Mary Pat McMahon
My family moved from Boston to Durham when I started working at Duke in summer 2019, and we're slowly exploring North Carolina's hiking trails, small towns, parks and coffee shops. I binge read mysteries and biographies, and I love jigsaw and crossword puzzles. I'm trying to learn how not to fall through the Earth in Minecraft.
L's Taken
1
"Thank you for applying but..."
I was passed over for several great opportunities to lead student life at different schools. I go to conferences and talk with the people who ultimately got hired when I didn't and think, "Okay, we're all just people. I'm so lucky I was still looking when the Duke job came open."
1
Thing I thought I'd finish but never did
Anna Karenina... but eventually I did! Still looking at Brothers Karamazov....
0
Everyday L's of life
On the Bright Side
0
Memories I made when I wasn't working/studying
1
Thing I've learned that will still matter in 10 years
People grow. We're all works in progress and you don't reach a fixed point where you've suddenly got it all figured out.
0
TV shows, movies, and books I've enjoyed
1
Thing I'm proud of that you won't see on my resume
When someone I care about is facing a tough decision, I'm all in to unpack the unabridged version of what they're weighing and considering.
1
Unconventional skill
Rock skipping
Finding multi-day street parking in New York City
Total recall of mid-1980s Boston Celtics starting 5 stats
1
Quirk that makes me who I am
I take pride in packing light but really I just forget a lot of essential stuff when I travel.
1
Small joy in my life
Coffee first thing in the morning
0
Obstacles I have overcome
1
Thing I've done that pushed me out of my comfort zone
In March of my junior year of college, I made a one month resolution to go anywhere I was invited and to accept any "hey you should stop by" invitations that came my way. I went to everything: campus lectures, shows, parties, random errands with friends and just walking with people to the library or some store. It broke open a lot of fixed patterns I hadn't realized were so limiting; the environment around me had so much more to offer than I had recognized before that. It was exhausting in the best way.
0
Failures that seemed like the end of the world back then but don't matter in hindsight
0
Leaps of Faith
1
Life event that has made me stronger
My kids were very little when my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer; raising them while getting him through two years of treatment required me to develop significant coping skills. I learned to have more patience and slow down on the tougher days, and to make consistent time for exercise and important friendships.