University of New England: Emma Bouthillette

Well folks, I'm officially a college graduate!

These past four years have flown by and they have been absolutely amazing. I have learned so much, made some great friends and some fantastic memories. I am proud to be an alum of the University of New England, and for right now it is time to celebrate!

But next week, it is the real world. I will be starting my first full time job as a reporter for Mainely Media. After four months of job searching, investing in a business suit, networking and writing cover letter after cover letter, my efforts have finally paid off. Thanks to the alum network of Salt, I was put into contact with Mainely Media...and they wanted to hire me just as much as I wanted the job. I start Monday, May 19th, and I'm ready to step into the next chapter of my life.

I hope you all have enjoyed my blogs over the past two years and that your college career is as successful and joyous as mine!

Good Luck and Good Bye!!!

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 7:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All seniors at the University of New England are required to take a one credit citizenship course. While the theory behind teaching the course is excellent, I think that it may better serve students in the first or second year at UNE, but that is neither here nor there...because I'm taking it now.

For a good chunk of my volunteer hours, I've been heading over to Bush Brook Stables to help Mona clean the barn and groom the horses, but this past Tuesday, there was a volunteer opportunity on the Westbrook Campus that I just couldn't pass up.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation supports ongoing research and awareness for breast cancer.

They have a pink tour bus that travels around the country to inform people how to do breast self exams, what signs to be aware of, how to be involved with breast cancer awareness and provides support for those already diagnosed. The Komen on the Go Tour finally made it to Maine, and UNE's Westbrook Campus was the host.

My job in volunteering was to walk around campus, handing out stickers and telling people to go check it out...because it was REALLY COOL!

The Bus

The Info Table

ME...writing on the graffiti wall!

People listening to the computer program that teaches breast self exams.

Even the flowers were pink!

And then...another act of citizenship on my part.
Before...

After...

I donated TWELVE INCHES of hair to Locks of Love!!!

I love my new hair style (which even though my hairdresser straightened it...I've mostly left it curly) and I hope someone loves my beautiful curls!!!

Despite all we've learned in the citizenship course, I feel like being a well rounded citizen can't really be taught. It is something you develop on your own time and happens in all forms of giving back to the community you identify with. I feel like donating my hair and the Komen on the Go Tour were great experiences, even though they were quick contributions, and I'm really glad I did both!

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, for the first time, UNE Psychology department is offering an Intro to Art Therapy course. As an English major, I begged to be admitted, as they were restricting registration to senior and junior Psych majors. Nancy Rankin, the professor of the course and Maryann Corsello, head of the department, kindly allowed me to take the course. I'm SO glad they did.

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art materials, as a means of communicating emotions or as a mode of relaxation. Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapeutic theories and techniques with an understanding of the psychological aspects of the creative process, especially the affective properties of the different art materials. It can be seen as making art as therapy or psychotherapy with the use of art. It has been tested to be more affective than traditional talk therapy alone.

The course is designed so that we learn about the aspects of art therapy and the profession, as well as activities therapist can use with their clients. We have done scribble drawings, played with play dough, traced our bodies, made fabric tapestries, and now we are spending the next two weeks on mask making. Friday we began the process by plastering our faces!!!

Scary-looking huh?

It is hands down one of the coolest classes I've taken at UNE, and I hoping the continue the course and expand upon the idea of teaching art therapy as its own major (or graduate level!!!).

Pictures of the final product to come...stay tuned.

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good day all!
Actually...today had been a sad day because it is March 28th and we here in southern Maine had a snow storm. What is up with that mother nature? It's spring...it was in the 50s the past two days (which I didn't get to enjoy because I was sick). I'm getting rather sick of the winter stuff...ready for spring and especially summer.

Spring means it's time to compile Zephyr. Since I'm the editor that is my premo job. Which has proved to be an interesting battle with a little program called In Design. Glad to report...I won...and the issue is coming along just great. Oh...in case I haven't already promoted Zephyr a million times before...it is UNE's literary and artistic journal. A yearly publication to display the creative side of the UNE community.

Also...as a tradition of my countdowns...it is only 43 days til graduation!!!!
Holy smokes...I can't believe that I am almost done college.

Which also means I need a job!

Like now...

Well I had an excellent interview on Thursday with the Journal Tribune (the local newspaper). Fingers crossed because I would love to work there.

I had an interview at the beginning of the month...which I haven't really heard much from and I'm thinking it's karma's way of telling me there is something better out there for me.

I also have an application into Tyler Technologies in Falmouth, ME. Also a good looking job...we'll see and I'll be sure to update you.

On a final note...I love Biddeford's efforts in reviving the city.
The final Thursday of every month, downtown hosts an art walk. Businesses along Main Street and the surrounding area hang local artisans work and put red balloons outside their shops and offer appetizers for passers by. It is a bustling evening on Main Street...almost hard to find a parking spot.

My mother and I went last night because my room mate Amanda had some of her way cool decorated bike wheels on display at Eye Sun Massage. We also visited the Sweet Specialist, Benson World Imports, Union House, Franklin Street Art Space, Le Petit Salon...and had dinner and a margarita at BeBe's Burritos!

A lot iof the places I just mentioned are located in the North Damn Mill Buildings. It is so exciting that those buildings have life in them again...once used to produce textiles, it is now home to great businesses and artisans.

So for now...I'm off.
Stay tuned for more updates on the job search and my final days as a college undergrad!!!

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 8:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the many products Maine is famed for..maple syrup!

And every year in March, farms and sugar shacks across the state celebrate by opening up their businesses to the public to view the process of making maple syrup and trying some fresh.

I have never actually attended a Maple Sunday until this year. I drove a half hour to Dayton to meet some friends at Harris Farm. From 8am-2pm, Harris Farm hosted an all you can eat pancake breakfast with their maple syrup and dairy milk.

I was REALLY excited to eat pancakes with yummy maple syrup and delicious milk!!!

Checking out the maple taps by the sugar shack...

...and a final message to support the local businesses...

GET REAL. GET MAINE.

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sooooo....catching up with some photos!

My cousin is getting married in May and the bridal shower was last Saturday. It was a Charlie Beigg's restaurant in Windham. The place settings had little chocolate gerber daisies...

My cousin Keith and fiance Megan...she wasn't so surprised about the shower considering the hostess asked her if she was there for the bridal shower when she entered the restaurant.

That same night, we had game night at my place...a newly instituted stay-at-home and save-money kinda deal...but having just as much fun as if we'd go out. While I swore to take more pictures...I only got this one of my room mate Amanda in head to toe green sitting on our green futon. Oh and hiding all stealth behind my lilies.

Now we jump forward a week. Boring classes and two snow storms later....

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

My snow shoeing crew (Corinne, Kari, Sarah and Jodie) at our first trail sign. We took the shorter easier route but still were out there for a good two hours!

Pretty blue sky and sunshine...

Funky tree...good sit and be pensive kind of tree. Jodie didn't want to hop up.

Mushrooms growing on a dead tree...that make a kind of ladder now that I look at the picture!

Then of course after all that work...we needed food!!! The Jewel of India has been on Alfred Street in Biddeford for a few years now, but I've haven't been adventurous enough to go. With the assistance of Sara, I chose a yummy chicken dish and ate about as much nan as possible. It's a great little restaurant!

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 9:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darlin' it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darlin' it feels like years since it's been here

Little darlin' the smiles returning to their faces
Little darlin' it seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After a weekend of temps in the 20's and lower, today is in the mid 40's and foggy/drizzly. On my way back from my first class the Canadian geese were just chilling across the street from my house...

So the geese are...
... sitting on the marsh by the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm sittin' on the marsh by the bay
Wastin' time

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Classes were cancelled last night because of the pending storm today...pleasant surprise!!!

It snowed starting at about 11 last night and into early this morning leaving probably 6 inches. But by this morning it was freezing rain and now just rain. Technically today was a rain day!

It's so nice to have a free day off. I've been lounging around, eating and watching television. Most of my class work is done so there's nothing to do but be lazy.

Tomorrow is Valentine's day and I'm wishing I had a Valentines though after all of these commercials for chocolate, flowers and jewelry. Maybe I'll go bid on someone at the Senior Date Auction next week (just kidding about bidding). The senior class auctions off some willing students to raise money for our senior week activities. Proves to be an entertaining evening every year!

So classes still get cancelled when you are in college...and snow days are always exciting (no matter how old you are)!!!

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 3:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well the Pats lost...sad story.
But at least there were some good commercials!!!

Life Water
thriller!

Budweiser Clydesdale
ps...drink responsibly if you do!

For those of you environmentalist...
sorry...I don't have bridgestone tires...oops!

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)