Good-bye Maine

My time in Maine is up for now. I couldn’t have asked for a better send off. There was merriment and tears, but the happiness outweighs any sadness. My friends sang to me, fed me/ ate with me and wrapped me in their love. This semester, however stressful, has been absolutely genius.

It has really begun to hit me. I am leaving the country for an extended period of time. I’m not going to know anyone. Portland, Maine manged to hold me in its oceanic arms for longer than a couple months. It’s the closest I’ve come to stability and security since I left home.

I am of course not finished moving about- but I have a new interest in stability. I blame my really fantastic set of friends, all spread out over the eastern seaboard.

Pictures: 1.) Rock fracture with lichen, Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth, ME 2.) Friends visit, Crescent Beach 3.) A muzzle of bees, Bradbury Mountain, Pownal, ME 4.) Green and orange collide, Bradbury Mountain, Pownal, ME 5.) Crescent Beach 6.) Sand trees 7.) Tiny rubber dinosaur taunts the late, Tipsy 8.) Postcards from Washington D.C. 9.) Albany, NY lights

Drama! Excitement! Fiction! Poetry!

Words and Images is invading the North Star Cafe tonight, with one less reader than we advertise, but no less heart.

Drama! Excitement! Fiction! Poetry!

It’s a free event and everyone knows free things are the best. And free poetry? Well, some might feel they’ve fallen from purgatory into a utopia!

Is it January 22nd yet?

Gathering documents for my student visa application has had me in a bit of a panic, as my abroad adviser mentioned that I should send along a bank statement, proving that I have enough money to fund myself during my time in England. Let’s be honest here, I barely have the funds to get my morning cup of coffee. Book buyback week can’t come soon enough.

In my panic, I had a series of dreams about losing my plane ticket, being denied access to the country and getting on a plane headed for Seattle, WA instead of Manchester. Let’s hope none of these things happen.

I’m happy to report I’ve been reassured that a financial aid statement should be enough for the embassy to warmly stamp my passport. I received notice a couple weeks ago that I’d be getting a small scholarship as well, which helps me cut back on my overwhelming loan. So it looks like I’ll be taking a trip to New York City sometime this December, as I certainly wouldn’t trust the mailman with my passport, financial information and birth certificate.

Excitement!

The Keele Univeristy semester has also been extended, I found out today – which may put me just over the line for a six month stay. And do you know what that would mean? Access to health care.

The UK in the USA website is surprisingly helpful. The links are easy to follow and all of my questions were answered. I don’t know why this surprises me exactly; I admit I may be thinking of struggling with the FAFSA website, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website or any other government agency I’ve had to deal with. Anyhow – here’s a link to the British Council’s guide to Studying and living in the United Kingdom. Also tremendously helpful, even if it’s outdated for the Spring 2009 semester.

Journey Across New England

Since I had a car this summer, I was especially excited to use public transportation on my trek to New York for Thanksgiving. I really enjoy public transportation. It’s often overcrowded, people are pushy and they tend to ignore those outside their own little bubble. It makes for some really great people watching.

1.) Bikes outside USM’s Portland campus center.

2.) Taking the MBTA commuter rail to Worcester.

3.) Arrivals and departures at South Station.

4.) Standing and waiting for the arrivals and departures.

5.) Getting some writing done.

6.) Collar City Bridge, Troy, NY

7.) Crossing the water, En route to Boston from Portland

8.) Bombers Burrito Bar, Albany, NY

9.) MBTA subway map

So, one of my favorite things about traveling is observing everyone else traveling. In Boston, I get to spy on those in their daily grind; bleary eyed, coffee and metro in hand, well-suited State St. business folk, their sneakered retail servants. I’m exceptional at blending in, I know how to dart in and out of a crowd, I know how to look like I belong. I really enjoy my anonymity.

People are gorgeous when they don’t know it; arrivals and departures are always impassioned.