HAMK University officiates contract to translate TTAP Method into Finnish for 2010!

Today, Saturday June 21, otherwise known here in Finland as Mid-Summer Night, Dean of Social Sciences, Dr. Merja Saarela seen above with Dr. Levine Madori, announces HAMK Universities collaboration with Health Professions Press to translate the TTAP Method into Finnish by early 2010. Professor Jari Aho will be the translator of the book and will be incorporated into the core curriculum of the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Program starting in the Spring of 2010.

Students will study and utilize the TTAP method in their clinical research and will be advised by Dr. Levine Madori via the internet blackboard system in Finland. Both Dr.'s Saarela and Levine Madori hope this collaboration increases international research collaborations as well as international studies in the area of the Arts and Recreation Therapy through St. Thomas Aquinas College and HAMK University.

Vassa, the ship that stayed afloat 30 minutes, then sank.

The Vassa, is a truly interesting story about a boat that was built in 1600"s by the king of Sweden , King Vassa. 30 minutes at sea on route to Poland the ship sank, off the coast of Stockholm infront of hundreds of onlookers, the Vassa suddenly started to pitch back and forth. It took on water and suddenly sank, to the horror of the entire city. It took the Swedish goverment 333 years to build technology of boats and lifts to recover the Vassa from the sea. Now the Vassa has its own museum which was built around it once the boat was placed back on land. It towers 10 stories high, and the Museum hold the treasures that were brought up with the boat including ceramics, clothes, pipes, and personal items of those aboard the ship in 1600's.

Tomorrow,back to Helsinki - more pictures to come.

WINDOW INTO MY FUTURE, STAY TUNED...

Stocholm, up close

The capital of Sweden, Stocholm, is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen and I have travled to over 20 countries worldwide. Take a look at these magnificant views as I traveled and explored the city.

Sweden, a land of 1000 Islands

As the cruise ship gets closer to the center of Stockholm, the beautiful islands that make up the country start to pop up out of the sea. It is estimated that 30% of all Swedish people have summer homes on these private islands to get away from the city summer heat.

From Russia to Sweden by Boat

Inside the cruise ship is a large moving city, stores, resturants and even gambling casinos can be found by the travelor.

The overnight boat to Sweden is a great way to not only travel and be able to sleep in a nice size room , with free entertainment which starts as you walk on the boat and doesnt stop until you depart in the morning at 9 am.

Peterhoff; The summer island off the coast of St. Petersburg

The island of Peterhoff is absolutely breathtaking, it was built after the Palace's in France. The entire island is a maze of trees, bushes, and fountains.

Inside of The Hermatage, one of the Worlds largest museums

As seen in the images above the entrance to the hermatage was designed to fully impress all who visited. Inside, the rooms all had different color themes ranging from the pink to blue to reds.

The artwork itself range from Michealangelo's, Rembrant's, and Picasso's and Miro's.

From Finland to Russia by Train

The train from Finland to Russia takes about 7 hours and is very unique. It truly feels as though you are stepping into the past, James Bond 's past. As you walk from one train car to the next, the halls are very narrow and there are security passport checks every hour. If you are sleeping, as I was during one of these checks, they actually wake you up to see your face, to make sure you are really you!

ARRIVING IN ST.PETERSBURG

St. Petersburg is also known as the Venise of the north, due to the many canals and waterways throughout the city.

The buildings are full of gold and the magnitude and size of the buildings are quite magnificent.

Above is the Church of the most well known churches, the Church of Spilt Blood.

Personal art creations from the last day in Finland.

Hello global community,

Please enjoy some images taken from the last day of the certificate course in Finland. Participants created their own individual piece for a group art piece. One of the steps in the TTAP Method is to first create a sculpture (step 4) and then go back and reflect on the artwork. Then ask the individual to write a reflection of what was created (step 6).

As seen in this last photograph, some individuals go further, they utilize all different materials such as photographs (step 9) drawing (step 3) clay (step 4) and even add materials such as pipe cleaners, butterflys, etc. The TTAP Method gives structure to what is done within creative arts program, and identifies the learning process along with exactly what region of the brain is being stimulated during the art process. The charts and graphs utilized along with this structure give the researcher, masters degree student or professional, to structure collect data, write observations and add to efficacy research on the arts, healing, processes and effects.

Samuli Jokinen, a young Finnish boy's music to leave you with!

Samuli is playing A. Diabelli, Allegretto zu vier handen above.

Samuli, as I promised you when you come to New York to play your music I will provide the Limousine for you to drive in!!! Linda

St.Thomas Aquinas College, back to the United States.

To all of you who have been following this educational journey; professionals, students, colleagues, friends and mostly family, your emails and supportive letters you have shared with me over the past 6 weeks have made it emotionally possible to complete this task knowing that you have all been with me in spirit. The deep feelings of love and support I have received from those of you whom have written to me after a presentation, have touched me more deeply than words can describe.

I truly feel blessed that I have been able to witness all of you share a special moment, realize and learn a new idea and /or shared a personal memory throughout my travels to Helsinki, Turku, Salo, Seinajoki University, Tampere University and HAMK University. Please keep coming to this blog as I move back from Finland to the United States and will continue posting all the new details that will unfold through the late summer into the autumn. Please go to www.levinemadoriphd.com to visit the many new presentations of the TTAP Method that are being scheduled and will be posted September, 2009.

Finally, to the Fulbright Organization who continues the pursuit of academic international teaching throughout the world, thank you for this amazing second opportunity to dynamically change peoples lives through teaching!

Final pictures from Villa Anio, my home away from home in Finland.

Here is a glimpse of the small one room that was home for 4 weeks.

Thank you Amanda, for the commitment as a professional as we complete all we had hoped for !!!

Above are photos taken throughout the past four weeks. Amanda has worked both day filming the TTAP method Training Course Tapes and evenings co-writing the Certificate Course manual. We completed everything we had hoped for and more, here's to the future and seeing our hard work come to fruition in our publications, our research and your Ph.D. Studies! Good Luck as you start a new phase of life in Florida and much thanks,

Linda

Thank You Professionals and Friends as I prepare to leave Finland!

I want to thank my "Sister Friends" Anita and Kirsi, for the special times we had together during my educational travels. Both Anita and Kirsi guided me, accommodate me in their homes and their work places. I was able to speak to Therapists in Helinski, Sala and Turko who are starting to research the TTAP Method in Septermber of this year. It is the goal of the three of us to complete a research study that will be published internationally on how the TTAP method can possibly delay or slow the deterioration process.