The Solace of Cookies →

They have grown up seeing her framed photos in our home, but it is difficult for them to feel a connection with someone they have never met. Or will meet.

When I told them what we were going to make, they both wrinkled their noses when I said, “Banana oatmeal cookies.” My oldest responded, “That sounds so disgusting.” They were used to chocolate chip cookies or the sugar cookies that we decorate together during Christmastime.

“Trust me, you’ll like these cookies,” I said…

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A Weed in the Corn: Surrender and Regrant in 16th Century Ireland (Master's Thesis)

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The 16th century was one of rapid change for Ireland due to the encroaching control of the Tudors. Tudor policies rapidly changed the Gaelic way of life, sparking rebellion. These rebellions caused the Tudor government to look to other ways of subjecting the Irish, such as surrender and regrant. By focusing on one family, the O’Neills of Ulster, I propose to demonstrate that before surrender and regrant, the Gaelic lords were able to keep the English primarily located within the Pale. Unpublished Master's Thesis: Approved May 15, 2014, University of St. Thomas-Houston

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In Pursuit of Life and Love: The Universal Themes of Hamlet and Ecclesiastes

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Hamlet is often regarded as a modern or postmodern drama, yet the existential questions Hamlet ponders can be found echoed in a much older text: the Book of Ecclesiastes. A comparison of parallel elements found in the two texts not only offers a deeper understanding of each protagonist's pursuit of life and love, but also that the desire to ascribe meaning to life transcends period labels. Published in Thoroughfare 6.1 Fall 2013: 6-9. Print

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A Revolution of the Mind: The Search for Identity in Roddy Doyle's A Star Called Henry

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The search for a distinct identity is a challenge of any post-colonial society when contending with the loss of identity, both communal and individual.  Often a fervent nationalism arises, yet this nationalism can be as controlling as colonialism.  Author Roddy Doyle explores how both do not allow for the development of identity in his novel, A Star Called Henry.  Presented at the American Conference for Irish Studies--Midwest, 21-23 October 2010. 

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