Two Weeks in Ireland: Day 11 Presentations

Today was a stay-at-Trinity-and-listen-to-presentations kind of day. I started it with an overview of Complementary, Alternative & Integrative Therapies with a segue to "energy experiments" and an introduction to Emotional Freedom Techniques. I always have such a great time watching students begin to experience completely new ways of sensing and experiencing things.

My colleague, Ketta (Dr. Narketta Sparkman) presented on diversity, specifically the influence of pop culture on how we perceive the LGBT population. She compared how the US, Thailand and Ireland medial/pop culture present issues. I loved how she picked videos to help demonstrate her points. Plus, she used a really cool presentation software that I want to know more about!

Our 4 doctoral students (3 from ODU) presented as well. I enjoyed how they chose poetry and music to show the influence of oppression, substance abuse and other issues. Ireland has its fair share of poets, writers, musicians and story tellers, so it was particularly relevant for the institute participants.

Kristi, Gina & Paul in the background; Brett is at the front.

After all the presentations, I went to a bookstore, Hodges Figgis, close to Trinity with Jill, her husband Tony and Ketta. If we hadn't been so hungry, we'd have all stayed there for many hours! I was in search of books on Irish fairy tales and mythology. One book that our guide from yesterday recommended was actually on a bargain-basement sale shelf! And another one (This is How it Ends)  has a description on the back that starts, "Bruno, an American, has come to Ireland to search for his roots." I just HAD to buy the book!

The only pretty photo I have is my dessert from tonight. I had Shepard's Pie for dinner and I (of course) couldn't resist the chocolate fudge pie with ice cream and little heart-shaped cookies:

Yum!

So, what's the magic I noticed today? It was in the eyes and reactions of the students as we were doing the "energy experiments". I also asked them if they wanted to have an "energy activation" -- multidimensional healing -- and all of them were game. Even though they were able to activate each other, many came to me for the experience. One who I wouldn't have expected had the most profound experience, too.

Yay!

It's getting late. Tomorrow isn't as busy. Students visit sites and then we go to a River Dance show in the evening.

Fondly,
Suzan