For those of you who have kept up with my blog, or know me, you are aware that my parents are not only avid basketball fans, but also my biggest fans. This past weekend we had the annual Varsities tournament in Dublin. And while this is an exciting event by itself, to make it even better, my parents made the trip over. With 4 games in 2 days, it should come as no surprise that my dad was on the first flight out to Ireland. But fortunately, this time my mom was able to come with him, with her season coming to an end. I know I have alluded to it before, but being able to play in front of my parents at any stage is the most rewarding feeling ever. Seeing the smiles on their faces, no matter the outcome of the game, or my personal performance, is why I play basketball. For a family that can’t think of better quality time together than sitting in a gym, this was the perfect event for my family.

Not only was I around my actual family, but my SCL family was also in attendance. Having all the scholars together in one place doesn’t happen often, and having everyone playing at the same time was a first. Being able to watch the other scholars play for their respective schools was an awesome opportunity. Whether it was cheering them on from the sideline, or catching up before and after games, it was awesome to be around them.

Although we didn’t have the outcome on the court that we had hoped, this still proved to be one of the best weekends all year. And while it is never easy to say goodbye to my parents when they left, it was reassuring that I would see them again in less than two months time.

So this past week was a pretty special one in Carlow for a few reasons. First and foremost, my girlfriend Sam made her highly anticipated debut in Ireland. After getting over the jetlag, and settling in to the apartment, we made our way around Ireland. It was hard to believe all of the places I hadn’t seen, including the park right on the river 5 minutes from my place. But Sam being who she is, dragged me out exploring every single part of Ireland. We made our way to Kilkenny, explored the castle and cathedral, and were extremely fortunate to see nothing but the clear sky and bright sun the whole trip.

But the absolute best part of the trip was our weekend excursion to Dublin. We of course went to the Guinness factory, got some T-shirts, and drank our pint at the top of the building, however, on Sunday we were fortunate enough to do something that can only be done once a year in Dublin. The annual Country-2-Country music festival was taking place the weekend that Sam visited. With both of us being avid country music fans, it was a no brainer. So we threw on our flannels, and made our way to 3Arena for the show. The lineup on Sunday featured stars such as Darius Rucker, Hunter Hayes and Dan&Shay, which would be nearly impossible to see in one concert in the states. On top of that, the arena wasn’t as crowded as we had anticipated, and we were fortunate enough to make our way to about 10 feet from the stage. This was an unbelievable treat, being able to witness some of our favorite artists, right in front of us.

Luckily for Sam, some snowy weather back home extended her trip a few days. This was hands down one of the best weeks I’ve experienced here in Ireland, and I am looking forward to her return in the end of May.

I don’t have crazy spring break stories to tell like my other friends. I didn’t go off somewhere for vacation with friends, instead my last four years of spring break were scheduled around a golf tournament. Though, don’t read this thinking poor me. My last four years consisted of 2 weeks of spring break, which is normally supposed to be one week, and I got to go to San Francisco and Hawaii. Yes- Hawaii every four years. So, to say that I wasn’t upset I wasn’t kegging it up somewhere like Cabo is an understatement. Though, this spring break I was ready to spend spring break other than on a golf course.

The beginning portion of my spring break consisted of many unforgettable moments with Will & and his brother Allen. I didn’t know what to expect travelling with the two but I knew it was going to be an adventure. I was designated as the food seeker, since I am obsessed with any thing that looks good. Therefore, I had been researching places and foods that were a must while we were in Amsterdam. And yes, the boys can vouch for me and say that everything I recommended was a hit. From the stroopwaffles to eating in the Foodhallen everything was insta and flavor worthy.

Yes. We did do more things than eat our way through the city. We saw majority of the touristy sites and did most of the touristy things lol…. The city in itself was more than I imagined it to be. Everywhere you looked it was picture worthy. It looked just like the pictures you see on the Internet. Amsterdam is beautiful, the people are beautiful, and the vibe was buzzing. Definitely, a place I don’t mind visiting multiple times in my life.

My time in Amsterdam was a needed one. With all the things from school to mentoring my days were filled up to the max and I didn’t know how/when to take a break but, Amsterdam definitely showed me how to take a break. As I continue to travel during my time here I get to figure out more about myself. Especially, travelling with Will and Allen I realize that I need to take a chill pill once in a while. I like to have most of the day planned out but when things don’t go as planned I shouldnt try to force them to happen, rather embrace the moment and go with the flow. Every time I travel somewhere new I recognize something different about myself, either good or bad and I just want to continue to keep finding out more about myself. One thing I definitely have learned about myself is how brave I am. I always saw myself as a shy and scared person but these past 9 months has changed me into an independent woman that cant be stopped. LOL. Cant believe I said that. But since I did, it means its true right?

PSA: If you are a woman who is 5 foot 4 or less get yourself two 6 foot 4 plus guy friends to travel with because others will think youre a famous celebrity with two body gaurds, nobody will mess with you because you have two tall men with your, or you just get weird looks because youre an odd group. 

Off to more adventures!

-Ray x

So this past weekend was Basketball Ireland’s Inter Varsity tournament. This is basically all of the college basketball teams gathered together for games and a bit of craic for the weekend. It also marks the end of the college basketball season, with the winners of each pool emerging as champions. And it was here in the Dub, too, which was convenient for myself and my teammates 🙂 Of course almost all of my fellow scholars were there and it was so great (as always) to see them and even play some of them (not as much fun having to guard them, though haha). 

This tournament was pretty important to myself and my college teammates. I know for me personally, I really wanted to leave Ireland with a championship as a player. I was fortunate enough to have won two championships here as a coach—with my under 20s Cup team and with my Senior women’s team—which were so incredibly awesome! But, the stubbornness and competitiveness in me wanted to win something as a team player. I suppose I wanted that satisfaction of knowing I helped a team succeed to the top. The Superleague title and the Cup victories didn’t happen for me and my DCU Mercy team, so I was hungry for something. It is one thing to be recognized with individual awards and honors, but I want to know I had an impact on a team. I want to know that I helped make people better and raised the level of play around me. For me, that is really rewarding. So, although very exhausted from playing five games in three days (one game went into double overtime!!!), my team and myself walked away with an Inter Varsities championship! 🙂 What I also loved about this past weekend was that it felt like AAU!!! My body didn’t like it as much (haha) since I’m a little bit older than I once was, but it definitely brought back some memories. Sitting around between games, getting food with teammates, wearing sweaty jerseys for a second game of the day—ahhhh you gotta love it 🙂     

This week I got the best and most wonderful gift any girl could ask for. My boyfriend, Tyrone, came to spend the week with me. Although that was by far the quickest 7 days I've ever experienced it was a week to remember. Because Varsities was this week he got to see me play in a lot of games (even did a little assistant coaching) and we got to spend some time in Dublin. I was really excited for him to meet all the scholars on Sunday night and everyone really enjoyed having him around which was so cool to watch. He’ll literally talk to anyone who will listen so it was just funny sitting back watching him interact with all my friends and then waking up the next morning and seeing him on everyone's snapchats taking selfies.

In Dublin, we visited The National Leprechaun Museum, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and a bunch of different playpces in and around the City Centre. The weather was nice AND the sun was preventing shining so I was really glad about that. I wish he could've stayed longer and we could've saw/done more but unfortunately he had his own life in America to get back to. It was really sad saying goodbye and going from having such good company to being alone again made me so homesick. I'm starting to get to the point where I'm counting down the days until I get to go back home and be with my friends and family. Now that basketball is over I'm focusing on finishing up my assignments for college and then it’ll be the home stretch.

My time with IT Carlow basketball has officially come to an end. And what a year it hasn't been. We had a good run for the majority of the year. We won the regular season for the National League and as a result Carlow will be moved up to the Super League next year. We almost finished the season totally undefeated but we lost the last game of the regular season. Unfortunately, I somehow contracted food poisoning (for the first time ever) and just wasn't my best that game. We then went on to play for the league championship in Letterkenny. Made it all the way to the finals and lost in the championship game. This week we played in the college Varsities tournament and once again made it all the way to the championship game and lost. So overall, I'd say it was a bittersweet year. We started off very strong on both college and club teams but in the end we couldn't pull it out. It happens. Especially on new teams who've only recently started playing with one another. 

Im proud of my experience on this team. This was my first year being a sole point guard and it was not a easy job. If anyone asked me how I felt about playing point guard before this year I would genuinely tell them that I hated it. I had to really dig deep and challenge myself to not only be a better player but to make my teammates better players as well. It was tough, I'll admit that. But in the end I'm glad I persevered and I think it's made me a better player for many different reasons. Although we didn't get the end result we desired, I would definitely say this was an extremely successful year for IT Carlow basketball. We set the bar very high and put our club and school on everyone’s radar. I want to wish my teammates and coach the best of luck in the endeavors next year as they take on the Super League.

This week my friends are heading over to Ireland from America. In preparation to them coming over I gave a couple of them a call to talk about things to pack and what to bring. As I ended the call with my one friend, he told me how excited he was to come out and visit and that I have given him “the opportunity of a lifetime”.

 

When I thought back, I could not help but realize that I have been able to give a number of people opportunities that might never been possible or sought after. Numerous of my family and friends have come over to visit and had the chance to travel all around the country of Ireland. Majority of these people, such as my mom, grandma, aunt and sister may have never come to Ireland for the rest of their lives. My mom had never even been out of the country before coming over to visit, and I doubt she had any plans to if I wasn’t out here. My grandma has traveled all around the globe, yet she was never in Ireland before this year. That is something that is unbelievable in my eyes and something that makes me very happy as I gave her a reason to come experience it. All in all, being out here in Ireland I have realized that I have given people the opportunity to travel the world and see amazing places.

 

With that being said, as much as I might be the reason for them coming out to Ireland, the main reason that all these things are possible in the first place is because of the SportChangesLife program. Without SportChangesLife I would have never had the chance to spend a year in Ireland. I would never have had the chance to be with my family in Ireland. I would have never had the chance to spend three weeks with my girlfriend in Ireland and experience an Irish Christmas and New Year. Most recently, I would never have this chance coming up to spend time with my best friends in Ireland.

 

Without SportChangesLife, I would not have had the chance to meet all the great people that I have, not only in Ireland but all the other scholars from around the United States. I have had the ability to spread my knowledge in the game of basketball, and teach life lessons to kids and others that were taught to me at such a young age. I have experienced a culture very different than that of the United States, and it has opened my mind completely.

 

SportChangesLife has impacted more than just myself. It has impacted my family, my friends, my girlfriend, and all those that I have come into contact with and built relationships with over the lasting months.

 

SportChangesLife has given countless amounts of people:

 

                                                                                                “The Opportunity of a Lifetime “

DB.

So today is one of the most important out of the year because it is the day my mom was born. April 2nd, 19** (the date will remain hidden because she will forever remain my young and beautiful mother dearest). So opening this blog, I just want to say Happy Birthday Momma!!! I love you and miss you so much and look forward to being able to spend the next birthday (and many after) close to you. Where to even begin? I’ll start with explaining what this blog photo is. THIRTEEN years ago, I was given the assignment to write a story about my hero. And who else would be my hero over the one person who has done nothing but love and support me unconditionally throughout my entire life, my Betty Dunbar. Thirteen years later and my hero remains the same. What my mom means to me could not even be fully described or expressed through words. Thinking back to my younger days, I laugh because I know I was one difficult kid. And being 23, I’ve gone through as many lows as I have highs and no matter what the successes, or how many the fails, my mom has loved and been so proud of me all the same. In “My Hero” story, I wrote about how my mom cares for everyone before herself and has a huge heart. She’s still that same woman. She’s strong and independent and always finds a way through any and everything. I’m so blessed to be able to have someone like her in my life and I pray to God that when I have kids of my own, I will be able to be half the mother that she has been to me. Being countries apart right now, I hope you enjoy and accept this tribute as being part of your birthday gift (although my bank account appreciates this). So cheers to you mom and thank you for being the best a daughter could ever ask for. I love you and will see you soon! <3

PS: Someone please send my mom some tissues because she’s probably crying hysterically right now.

I am so excited that in just 10 days, my mom and my older brother are coming out to visit me! I cannot wait for them to get here! And what makes the trip even better is that we get celebrate my mom’s birthday in Amsterdam! It is going to be so much fun, I can’t wait! I’m not sure if Ireland or Amsterdam is ready for the Hartnett’s… we are one crazy family, that’s for sure! But, the 3 of us will have loads of fun together! We always do! Well this weeks is going to be nice and short. You’ll have to hear about all the fun we have when they get here!

Over the last couple weeks, reality has really hit hard for me. I have realized that school is coming to end very shortly and in a couple weeks I will be going home to start a new phase in my life. Basketball is most likely over for me, and it is time to start looking for a job, specifically a career path.

When seeking advice from people about landing a job, everyone has said the same thing; make sure that whatever it is that you choose to do, “love your job”. I have thought about this over and over and I find that the reason why It is difficult to figure out what I want to do right now because of the fact that my last two serious ‘jobs’ were unbelievable ones.

In college, my job was to be a ‘Student-Athlete’. My responsibilities were too go excel both in the classroom and on the court. For me, someone who LOVES the game of basketball, what better job is this. I was on full scholarship so everything (books, tuition, room and board) was all paid for and all I had to do was go to school and be a basketball player. Although, like any strenuous job, the hours are long and the days are tiring, it was something that was fun and enjoyable. Knowing that when I woke up every morning, I had the opportunity to play college basketball and represent a program with such a great reputation was unreal. Whether going to class, practice, or to a game, every day was a dream come true and I LOVED every second of it. I had the greatest colleagues in the world (my teammates), and having the chance to go to work every day with some of your best friends might have been the best perk of it all. College basketball, especially in America is a grind, and every player sacrifices so much of their time and life to it. Those that are fortunate to have the experience never forget it and values all the things it teaches you as a person. As a person who loves basketball, there was no greater job that I was able to take pride in then being a ‘Student-Athlete’.

My second job, and my most recent one this year, has been as a SportChangesLife Victory Scholar. Being a scholar in this program is a job that has changed my life. I was nominated, along with 22 other prestigious individuals from the United States, to come to Ireland and make a difference through the game of basketball. As a scholar, our jobs are too study in a Master’s program, play basketball for our local club and college, and most importantly work in the local community and club and teach and promote the game of basketball. How in the world can anybody not enjoy this job!! This is the ultimate TRIPLE THREAT. Higher education, playing overseas, and coaching to make a difference are things that make the job so enjoyable. I am able to wake up every day with a smile on face, knowing that I am involved in something that I life impacting. I am able to not only better myself every day but also tons of other kids. Basketball has given me a chance to meet amazing people, travel the world, and learn things about myself I never knew. Having the privilege to introduce and promote this game to kids of all ages around Ireland, and provide them opportunities that I was fortunate to have is an honor. Sport has really changed my life, and it has the ability to affect other’s lives in a positive way as well. That Is why the job of being a victory scholar this year is one that I have LOVED, and being involved with Basketball and life changing opportunities has made my job an enjoyable one.

So as I look forward to my next step in finding a job for the future, I hope it brings as much joy, pride, and enjoyment as the last two have.

I will make sure that it is a job that I truly LOVE.

 

DB

Unless any of the other scholars have biked a marathon during their time in Ireland, I think I have broken a record for most miles biked by any SCL scholar in history.  Every day, whether it be for practice or for coaching, I hop on my bike and hit the road to travel across town to Neptune Stadium.  Its about a 35-minute bike ride each way, and is fairly flat by Irish standards.  I have grown to truly love the trek, but it is not always easy.  First off, my bike is a mountain bike, which is not made for road biking and is a lot tougher on the legs when traveling distances.  This makes for quite the workout before and after practice, and has actually left my legs in pretty good shape over the year, but is still not something I look forward to after five hours in the gym coaching and training all night.  The hardest part about the bike ride is the weather.  On the few days that it has been warm and sunny, the bike ride is incredible.  I follow a nice little path along the river, filled with fields of horse and happy runners jogging with their dogs.  Yet the majority of the time, it looks more like a scene from The Day after Tomorrow and I am struggling to peddle against stiff head-winds in a torrential downpour of icy rain.  We don’t finish practice until about 10:00 pm every night and those long lonely bike rides can get very depressing in the rain and wind.  However, after adjusting to this schedule after a few months, I have found profound solitude and self-less enjoyment during this time.  It has gone from something that I dreaded, to something that I yearn for on a day to day basis (maybe not on the rainy days).  It is a time I use to clear my head, and forget all the daily stresses that schoolwork, or basketball, or really anything that may have brought troubles into my life.  I plug my headphones in, and let my mind wander for the journey across town.  Life can be so complicated and stressful, but its things like this that we need to incorporate into our every day life to remind ourselves how truly simple things are.  This bike ride every day reminds me how lucky I am to be in this situation, and how truly lucky I am for the friends and family that I have in my life.  Even though I am definitely going to enjoy the convenience of driving my car when I am home this summer, I know that I will miss this bike ride, and all the simplicity that comes with it. 

How often do you find yourself experiencing your experiences? That’s a funny question. The only way to experience an experience is of course to experience it. Duh. Try to dig a little deeper. Take, for example, your walk in to work/ class today. You may have driven to work, taken the bus, rode your bike, walked, or caught a Lyft. Do you remember entering the building? Do you remember noticing the people you passed by or the smell of the air? What do you remember from your walk into work or school today? Take a second to try and recall.

What did you come up with? I can tell you that the only thing I remember about walking in to the University building today was how much I was already sweating. I was meant to be printing off questionnaires twenty minutes before and I was paying no attention to what was around me. Usually as I walk to the school building I don’t notice much beyond how annoyed I am that the wind or rain is slapping my face. So, if you struggle to recall who you saw or how your skin felt in your coat as you walked inside, don’t worry you are not alone. 

The beauty is that YOU, I, WE have the power to change the way that we interact with our lives by practicing skills that allow us to become more present and to be more in tune with the way we experience our experiences. This practice is known as Mindfulness. When we practice mindfulness we allow ourselves to focus on the present moment, to become aware of aspects we tend to miss or find unimportant, and to in the process be kind to ourselves and approach these experiences with as little judgment and as much objectivity as possible. I know, it may sound a bit wacky and strange. Maybe it seems like a waste of time and energy that could be spent doing something more productive, like idk, say Facebook? Maybe you think it is a load of bull that won’t actually enhance your livelihood or circumstances. To those in this camp, I would just encourage you to try it and see. Furthermore, research stands behind the therapeutic, relational, mental health, and lasting neuronal benefits of practicing mindfulness. So, why not stop the monotony or turbulence of a day, even if just for a few minutes, and take a second to try it out? Mindfulness can be practiced in many different settings and ways and it can be as simple as sitting in a chair and spending time tuning in to each of your senses. 

Try this: Find a comfortable seat, place your feet on the ground, and if comfortable close your eyes. Begin to focus on the pattern of your breathing, not in order to change it, but just so that you might recognize how it is happening. Now, bring your attention to your sense of hearing. Notice the sounds around you. Do you hear water or cars? Are the sounds near or distant? Do you hear movement of bodies shifting in their chairs? Sounds are not always external. Sometimes sounds are internal. You may hear your own breathing or your stomach. Try to focus on what you are hearing. If your mind begins to wander, that is ok. Be gentle with yourself and try to focus back in on your hearing. Notice the different sounds. Do you hear anything new that you normally don’t notice? These sounds are not good or bad – they just are. Be kind to yourself.

As you move through a mindfulness exercise you can then begin to focus on different senses like your experience of touch, taste, smell and seeing. Take yourself through the practice of focusing on each sense and paying attention to the nuances within. It is important that in the process of your practice that you be gentle with yourself. You will get distracted and it is totally human to do so. Our minds are often in such turbo mode that we struggle to take a few steps back and take in the intricacies of the moment. That is OK!

Growing up some of my best memories are of going on backpacking trips with my dad, brothers and friends. When we escaped into the woods and away from the constant demands of life there was a freedom to experience being in a way that often wasn’t supported by our day to day lives. As we sat by a fire or stared up at the stars we were able to recognize not only the beauty around us but also the beauty within and between us. Being in nature has taught me a lot about being mindful. While some may find it to be boring, I have found it to be quite liberating. I know that I go through my days often so focused on what is next that I forget to be present in what is now. 

So, today, I encourage you to take a step back, not just to reflect, but to be present. Stop so that you can begin. Begin to strengthen the muscles in your mind so that becoming present can signify a new pathway forming in your plastic brain. Begin to experience your experiences. (p.s. check out Youtube or just google Mindfulness exercises if you want to try it out. Or hit me up on FB or email. I would love to help you begin this lifelong practice)

The first thing that comes to mind when I think St. Patrick’s day is of course corned beef and cabbage. Sadly I did not have any of that this holiday. This St. Patrick’s day was filled with many firsts like service and the Holylands. We began our day going to the streets of Belfast to areas where kids usually roam the streets partaking in anti social behavior. This was a new outreach program that was implemented the last 4 weeks so it wasn’t new territory. The goal for St. Patrick’s day was to engage with the youth and hand out Mars bars, water, and crisps; food to sustain them for the hours of drinking that was ahead of them. This idea was crazy to me. I witnessed about 80 kids aged around 11-16 drinking alcohol and smoking in the middle of the park during the middle of the day. This was definitely a culture shock for me. If I was not there to see this for my own eyes I don’t know if I would have believed them. Even though there wasn’t much that I could do in that situation it was nice to chat with the kids.

After our time at the park the girls and me left to have some adult fun. This was my first time celebrating the holiday and it definitely made up for the last four years. We ran the Holyland streets and were emerged in a sea of green and Irish music. It was so unreal, university students roaming the streets, dancing, singing, and enjoying each other’s company. It was a special moment to be part of.

Yesterday I celebrated my 23rd birthday!!! I really felt the love between my new friends here in Ireland and my older friends back home. The texts, messages, greetings, letters, presents, and hugs filled me with so much joy 🙂 It especially picked up my mood after losing in our Superleague semi-finals that weekend. No more club, but there’s one more college tournament next weekend. Anyway, if you’re reading this and you did something for my birthday thanks again!!!! 

What really got me on my birthday was what my practicum group did. This is the group I will be working with this summer on a research project. It is me and four others. So I show up on Monday (my birthday) to what I thought was going to be a group meeting, but it was actually a surprise party for me with cake, balloons, and presents. It was sooooo sweet I didn’t even see it coming! Later that day, I received a package from one of my best friends back home. In it were Girl Scout cookies, Reese’s peanut butter eggs, and a Wawa coffee tumbler 🙂 Can you say American?! I received a few cards from family, and a book from one of my friends here at DCU. I also met up with my fellow scholars Kelsey and Jess that night for dinner, and they had a card and donut for me (they know the way to my heart).  

Birthdays really remind me of how much I’m loved, and I really felt so thankful for that on Monday. Needless to say, my first birthday abroad was amazing.   

This weekend I had the chance to coach the 14 and under Limerick Celtics boys team down in Cork for a three-game tournament. It went awful. We lost all three games, and let’s just say we did not compete very well. The teams we played were very talented and compared to them were far-behind in our skill-level and physical capabilities.

 

After taken a beating the first two games I decided not to say much to the guys, as I figured they didn’t need to hear my voice again and already saw certain areas of the game that needed critiquing. However, after the third loss, and witnessing various players making excuses for their performance on the court I decided I had to give them a little insight and some stuff to think about on the ride home.

 

I started off by telling them that in sports, especially basketball, there are winners and losers, as we ended up on the losing side today. However, there are reasons why certain teams win and certain ones fail. The good teams do not make excuses and feel sorry for themselves. They do not quit when things do not go their way in the game. They do not blame others and point fingers; they take full responsibility for their mishaps.

 

So many times, especially now-a-days, people are constantly making excuses for kids as to why it is not their fault and that they performed great, when they really did not. People are afraid to hurt feelings, and do not want to be so-called ‘mean’. I went on to explain that they must be able to take constructive criticism and learn from mistakes. Winners are usually the ones who have continuously failed at something over and over but have learned from their mistakes every time and used it as motivation to make a change. Today, younger kid’s struggle to understand the importance of having an exceptional work-ethic; in order to achieve something great, you must work tirelessly over a consistent period of time with a passion drive.

 

The overall message of the speech was that it is acceptable to fail; however, it is unacceptable to accept failure. I geared it particularly toward basketball, especially for the guys that truly have a desire for the game and are looking to be successful in the future. On the other hand, I was also able to use it as a teaching tool in life for those that are not really interested in basketball and are there more or less for the fun of it.

 

Although looking at a lot of the kid’s the message seemed to register and most I believed were very receptive to the provided insights, it is fully up to them to make the changes necessary to become successful at their particular passions.

 

I am looking forward to seeing if those that are passionate about basketball have a newly established mindset going forward and make a concerted effort to work harder in the last few weeks of the season. Should be interesting!!

 

DB

 

As most people know by now the weather in Ireland is very sporadic and has the ability to change in the blink of an eye. I have had instances where I have woken up to sun, and left class later in the day to dark gray clouds with rain shortly following. This past week something rare occurred that I have not experienced since my time over here; it was sunny for FOUR straight days!!

 

The sun being out for four straight days was like being in a dream you don’t want to wake up from. The streets were filled with people out walking, jogging, and cycling, and it also seemed to put everyone in a great mood. I definitely tried to take advantage of the weather, going for long runs along the scenic road that lies right beside the river. It felt amazing to be able to go out for a run in shorts and a t-shirt, as just a few weeks ago I was bundled up from head to toe.

 

 The last couple days have made me more excited for the summer, and enjoying the perks of nice weather. Just recently day-light savings occurred and the clocks moved forward, which is always a great time of the year. With that being said, it has begun to stay light outside till about 8pm. With the nice weather and the sun out longer it has made wanting to be inside that much harder, especially in a classroom. I am eager to see what the next few weeks will be like, as hopefully the rain stays far away and the sun continues its streak of coming out.

 

In the upcoming week, Team LIT (Myself and Megan) will be running our SportChangesLife fundraiser, which will be in the form of a three-point competition for the kids around Limerick. Hopefully it turns out to be a success and we are able to raise a ton of money for the program. I will be updating everyone next blog about how it turns out and if we are able to have the success we hope for!!

 

DB.

 

Hi all! The past two weeks have been extremely hectic between having Coach out here and now having a couple of my best friends from the University of the Sciences here on vacation. I just want to talk a little bit about all of the awesome things we did on the first couple days including St. Paddy's Day! I hope to give you a little inside look at what this Irish holiday is like here. 

It all started with my friends, Mike, Dylan, and Jack, flying into Dublin Friday morning on St. Patrick's Day. It really worked out perfect because I wanted to check out Dublin for the holiday anyway so it made perfect sense for them to fly in there that day. Anyway, they were set to land at 9 AM so I planned to meet them in the city centre sometime around 10 AM. However, since they didn't get on wifi I had absolutely no idea where they were and where we were going to meet up. The city was already packed so I figured it would take them forever to get to the city centre. Therefore, Jack and I went to get breakfast at a random coffee shop. As I'm ordering don't my three friends walk in! What are the chances! Millions of people in the city that day and they happen to walk in the same little coffee as me. I had a feeling it was going to be a great trip from there on. Next, we grabbed a quick bite to eat, caught up with each other, and laughed about what just happened. Then, it was time for them to shake off the jet lag and get ready. Quick side note, a couple weeks prior we tried to find a hotel, hostel, or apartment but everything was completely booked for the night so fortunately enough the scholars at Trinity were kind enough for us to stay there. Therefore, we put all their bags and stuff at Trinity College and then went out to check out the city. Jack and I had a big game the next day so we walked around the city a little bit and watched some of the parade. It was pretty awesome being in Dublin for St. Patrick's Day. Everywhere you looked there was a sea of people wearing green. To my surprise, most were Americans flying over to get the same experience. I don't think many Irish people were out there that day haha.

Then, I surprised the guys with tickets to the Hurling and GAA Club Finals at Croke Park. I have to thank an LYIT marketing graduate that works at Croke Park, Noel Quinn, for making this all possible! I was fortunate enough to meet Noel when he came and lectured at my school last month. I told him all about what I was doing out here with Sport Changes Life and that I would love to come down to Croke Park for a game. So he very generously invited my friends and me to catch the big event on Paddy’s day. Does it get any better than that?! It is something that we will never ever forget, I really can't thank him enough! 

The Gaelic Football game was awesome. Ever since I arrived here in August all I kept hearing about was Croke Park and the GAA. I was able to kill two birds with one stone. The game was a ton of fun. Dr. Crokes and Slaughtneil battled it out. We also happened to be right in the middle of the Slaughtneil section so it was a lot of fun rooting with their fans. Plus we ended up getting really into the game. The only thing was my friends knew absolutely nothing about the game so it was a bit embarrassing hear them yell as if they were talking about a basketball game haha! Ultimately, Dr. Crokes pulled off the close win. This will be a topic of discussion forever and a memory that will last a lifetime. 

The best part was everyone out near Croke Park was Irish. So tip of the day, if you want to experience an authentic Irish Paddy's Day escape the crowded city centre and go to the game at Croke Park. Trust me it will be well worth it!

In the end, St. Patrick's Day 2017 will be one that I will always look back and reflect on. It was definitely a great start to my friend's vacation as well. Now it was off to Port Arlington for our National League playoffs… 

Unfortunately, we couldn't pull out the win on Saturday or Sunday, but it was great that my old college teammates got to see me play again! In reflection of the season, I think we did a solid job for a first-year team. We were right in the middle of the pack for the league standings despite losing a lot of guys throughout the year. I wish the LYIT National League guys the best. I will definitely miss the fun season we had together! 

This last week I was fortunate enough to have my good friend and former teammate Jordan out here visiting and by matter of chance T John also had friends visiting at the same time. As excited as the visiting friends were to see Letterkenny, we decided it would be best to show them as much as we could in their time here. Like me, Jordan had never been out of the United States prior to this trip. We were essentially trying to give our friends the experience that we have had in a 9 day span and while it was exhausting, financially draining and hectic, it made me realize just how much I have experienced this year. As I took him around Derry, Belfast, etc it was surreal watching him experience all of this for the first time as I had just a few months ago. The transformation from tourist to local had gone completely unnoticed. As we walked around Lk and I was explaining the ins and outs of the place, I realized that I was no longer visiting Letterkenny, it was now my home. Subconsciously I already knew this, but it took a person from the last chapter of my life to make me realize that this new chapter was well underway and actually almost over. 

Being that it was Jordan’s first time out of the States I wanted to make the most of his time abroad by taking him over to London. About 16 hours before we were set to fly out of Derry, London was the unfortunate receiptent of a terrorist attack (more on this in the next blog). However we were still cleared to head over and enjoy the city for a few days. This being my second time in London I felt a little more familiar with where we should go and the best way to go about things. After two days of sunshine and great weather we headed back to Ireland to find that the sunshine was not exclusive to England. We took advantage of the beautiful weather by taking Buster to the beach and exploring a bit more of Donegal. Though it was about as packed of a 10 day stretch as I have had since being in Ireland, it felt like it was over as soon as it began. As I have touched on in previous blogs it has been great to experience this new life with no previous connections to anyone out here, however having a familiar face around was a nice reminder of my life at home. While I do miss the people back home, after Jordan’s visit I can confidently say that I am completely comfortable with my new life out here. Watching Jordan adjust to the Irish ways of life provided a surreal flashback to the time after our arrival here when I was just as lost. It’s amazing how much we grow when we are focused on the task at hand and not the big picture. 

This blog is a shout out to one of my best friends, sisters, and mentor: Katie Ganser. You could say that Katie is one of the major reasons that I am sitting here, in Ireland, typing up this blog for Sport Changes Life. Katie was the senior captain at Merrimack my freshman year. At first Katie and I were not friends…She was very intimidating to me, and even a little scary. Lets just say, I didn’t think that five years later I would driving through the country side of West Cork, Ireland with her. That being said, I am happy that this is how our story has turned out. As my freshman year went on, Katie and I grew to be very close. She became like a sister to me at Merrimack, and I quickly realized that she was someone who was going to do big things! She inspired me to become more involved at Merrimack, and join different clubs and activities. She inspired me to embrace every moment and opportunity that life throws at me. When my freshman year was coming to a close and Katie was graduating I only wished that I could have another year with her. Yet, I knew that we would be life long friends and so that made saying good-bye a little easier. I remember, helping Katie with her application video for Sport Changes Life, and thinking how lucky she was for being apart of such a special organization.

Katie and I constantly stayed in touch throughout her journey here in Ireland, and when she returned home. She inspired me to apply for the program, and promised me that if I got in she would come and visit me. I was so excited when I found out that I got in, I called her right away and was practically in tears! I truly could not have done it without her. She has kept in touch with me throughout my experience here, and has supported me the whole way through.

Now fast-forward almost a year, and Katie finally made her way to Cork. Just like true friendships go, when Katie and I hugged it was like we were still back at Merrimack and no time had gone by. Katie and I went on an adventure through West Cork, and drove all the way to Mizen Head. On the way we attempted to make friends with some cows, however I do not think the feelings were mutual. Mizen Head is known for the lighthouse that once stood on its peak. Fortunately for us, it was one of the sunniest days it has been in Ireland, and we could look out into the ocean for miles.

It was so exciting to get to show Katie around to my friends, and what my experience here in Ireland has been like. Katie has taught me so much and continues to be a role model. I am so grateful to be Katie’s friend, and so grateful that our friendship inspired me to follow my dreams.

This past weekend was jam-packed with events. For starters, it marked the end of my club season with the Galway Titans. We played our final two games in Carlow and even though we didn’t find our way into the W column, we made sure to go out with a bang. In the final two minutes of our last game, two of our players managed to get ejected along with the leader of our fan section, the infamous Joe Coughlan. There was never a dull moment with the Titans and I’ll miss traveling all around Ireland for our weekend games with some good guys.

 

Besides basketball, it was also St. Patrick’s Day on Friday. I headed down to Dublin the Thursday night prior to stay with my ‘Aunt’ Margie as she was nice enough to host me again. Her hospitality and home-cooked meals are always much appreciated. On St. Patrick’s Day, I met up with a few fellow victory scholars in the city and we had ourselves a day. From the parade to getting last minute tickets to the Gaelic (Irish football) championship to just enjoying the city, it was easily one of the best days of the year.

 

With this eventful weekend already in the books, I’m slowly realizing my time over here is quickly coming to a close. To me, St. Patrick’s Day has long signaled the beginning of the end. I now have under two months left in this great country and with having to fly back to the states for an interview, exams in late April, and my best lads from home coming for a visit, my time here will be gone before I know it. I’ve said it before but all I can do is enjoy every day in this beautiful country and soak it in while the opportunity is still here.

 

It is weird to say but the basketball season is coming to an end. If you and your team are lucky enough you make it all the way to March Madness. Fortunately, here in Ireland the season runs longer, and win or lose, league was still going on as the pools were coming out. That being said, there is only two games left…making me very sad!!

Our second to last game was very big, one of the biggest games I have ever played in. I have played in pressure filled games; games that had the potential to bring home trophies and metals. Yet I have never played in a game that had the pride of a club ridding on. A game that would determine if the club would be relegated out of the Super League for the following season and bumped down a league. I wasn’t go out there to play for just myself and my team but for my entire club.

I woke up nervous and excited that morning as we headed down to Dublin. We were playing the Meteors and fellow scholar Jess. It never gets old playing another scholar!!!! We fortunately finished the game on top, and it was one of the best feelings I have felt after a game. I left it all on the floor, and I couldn’t wait to give Ann (my community partner and head of the club) a really big hug. Brunell has done so much for me, and I played as hard as I could for them. Brunell will be back in the Super League next year, so everyone better watch out!!

What better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than here in Dublin, Ireland?!?! My American enthusiasm was at an all-time high yesterday (yes, we Americans are said to be distinguishibly energetic and positive). I was definitely feeling so incredibly lucky to be hanging out with some other scholars yesterday, walking all around town and enjoying ourselves. We caught bits of the annual parade, some Gaelic football in Croke Park, drank Guinness, and sported our festive green clothes… Does Saint Paddy’s Day get any better than that?? Lmk.

And yes, to those of you who are wondering, the correct abbreviation for Saint Patrick’s Day is Saint PADDY’S Day, not PATTY’S. I was once stubborn with the double T as well, but have come to realize here that it’s just not correct according to the Irish. Don’t ask me the reasoning behind it, but just thank me for letting you know. So the next time you see PATTY’s you can claim fraudulence.

Slàinte everyone!  

  

Hi, guys! It’s going to be hard to top the last blog post, but I'll do my best. I think it's safe to say it's definitely exciting times here in Letterkenny!

Anyway as I left off on my last post, my college coach from the University of the Sciences, Dave Pauley, was kind enough to come pay me a visit out here in Ireland and catch my college championship victory. I just want to talk about the significance of his visit and some of the things we did. 

After the game, Coach and I spent some time celebrating in Dublin then, we made our way up to Letterkenny the following day. Once there we had a couple things planned. The first was lunch with a group of people involved with basketball and LYIT. It was a fantastic meal and a very kind gesture on behalf of them to welcome my coach this way! Immediately following that we went right to the LYIT gym and we had Coach Pauley run a clinic for both the kids and the coaches. 

For the couple days leading up to the clinic, I really didn't know what to expect. I wasn't sure if we were going to get a good turnout of coaches or not. However, when we arrived the place was packed with coaches and players; all of them ready with pens and a notepad ready to learn. I must say it was really nice and rewarding to see that. It shows that the people here are willing to invest time and effort into becoming better coaches to in turn help their players. 

Obviously living in a small town like Letterkenny, in a rural part of Ireland, makes it quite difficult and rare to get access to a prominent coach like this. Therefore, I was really excited to be a big part in giving the people here this unique opportunity. I am not sure how many NCAA college coaches come out to Ireland to run clinics, but I'm sure it's a very small number and I guarantee none of them are coming to Letterkenny. So to have this event here was huge for basketball in the area. 

Next, Coach Pauley ended up running a couple different sessions and the feedback from everyone was extremely positive. I truly believe it was and will continue to be a big boost for basketball in the area. It was definitely a fun time for all and very informative. In the couple days following I can already see the coaches using some of the things he talked about which is great!

Furthermore, Coach Pauley has had a huge impact on my life and a lot of the material I am passing onto the kids out here is from what I gathered over my years playing for him. I strive to have as positive and lasting impact on the kids here as Coach Pauley has had on me. I really hope we could come back out here again in the future and do it again!

Lastly, between winning the championship for college and having Coach out here I am starting to find that we are making a big difference in the community. In just the past week alone, many unfamiliar faces have approached Jack and I recognized that we are the American basketball players, they congratulated and thanked us for everything we are doing. It is great to feel and hear those kinds of compliments.

Our work here isn't done but we are making unbelievable progress! We only have a couple more months left so hopefully, it continues down this bright path. 

Well, before you assume I did something absolutely wild, think again. For one, I was so sick on St. Paddy’s day this year. And two, I was working! Besides being super sick, which was a drag, I was walking the areas again making sure kids were safe. Expect this time, the scholars and I, including Marc, Fox, Gemma, and Aimee were giving out Mars bars, Tayto crisps and Water to the kids who needed it to help them stay a bit sober. At this point with the kids, anything would’ve helped. They were so intoxicated and it was only maybe 2-3 in the afternoon. They were having fun, that is for sure. Besides helping the kids, I went home after we were done, made some dinner, and played some call of duty. All of my roommates were gone for the weekend, so I was able to relax most of the night. Later that night, a few of my buddies came over and we watched some March Madness basketball. Good way to end the night!  Hopefully I can I come to Ireland again and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day!

In America, St. Patrick’s Day is a huge holiday, so you can only imagine what it is like in Ireland – parades, parties, crowds of people out on the town, the whole nine! Usually, back at home in America I don’t really celebrate the holiday or do anything special besides possibly going out with friends, so I was definitely looking forward to celebrating the holiday here in Ireland. So when I asked some of my Irish friends for recomendations on where to go for the day, of course the answer was Dublin! Dublin is known for having the streets filled with people celebrating, a great parade for all to see, and just an overall great time with an amazing atmoshpere. While that all sounded exciting and invigorating, and I must admit I know I would have enjoyed the experience. I decided to go against the tourist-like route of celebrating and soak up the experience of what Waterford had to offer. 

First, myself, Britt, and our teammate Cathy attended Waterford’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade in the city center. It was great seeing the whole community come together to celebrate this holiday, as well as highlight members of thier community. Various local sports teams and organizations walked in the parade, proudly displaying thier love for thier sport and community – I even saw some of my girls that I coach on Saturday’s in kitten club. To soak up the experience even more, after the pararde we walked around the city center taking in all the celebration and sense of pride the community had. From seeing children with their faces painted green, to people carrying around Irish flags, it was amazing to see the community come together and celebrate a holiday I have not really participated in before; and provide me with another opportunity to become emersed in the Irish culture. 

As you read in my previous blog, there is nothing better than eating a Belgian waffle in Belgium. Well this blog revolves around a similar phenomenon. March 17th has finally come around and I can actually say that I am celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. How exciting is that??? It is really exciting!!! St. Patricks Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. We got to eat green eggs and ham in school, and it is my Aunt Marne’s birthday! So quick shout out: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARNE!!!” 

Everyone from home has been asking me if I would be spending the holiday in Dublin, but due to the fact that I had a basketball game in Cork over the weekend I did not make my way to Dublin. My Cork classmates told me that Corks festivities would be better anyway (not sure if they are a bite bias….). The day started off with a parade down St. Patrick’s Street (the main street in Cork). I then went to many different pubs listening to Irish music, dancing to the Drop Kick Murphy’s, and drinking Green beer along with my new Irish friends. Many laughs were had to say the least.

As the day came to an end I concluded that Americans take St. Patrick’s Day a little more serious than the Irish do. I am pretty sure that the Boston parade would give the Cork parade a run for its money. That being said, nothing beats spending the day with the friends, drinking green beer and laughing in a small pub in St. Patrick’s homeland.

Spend St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland äìñ off the bucket list

On February 23rd I turned 23 years old. Wow. I know technically that’s still really young but why do I feel so old? I’m extremely blessed and grateful for where life has taken me thus far. These last 23 years have been full of many ups, down, and in-betweens but I wouldn’t change a thing. Fortunately, my family still found a way to make my birthday amazing from 3,000 miles away. I also recieved a lot of love from the kids I coach, my teammates, and all my Irish family. It was a great birthday. I’m already counting down until the next one. 

Big shout out to my girls for winning their school’s All Ireland Final! I’ve talked all year about how proud I am of these girls. With or without the win they would've been superstars in my eyes. BUT…. since we did get the win I have to give them a huge shout out! I think for my first time coaching a team from start to finish this is a pretty good starting point. #proudcoach 

March is one of the best times of the year if you’re a basketball fan. You have the NCAA conference tournaments to see who will get their bid into the Big Dance. And, of course, you have the final 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament. After not being a student-athlete of the NCAA anymore I was very excited to finally fill out a bracket again.

 

The NCAA offers multiple post-season tournaments outside the main one. The NIT, CBI and the CIT are those who still play into late March/early April. My sophomore and senior year the Siena Saints and I were invited to play in the CBI Tournament. Teams who finish about .500 and a good strength of schedule would get that invite. It mainly consists of mid-majors across the country with a couple high-major teams sprinkled in there. My sophomore year we won the 2014 CBI Championship. It was the highlight of my college career. It was an amazing feeling to win at home in front of our great fans and student section. To see the students and fans rush the court to celebrate with us was a feeling I’ll never forget.

 

I participated in a couple of NCAA brackets this year. One that included other Victory Scholars along with SCL staff. The other was also here at UUJ. I have to say during my 4-year absence (being a student-athlete with the NCAA it is illegal if you’re involved doing a bracket) I must’ve lost my touch. My bracket was horrible. I had family and friends LAUGHING at my selections. I couldn’t believe it… I was always the best before college. I really finished last in last place in every bracket. 

 

I’m a competitor… so I’ve already started preparing for next season!

You know whats better than getting gifts on your birthday? A new understanding of what life is really about. I think this is the all time gift. Knowing that you are slowing growing into the person you always aspired to be. If someone asked me who I wanted to be when I was younger I don’t know if I had an answer.  But, if someone asked me who I wanted to be when I was attending Gonzaga I know that I had a definite answer. That answer would be a person of service. Gonzaga University, a University that instills the Jesuit education into any aspect of learning really made an impact on my overall outlook on how life should be lived. I didn’t really know at the beginning of my college career what that really meant until I really started to pay attention to how it was changing me. I’ve never had my own intellect, faith, or identity tested until Gonzaga and I am forever grateful. Because of Gonzaga I know that golf does not identify who I am, rather it is something that I do. There is more meaning to life than playing a sport for competition. Yes, it’s fun to win but those wins don’t fill my heart. Since Gonzaga I have come closer to finding what fills my heart and that is being of service to others. I feel complete joy and worth when I am able to touch somebody’s else’s heart, when I am able to get on a deeper level with someone. Knowing that I can be there for someone when they have no one else makes me feel complete. If it wasn’t for Gonzaga instilling in me that there is more to life than the superficial things, I’d probably still be searching or feeling empty.