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!!!

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!

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.

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!!!

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.

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!

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

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

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)!!!

Life Water
thriller!

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

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

The past week has been a bit crazed and at random. Monday I found out that I had to speak at the Alpha Chi induction on Tuesday...and introduce President Ripich. Alpha Chi is National Honors Society for College and I was inducted last year and the vice president this year. It is an honor to be a member because that means I am in the top ten percentile of my class. However, the 24 hour notice was a little nerve wrecking. With some quick writing and information from our faculty advisors, I welcomed the new members and the audience, as well as introduced the president without a problem.

After the ceremony, I went home, only to be dragged back out for drinks with a friend because it was his birthday. I ended up celebrating more than he did...

Wednesday seemed like the longest day because I had classes from 11-4 without a break. Then I went to the gym with what seemed like the rest of the student body. I was called to go out again, but I said "No, no. I must read." Then I promptly fell asleep.

Thursday I had to wait around for Time Warner Cable guy to come over and figure out why we didn't have cable or internet. It has been so windy at the beach that the cable connection came loose and it had to be reconnected. Woohoo, I love being held hostage in my house for silly stuff like that. Then I had to work at 2:30 and had fun with the kids of course. After that I had a pampering date with my friends Corinne and Kristi. Kristi had set up appointments for us at the Foot Oasis on Main Street right here in Biddeford. We enjoyed a nice foot soak and rub with a complimentary glass of wine and appetizers. After that we enjoyed dinner next door at Thai Siam. It was a nice relaxing evening, got to catch up with my friends and enjoy some good eats!

Friday I had my Intro to Art Therapy class...which I won't lie...is my favorite class this semester. Yes, I am an English major, but my interest has shifted to possibly grad school for art therapy. Then bad weather rolled in around 2:00, my last two classes of the day were cancelled and I spent the night in with Ben and Jerry's and a couple movies with the roomies!

Now it's Saturday and homework time since I slacked so much during the week.

Senioritis...nah!

Although driving to class on Wednesday it dawned on me...that was the end of the last college winter break I will ever have. May looms ahead and so does the reality of life after college.

But for now...Carpe diem! eh?

So, I just wanted to respond to a comment posted on my last blog about scheduling...which I know is on ALL of your minds.

Freshman coming in do get last pick at classes, but not to worry because most of the upperclassmen don't need to take the classes you will need to because they have already completed them. What is a handy little piece of advice is that if you come to the summer orientation, you get to take your placement tests and pick classes during the summer. There are two sessions, obviously the first session gets first stab, then the second session. There is also a fall orientation, which you get the same kind of experience, but you are the last round of freshman to pick your classes, so you might not have the best selection. I started at UNE in the Spring semester of 2005 and since EVERYONE practically had registered by then, I really had no choice in classes, which was stinky. BUT it gets better as you move up.

As far as class times and making your schedule. Classes like general biology and English comp are offered in many sections allowing you to pick what days and times you would like to go to class. There are some classes though with only one section, and if it is a required class you've got to deal with the day and time it is at.

For example...I still needed to take World Literature and Postcolonial Literature to fulfill my English major. Those two classes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The first from 2-2:50 and the second 3-3:50. Which, as a senior, I didn't really want to have class til 4:00 on Friday, but I am stuck and have to take it. At least I'm out in time for Happy Hour! (which is legit because I'm 22)

Based on those two classes though, I selected the rest of my schedule so that I have Tuesday and Thursday completely off from classes. Not a 3 day weekend, but I think I'm going to like having 2 days off in the middle of the week.

If you are a science based major coming to UNE, you probably won't face the same kind of problem I have just explained. The majority of science courses are offered in more than one section and more frequently than most of the English or other liberal arts concentrations.

You may not end up with an ideal schedule your first shot at it, but there are more options as you move up in grades. There are also a ton of cool courses offered to fulfill electives and I encourage all of you to take full advantage of UNE's broad liberal arts curriculum. I have learned some really cool stuff over my 4 years from classes that aren't in my major, and some of those classes have been my favorite and inspired me.

I hope that I have answered the question posed to me, and I hope that this helps may of you out there who have the same questions. Feel free to post comments with any questions you may have.

If you are too embarrassed or shy to post on the blog, feel free to email me at ebouthillette@mail.une.edu and I'll answer your questions personally!

Happy weekend everyone!

My professor Scott speaking...

Michaela's turn...

The photographers represent...

The writer's represent reading our best documentary EVER!!!

The writers have officially graduated from Salt Institute of Documentary Studies.
WOOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(sorry for all the heads...dad's not a very good photog)

Mona sees the gallery and photos for the first time. She was very pleased.

Kari's photos hanging in the gallery at Salt...check it out!
(corner of Exchange and Federal in the Old Port)

My excerpt on the wall...oh yeah!

My proud parents talking to Brad (Mona's husband)

I'm so excited to be done with the semester, but a little lost because I went from having a very heavy workload to, well, nothing. Not that I haven't learned a ton at UNE, but this semester definitely trumps all because it was reality. Getting out there, finding a story, writing on deadline and presenting the final product. It was intense, tiring and often stressful, but nothing I will ever regret because it was fun, exciting, educational, experiential, unpredictable and an all around fantastic experience I would recommend to anyone interested in writing, photography or radio.

Even though it is break, I'll be blogging.
So keep on reading and use the comment function to ask me anything!!!

Anyway, I'm having a hard time bringing fun stuff to you about UNE because as noted from the Septembers blogs, I am doing my semesters work at Salt. While Salt is fun and exciting, it has consumed my life. Just ask my roomies, friends and family. I eat, sleep and breath documentary work.

Needless to say, there is one thing that I know for certain happens to most college students after Thanksgiving. You get almost a week off for that one day of turkey consumtion and then you return to classes on Monday and wham!!! Everyone realizes there are only 3 weeks left to the semester.

3 weeks can be exciting...
Christmas is around the corner. Snow is in the forecast. You have a month off to look forward to. You look back and realize how fast the semester went by and how you have survived the syllabi handed out to you on the first day.

3 weeks can be nerve-wrecking...
My second to last semester as a college undergrad is coming to an end. Graduation is only 20 weeks away. I have a TON of stuff to get done in the next 18 days. For the traditional college courses there are finals to be dealt with...for me it is polishing my writing and planning the gallery openning for Salt.

3 weeks can be tiring...
You've just had a mini vacation and are still recovering from a turkey coma. You've spent the past 5 days catching up on soap operas and watching all the Christmas movies now plaguing the television. Maybe you even woke up at 4am to go to Old Navy at 5am to get great deals on sweaters (yep...I'm crazed). And NOW they are asking you to put the pedal to the medal and finish off the semester with a bang...all you want to do is sit by the fire and watch Charlie Brown's Christmas and The Grinch for the 100 millionth time in your life.

Ugh...it's rough I tell you sometimes.

Either way, you push through. You get it done. Then you look back and Thanksgiving seems like just yesterday. It is a constant push and pull for wanting time to go by faster because you want to be done for the semester and time haulting because you want to bask in the moments of college. While college may not all be peaches and cream, as I look back on the past 3 and 1/2 years...and it's cliche but I'll say it... I know it will be one of the best times of my life.

<3

As for myself, I am crazy busy with my semester at Salt and life in general. I'm keeping everything not to just go run out side and scream like a lunatic (although it may release some negative energy).

There are deadlines and demands from my professors flying at me right and left...on top of that I redeveloped the cold I never got rid of toward the end of August...and the crunch is on for the end of the semester (I only have four weeks to finalize my writing for salt AHHHHHH).

I just wanted to touch base quickly with my blog fans and tell you all I am still alive (barely) and will be getting some more interesting blogs up shortly.

Praying for the first snowfall this week!!!
Yay!