Mine's Not The Only Life That's Traveling.

I managed to patch a couple items of clothing. Namely a particular favorite sweater of mine with holes in both elbows. I got it the second summer I worked at Raquette Lake. It's grey with little pockets you can't really put anything in with tropical flowers embroidered on the back.

I managed to find homes for some of the things I didn't know what to do with. The most important thing was my Yucca plant. Let me tell you the whole story.

One morning at breakfast during second week Austin, from Ohio, was asking the breakfast regulars what he should get his English girlfriend for Valentine's Day. The normal things were suggested: chocolates, flowers, stuffed animal, what ever, etc. I piped up and told Austin that he shouldn't get her flowers. Everyone gets flowers. He should get her a plant. All the girls in attendance furrowed their brows. They strongly encouraged Austin Not to get her a plant. Maybe I'm just a little strange, but I figure a plant is better because it last longer, it's alive, it's different but still a bit of nature. Austin didn't get her a plant, he ended up getting her roses. I'm sure she loved them.

Anyway. Sebastian B, who was sitting next to me, didn't offer Austin any advice at all and never said one way or another about flowers or plants. Perhaps a week later or less Sebastian was having an absolutely terrible day. Nothing had gone the right way since he woke up that morning and nothing seemed to be able to cheer him up. So that night I had to get some pasta for dinner and I noticed that Sainsburry's had flowers in the window. So I got the pasta and picked out some particularly nice tulips. He couldn't believe that I'd gotten him flowers. First of all because he knew I prefered plants. Second of all cuz he's a dude. They don't get flowers that much, it turns out. They did the trick and made his room a little less carelessly masculine for about a week.

Later that week it was my turn for a terrible day. I was stressed and worried and anxious and just generally in a terrible state. I hadn't seen Sebastian all day and that night he stopped by to see if I was doing any better, which I barely was. He had his arms behind his back while we chatted and I figured he was "hiding" some very Very excellent Austrian chocolates that his grandmother had sent him. He'd share them with me from time to time and I figured this was one of those times.
Instead it was a foot tall Yucca plant. He'd picked it out because it reminded him of me due to it's funky haircut. And it just seemed like a plant I would like. Apparently the guy working at the flower shop offered to sell him a better one that wasn't crooked and grew it's leaves straight out the top. Sebastian refused, figuring the leaning, sideways growing one fit me better. Definitely correct.

So it's been sitting in my window since then. Today I decided that I realistically cannot travel with a Yucca, as much as I'd like to have a constant companion on my European Adventure.

It didn't take me long to decided who I wanted to give the Yucca to. Sue Killoran, Hands down. I grabbed the treasure and walked to the library office where I first met Sue. No one was there and slightly discouraged I turned to go upstairs to the library. Hopefully I'd find here there. As fate would have it, I turned the corner and there she was. I said, "Sue, now, I'm not sure if you're a plant person or not,"
"Oh, I am!"
"Well, then I'm not sure if you might have a Yucca plant or not,"
"Oh, no I don't!"
"And I wasn't sure if you would want a Yucca plant or not."
"Oh, I would!"
"Well, then I would love to give you this Yucca plant. It was a gift to me and I've enjoyed it in my room for weeks, but I'm afraid I can't take it with me. You were the first person I thought to give it to."
She said "Yes, you're right. You can't very well take it home with you. They're very strict about that sort of thing, plants, food, animals. Britain's the same way, you know. But I would love to take care of this plant, thank you!" and she gave me a big hug and said "Now, you're finished, aren't you!"
At this point I started to well up with tears a little and talk a bit about all the great stuff I'm going to get to do next, but it's still just so sad to say good bye to Harris Manchester.
She said, "Yes! The exchange students are always the hard to say goodbye to. You're like little chicks leaving the nest! We hate to see you go, but you must. You've gotten what you need here. Time to move on, and it's only right."
She gave me a warm smile and I just had to tell her how much I've appreciated her. That she was the first person to really make me feel comfortable, especially asking questions when I wasn't sure about something and that she was always so kind and really encouraging. At this point I was shedding several consecutive tears and gave her another hug. She said something like, "Oh, you soft thing!" and I think she was getting a little moist around the eyes as well.

Outside I saw Sebastian A. and he looked at me with big eyes and I quickly said "I just said goodbye to Sue Killoran and I'm such a softy." He gave me a nice brotherly hug that was super comforting and I recomposed my emotional self.

There will probably be much more of the same tonight and tomorrow.