My trip with the boys ...

Hello Again,

Life in AZ is back in full swing! Classes start in nine days - I'm not ready for that - so I am hanging on to my vacation for as long as possible. I find editing photos a great way to relive all that I did.

 

(From the plane over ME)

One extra special thing about this trip from ME to AZ was I was not traveling alone ... I had two cats with me. It was memorable, let's just say that. They cried, I cried ... the three of us were a hot mess.

They had to travel as cargo (broke my heart) since I was just me and couldn't take that much carry-on. They were on a different flight than me because the Phoenix airport does not accept live animals between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. - and they call themselves America's friendliest airport - so we were separated. They had a nine hour layover in Jersey; the poor things, no one ever wants a nine hour layover in Newark!

(From the plane about 100 miles northeast of Phoenix) 

I arrived in AZ that afternoon and the boys flew in without any problems that evening. They were very confused and scared when they got here - although, that is a permanent expression on Odin's face.

I think they have adjusted fully to this place now....

Thanks for reading!

- M

Take me to Vacationland!

Hello Reader,

Approximately one week from right now I will be wrapping things up at new student orientation to hop on a bus to take me to my apartment to grab my luggage before getting back on a bus that will take me to the lightrail, which will take me to the shuttle that takes me to the airport where I will hop on my plane back home to Maine!!! *Happy dance* Technically, I have to hang out in Jersey for a bit on my layover, but whatever, at least I'll be back on the east coast!

Acadia National Park - Photo by Molly Schenck

I must say, Vacationland has a whole new meaning to me now. I thought it was kind of cool to live in a place known as Vacationland because I never had to go anywhere to be on a relaxing vacation. Now, it means more to me. I am so happy to be heading home for a 10 day vacation where I can relax by the lake in non-triple digit temperatures.

I should also add whenever I think/say/hear the word "vacationland" I think of the the Elvis song, "Promised Land." It is a very suitable song for my travel across the country...well, I'm traveling the opposite direction as the song and Elvis never sang about Arizona, Maine or Jersey in that journey, BUT it sort of works... Who cares!? I'm coming home in a week!

Finally, I want to leave you with this fun scene that has been bouncing around in my head this past week. As I said, "vacationland" makes me think of "Promised Land" and, well, "Promised Land" makes me think of the tunnel scene from Men In Black. So, combining all of that, the scene in my head has Tommy Lee Jones, upside-down, singing along to Elvis and replacing the words"Promised Land" with "Vacationland." The scene is below if you need some help envisioning it. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

- M