Why Maria?

Because....

Maria and I are a bit different. I wasn't asked to leave. I didn't leave because I fell in love. 

However, one of the first things I purchased for my apartment after deciding to leave was a sketch of Maria that said "I have confidence everything will turn out fine".

Maria's song "I Have Confidence" seemed to exemplify everything I thought about leaving - the fears but also the upcoming sense of adventure. 

And the mountain? Well, "Climb Every Mountain", of course.
So, I'm climbing mountains until I find my dream.