SATURDAY; MARCH 1

Having already fallen in love with traveling in the first two and half months of my semester abroad in Australia, volunteering over spring break sounded like a great opportunity. Simultaneously getting involved with the school and community, making new friends, and being useful and productive seemed rewarding. I remember being so excited to call my mom and ask for permission that I forgot about the fourteen-hour time difference. Fortunately, despite waking her up, she approved and I immediately began filling out the application, updating my resume, and ranking the fifteen possible locations, both domestic and international. Less than two weeks later, I was accepted into my first choice of working with the Living Lands and Water crew in Memphis, Tennessee. My initial cheering faded as soon as I thought about the price and how I was going to raise $1000. However, after multiple e-mails and phone calls, I was switched to the local, low-cost service trip to Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) in Unity, Maine. I managed to raise $300 of the $400 with the generous sponsorships from friends and family, dissolving my financial worries and fostering a new excitement for my transition

to Boston. Proud of my exceptional grades abroad, I truly believed that I had college under control. But, that was five months ago. Now aware of the Northeastern workload as a health science major following the pre-med track, Im starting to wonder if I will regret applying for the universitys annual Alternative Spring Break. I just recovered from a biology midterm and a group presentation on the same day, and a chemistry midterm, a paper, and an outline are waiting for me when classes resume. On top of all that, I also missed the first team meeting because I was abroad and based on the second meeting last week, everyone seemed like acquaintances already. I felt like the odd one out. I felt like that girl. So much for making new friends. I mean, its too late to change my mind now. The commitment was made with the first program deposit and its tomorrow. Gosh, its tomorrow! I still havent pack. The team leaders sent a vague packing list because MOFGA never had long-term volunteers and were uncertain about what projects they wanted us to work on. Checking the estimated weather for the upcoming week, itll be even colder than Boston with a chance of a snowstorm on

Monday. I should pack warmer clothing, but what if I end up spending most of my time seeding in a green house where it feels like summer? The only clothes Im willing to spare to paint and dirt are oversized T-shirts. I guess packing clothes for layering and extras would be my safest bet.

 SUNDAY; MARCH 2
To avoid adding any more reasons of being that girl and being my usual punctual self, I left fifteen minutes earlier even though the walk to Forsyth Circle right out of Ruggles Station took less than five. Aside from Leroy, the university representative, Dan and Maddie, the team leaders, I was the first member to arrive. As the other four members arrived one by one, Dan played Tetris in the cars trunks with our suitcases and duffle bags. Without rock-papers-scissors or any discussion, we simply split ourselves into whichever of the two rental cars that we were standing closest to. In Leroys car, Maddie took the passenger seat as the navigator, and Lau ren and Amanda sat in the back. In Dans car, Jessica and I sat in the back, while Mindi volunteered to be the DJ since our car didnt need a navigator because we were tailing Leroy. Other than morning greetings, none of them spoke to each other. I was so confused because I thought they were already friends. Breaking the silence, Jessica asks, Can we go through names again? Relieved that I wasnt the only stranger, I smiled and said, Fiona.

Mindi. Dan. Curious, I asked what major everyone was in, and a conversation started when I learned Jessica was in the same major as me! We talked about the professors I currently have and the ones I will have. I was in architecture before I switched to business, Mindi added. Really? Wait, do you know my roommate, Sally? I asked. Oh my gosh! I do! Shes so sweet! What a small world! As we broke the ice, the car filled up with lively conversations that ranged from our siblings to terrible job experiences. When our car learned that the others in Leroys car just slept, we joked that getting in the same car was fate. Three and a half hours later, we met Aktan, the man in charge of us for the week, at MOFGAs main building. He led us to the bunkhouse we were staying in. It was a small, quaint house with a unique sense of dcor, and we quickly learned the owner of this house didnt have the typical kitchen supplies. There was no microwave,

but there was a food dehydrator, a popcorn maker, and a Popsicle maker. Told to make ourselves at home and use anything there, we checked the refrigerator for missing food staples and ingredients to add to the grocery list. Maddie spoke up and said, Im a vegetarian. Lauren and Jessica raised their hands and said, I am, too! The rest of us are carnivores, right? asked Dan. Amanda, Mindi, and I nodded, but Leroy said, Im a vegan, but dont worry about me. I brought a lot of nuts and dried fruit. Life is beautiful. Thinking on how to compliment three different diets, Dan concluded that it was most reasonable to eat vegetarian for a week and that Leroy would just not the dairy that we buy. Never having any experience with vegetarian recipes, I started to worry if I would get my fill of food and if the meals would give me enough energy to work throughout the day. I was also hesitant because there were a lot of vegetables that I didnt enjoy, but vegetarians think of as staples, like tomatoes, carrots, chickpeas, celery, and beans. However, that was the least of my worries for today.

Other than being ready by 9 AM tomorrow, the team still did not receive instructions for the rest of the week and was left speculating. I never liked falling asleep not knowing the next days plans. Apparently, no one else in the room did either. Frustration was written all over our faces, but, with a smile, Leroy said, Its okay. Life is beautiful, wished us a good night, and walked into the boys bedroom. It was then that I figured that was Leroys motto. When he was asleep, the rest of us giggled at his philosophical character.

 MONDAY; MARCH 3
Just as we decided last night, we had all finished our breakfast and were kind of ready to leave by 9 AM. I say kind of because we were waiting for assignments so wed put on the correct gear. The couches and chairs in the living room were arranged in a U-shape and thats how we sat waiting for Aktan. We were either tiredly spacing out or dwindling on our phones until he knocked on our door forty-five minutes later. He had intentions of allowing us to see one or two projects through from beginning to end so wed learn something about the process, instead of picking up random chores here and there. In response to the current pollination crisis, he wanted the team to build a bee hotel so that solitary bees have a place to stay as they pollinated the organic crops. Instead of giving us instructions, he gave us about an hour to do some research on the materials needed, possible designs, and the different species of bees.

As I read the dos and donts of constructing a bee hotel, I was satisfied that I understood some carpentry vocabulary used in an online manual and decided to speak up in our discussion. If we use a countersink bit to drill holes into branches, the bees wont get splinters because the entrance and living space would be smooth, I stated. Surprised, Maddie asked, Howd you know that? The manual said to use a countersink bit and I used one to build a book shelf before. Making fun of me, Dan jokingly said, I wasnt expecting that from someone whos 411. Im 411 and a half. Thank you, I said, correcting him. The conversation continued and concluded with the measurements, materials we needed to gather, and a potential design. Dress warm, guys! Were going on a walk! recommended Aktan. We promptly returned to our rooms to change. I put on several layers, but how bad could it possibly be? After living through temperatures low enough to get

frostbite in merely half an hour of exposure when I moved to Boston, I thought I was resistant and fearless to the cold. But no, Mother Nature whipped painful, icy gusts of wind in our faces. Our walk, which began with side conversations, became silent because our lips and the rest of our faces were too frozen to speak. By the time the main building was in sight, Lauren was describing the pains of pins and needles at her thighs and I was starting to believe that I didnt have toes because they were numb. Honestly, Im not sure why we walked to there and back. Seeing how relieved we were as we thawed out in the bunkhouse, Leroy suggested that we drive to the place where our materials were, which would take much of a longer walk than to the main building. The team celebrated with Yes! and Thank goodness!. As we pulled to the side of the road, we saw the giant reeds we were going to cut. They were hollow and looked like bamboos, except dark red-purple, almost brown, color. As if standing in the cold and collecting reeds for what seemed like forever wasnt enough, the nine of us had to hike through the snow to another area to collect branches that were two to three inches in diameter. Other than the roads for cars, MOFGA had not shoveled and the layers and layers snow were so tightly packed

that it became the new ground. This white terrain wasnt very stable though. I never knew if my next step would crack the less frozen sheet of snow. If my foot fell through, Id lose my balance and stumble. It was a surprise every time and, not to mention, a workout. In some areas, the soft snow forced us to trek through it. Our muscles burned, and the sweat only made us colder when the wind blew. When we arrived to the spot where we were permitted to gather wood, those who had hands saws started cutting the branches. It was hard not to complain about our runny noses and numb extremities. In response to our verbalized discontent, Leroy said, Its okay. Life is beautiful. At that point, I paused and looked at my surroundings. It actually was beautiful. The ground was laden with undisturbed white snow and the sun, low in the sky, peeked through the tall trees. The sky was clear of clouds and the air was free of pollution. I was so focused on being productive and efficient that I didnt take the time to appreciate the beauty that was all around me. Leroys words reminded me to keep my eyes open.

Tonight, on the drive back from briefly visiting and grocery shopping in Belfast, I looked out the window and was awed to see the hundreds, if not thousands, of stars in the sky. Born and raised in New York City, it was the first time I couldnt count the stars with my ten fingers. It was also the first time I saw the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper outside of books. Because I was thrilled to see as many as four stars in the city, I was certain that I was in a planetarium, not a car. I actually felt silly for not being able to take my eyes off the sky when we got out of the car because this view was normal for the team members who come from suburban and rural areas in the States. The sole thing that made me go inside was the cold. While prepping dinner, Bill, the primary resident of the bunkhouse who reminded us of Santa Claus, walked in to grab a blanket from the closet. We introduced ourselves to him and didnt think much of it until he wouldnt stop talking. I love having conversations, but this wasnt a conversation because only he was talking. As we ate and finished our dinner, he continued to talk about the laser machine he couldnt properly align. Tired and slightly irritated from a long day of work, each of us retreated one by one until Maddie and Dan were left listening to Bill. I was the last to

join the girls in their bedroom, where they devised a plan to walk out with our journals and ask the team leaders if it was time for reflection so that Bill would get a hint to leave. I felt mean doing this, even though it was actually reflection time, because Bill was gracious enough to allow us to live in his space for a week. He informed us that hell be working with us in the woodshop tomorrow. We waited for him to close the door and walk down the stairs before we said anything. I hope we get stuff done tomorrow. Itd be rude to work on our projects while he talks, sighed Dan and we all nodded in agreement.

 TUESDAY; MARCH 4
All of us were up and ready by 9 AM again, but starting to know Aktan and each other, a few of us decided to place bets on when hell show up. Well, he actually said 9 AM today so 9:10! said Mindi, betting first. I followed Mindi, 9:15. Eh, Im gonna say 9:20! said Jessica cheerfully. 9:22, said Lauren. Amanda laughed, Thats so random! I think 9:35. As the time ticked by, there were a lot of Darn! I lost! and HA! Its going to be me!. After Laurens bet past, Amanda automatically won and Aktans car pulled into the driveway at 9:30. To our surprise, we got a lot work done today. We cut the giant reeds into segments so that one end was closed while the other was left open as an entrance for the bees. Dan and Leroy did most of the drilling on the branches. Maddie, Jessica, and I sat and chatted like we were in a knitting club as we bundled the reeds with strands of string. The team even started a new project of building planter boxes and a stand

for a water tank that will eventually be used to irrigate those planter boxes. I knew today wasnt as draining as the day before because we had the energy to play three rounds of Bananagrams and start our school work.

 WEDNESDAY; MARCH 5
Today was a fairly relaxed day partially because we were finishing up what we started. By now, we were all experts at bundling reeds, tying tight knots, and building planter boxes. MOFGA had their three work study kids build a planter box, but because they were there for the money, not quality work, their carpentry was messy. Nails werent flesh with the wood and the box was tipping from side to side. Amanda, Lauren, Jessica, and I fixed that while Mindi spoke with Aktan about the design of the bee hotel. The most exciting thing for today was our discovery of Kiss FM, a radio station we stumbled upon when trying to find music to work to. It was a normal channel. Each song they played caught us off guard. Itd play songs from 2013, then jump back in time to a song from the 1980s, and then skip forward to song from our middle school years in the 2000s. We knew the words to every song that played. None of us were shy about our imperfect voices or lack of dance skills. It made me happy to see how comfortable we were with each other.

 THURSDAY; MARCH 6
Aktan marched in with good news that wed be taking a break from carpentry and working in the green house down the road today. Unsure of what to wear after bundling up for the past three days, we all wore our bright yellow team shirt that read ASB 2014 with husky paws prints across the front over a long sleeve shirt, and one layer of long pants instead of two. Because we havent felt this warm temperature since last summer, the green house was paradise. Eluding to the tropical vacation spots, Jessica exclaimed, Guys! Its finally spring break! Laughing and chattering, we planted organic seeds for the approaching growing season. The team leaders decided to end the day early, and eat dinner at Grand Central Caf in Waterville, the next town over. The vegan-friendly restaurant was known for their brick-oven pizza and it was probably the best I ever had. The waitress took our orders of two nachos, three large pizzas, one small pizza, and a tortilla. I bet yall cant finish that, dared Leroy.

Challenge accepted! said Dan without consenting with the rest of us. Despite their small figures, Maddie and Mindi gobbled up their pie. Jessica, Amanda, and I lost the bet with our small appetites, leaving three slices on the plate. In between bites and talking, I couldnt help but notice the same carefree atmosphere that I thought I had with my best friends. From the silly and open content of our conversations, itd appear on the outside that we had known each other forever.

 FRIDAY; MARCH 7
Without Aktan having to come up, as soon as we were ready, we d go downstairs to the workshop to start work. As Aktan finished constructing the bee hotel according to Mindis design, the team artistically painted three bat houses and signs for an Earth Day event with choices limited to yellow, red, green, and black. We were all itching to see the project we worked so hard on. To complete it, all we had to do was stuff the sections of the bee hotel with the branches and reeds collected on the first day. Seeing the finished project, we all stood back and looked at it proudly. As Leroy would say, life is beautiful, said Maddie. You got it! agreed Leroy. After snapping some team photos with our projects all lined up in front of the bunk house, we thought we should treat ourselves with some fun at the Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm, the only place that allows people to pet alpacas before purchasing them. While I was eager to see alpacas for the first time, I wasn t sure what to expect. I imagined an animal that was a combination of a sheep and llama.

As pulled into the driveway and opened the car doors, all the alpacas walked over to the fence and stared straight at us. One of the staff members, studying to become a veterinarian, informed us that alpacas are like dogs in that they love interacting with people, but are also like deer because they can be shy. Several of them approached me and sniffed for food when I reached my hand out. They got incredibly close at times, nudging my back or even leaning on me to pet them. I can die happy now, declared Mindi. Agreeing with Mindi, Amanda said, Right? I wish I could take one home. Theyre my new favorite animals, I added. We had all been crossing our fingers for permission to have a campfire. We even bought marshmallows during our trip to the grocery store on Wednesday. After notifying the bunkhouses neighbors so that they wouldnt dial 911, Aktan said we could have one when we got back from dinner at a restaurant. A cement area just big enough for the fire was cleared of snow. Wanting to get closer to the fires warmth without sitting in the snow, we crouched in a circle roasting marshmallows. I always pictured my first campfire to have logs as seats and sing-alongs, and not in winter

gear, but this was plentiful. When the fire started to die out, I looked up at the sky and was amazed once again. I was able to locate and identify the Big Dipper. As I noticed that some of the stars twinkle, out of the blue, there was a streak of light. Pointing in its general direction, I shouted Shooting star! Shooting star! Where? Where? someone said. Still looking at the same place, another one shot across the sky and disappeared as fast as it had appeared. Did you see that one? asked Mindi. I did! I did! I responded ecstatically. I was so happy that I was nearly skipping back to the bunk house. It was my first shooting star! And to see two in a row! I felt like a child when Lauren said my reaction was adorable. Reality set in when Aktan expressed his appreciation for our efforts and began his goodbyes. He invited us to the annual Common Ground Country Fair at MOFGA in September. As the team scrambled around the house to pack and clean before leaving, we all agreed to attend the fair as a team reunion.

 SATURDAY; MARCH 8
This entire week had a lot of firsts in store for me, but I think today was the most eventful. With seatbelts fastened, luggage in the trunk, and an unusual warm temperature out, we pulled out of the bunkhouses driveway and made our way to Camden, a coastal town in Maine. There, the team leaders had found an easy hiking trail that ended with a breathtaking view from a tower on Mount Battie. Like it was with many other things during this trip, it was my first time hiking. I wouldnt say climbing up was easy, but it was definitely a lot less demanding and dangerous than climbing down. The team started at the same time. Initially, Dan, Jessica, and I were in the lead, but somewhere, Lauren and Mindi hiked ahead of me. I stuck with Amanda and Maddie. Occasionally, the three of us stopped to rest and take some pictures. As we hiked higher up the mountain, it was encouraging to catch glimpses of the full view awaiting at the top of the tower. To push it to the end, we managed to sing Hercules Go the Distance and Mulans Ill Make a Man Out of You between our gasps for air. Standing at the top of the tower felt empowering. It took a few minutes to take in the

360 degree scenery. Standing at the top of the tower, being above the clouds I saw rolling in over the water by the bay was empowering. Simultaneously, the taller surrounding mountains humbled me. I was never afraid of heights, but the idea of losing my footing on the melting snow of the steep trail and tumbling down was terrifying enough to make my legs shake. I kept reminding myself not to lean forward. The trail got so steep that it felt like I was reverse rock climbing. There was one point where I slipped and couldve injured myself severely if I didnt hold on to the rock with all my strength. I sometimes slowly slid down the ground, because that was the safest way to go, soiling the back of my pants and shirt. I hugged trees for support. Until today, I dont think I have ever been so in touch with nature. Literally. I didnt keep track of time, but I imagined it took twice as long to hike down the mountain than it was to hike up. Despite the fact that we are all close friends now, the drive back to Boston was kind of quiet. Short conversations were sprinkled here and there, but the radio filled up most of the silence. It wasnt the same kind of silence going up to Maine though. It wasnt awkward. If anything, it was reflective. It was hard to accept that spring break

was drawing to a close. The week went by so fast, but at the same time, felt like a month. As the number of miles away from Boston decreased, my anxiety of not getting any of my studying or homework done increased, but I definitely do not regret applying to Alternative Spring Break. Now that I look over the past week, I cant see myself spending anywhere else. While my friends caught up on sleep, watched a lot of TV, or tanned in Florida, I could say that my spring break in Maine was impacting and beautiful.