May 12 - Adaptation and Coping with Struggle

Due to the late night drive home the night prior the professors planned a late start. I took the opportunity to do some laundry. Nothing special happened this morning.

Bunratty Folk Park was a like a historical site where they had created a village as it would have been back in medieval times focused around Bunratty Castle. It was neat to see however didn't stand out too much in my mind.

For dinner the professors had arranged for us to be served by some entertainers in the dining hall inside Bunratty Castle. I'll admit, going into it, I was pretty skeptical it would be enjoyable as we were being crammed into this dining hall shoulder to shoulder and backs nearly touching those behind us. I ended up having a really good time. However as the evening went on we had a few individuals that were becoming increasingly intoxicated and still drinking incessantly. I did what I could to keep the situation contained but to no avail. Eventually -- after blacking out -- the situation began deescalating. From what I heard the next day, that particular car was pretty close to coming to blows between a few individuals and the plastered one. It was unfortunate for any involved. For myself, it was a very thought provoking in the sense that it took me back to when I was drinking uncontrollably. Not to say this was that nor that, this. I just found it as a good opportunity to remind myself where I could be.

Our car ride home we had the pleasure of a professor who had, had a bit to drink. Not anything like some of the other students but enough to be willing to share their honest opinions with us. I know that, for the most part, professors tend to withhold any opinions from their students as to not bias the learning opportunities with value judgements. Regardless, we were all having a fantastic time visiting with a professor as if they were an equal. Beyond that I don't feel any inclination to give away any details for everyone's sake.

I will, however, share one of the more inspiring comments of the ride home.

"It's not giving advice that heals people, it's meaningful relationships that heal people."