Trivia About Paul
- Worked in prison, in jail, with children, at a national security think tank and taught English in Saudi Arabia.
- Was once a janitor and restaurant busboy.
- Did poorly in high school. Had to attend community junior night school classes to get grades up before he could apply to a bachelor's degree program.
- Has three master's degrees - Harvard, the London School of Economics, and the University of Pennsylvania.
- Awarded "Most Genuine" by his Attleboro High School classmates in 1995.
- Has never had any alcohol to drink and won't eat foods cooked with alcohol.
- Enjoys arguing and debating.
- Minored in neuroscience in college.
- In 2002, Paul decided not to pursue a career as a neuroscience researcher, a career he was planning on.
- Drove across the US (Boston to Los Angeles) three times; 1998, 2001 and 2002.
- Has been to Europe in 2002, 2003, 2005-2006, 2007.
- Has been to North Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, France, England, Israel and Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.
- Has lived in England and Saudi Arabia, and California and Pennsylvania.
- Loves to read non-fiction, write about public policy, and watch movies.
- Has read well over 1000 books and has a personal library.
- Wrote a book on the Middle East, and two movie screenplays.
- Started working at his father's drug store at 11 years old.
- When he was 11 years old, he worked all summer, saved his money and bought an $600 freestyle/BMX bike.
- When he was 12 years old, he worked all summer, saved his money and bought an $900 freestyle/BMX bike.
- Two months after purchase, his $900 bike was stolen; he still has the $600 bike.
- Has an older sister who is a nurse and a younger sister who is a pharmacist.
- Both parents are pharmacists and both own small independent drug stores.
- Very much enjoys living overseas in non-Western cultures.
- Was an avid runner and swimmer in college. Now does a WaterRower every day.
- Has an antique map collection.
- Loves to cook for large dinner parties.
- Prefers to eat vegan.
- Never missed a single day of school in the 4th grade.
- Won a gold star for drawing a perfectly symmetrical butterfly in the third grade - this is the highpoint of Paul's art ability.
- Learned to speak sign language when he was 14 because a friend was/is deaf.
- Learned to speak, read and write Arabic, but has now gotten very rusty.
- Invested $330,000 in his education (using loans, credit card, work study and scholarships). Owes $180,000 in student loan debt. Says it was worth it.
- Awarded Mortar Board National Honor Society for Scholarship, Leadership and Service, University of Southern California 2000.
- Awarded Leadership in Criminology Award, University of Pennsylvania 2005
- Nominated for the RFK Award for Excellent in Public Service, Harvard University 2011.
- Loves animals.
- Favorite sayings: "Do more for others, than you do for yourself" --- "Public service is not about those who serve, it is about those who would be served" --- "When you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself."
- Favorite Bible Passage: Matthew 25:35-40 - New International Version (NIV) 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
