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Posts by Sarah

Jan 9

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Life Skills: Deck the Halls

by Sarah Franco ’08

Sarah solo-authored MiddBlog in 2007-2008 from her library thesis carrel. She received her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University in 2010, and currently serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for the Vice President for Administration (aka Tim Spears) at Middlebury. Read all “Life Skills” posts.

Your post grad walls could have your study abroad photos on them. (flickr / alttext)

I love to travel, I enjoy nights on the town with friends, and I get outside as often as possible, but ultimately I’m a home body. Coupled with my love of entertaining, it’s important that my living space be welcoming, comfortable, simple, and inspiring. And because I have the artistic skills of a kindergartener (no offense, kindergarteners), home design is one of my few creative outlets.

Life after Middlebury may be the first time that you’ll be responsible for decorating or furnishing an entire apartment or house of your own. Transitioning from your Brooker single–which simultaneously serves as your bedroom, study, living room, pantry, and attic–to a one- or two-bedroom flat will be a relief, but also a challenge. Here are a few principles and ideas to get you started.

It’s Not About Stuff. It’s not about making your home look like a Pottery Barn catalog or accumulating expensive, pretty things or projecting a certain kind of image to impress others. It’s about creating a space that is a reflection of you: what you love, what you value or find meaningful, and what’s comfortable.

What’s Your Style? Modern? Chic? Rustic? Urban? Baroque? Unhappy Hipster? The internet awaits to help you figure that all out. There’s Pinterest to “organize and share the things you love.” There’s also Polyvore for making mood boards–great for those of us who lack Photoshop skills. To give designs a trial run in a computerized, three-dimensional model of your home, try mydeco. Read more

May 28

4 Comments

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu

So that’s how you spell auf wiedersehen!

I am signing off (for real this time).

I had considered slipping quietly into the night and the annals of MiddBlog history, but it occurred to me that I still might receive the occasional phone call or email tip if there were no official announcement: I hereby officially announce that I will no longer write for MiddBlog.

Writing for one year after graduation is one thing, but writing for two years is quite another. Thank you all for reading. I have rather enjoyed the experience!

May 6

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The Commencement Handshake: Casualty of the Swine Flu?

It was recently announced that Oakland University in Michigan would eliminate the traditional commencement handshake over growing concerns of swine flu. The state of Michigan has had 8 confirmed cases of the disease.

What of colleges and universities in Vermont where there have been 0 cases of swine flu?

According to an article in the Burlington Free Press, administrators in the 802 are keeping an eye on the spread of swine flu and will maintain or change their commencement plans accordingly. The Class of 2009 at Middlebury–which the BFP calls the “most handshake-happy institution around”–can rest assured they will shake hands with President Ron Liebowitz . . . and their department chair . . . and the Middlebury College Alumni Association President.

But if the swine flu makes an appearance in Vermont in time for commencement celebrations, what will President Liebowitz . . . and the department chairs . . . and the Middlebury College Alumni Association President do? I propose the time-honored tradition of the fist bump, made popular and trendy by President Barack Obama and his wife First Lady Michelle Obama. A prime alternative to the handshake, the fist bump promotes minimal hand-to-hand contact and ensures participants will not touch those areas of the hand which typically harbor germs. The fist bump is the modern individual’s way of saying, “Job well done!”

MiddBlog wants to know: Do you have a new way to shake?

May 4

Todd Swineflu

Out of a world gripped by a pandemic of swine flu hysteria comes the morose tale of Todd Swineflu, who has lost everything–his apartment, his girlfriend, apparently even his dignity–over a silly little thing like his last name. Watch:

Hey . . . that guy looks strangely familiar.

Apr 30

Midd Alum Helps President Obama Move Couch

Photographer Pete Souza recently unleashed 300 photos of President Barack Obama’s First 100 Days in office. I decided to take a little looksie this afternoon and it didn’t take long for me to find a stunning photo of a Middlebury alumnus helping the president to move a couch in the Oval Office.

P020209PS-0149 by Pete Souza used under Creative Commons License

P020209PS-0149 by Pete Souza used under Creative Commons License

Why, it’s none other than Jim Douglas ’72! Lift with your legs, Jim, not with your back.

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