The summer has been barreling along and Ryan and I have officially entered the second and final phase of our internship. Life is speedier in the city, that’s a fact.
Dr Judy and colleague Elizabeth Schroeder at Teachers College
One. The Psychology of Intimacy at Columbia Teachers College. Going super well. The process has been intense, and the three of us have spent the past two weeks conducting individual phone meetings with the students to discuss their individual projects. Students are planning diabetes clinics involving illness and intimacy, studying the effect of close interpersonal relationships at work, and presenting Bolivian cultural dances.
On a personal note, the class has opened my own eyes to the word of intimacy. I don’t even think I knew what the word “intimacy” truly meant before this summer. Vague image of closeness between a husband and wife bounced around in my head when I heard the word, but it’s a bit more complicated than that, and what’s more, it’s super hard to achieve for a lot of people.
A mixed group discussing Lesotho programming.
Two. Work on the Lesotho children’s camp. Really suessful meetings with the Economic Counselor at the Lesotho mission here in NYC. What we’re finding and what I’m learning is that things get done and objectives are achieved when everyone benefits. A working partnership is not unlike a symbiotic relationship between two animals. Even if one member benefits by feeling like they’re helping a higher cause altruistically, they have to benefit.
Three. Revamping Dr Judy’s outdoor personal space. The small balcony attached to the home office was bleak and empty, hosting only a small family of broken pots. Stepping onto the balcony was like stepping onto a deserted pirate ship- not good for the energy flow. A couple of begonias, a pair of adorable bonsai-type trees, and a shaded table transformed the pathetic patio into a feng shui paradise. The chi is positively flowing!
Ryan and I making use of our outdoor refuge
Juliane
