TODAY is the very dreadful last day of summer vacation.

It is weird to say that I am now officially a sophomore and honestly I am also a little bit nervous. Not doing any school work for about four months makes me a little VERY concerned about my mental preparedness for starting classes tomorrow. Although, I have this feeling that this year is going to be a very good year because I am now more involved on campus activities. Also, I’m kind of a big deal (according to the mug I found at a cute store in town), so I think I can handle a second year in rural Vermont.

Even though I will no longer be a Summer Intern here at the office, I will still be working here throughout the year as an Admissions Student Assistant. So the Emma Willard House will be one of my stops three times a week this year. I’m looking forward to see what this year will be like, and as of now it looks like it’s off to a good start!

Now Here’s a pretty picture of the sign in our waiting room.

No dorm is truly complete without a little color to bring the space to life. And what better way to add life to a room than buying PLANTS to decorate it! Agway is a local lawn and garden supply store that students frequent as they arrive to the area.

We made the trip specifically so Tabitha could get some plants for her room and our little excursion was not in vain. Three people walked in, and three plants were carried out. Gus and Tabitha also looked quite the part in their gardening hats.

I spent my summer at home: chillin’ with my mom, babysitting, and eating a lot of homemade meals (YUM). Being from Southern California and coming into my first year last year was a very scary experience, especially because I came alone. And by alone I mean COMPLETELY alone. No Mom. No Dad. No siblings. It was just be and my two lovely suitcases. But even though this was one of the scariest things that I ever had to do in my life, I was perfectly okay with taking the first step towards a big chapter in my life. (For the most part)

“Are you gonnah miss your mom?” “No…”

None the less, my first year here at Middlebury was amazing experience, with amazing people, and of course I had an amazing job here at the admissions office. And now, I am getting ready to start my second year here at Middlebury!!! Crazy how time goes by so fast, I feel like I was JUST moving in.

This year I will be living in the Italian house. I’m really excited that I get to live in an actual home and not in the dorms. Not that there is anything wrong with living in the dorms, but living in a home just feels a lot more personal and connected. Part of living in a language house means that we will only be allowed to speak that language, which will be tough but in a good way. Being from a Hispanic household, I always spoke Spanish at home. So I would go to school or be in the outside world and speak English, but then would come home and speak Spanish. I missed having this dynamic play out in my life my first year here, which is why I am very excited to reincorporate that living style this second year. The house is also beautiful and in a very central location on campus, but that was just a bonus. Hopefully, I’ll be more than prepared to use my language skills abroad!

TA DA!

So yesterday was the big day. All the students here on campus moved into their fall housing assignments. I got to move to Gifford and it is fantasmablastic here!!  Packing everything up over the course of the week was surprisingly simple. Moving it all was more tiring than expected but still an adventure. Thankfully Gifford has an elevator.

My room doesn’t look like a wonderful palace yet, but it will soon. I’ve got plans to install a waterfall and a centrally located geode coffee table. It should look quite lovely.

But really, moving in is such a fun time. you get to make a space your own and figure out everything that works for you. It’s also a nice growing experience since you try to get rid of whatever you can. Moving as little as possible is the optimal goal.

So as I said in my blog post from Monday, this week is my last week as an admissions summer intern and I have to make it worthwhile. I did this in several ways these past few days. I went shopping in town, learned how to open a can without a can opener, and I packed for my move tomorrow. The summer interns also discovered that we are probably the most dysfunctional group of people when it comes to taking a jumping photo. I’d say the most important goodbye of the summer is to 82 adirondack view (aka Mumbas aka the hockey house). Originally, I was supposed to live in Starr (fifth floor. no elevator) for the entire summer, but because of construction I was moved to 82 adirondack. This house sits right where they are planning on building the ridgeline townhouses, so it was set to be demolished at the beginning of the summer. My roommate and I, as well as the other residents of the house, ruined that plan. Last week I moved out so I wasn’t demolished with the house and decided to take a final picture.

the photo I will submit to archives as the last resident of 82

As I start to say goodbye to summer I want everyone to give a special shout-out to the house that definitely deserves to be demolished but still served me well. Also bye bye admissions.

…

just kidding see you in september!

Last night, after inhaling a delicious meal prepared by Tabitha, a few of us inquired as to the current status of the Quidditch closet; whether it was clean, and also where it was actually located. I have never seen this magical place of splendor, but I heard that it was recently reorganzied. As a techie for theatre, I can appreciate a well-organized storage closet.

When we got there I saw the rack of brooms and immediately took one to make my dream of flying come true.

And here is proof of my flying capabilities. The picture is a bit blurry, but it just demonstrates my ability to stay on a broom at high speeds. It’s nice that my status as a high-class wizard will finally be recognized by my peers.

Look at those homemade omelets!!!

The view from Snake Mountain is beautiful!

Sometimes it’s nice to take a break, enjoy the weather, and spend time with friends. The summer is a great time for internships, jobs, and experiences, but it’s also wonderful to relax.

I feel like I am supposed to be the contrite child…

I took the week off of work, enjoyed the weather, and decompressed. In the morning I would volunteer at the Organic Farm, and in the evening I would cook meals with friends. We shopped for groceries (for some reason the cashier wouldn’t let my friend scan me…) and made meals that ranged from sushi to poulet yassa (a Senegalese dish). It was nice to wake up, go for a run, make breakfast, and explore Vermont.

Organic Farm

Over the weekend I had a friend visit and we hiked to the top of Snake Mountain which afforded us a gorgeous view of the valley. We also went to our first concert: Ciderstock! You can read all about on the blog, but it was amazing. During one of the songs two of my friends put me on their shoulders and I got to see the entire crowd.

This is my last week in the office and it has been a wonderful summer. I’ll post my final entry later this week. Have a wonderful day, and I hope that the rest of your summer is as amazing as mine has been.

Unlike Colin, Kelsey, and Daria, I did not spend this weekend at Ciderstock. Instead I spent some time at my friend’s cabin in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

upside down because technology is hard

I went paddleboarding, kayaking, and on a low-key hike. Without internet or phone sevice for the weekend my friends (Megan and Ellie) and I spent the weekend watching movies, eating, reading, and doing crossword puzzles. 10/10 I would definitely recommend a get-away weekend before classes/orientation starts because you never know when your next one will be.

Final thoughts: 1)  Always Always go outside when the weather is nice because you never know how long it will last. 2) Not being on your phone in bed can drastically increase the number of sleeping hours you get [UNREAL AMOUNTS OF SLEEP]

This is my last week as a summer admissions intern, I have to make it worthwhile so my blogposts are cool enough to be read

Last weekend, the Woodchuck Cidery had their second annual music festival, Ciderstock. Four bands performed all day. There was also food, drinks (for those over 21), and lawn games! My friends and I had a great time.

We got up close for New Politics and Cage the Elephant.

I hate being squished. So I enjoyed the concert but by halfway through Cage the Elephant I  had to go because there were way too many people trying to get up front. At the end of the concert there were beautiful fireworks.

Then, in the craziest turn of events I ended up backstage and got to hang out with the guys of Cage the Elephant. 10/10 would recommend. They were very friendly. By the end I was sooooo tired.

Also at some point over last week I touched some sort of plant that I am allergic to. It’s not poison  ivy but I still look diseased & everything itches. (1/10 would NOT recommend.)

Anyone that knows me would be able to tell you about my love of socks. I’ve got socks with whales, sailboats, robots, flowers, stripes, and singing penguins. For anyone familiar with ‘The Magic School Bus’ my eventual goal is to have socks for every situation and event just like Ms. Frizzle. Aiding me on my journey is the ever-wonderful Sox Market in Burlington.

This fantastic store on Church Street has socks of every kind for women, men, children, and people of all ages. I like to say that socks aren’t for any specific group of people, unless the size is off. So over the years I’ve acquired crew socks, knee socks, and thigh highs as well. All with varying patterns and designs.

Recently I ventured to the market and bought some socks with cats holding umbrellas, and a pair with glasses too. It has become one of my favorite places to go in Vermont now.