and go home. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being cramped up for 7-hour flights but I was extremely happy to land back in the USA. My parents picked me up from the airport and we began the trip back to Plattsburgh, NY. My parents are experienced travelers, having rarely missed my games five hours away during college. They set up an air mattress in the back of the van so I got to sleep basically the whole way ride home.

While I was home I didn’t do anything too exciting. I mostly just hung out at my house with loved ones. It’s tough to put into words how much I missed my parents, siblings, girlfriends, grandparents, and friends. Just getting to spend time with everyone made the trip worth it. While in Ireland I became an uncle so getting to meet my niece for the first time was really nice. Discussion also turned to when everyone was coming to visit and that really makes me look forward to the second half of the year. Although it seemed to go by way too fast, the ten days I spent at home were wonderful for me and left me feeling refreshed and ready for some more time in Ireland.

I will always remember my first flight home from Denison my Freshman year of college. A couple days before Christmas and I had not been home since my family dropped me off at school. Pure excitement is all I can really sum it up to be as I starred out the window until I saw the Chicago skyline. The next couple years however I got used to being away from home and that flight never had quite the impact as it did that Freshman year. However, that all changed when I was heading home from Ireland for my winter break.

There is something special about Christmas in that everyone comes together. Friends come home from there temporary cities and all the family does is talk about hanging out. Besides for the cold weather that made Ireland seem like a sunny hot island, the 10 days off was perfect. In fact it was a little different this year as my family developed some new traditions. With 2 new members, it was weird at first with my brother and sister running around on Christmas Day. Typically I don’t like to leave the house and my brother and I watch movies, but unfortunately they had to please other people. So after a 33 year old tradition where my 99 year old grandparents come over for brunch, a couple of us went over to my godparents house who are by far the best people I know. No crazy stories, no drama, just being surrounded by those who you love is why Christmas is always perfect and why I was blessed to have 10 days at home with my bigger family!

Cheers,

Matthew