Chapter_NN1 2_CRD 
The_AT0 Path_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 Podium_NN1 
"_PUQ As_CJS iron_NN1 sharpens_VVZ iron_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 one_CRD person_NN1 sharpens_VVZ another_DT0 ._SENT "_PUQ ¡ªProverbs_NP0 27_CRD :_PUN 17_CRD 
Growing_VVG up_AVP ,_PUN my_DPS dad_NN1 always_AV0 used_VVN the_AT0 term_NN1 "_PUQ worldview_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP said_VVD that_CJT everyone_PNI had_VHD one_PNI whether_CJS they_PNP knew_VVD it_PNP or_CJC not_XX0 ._SENT I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 quite_AV0 understand_VVI that_DT0 concept_NN1 fully_AV0 until_CJS I_PNP went_VVD out_AVP on_PRP my_DPS own_DT0 ._SENT As_CJS I_PNP went_VVD to_PRP Washington_NP0 ,_PUN DC_NP0 ,_PUN to_PRP New_NP0 York_NP0 City_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 eventually_AV0 to_PRP Oxford_NP0 University_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS I_PNP spent_VVD my_DPS junior_AJ0 year_NN1 of_PRF college_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 term_NN1 crystalized_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 Christian_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 conservative_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD my_DPS worldview_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD at_PRP the_AT0 central_AJ0 core_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS being_NN1 ,_PUN firmly_AV0 sewn_VVN within_PRP me_PNP ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ the_AT0 prism_NN1 through_PRP which_DTQ I_PNP see_VVB the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS I_PNP left_VVD my_DPS home_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP encountered_VVD contrasting_AJ0 worldviews_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI up_AVP to_PRP me_PNP how_AVQ to_TO0 handle_VVI these_DT0 moments_NN2 ._SENT My_DPS first_ORD "_PUQ tutorial_NN1 "_PUQ at_PRP Oxford_NP0 University_NN1 was_VBD just_AV0 such_DT0 an_AT0 encounter_NN1 ._SENT 
Unlike_AJ0 in_PRP American_AJ0 universities_NN2 ,_PUN where_AVQ lectures_NN2 were_VBD the_AT0 main_AJ0 source_NN1 of_PRF learning_NN1 ,_PUN at_PRP Oxford_NP0 University_NN1 ,_PUN one-on-one_CRD time_NN1 with_PRP professors¡ªknown_NN1 there_AV0 as_CJS "_PUQ tutors_NN2 "_PUQ ¡ªserved_VVN as_PRP the_AT0 focus_NN1 ._SENT Each_DT0 week_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP were_VBD expected_VVN to_TO0 write_VVI either_AV0 one_CRD or_CJC two_CRD ten-page_AJ0 papers_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC rather_AV0 than_CJS your_DPS professor_NN1 scribbling_VVG down_AVP a_AT0 grade_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 few_DT0 notes_NN2 ,_PUN you_PNP were_VBD instead_AV0 instructed_VVN to_TO0 read_VVI your_DPS work_NN1 out_AVP loud_AV0 in_PRP a_AT0 "_PUQ tutorial_NN1 "_PUQ setting_VVG with_PRP ,_PUN at_PRP most_DT0 ,_PUN one_CRD other_AJ0 student_NN1 ._SENT Your_DPS tutor_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 highly_AV0 credentialed_AJ0 and_CJC well-studied_AJ0 academic_NN1 ,_PUN would_VM0 stop_VVI you_PNP along_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 ,_PUN challenge_VVB your_DPS ideas_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC ask_VVB you_PNP to_TO0 explain_VVI your_DPS perspective_NN1 or_CJC provide_VVB your_DPS sourcing_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS you_PNP thought_VVD my_DPS press_NN1 briefings_NN2 were_VBD intense_AJ0 ,_PUN think_VVB again_AV0 !_SENT The_AT0 tutorial_NN1 far_AV0 eclipsed_VVN the_AT0 press_NN1 briefing_NN1 in_PRP terms_NN2 of_PRF difficulty_NN1 ._SENT Preparing_VVG for_PRP these_DT0 tense_AJ0 encounters_NN2 certainly_AV0 shaped_VVN the_AT0 way_NN1 I_PNP prepared_VVD before_CJS I_PNP went_VVD to_PRP the_AT0 podium_NN1 ._SENT 
My_DPS first_ORD tutorial_NN1 was_VBD brutal_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP still_AV0 remember_VVB it_PNP vividly_AV0 ._SENT That_DT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP ascended_VVD the_AT0 circuitous_AJ0 brown_AJ0 staircase_NN1 with_PRP an_AT0 appropriate_AJ0 level_NN1 of_PRF angst_NN1 ,_PUN unaware_AJ0 of_PRF the_AT0 challenge_NN1 that_CJT waited_VVD at_PRP the_AT0 perch_NN0 of_PRF the_AT0 tower_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD climbing_VVG ._SENT Known_VVN as_PRP the_AT0 "_PUQ City_NN1 of_PRF Dreaming_AJ0 Spires_NN2 "_PUQ for_PRP its_DPS soaring_AJ0 ,_PUN castle-like_AJ0 structures_NN2 ,_PUN Oxford_NP0 ,_PUN England_NP0 ,_PUN was_VBD a_AT0 magical_AJ0 little_AJ0 town_NN1 ,_PUN rich_AJ0 in_PRP history_NN1 but_CJC rigorous_AJ0 in_PRP academics_NN2 ._SENT As_CJS a_AT0 student_NN1 at_PRP Georgetown_NP0 University_NN1 School_NN1 of_PRF Foreign_AJ0 Service_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD intentionally_AV0 sought_VVN out_AVP a_AT0 year_NN1 at_PRP Oxford_NP0 University_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 reason_NN1 :_PUN I_PNP wanted_VVD to_PRP fine-tune_NN1 a_AT0 very_AV0 specific_AJ0 skill¡ªthe_AJ0 art_NN1 of_PRF debating_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS a_AT0 staunch_AJ0 conservative_AJ0 and_CJC Christian_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 look_VVI to_TO0 change_VVI my_DPS views_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP certainly_AV0 wanted_VVD them_PNP countered_VVD ._SENT I_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 learn_VVI to_TO0 defend_VVI my_DPS deeply_AV0 held_VVN convictions_NN2 intelligently_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC that_DT0 could_VM0 only_AV0 happen_VVI if_CJS I_PNP was_VBD challenged_VVN ._SENT And_CJC challenged_VVD I_PNP was_VBD ._SENT 
As_CJS I_PNP traversed_VVD the_AT0 old_AJ0 staircase_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 twelfth-century_AJ0 library_NN1 that_CJT fall_NN1 day_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP finally_AV0 arrived_VVD at_PRP my_DPS first_ORD tutorial_NN1 ,_PUN expecting_VVG a_AT0 challenging_AJ0 setting_NN1 but_CJC blissfully_AV0 unaware_AJ0 of_PRF the_AT0 back_NN1 and_CJC forth_AV0 about_AV0 to_TO0 come_VVI ._SENT I_PNP sat_VVD across_PRP the_AT0 desk_NN1 from_PRP my_DPS tutor_NN1 ,_PUN alongside_PRP one_CRD other_AJ0 student_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC soon_AV0 began_VVD to_TO0 read_VVI my_DPS paper_NN1 out_AVP loud_AV0 ._SENT As_CJS I_PNP read_VVD my_DPS first_ORD international_AJ0 relations_NN2 paper_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD uncertain_AJ0 whether_CJS my_DPS voice_NN1 was_VBD truly_AV0 shaking_VVG or_CJC if_CJS it_PNP was_VBD all_AV0 in_PRP my_DPS head_NN1 ._SENT Several_DT0 times_NN2 throughout_PRP my_DPS oration_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS tutor_NN1 stopped_VVD me_PNP and_CJC scrupulously_AV0 challenged_VVD my_DPS thoughts_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 rigorous_AJ0 exchange_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP left_VVD that_DT0 tutorial_NN1 in_PRP tears_NN2 ,_PUN calling_VVG my_DPS mom_NN1 to_TO0 describe_VVI the_AT0 thought-provoking_AJ0 conversation_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD determined_VVN to_TO0 come_VVI back_AVP stronger_AJC ._SENT 
It_PNP became_VVD clear_AJ0 over_PRP the_AT0 course_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS sessions_NN2 that_CJT my_DPS tutor_NN1 had_VHD a_AT0 very_AV0 different_AJ0 outlook_NN1 than_CJS my_DPS own_DT0 ._SENT As_CJS a_AT0 former_DT0 representative_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Palestinian_AJ0 Liberation_NN1 Organization_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP challenged_VVD many_DT0 of_PRF my_DPS ideas_NN2 ,_PUN not_XX0 just_AV0 that_DT0 day_NN1 but_CJC in_PRP our_DPS sessions_NN2 that_CJT followed_VVD ._SENT Ultimately_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP made_VVD me_PNP better_AJC ._SENT I_PNP look_VVB back_AVP on_PRP our_DPS tutorials_NN2 fondly_AV0 because_CJS she_PNP taught_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 listen_VVI to_PRP alternative_AJ0 perspectives_NN2 ._SENT To_PRP this_DT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP still_AV0 hold_VVB the_AT0 same_DT0 worldview¡ªa_NN1 Christian_AJ0 ,_PUN a_AT0 conservative_AJ0 ,_PUN a_AT0 staunch_AJ0 supporter_NN1 of_PRF Israel¡ªbut_NN1 I_PNP am_VBB better_AJC for_PRP having_VHG listened_VVN and_CJC understood_VVN ._SENT My_DPS Oxford_NP0 tutorials_NN2 taught_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 challenge_VVI my_DPS ideas_NN2 ,_PUN to_PRP thoroughly_AV0 source_NN1 my_DPS work_NN1 ,_PUN and¡ªimportantly¡ªto_NN1 anticipate_VVB counterarguments_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 skill_NN1 that_CJT comes_VVZ in_PRP quite_AV0 handy_AJ0 in_PRP preparing_VVG for_PRP a_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 press_NN1 briefing_NN1 ._SENT 
My_DPS worldview_NN1 was_VBD shaped_VVN by_PRP two_CRD loving_AJ0 parents_NN2 who_PNQ selflessly_AV0 invested_VVD themselves_PNX in_PRP each_DT0 of_PRF their_DPS children_NN2 ,_PUN creating_VVG a_AT0 faith-based_AJ0 and_CJC family-centered_AJ0 environment_NN1 for_PRP their_DPS three_CRD kids_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD born_VVN in_PRP Jacksonville_NP0 ,_PUN Florida_NP0 ;_PUN however_AV0 ,_PUN my_DPS parents_NN2 moved_VVN to_PRP Plant_NN1 City_NN1 ,_PUN Florida_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 twenty-thousand-person_AJ0 town_NN1 along_PRP Interstate_NN1 4_CRD ,_PUN shortly_AV0 after_CJS I_PNP was_VBD born_VVN ._SENT Plant_NN1 City_NN1 ,_PUN affectionately_AV0 known_VVN as_PRP the_AT0 "_PUQ Winter_NN1 Strawberry_NN1 Capital_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 World_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ is_VBZ a_AT0 small_AJ0 town_NN1 in_PRP central_AJ0 Florida_NP0 with_PRP warm_AJ0 ,_PUN salt-of-the-earth_AJ0 people_NN0 ._SENT Every_AT0 year_NN1 in_PRP late_AJ0 February_NP0 or_CJC early_AJ0 March_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 town_NN1 congregates_VVZ to_TO0 celebrate_VVI its_DPS cherished_AJ0 agricultural_AJ0 product_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Florida_NP0 Strawberry_NN1 Festival_NN1 ._SENT Strawberry_NN1 shortcake_NN1 ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ plentiful_AJ0 ,_PUN as_CJS is_VBZ country_NN1 music_NN1 ._SENT From_PRP Garth_NP0 Brooks_NP0 and_CJC Toby_NP0 Keith_NP0 to_PRP Big_AJ0 &_NP0 Rich_NP0 and_CJC Rascal_NN1 Flatts_NP0 ,_PUN country_NN1 's_POS hottest_AJS celebrities_NN2 descended¡ªfor_AV0 a_AT0 moment_NN1 in_PRP time¡ªupon_NN1 my_DPS home_NN1 in_PRP Plant_NN1 City_NN1 ,_PUN Florida_NP0 ._SENT 
In_PRP my_DPS early_AJ0 years_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP attended_VVD Walden_NP0 Lake_NP0 Elementary_AJ0 School_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 local_AJ0 public_AJ0 school_NN1 where_CJS my_DPS mom_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 teacher_NN1 ._SENT Like_PRP many_DT0 young_AJ0 children_NN2 ,_PUN my_DPS memories_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 time_NN1 are_VBB sparse_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC a_AT0 few_DT0 stand_NN1 out_AVP ._SENT I_PNP recall_VVB chanting_VVG for_PRP Bob_NP0 Dole_NP0 on_PRP the_AT0 playground_NN1 in_PRP 1996_CRD as_PRP an_AT0 eight-year-old_AJ0 girl_NN1 ._SENT Ahead_AV0 of_PRF the_AT0 November_NP0 election_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS elementary_AJ0 school_NN1 held_VVD a_AT0 mock_AJ0 election_NN1 ._SENT Much_AV0 to_PRP my_DPS chagrin_NN1 ,_PUN Bill_NP0 Clinton_NP0 won_VVD our_DPS school_NN1 's_POS vote_NN1 tally_NN1 ,_PUN beating_VVG Dole_NP0 in_PRP a_AT0 landslide_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP found_VVD out_AVP my_DPS brother_NN1 ,_PUN Michael_NP0 ,_PUN voted_VVN for_PRP Clinton_NP0 because_CJS he_PNP liked_VVD the_AT0 sound_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS name_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP refused_VVD to_TO0 speak_VVI to_PRP my_DPS younger_AJC brother_NN1 for_PRP days_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 aftermath_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 election_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP took_VVD it_PNP upon_PRP myself_PNX to_TO0 run_VVI down_AVP the_AT0 hill_NN1 behind_PRP my_DPS house_NN1 and_CJC onto_PRP the_AT0 golf_NN1 course_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS I_PNP glued_VVD signs_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 water_NN1 cooler_NN1 articulating_VVG my_DPS disapproval_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Clinton_NP0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 ._SENT 
Weekdays_NN2 in_PRP my_DPS small_AJ0 town_NN1 centered_VVN around_PRP the_AT0 little_AJ0 league_NN1 field_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 fall_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS brother_NN1 and_CJC his_DPS teammates_NN2 would_VM0 burst_VVI through_PRP a_AT0 paper_NN1 sign_NN1 spanned_VVD across_PRP the_AT0 goalpost_NN1 ,_PUN ready_AJ0 to_TO0 take_VVI the_AT0 field_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 Plant_NN1 City_NN1 Dolphins_NN2 ._SENT Clad_VVN in_PRP my_DPS teal_NN0 and_CJC orange_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD proud_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 cheerleader_NN1 shouting_VVG from_PRP the_AT0 sidelines_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 spring_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS brother_NN1 played_VVD baseball_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP tried_VVD one_CRD bout_NN1 at_PRP softball_NN1 ._SENT One_CRD problem_NN1 ,_PUN though_AV0 :_PUN instead_AV0 of_PRF hitting_VVG the_AT0 ball_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 ball_NN1 hit_VVD me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP stuck_VVD out_AVP the_AT0 season_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC after_PRP one_CRD year_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP proudly_AV0 transitioned_VVN from_PRP the_AT0 mound_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 concession_NN1 stand_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS I_PNP was_VBD pleased_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI making_VVG five_CRD dollars_NN2 an_AT0 hour_NN1 ._SENT 
On_PRP weeknights_NN2 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 good_AJ0 night_NN1 if_CJS I_PNP got_VVD to_TO0 ditch_VVI doing_VDG the_AT0 dishes_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 sink_NN1 overlooking_VVG my_DPS family_NN1 's_POS dining_NN1 room_NN1 table_NN1 and_CJC instead_AV0 feast_VVB at_PRP Hungry_AJ0 Howie_NP0 's_POS or_CJC the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 buffet_NN1 ._SENT Whether_CJS at_PRP home_NN1 or_CJC at_PRP a_AT0 restaurant_NN1 ,_PUN family_NN1 dinners_NN2 were_VBD a_AT0 nightly_AJ0 occurrence_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC they_PNP always_AV0 began_VVD with_PRP prayer_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Dear_ITJ Jesus_NP0 ,_PUN we_PNP thank_VVB YOU_PNP for_PRP this_DT0 day_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP thank_VVB you_PNP for_PRP this_DT0 meal_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP love_VVB you_PNP Lord_NP0 ._SENT Protect_VVB this_DT0 family_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ These_DT0 values_NN2 stayed_VVD with_PRP me_PNP all_DT0 through_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 matter_NN1 where_AVQ I_PNP was¡ªPlant_AJ0 City_NN1 or_CJC Washington_NP0 ,_PUN DC_NP0 ,_PUN Tampa_NP0 or_CJC New_NP0 York_NP0 City_NN1 ._SENT 
My_DPS upbringing_NN1 in_PRP Plant_NN1 City_NN1 was_VBD wholesome_AJ0 and_CJC family-oriented_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP was_VBD not_XX0 free_AJ0 of_PRF trial_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP learned_VVD about_PRP loss_NN1 early_AJ0 on_PRP when_AVQ a_AT0 sweet_AJ0 angel_NN1 in_PRP our_DPS community_NN1 ,_PUN Megan_NP0 Carpenter_NP0 ,_PUN got_VVD cancer_NN1 at_PRP eleven_CRD years_NN2 old_AJ0 ._SENT Between_PRP surgeries_NN2 and_CJC chemotherapy_NN1 ,_PUN Megan_NP0 always_AV0 engaged_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 community_NN1 ._SENT After_PRP our_DPS Dolphin_NN1 football_NN1 games_NN2 ,_PUN we_PNP would_VM0 attend_VVI "_PUQ Dolphin_NN1 Dances_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ where_CJS the_AT0 town_NN1 would_VM0 dance_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 Macarena_NP0 ._SENT Megan_NP0 would_VM0 attend_VVI ,_PUN battling_VVG a_AT0 horrid_AJ0 disease_NN1 far_AV0 too_AV0 young_AJ0 ._SENT When_CJS we_PNP would_VM0 meet_VVI at_PRP a_AT0 neighbor_NN1 's_POS home_NN1 for_PRP four-wheeling_AJ0 and_CJC traditional_AJ0 Southern_AJ0 cooking¡ªwarm_NN1 ,_PUN buttered_AJ0 biscuits_NN2 and_CJC collard_NN1 greens¡ªMegan_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI there_AV0 too_AV0 ._SENT She_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 smile_NN1 on_PRP her_DPS face_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 matter_NN1 the_AT0 circumstance¡ªlosing_NN1 her_DPS hair_NN1 or_CJC feeling_VVG weak_AJ0 ._SENT After_PRP six_CRD years_NN2 of_PRF battling_AJ0 cancer_NN1 ,_PUN Megan_NP0 went_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI with_PRP Jesus_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ Do_VDB n't_XX0 be_VBI mad_AJ0 at_PRP God_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP 's_VBZ watching_VVG after_PRP us_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP told_VVD her_DPS family_NN1 ._SENT Megan_NP0 might_VM0 have_VHI passed_VVN ,_PUN but_CJC her_DPS faith_NN1 lives_VVZ on_AVP in_PRP this_DT0 community_NN1 and_CJC beyond_AV0 ._SENT 
At_PRP fifth_ORD grade_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP left_VVD public_AJ0 school_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 private_AJ0 Catholic_AJ0 school_NN1 in_PRP Tampa_NP0 called_VVD the_AT0 Academy_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Holy_AJ0 Names_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP addition_NN1 to_PRP my_DPS Catholic_AJ0 schooling_NN1 ,_PUN every_AT0 Sunday_NP0 ,_PUN my_DPS family_NN1 attended_VVD our_DPS Southern_AJ0 Baptist_AJ0 church_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC on_PRP Wednesdays_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP went_VVD to_PRP youth_NN1 group_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 pews_NN2 of_PRF my_DPS local_AJ0 church_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 Biblical_AJ0 truths_NN2 shared_VVN from_PRP its_DPS pulpit_NN1 provided_VVD my_DPS spiritual_AJ0 grounding_NN1 and_CJC kept_VVD me_PNP centered_VVD through_PRP high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN college_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC my_DPS adult_NN1 life_NN1 ._SENT 
While_CJS my_DPS church_NN1 instilled_VVD in_PRP me_PNP a_AT0 love_NN1 for_PRP Christ_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP also_AV0 developed_VVD a_AT0 political_AJ0 foundation_NN1 from_PRP a_AT0 very_AV0 young_AJ0 age_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 political_AJ0 foundation_NN1 grew_VVD during_PRP my_DPS rides_NN2 in_PRP my_DPS dad_NN1 's_POS truck_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS we_PNP would_VM0 listen_VVI to_PRP The_AT0 Rush_NP0 Limbaugh_NP0 Show_NN1 ._SENT Rush_NP0 's_POS passion_NN1 ,_PUN conviction_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC unwavering_AJ0 confidence_NN1 lit_VVD a_AT0 fire_NN1 within_PRP me¡ªa_NN1 spark_NN1 that_CJT would_VM0 reverberate_VVI through_PRP my_DPS entire_AJ0 future_AJ0 professional_AJ0 life_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP carpooled_VVD with_PRP fellow_AJ0 classmates_NN2 either_AV0 to_PRP my_DPS all-girls_NN2 Catholic_AJ0 high_AJ0 school_NN1 or_CJC to_PRP cheerleading_AJ0 practice_NN1 at_PRP my_DPS brother_NN1 's_POS school_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS passengers_NN2 knew_VVD that_CJT Rush_NP0 Limbaugh_NP0 would_VM0 be_VBI the_AT0 soundtrack_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS little_AJ0 black_AJ0 car_NN1 ._SENT 
On_PRP Friday_NP0 nights_NN2 during_PRP high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP could_VM0 find_VVI me_PNP on_PRP the_AT0 track_NN1 with_PRP pom-poms_NN2 cheering_VVG on_PRP the_AT0 Jesuit_AJ0 Tigers_NN2 football_NN1 team_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC on_PRP Saturdays_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP dropped_VVD the_AT0 pom-poms_NN2 for_PRP a_AT0 rolling_AJ0 backpack_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP headed_VVD in_AVP to_PRP debate_NN1 tournaments_NN2 ._SENT Equipped_VVN with_PRP a_AT0 Ronald_NP0 Reagan_NP0 book_NN1 of_PRF quotes_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP began_VVD every_AT0 opening_AJ0 debate_NN1 salvo_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 word_NN1 of_PRF wisdom_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 Gipper_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS love_NN1 of_PRF politics_NN1 ultimately_AV0 manifested_VVD itself_PNX in_PRP state_NN1 debate_NN1 championships_NN2 and_CJC a_AT0 trip_NN1 to_PRP nationals_NN2 in_PRP Philadelphia_NP0 ,_PUN where_AVQ I_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 win_VVI ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP had_VHD found_VVN a_AT0 passion_NN1 ._SENT 
While_CJS a_AT0 senior_AJ0 in_PRP high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP knew_VVD there_EX0 was_VBD only_AV0 one_CRD college_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP :_PUN Georgetown_NP0 University_NN1 ._SENT Georgetown_NP0 ,_PUN known_VVN for_PRP its_DPS academic_AJ0 excellence_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD set_VVN right_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 heart_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS nation_NN1 's_POS capital_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP offered_VVD the_AT0 perfect_AJ0 opportunity_NN1 to_TO0 grow_VVI intellectually_AV0 while_CJS also_AV0 having_VHG access_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 halls_NN2 of_PRF Congress_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 White_AJ0 House¡ªboth_NN1 branches_NN2 of_PRF government_NN1 I_PNP would_VM0 eventually_AV0 intern_VVI at_PRP as_CJS a_AT0 student_NN1 at_PRP Georgetown_NP0 ._SENT In_PRP high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD interned_VVN for_PRP the_AT0 Bush-Cheney_NP0 2004_CRD presidential_AJ0 campaign_NN1 and_CJC Tom_NP0 Gallagher_NP0 's_POS gubernatorial_AJ0 campaign_NN1 ._SENT These_DT0 experiences_NN2 set_VVB the_AT0 stage_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP to_TO0 intern_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 halls_NN2 of_PRF Congress_NN1 for_PRP Congressman_NN1 Adam_NP0 Putnam_NP0 ,_PUN where_AVQ I_PNP regularly_AV0 gave_VVD tours_NN2 to_PRP constituents_NN2 from_PRP my_DPS home_NN1 state_NN1 ._SENT 
Following_VVG my_DPS congressional_AJ0 internship_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP considered_VVD applying_VVG to_TO0 intern_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 Senate_NN1 but_CJC ultimately_AV0 set_VVD my_DPS sights_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 final_AJ0 year_NN1 of_PRF President_NP0 George_NP0 W_NP0 ._SENT Bush_NP0 's_POS administration_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC ,_PUN for_PRP a_AT0 college_NN1 student_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 internship_NN1 offered_VVD an_AT0 up-close_AJ0 experience_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 's_VBZ most_AV0 powerful_AJ0 building_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP this_DT0 point_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD completed_VVN several_DT0 internships_NN2 in_PRP Republican_NN1 politics_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ paved_VVD the_AT0 way_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP to_TO0 receive_VVI an_AT0 internship_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 Office_NN1 of_PRF Media_NN0 Affairs_NN2 ._SENT While_CJS most_DT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 interns_NN2 took_VVD a_AT0 semester_NN1 off_AVP to_TO0 devote_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 internship_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 keep_VVI on_PRP track_NN1 with_PRP my_DPS studies_NN2 and_CJC opted_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 full-time_AJ0 intern_NN1 and_CJC full-time_AJ0 student_NN1 ._SENT Forgoing_AJ0 spring_NN1 break_NN1 and_CJC other_AJ0 typical_AJ0 college_NN1 activities_NN2 ,_PUN my_DPS work_NN1 began_VVD before_PRP the_AT0 sun_NN1 would_VM0 rise_VVI ,_PUN and_CJC my_DPS studies_NN2 ended_VVD long_AV0 after_PRP sunset_NN1 ._SENT Departing_VVG for_PRP the_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 early_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 morning_NN1 while_CJS it_PNP was_VBD still_AV0 dark_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 call_VVI my_DPS mom_NN1 and_CJC nervously_AV0 walk_VVB to_PRP the_AT0 big_AJ0 wrought_AJ0 iron_NN1 gate_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 front_NN1 of_PRF Georgetown_NP0 to_TO0 wait_VVI for_PRP a_AT0 taxi_NN1 ._SENT Upon_PRP arrival_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 walk_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 Secret_AJ0 Service_NN1 checkpoint_NN1 and_CJC tell_VVB my_DPS mom_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Hold_VVB on_AVP one_CRD second_ORD ._SENT I_PNP need_VVB to_TO0 put_VVI you_PNP through_PRP security_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Sending_VVG the_AT0 phone_NN1 through_PRP the_AT0 security_NN1 belt_NN1 with_PRP my_DPS other_AJ0 belongings_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 gather_VVI my_DPS items_NN2 and_CJC scurry_VVB off_AVP to_PRP my_DPS desk_NN1 to_TO0 start_VVI work_NN1 ._SENT 
During_PRP my_DPS time_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 intern_NN1 ,_PUN opportunities_NN2 abounded¡ªlike_AJ0 the_AT0 time_NN1 when_CJS I_PNP saw_VVD a_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 press_NN1 briefing_NN1 live_VVB ._SENT I_PNP will_VM0 never_AV0 forget_VVI it_PNP ._SENT Dana_NP0 Perino_NP0 was_VBD the_AT0 White_AJ0 House_NN1 press_NN1 secretary_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP stood_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 room_NN1 and_CJC watched_VVD her_DPS field_NN1 the_AT0 reporters_NN2 '_POS questions_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD completely_AV0 mesmerized_VVN and_CJC enthralled_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 moment_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP that_DT0 point_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI never_AV0 envisioned_VVN that_CJT just_AV0 over_PRP a_AT0 decade_NN1 later_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI the_AT0 one_PNI taking_VVG questions_NN2 from_PRP behind_AV0 that_DT0 very_AJ0 podium_NN1 ._SENT 
