Positive Psychology

Field Trip to EMP

Lisa Wilson

            I had such a great time in Seattle and exploring EMP.  I had the pleasure of my daughter’s company during this field trip which made the day even more enjoyable.  When I think about concepts that we have learned this quarter, positive emotions and positive communities stood out for me on this day. 

            I was happy when I woke up just knowing I was off to Seattle for a field trip.  How fun is that?  The weather was outstanding and the traffic up to EMP was unbelievably smooth.  I picked Jill up along the way and we had a nice conversation to pass the time away as we traveled north.  When we got to Seattle we found a parking spot right away, and to top it off, it was free parking! 

            Once we got into EMP and began our adventure I noticed how intrigued people were with the displays and the interactive instruments.  I overheard people talking about different things that reminded them of a time in their past, making me realize EMP was not only about exhibiting history, it also displayed memories. 

            The time spent in EMP flew by.  I had a lot of fun with Brandon, Lauren, Taurell and Jill as we performed “I love Rock-n-Roll,” while my daughter was horrified as she watched me from outside.   It was a good time. 

            Throughout the exhibits I routinely saw the wonderment in people’s eyes, as well as the nostalgia as they looked upon the attractions.  Their amazement and appreciation of what was before them was never ending.  A person can not help but feel good as they wander through the building.  It is truly an amazing display of art and musical history.

            For lunch, Jill, my daughter and myself went to the Seattle Center to get a bite to eat.  This was the highlight of my day.  There was yo-yo competition going on inside the center.  The place was dancing with excitement.  Children were everywhere and they were having so much fun.  Their laughter filled the atmosphere.  I immediately felt my self smile as we entered.  Once we got our meal and found a table to sit, we put our sights on center stage as the performers began their yo-yo routines.  It was amazing!  Each competitor had two yo-yo’s going at a time.  They were swinging them around their heads, between their legs, throwing them in the air and never once getting the two tangled up.  I ate my lunch in awe and every other sentence was “Did you see that?”  “Oh my gosh, did you see that?”  The audience around me was also very impressed with these lads.  After each performance, we exploded with applause and cheers of enjoyment. 

            Even as the performances were going on, I noticed families sitting, laughing with one another, fathers chasing after their small children, and couples holding hands as they strolled along.  The center was overflowing with positive emotions.   I was so glad we chose to go there for our lunch break.

            After leaving the Seattle Center we headed back into EMP to visit the science fiction portion.  At one point I realized Jill was not around the area with me and my daughter.  So we decided to stay where we were and wait for her.  Within a few minutes my cell phone rang and I saw it was Jill calling for what I thought was…”Where are you?”  I found her just around the corner from where we were and she was with two people I didn’t recognize, but I soon found out who they were.  It was her nephew and his biological father, who her nephew was meeting for the first time.  Jill was so excited to have run into them and they (her nephew and his dad) looked so happy to be together.  It was such a powerful moment.  I know they will not remember who I was but I will never forget them….I just kept thinking to myself how would I feel meeting my father for the first time….it was an extraordinary moment.