Destination: Long Beach

Yes, I admit that leaving at 1:50pm classifies as a late start to a Friday off from work. But on days when you should be in the office, staying in bed past noon is the icing on the cake.

Anyways, on a sunny September afternoon, we set off to go to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. The Long Beach harbor area is quaint and quite walk-able, completely redone to commemorate the town that was built around the bay in the '50s and '60s. Perhaps my favorite part of the previous establishment was that the town rented bathing suits on the beach. Can you imagine—renting a bathing suit?

The city itself is apparently the fifth-largest in California, and the 36th largest in the country.  Long Beach is also known for producing Olympic athletes, including the beach volleyball great Misty-May, a previous student at UCLA Long Beach and a current resident.

The Aquarium displayed a myriad of fish that live along the Tropical Pacific to the Northern Pacific coast. My favorites?

• The Anthias species, in which the females, if put under too much stress, will grow male organs and change gender.

• The stingrays that like being petted on the back by dirty human hands.

• The wormy-looking eels that dig holes into the sand and stretch their heads up from the wholes, appearing to be sea-grass, swaying in the current.

• The eel species that pick one mate for life.

• The jellyfish that can’t choose their direction but can only bump off of things as they pulse through the water.

• The Harlequin Sweetlips, just because of it’s name.

• Miller, the seal that was wrinklier than a pickled raisin, and almost reaching it’s 30th birthday.

• The coral tank filled with anemones and coral that had been confiscated during illegal importation and then donated to the aquarium.

• And of course, the seahorse that looks like a flowery bunch of kelp. Honestly, it looks like a floating sea-bouquet.

My least favorite?

• The Lorikeet (a type of small to medium-sized parrot) that bit me so hard with it's iron little beak that it broke the skin between my index and forefinger when I tried to extract it from my purse (Why are there birds in the aquarium, anyway?)

Walking along the picturesque harbor, we also saw the true Queen Mary, and the docks where all the coastal scenes from the TV show Arrested Development was filmed. The Springbok Bar & Grille ended up being an interesting place to eat-- Tommy got to introduce me to a Rugby bar, and educated me about the Tri-Nation with the framed jerseys on the wall adding a nice touch of authenticity-- and I quite enjoyed the margarita-- it had Chambord in it, how could I not?

I can't forget to mention the cooling presence of the Coldstone in town (I mixed Raspberry and Lemon sorbet, obviously). Next door we almost rented a Segway, but at $45 per 30 minutes, we decided we ought to save the money for gas to get home. Once the sun had set the harbor lit up with a beautiful vista of romantically-lit yachts and sailboats, illuminating the Pacific skyline. The dock curls all the way around the harbor, offering an array of cuisine (Mexican, American, Japanese, Texan, South African), in addition to a penny candy shop and a "Hot Licks," where you can get choosy about your favorite hot sauce varieties.

For a place whose previous significance in my mind consisted of "The place with an airport that may get you a cheaper flight than LAX," Long Beach has now become a symbol of an escape from the "LA feel" and a step into a quaint, almost New England-esque harbor-side town where you can even pet a Manta Ray if you want to. Once I earn a little money I'll come back to take the Endless Dreams cruise out into the harbor for an adventurous and picturesque evening of fine-dining and lulling relaxation.

And maybe some day I will keep sea-horses at home in my own salt-water aquarium.

links:
http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/

Soul to Seoul

Cool Hunt Inc., Editorial Press Agency
Publication: SELF Magazine, China
July, 2008
Words: 1,788
Kerren McKeeman



Within the past decade Seoul has become one of Asia’s most popular cities to visit. Only a two-hour plane ride from Beijing or Tokyo, this city of 10 million people has grown into a great destination for travelers seeking upscale shopping venues and nightlife hotspots. While Seoul did not resemble a fashion-conscious city with modern day attractions a decade ago, Seoul has become a city that embodies a new trend in Korea—achievement, renovation, and beautified appearance. As many youth in South Korea have become more and more concerned with refining their physical appearance, so has the city of Seoul become concerned with refining it’s own image. Seoul’s position as a strong business center and transportation hub only adds to the city’s continued effort to enhance its appearance and attract more tourists than ever before.

An Ever-changing Appearance Makes the Difference

Becoming more cosmopolitan and beautified is all the rage. Since a government-driven effort to beautify the city skyline in 2003, the city has undergone massive renovation. Some tourists report that the city changes so much that they cannot recognize it after only one year’s time has passed.

A Cityscape Transformed

The Namsan Tower, for example, which stood atop Namsan mountain untouched for over 25 years, was transformed into a defining symbol of the Seoul city skyline. In an effort to beautify the city, the tower was completely renovated in 2005 and renamed the “N Seoul Tower.” Now, the glamorous ‘must-see’ landmark illuminates the sky every night with a colorful laser-lighted display. The romantic Grill restaurant and bar at the top of the N Seoul Tower is the perfect place to view the majestic night skyline of the city and the parade of cars weaving through the narrow streets. At 236.7 meters tall, the captivating evening scene with a mixture of buildings and forest attracts many visitors, as it shows a breath-taking view of the rapidly changing city below.

But it is not only the exterior of the N Seoul Tower that has undergone a make-over. The observatory on the tower’s top floor, once basic in design, now boasts a floor that rotates slowly, allowing guests to feel like passengers on a spaceship in orbit. The front square, which used to house just three old benches, is now a great place to take a date, decorated with furnished wooden lights and elegant timber flooring. The N Seoul Tower, which in the past existed as just another part of the Seoul skyline, is now hailed as the best location from which to enjoy the nightscape of Seoul, and has even been compared to Paris’s Eiffel Tower.

Seoul Lets it Flow

But the N Seoul Tower is only a small portion of change that has recreated the face of Seoul. Walking towards City Hall from Insadong, one stumbles upon Cheonggyecheon, a river that didn’t exist only three years ago. The river had been cemented over in 1968 to build a new highway. In 2003 the mayor of Seoul, Myung-bak Lee, decided to restore the river in an effort to gentrify and beautify the city.

At the starting point of the river sits Cheonggye Plaza, a symbol of the project’s achievement. The fountains and lighting of Cheonggye Plaza present a beautiful night scene. The image of round, water-shooting fountains combined with a waterfall that descends into a shallow pond, illuminated by underwater lighting, make the river even more picturesque.

A miniature version of Cheonggyecheon river is decorated with luminescent optic fibers that create a magnificent scene, resembling stars shining in a night sky. The image of Cheonggye Plaza, consisting of winding streets, an open courtyard, and a waterside area is etched onto traditional cloth surrounded by stones of various colors. The unique image of the waterside area consists of eight large stones, representing the eight provinces of Korea: unity, peace, and unification.

The road at the end of the Cheonggye Plaza is paved with stones, not asphalt, to create a natural harmony with the open space and waterside area. Cheonggyecheon, which enhanced what had been a dreary city view, offers a tranquil promenade for people wanting to escape the strain of city life and take a well-earned break.

Water wonderland?

While the flow of the Cheonggyecheon river adds a revitalizing touch to the scenery in Seoul, what about the Hanang river that runs through the heart of the city? This river too has been integrated into the plan of urban beautification. What will make the difference this time? Water taxis. Korean government officials have just built and launched brand new water taxis to transport passengers across the river and from dock to dock. To add a special accent and to attract tourists from all over the world, all the vehicles that grace the canal at night are beautifully lit with vivid and sparkling lights.


A Breeze for the Tourists

Along with the increasingly attractive appearance of Seoul comes a focus on convenience for travelers and tourists. Many tourist attractions are not only becoming more and more accessible by foot, but they are created with an eye for the past and the future: a combination of the trendy and modern mixed with the traditional culture that is still innate to Korean identity.

Modern traditional charm-- Insadong

Insadong, the Mecca of Korean tradition, is one of Seoul’s unique locations where visitors can still find traditional Korean food and products. Although it is now widely permeated with foreign products, Insadong still offers a charming array of Korean traditional cultural gifts such as “hanbok,” or traditional Korean garb, silk, Korean paper craftwork, embroidery, calligraphy, antique furniture, and ceramics.

Once considered to have the least possibility for change, Insadong began its large-scale renovation in 2003. Art galleries and shopping malls replaced the single-story shops that exhausted shoppers due to the extensive walking involved. Modern style cafes catering to devoted coffee lovers replaced the sea of teahouses. One particular store’s display of beads, incense, Korean paper, and earthenware plates now shows silk scarves dyed with natural colors, hand-made chic wallets and key rings that are second to none, even the Paris prêt-a-porter collection.

Within Insadong’s once calm territory of Korean restaurants emerged an army of fusion restaurants—Japanese, Chinese, and Italian restaurants catering to people who want more than traditional vegetable-oriented Korean food. Thanks to this, Insadong transformed from what many considered “the street for the elderly” to “the street for everyone.” Full of tourists year-round, Insadong is now one of the most exciting places to visit in Seoul for its unique blend of past and present.

Shoppers Alert!

Once deciding to explore Seoul, you simply must partake in the Seoul shopping experience. Some places you must explore include Myeongdong and Apgujeong, because every time you go you will find something new. What fantastic news for people who are crazy about shopping!

Seoul’s Fashion Central

Fashion boutiques abound in this neighborhood, along with well-known cafes. Restaurants are plentiful and varied, to suit the tastes of any guest. On an average day it is estimated that two million shoppers visit Myeongdong. There is a saying that Korea's economic performance cannot be assessed without first understanding the money flow in Myeongdong due to its vast quantity of shoppers.

The skyscrapers and the huge number of passers-by that crowd the streets is a strong testament to Myeongdong’s cultural richness and prosperity. In addition, Seoul’s fashion capital has developed in Myeongdong, partly because this area has introduced many trendy and price-flexible fashion items while managing to keep up with fast changing trends. The Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong boasts a wide variety of fashion choices, and consists of three different buildings. While Lotte Young Plaza is for city girls who love casual wears and comfortable accessories, the Lotte main department store and Avenue cater to high-class ladies who can afford expensive labels and want to dress up.

Korea’s “Rodeo Drive”

It is hard to imagine that it was only as recent as 1970 that Apgujeongdong started to develop into one of the most affluent, fashionable and "must-see" areas of Seoul. If you venture towards Galleria Department Store from Apgujeong subway station on line number 3, you will see a street on your right referred to as the "Rodeo Drive" of Korea after the boutique-peppered streets of Beverly Hills or West Hollywood California. Established in 1990, this street has everything one could possibly desire.

There is everything from rare vintage clothes to hand-made shoes designed by professional designers, piercing jewelry to second hand brand items with downgraded prices. With new display items and frequent updates for stores, it is always full of freshness. This area caters to the affluent and fashionable by offering a collection of top brands from Prada to Giorgio Armani to Gucci. Although more expensive than other places, shoppers can be assured that all goods are on the cutting edge of newly launched fashions.
Seoul’s “Fashion and Art Street”

Strolling down the Cheongdamdong river past the fashion boutiques gives any tourist a taste of the Korean fashion culture that already shows much potential for an exciting future. Known as the “Fashion and Art Street,” this area is fully equipped with over 50 shops of both foreign and local designers. The location is also full of classy places for the elite to drink and dine.

Shopping for the Westerners

Itaewon is hailed as one of the most exotic place in Seoul for shopping as it features a 1.4 km long street filled with eclectic shops, restaurants, bars and street vendors. This area attracts lots of Western tourists who can enjoy the rare ambiance as well as many English language signs.

Lifestyle 911

On top of the growing scene of high society and a fashion-conscious class in Seoul comes an additional perk for the tourist in Seoul: a 24-hour call center that can answer any question you have about navigating the city. Dialing a simple 120 connects you with an operator that can direct you to tourist attractions, your top-choice restaurants, or even the closest subway station. And the best part about it? You can receive all these services in Chinese.

One Japanese tourist, a frequent Seoul visitor, said “I have never felt as though I’m visiting the same city in all my 11 visits to Seoul.” Seoul is a city that always wants to look new and polished. An overwhelming number of new buildings appear, numerous hotels and departments stores are constantly changing their facades, and hundreds of shops change their interiors or displays each and every month. While Seoul may be a city that looks different today than it will tomorrow, there is one thing we can count on: it will be a fresher, trendier, more beautiful Seoul than anyone has seen before.

JC program to be overhauled

Issue date: 2/28/07
Publication: Middlebury Campus
Section: News
Kerren McKeeman

Beginning next year, Junior Counselors (JCs) will receive a stipend of $2,500 instead of an extra room draw housing point, according to a Feb. 26 e-mail to sophomores and juniors from Dean of the College Tim Spears. In addition, the position will be renamed "First-Year Counselor" in an effort to attract upperclassmen applicants.

Currently, most JCs are sophomores or juniors. In exchange for the mentoring they provide to first-year students, they receive an extra housing point. JCs live on first-year residence halls, serving as a social and academic resource.

The changes proposed by Spears will make the JC position similar to the current Resident Advisor (RA) position, which is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. RAs are required to act as a mentor to other students and live in upperclassman dorms. The RA does not receive housing points, but does receive a monthly stipend.

"We are all aware of the important role that JCs have played over the years," said Spears, "and we very much want to build on these successes in moving forward with these refinements."

"In making these changes," said Spears, "we are following up on recommendations that came of out of the Strategic Plan and the Human Relations Committee report." Commons Heads and Commons Deans have also been instrumental in providing feedback that has contributed to the proposed changes to the JC position.

The switch to a stipend-based First-Year Counselor position is part of a College effort to attract senior applicants who would not benefit from a housing point at the end of their college careers.

"We obviously need to offer more than Commons points," said Spears, "hence the move to stipends."

According to Brainerd Commons Resident Advisor (CRA) Melissa Simpson, the proposed changes may eliminate advantages enjoyed by current JCs.

"JCs are close in age to the first-years," said Simpson, "and JCs can then maintain friendships and act as role models to the [first-years] for the next two years." If First-Year Counselor seniors live in [first-year] halls, "this defeats the purpose of senior housing," said Simpson.

Transforming the JC position into a paid job may create other drawbacks, according to Becca Marcus '07.5, who believes that instituting a stipend may motivate people to volunteer for the money, instead of participating in order to meet and mentor first-years.

"It may be hard for hired students to stay motivated throughout the year," said Marcus, "if they know that the $2,500 will come into their pockets regardless of the amount of hours they put in."

Emily Eliot '07.5 said she appreciated the need for interaction between upperclassmen and first-years, but that such interaction should take place in other venues.

"If the goal is to expose [first-years] to seniors who have come back from study abroad, then this is not right way to go about it," said Eliot. "[That exchange] should take place in other venues or other programs," said Eliot, " and should not be included in the First-Year Counselor program."

Additional adjustments to the current JC position will include changes to the orientation period that takes place during the week prior to the beginning of Fall semester.

"First-Year Counselors will receive additional preparation [and] training," said Spears, "so that they can help support the academic growth of first-year students."

The proposed alterations to the JC positions will not affect those who currently hold JC positions this academic year.

"Current JCs will be able to use their Commons points in drawing a room for next year," said Spears.

Student input drives housing changes

Issue date: 4/11/07
Publication: Middlebury Campus
Section: News
Kerren McKeeman

Beginning in the spring of 2008, seniors will be allowed to apply for rooms in any of the College's five Commons during room draw, according to an all-student e-mail sent by President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz last week. The change is the result of a proposal from the Student Government Association (SGA) that was issued to Liebowitz in November of 2006.

According to the results of a student survey administered by the SGA in October of 2006, unfair housing was cited as the number one source of student dissatisfaction with the room draw system. The SGA then compiled a report addressing the "inequities and flaws" of the current room draw process. After considering the proposal and consulting members of the community, Liebowitz announced the plan to implement an open senior draw.

According to Liebowitz, the Open Senior Draw solution may represent the best option for making housing equal considering the College's current priorities.

"Should we spend that much of our limited resources on [improving Commons] infrastructure and its operations," he said, "or put the funds [towards] the academic program and financial aid?" wrote Liebowitz in an e-mail.

Although enhancing the Commons system is a projected goal outlined in the College's Strategic Plan, some of the goals for the system have not yet been reached. Consequently, housing for seniors could remain in its current state for some time to come, according to Liebowitz.

"Because we do not plan to build new residence halls that could equalize housing options for several years," wrote Liebowitz, "this negativity [associated with the Commons] is likely to persist for an extended period."

In order to address the current state of the Commons system using available resources, Liebowitz said he wants to make changes now that will address student concerns, and relieve tensions until the Commons reaches completion.

Instrumental in implementing the change was SGA President Alex Stanton '07 and Chief of Staff Isabel Yordan '07. Their proposal to Liebowitz last November included seven suggestions for enhancing room draw, one of which was to create an open senior draw.

The proposal sought to address the results of the student survey taken last fall by the SGA, which found that 43.6 percent of students either disapproved or strongly disapproved of the current room draw arrangement. The survey also revealed that 47.7 percent of students said that the elimination of the Commons-based room draw would improve their perception of the Commons systems as a whole.

In addition to working with the SGA, Liebowitz has also worked closely with the Commons Deans, as well as Dean of the College Tim Spears and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson. However, though Liebowitz has been discussing the issue with members of the administration for several years, since this academic year, he has made conscious efforts to consider student opinions on the issue.

"We discussed this issue during the Strategic Planning process," wrote Liebowitz, "but decided at that point to engage students more before determining how to proceed."

Once the SGA's suggestions, the results of the student poll and the points brought up in individual meetings with students were considered, Liebowitz decided to make the official change.

"Members of the President's staff recognized there are both pluses and drawbacks to changing Room Draw," wrote Liebowitz, "but in the end, I believe students made the case that making the change now made sense."

Complete details of the change, including the role of remaining Junior Counselor bonus points, and seniors' Commons Deans assignments, have yet to be finalized. Currently, students are assigned Commons Deans according to their Commons of residence. It remains to be seen whether seniors will be able to keep their dean or will be reassigned to the dean that corresponds with their senior housing should they be housed in a different Commons.

"It makes my job easier to know the students that live in senior housing on a personal basis," said Karin Hall-Kolts, Brainerd Commons coordinator. "Then if there is an incident report or damage done to the house, I can speak with the residents and know that I will get a truthful answer."

"The rise of senior leadership in the Commons has been an excellent development," said Cook Commons Dean David Edleson, who hopes the change will not threaten seniors who wish to stay involved in their Commons.

Although Liebowitz states that the assignment of deans for seniors has not yet been implemented, he hopes that students will have the option to continue the relationships they have already developed.

"I would like to think that it is more important for our Deans to 'manage' people and relationships and not real estate," wrote Liebowitz. "This assumes students carry their deans wherever they live, and where one lives ceases to determine their dean."

Edleson has other concerns about the new senior open draw. Edleson predicts that seniors will face more confusion during room draw.

"Now, an individual senior will be competing against the entire class in figuring out where to live, rather than competing against the other seniors in their Commons," he said.

Although Edleson agreed that "we needed to make adjustments to room draw," his experience has shown that students are always dissatisfied.

"The Middlebury mania about room draw is, and has been, completely beyond reason for as long as I've been here," he said, "and is likely to continue after this change as well." Edleson's advice to students is, "You didn't pick Middlebury for a room. Chill out."

Grille proceeds benefit worthy cause

Issue date: 12/8/05
Publication: Middlebury Campus
Section: Features
Kerren McKeeman


Since the fall of her first year at Middlebury, Melissa Klein '07 has been delivering food for The Grille every Wednesday night to financially support two young girls in Romania who have been affected by the AIDS epidemic. The Grille Delivery runs every Wednesday night from 10-11:50 p.m., with a cost of two dollars per delivery. The program usually raises about $150 every week, all of which goes to supporting the girls that Klein sponsors.

The project started before Melissa was even a student at Middlebury, when she and her sister, Tessa Klein '05, teamed up with their father to raise money in support of Romanian children with AIDS. As reported by Health Aid UK, among all European countries, Romania's HIV situation remains the worst since almost 60 percent of European children who currently have AIDS are Romanian. Tessa and Melissa became involved in Health Aid Romania (HAR), which is a United Kingdom-based program that supports children with HIV and AIDS in Romania.

During high school, Tessa and Melissa both had the opportunity to travel to Romania and visit some of the institutions children with AIDS call home. Melissa explained that problematic living conditions in these children's homes make controlling the virus harder. She recalled how many of the boys bully other children and how girls are often subject to sexual molestation or rape.

In order to create a more stable and safe environment for the children in which they can be given more personalized care, HAR's goal is to reduce the number of children to eight or nine per home. But Tessa and Melissa had their own goal: to allocate two children per home and give them the opportunity to grow up without being segregated by society because of their disease.

When the Klein sisters were in high school at the American School in Switzerland, their father began an organization called Assisting Children with Aids (ACA), which soon grew to 70 members within their school. Local schools heard about the project and donated to the cause. After three years, the group had raised $40,000. With this money, they bought a modest house in Bucharest, renovated and furnished it and hired a full-time house-mother. On a visit to Romania, Melissa and Tessa met the two girls whom nurses determined would best adapt to a "normal life" outside the institution: Irina and Magdalena. These young girls had no possessions to their name and had never spent much time outside the institution. "We took them to the mall for the first time and then went bowling later," Melissa recalls. "They were weak and had trouble holding the bowling ball."

Melissa described Magdalena as a beautiful girl who used to have blond curls that fell far past her shoulders. After one of the nurses decided Magdalena had been rude, though, the nurse shaved Magdalena's head as punishment. Irina was born as a result of her mother being raped. The day Irina's mother planned to meet her for the first time, Irina had flowers prepared and waited with anticipation. Yet upon arrival, Irina's mother could not accept the flowers and left abruptly, unable to face her daughter and her past.

Because of their stories, Tessa and Melissa were compelled to help these girls. Using the money that Tessa and Melissa raised, the girls moved into their new home five years ago. They now have a dog and call their house-mother "mom." They have been attending school and have just started looking for part-time jobs. Melissa is especially happy with the results. "There is nothing like Magdalena and Irina's living situation in Romania and we hope that it will be replicable for HAR," she said.

The Kleins have proved that it is possible to save children from the unbearable experience of living in an institution, even if it is only one child at a time. Because all expenses must be paid by the organization - electricity, food, the house-mother's salary and the girls' medical bills - the Grille Delivery program provides the funds that the organization needs.

The program has been hugely successful and has covered the costs that Melissa hoped it would. "Grille delivery is a win-win situation," said Haley Gilbert '07.5, one of the delivery volunteers, "and I would say that if it were bigger we should do it more nights than just Wednesday!"

But Melissa is uncertain about the future of the Grille Delivery program. The money they earn each week has been decreasing to around $70, less than half the usual amount, due to less help from volunteers. Also, Melissa plans to study abroad next semester and is in need of more volunteers to continue the program, or she may have to step down and stop operations altogether. Eli Gordon, a Grille cook who has been working with Melissa since she started Grille Delivery two years ago, feels strongly about the cause. "Oh no, they've got to find some people to do it," she said. "If I weren't working until midnight I would stay and volunteer myself!"

Despite such enthusiasm, the future of the Grille Delivery program is unsure. "Everyone's so busy. It's a lot to ask of people," said Melissa. But in truth, a simple two dollars or two hours a week will go towards giving Magdalena and Irina a home and a future. If students order food to be delivered from the Wednesday nights or volunteer to help deliver, they will give Grille Delivery the chance to continue this J-Term and possibly during spring semester.

Room draw goes online as senior open draw postponed

Issue date: 2/14/07
Publication: Middlebury Campus
Section: News
Kerren McKeeman

This spring, the College's room draw process will take place for the first time entirely online. The change represents the continuation of an ongoing effort to reform room draw.

Using Banner Web will not only eliminate the need to relocate Commons staff to Kenyon Arena during the week of room draw, but will also save students time by not requiring them to wait in line. Additionally, students studying abroad will be able to participate in room draw from their own computers, eliminating the need for others to stand in on their behalf.

Some students have run into specific problems with room draw, however, that will not be solved by the online switch.

"I had the same Commons number three years in a row," said Becca Marcus '07.5. "And when I took one semester off my junior year, they subtracted two semester points, which bumped me out of senior room draw altogether."

In both cases, Marcus was told the system could not be changed.

Brainerd Commons Coordinator Karin Hall-Kolts said she believes students complain too much about the Commons affiliation with room draw.

"Students complained when room draw had nothing to do with the Commons," Hall-Kolts said, "so we changed the system. Now that room draw includes the Commons, students still complain."

Some students believe that several Commons have much better senior housing than others, but Hall-Kolts believes housing differences do not keep students from enjoying their life on campus.

"Middlebury students are so busy-how much time do they spend in their room anyway?" Hall-Kolts said. "No matter what room you live in, you will still be able to hang out with your friends."

Commons-related changes have been presented to the administration. Earlier this academic year, the Student Government Association (SGA) gathered student opinions using an online survey about room draw. In October, it met to debate and formed its proposal to the Presidential Staff on room draw reform.

"The official SGA recommendation," said SGA President Alex Stanton '07, "was a completely open draw for seniors, without any consideration of Commons affiliation." Stanton's proposal, if enacted, would effectively end senior Commons draw.

Also included in the SGA proposal was a suggestion by representative Andrew Herzik '07.5 to allow students who had earned Commons points to apply for housing in Commons that are not their own. For instance, students who remained in Brainerd Commons through their junior year could use their cumulative Commons points in Atwater senior draw, if they so chose.

According to Dean of the College Tim Spears, removing the Commons from the room draw process could potentially cause problems. Students may feel less inclined to stick with their Commons if they cannot benefit from the system during their senior year.

"If Commons affiliation to housing only applies to [first-years] and sophomores," said Spears, "what does the Commons mean?"

In addition to the SGA's recommendation, the Presidential Staff has also been discussing ways in which housing facilities can be equalized among the College's five Commons. Suggestions include assigning an equal number of first-years to each Commons as well as redistributing dorms and houses among Commons.

True love comes to those who wait

Blind Date Dolci re-energizes Midd dating scene
Issue date: 11/10/05
Publication: Middlebury Campus
Section: Features
Kerren McKeeman

(photo)
Lingering over a delicious four-course meal, new couples enjoyed the scene of Blind Date Dolci, a nice change from the usual Friday routine.



For most Middkids, last Friday's evening meal was a typically uneventful precursor to the night's festivities. But for the 88 students who gathered at the Proctor Dining Hall entrance at 5:30 p.m., this was certainly not the case. These fortunate individuals were preparing to make new friends at Blind Date Dolci, and the much-anticipated event did not disappoint.

A general buzz of excitement and apprehension filled the entrance of Proctor as Student Government Association (SGA) President Eli Berman '07.5 and SGA Director of Social Affairs Andrew Herzik '07.5 paired selected students and their dates with an air of humor and guided the couples into the dining area.

"Well, I think we did it!" exclaimed Berman, vigorously shaking Herzik's hand, as the last blind date couple walked past the entrance table where a welcome sign read, "If there is a wedding, we expect invitations." For Herzik and Berman, as well as for the 44 couples, Blind Date Dolci was off to a great start.�

Herzik and the rest of the SGA Social Affairs Committee organized the event. "The purpose of Blind Date Dolci," Herzik explained, "was to provide an alternative to the 'get really drunk and hook up with random stranger who looks really hot right now and really made me laugh for those two minutes we interacted."

It was clear that the couples enjoyed themselves. The dining area was filled with the hum of light-hearted chatter, whether it was to inquire if the word "bisque" on the menu implied a presence of seafood, or to answer the question that appeared on one of the various pink note cards that were sprinkled across the place settings as "ice breakers" for the couples. One read, "If a tiger and a shark were thrown into a jello-filled pool, who would win the fight?"

Emmy Komada '07 said, "I signed up to experience awkwardness to the highest degree, but it actually wasn't that awkward at all!"�

Berman defined Blind Date Dolci as the SGA's attempt to reinvigorate a social scene that has gone through some significant changes this year. "The SGA recognizes that Middlebury social life is lacking something," he explained. "With the new liquor inspector, social life is shifting away from the social houses. We hope that this event will serve as a venue to fulfill what it is that our social life lacks."

Considering the excitement that persisted throughout the evening, it did seem that Dolci was fulfilling Berman's stated goal. No one had to speak over loud music or worry about beer getting spilled down his or her back. And the event was certainly a big draw - even though attendance was capped at 88, over 150 students applied to attend.

The success of the night must also be attributed to the Dolci waitresses and the head chefs, Sue-Jean Chun '07 and Maggie Ray '07, who provided a variety of delectable treats, from cranberry-brie pastries as appetizers to French-cut Rosemary Dijon lamb chops as a main course selection. To cater to the night's mood, one of the dessert options was listed on the menu as "For the Oh-So-Daring Couples� Grilled Banana Split for Two." A shared feeling of delight rested on the faces of the students as many left empty plates in front of them.

For Herzik, the event served to provide an opportunity for people to "get out of their completely solidified social niche and meet some fun and interesting random people." Ultimately, Blind Date Dolci allowed for a casual social atmosphere in which students simply had a great time and left with some amusing stories.

Two students who are currently dating signed up to be paired with someone new for the evening.� Upon arriving, however, the two found that neither of their assigned dates had been able to come and by default they ended up together. A riskier, first-time couple even initiated a kiss on the lips to pose for the camera. One student arrived "fashionably late" and in full Rugby gear with a sports-bag wrapped across his chest. Even practice could not prevent him from making it to Blind Date Dolci.

Though there were some surprises, the whole evening went off without a hitch. "I'm amazed at how awesome the Middlebury student body is," Herzik exclaimed enthusiastically. "They completely rocked it!"

Diners echoes Herzik's sentiments. "It was so much better than I expected," said a smiling Pascal Losambe '07. "I would encourage anyone to go!"

The entire event created a memorable time for those who attended. In a broader sense, Blind Date Dolci represents the SGA's first step towards creating a new outlet for social life on campus. For those who missed the event the first time around, never fear - the opportunity to participate in another Blind Date Dolci may come sooner than you think. "We've received so much popular feedback I think we just have to do it again," said Herzik.

Tian brings Beijing culture to class

(photo)
Middlebury's newest language professor, Zhuo Tian, reflects on her first impressions of Middlebury and adjusting to life in the United States.
Issue date: 11/17/05
Publication: Middlebury Campus
Section: Features
Article written by/Interview translated from Chinese by,
Kerren McKeeman



Meet Zhuo Tian, known to her students as teacher Tian, or Tian Laoshi. She is Middlebury's newest Chinese language professor, hired from the CET Academic Program in Beijing. She is also filling the position of the Chinese house teaching assistant. If asked five years ago what she thought she would be doing now or where she would be traveling for work, teaching Chinese in a small New England college in the United States would never have crossed Tian's mind.

Tian graduated from Beijing University with a masters in National Economics. It was only after a friend's suggestion that she decided to apply to teach Chinese at CET, "just to see if I could do it," she recalled. Tian found she had a knack for teaching, and landed her current job at Middlebury.

When asked what the biggest differences were between teaching college students in Beijing versus teaching American students in Middlebury, Vt., Tian cited the city as a major factor. "There's nothing here," she said of Middlebury, and wrinkled her nose upon mention of Burlington.

There are parts of Middlebury that she truly enjoys and she said that her favorite part of the town was soaking up the clean air and beautiful scenery. Tian also appreciates the dining food, but only if she can go to Ross. According to Tian, Proctor is too "American" for her, but Ross always has food "that Asian people can actually eat."

Tian loves teaching her classes, although her strenuous schedule includes teaching nine hours a week and preparing for four different lessons. "I spend a lot of time preparing for class," she noted. Yet she always manages to bring a zest and playful flavor to her classes - even her 8 a.m. third-year Chinese class is often filled with laughter, as Tian uses guessing games, debates, races and dollar store prizes to provoke competition and keep students enthusiastic about learning.

Even though she enjoys teaching at Middlebury, Tian still misses Beijing and the connections she has made there. When asked what she misses most about China, she emphatically replied, "my parents," without a moment of hesitation. Unfortunately, her visa does not allow her to fly back to China over Christmas to visit her family and her home.
However, Tian expects her husband, to whom she speaks with every night on the phone, to fly to Middlebury over winter break to visit. The two were married a year and a half ago, and she keeps pictures of their wedding in her office. Lucky students may catch a glimpse of her with her hair carefully curled and delicately lofted behind her head as she poses with her husband in front of Beijing park scenes, wearing traditional Chinese dress.

Of all the things she wishes to accomplish here in the United States, Tian's highest priority is to practice her English speaking. "My English is terrible," she said with careful annunciation. She often refuses to speak to her Chinese students in English, in part to help them learn Chinese. But there is one English phrase of which she is quite fond and uses repeatedly. When students seem to drop like flies and a certain student repeatedly misses class, she likes to dismiss the issue by saying, "Another one bites the dust." Perhaps Tian's English is better than she lets on. And for those who are curious, inviting Tian to Ross for a little English conversation over lunch would make her day.

Escape to Frog Hollow

J-term allows students to discover what lies just around the corner
Issue date: 01/07/06
Publication: Freelance
Kerren McKeeman

With a little less to do and a more concentrated schedule, J-term welcomes the chance to break from the pattern and explore what you may have overlooked during the rush of the semester. Students get a chance to venture out to enjoy the beautiful Vermont outdoors, as well venturing in to find small, cozy atmospheres that offer a peaceful escape. One place that comes with a feeling of warmth and a hub of creativity is the world you find when you set foot in Frog Hollow. Anyone who has eaten at the Storm Café or trafficked the foot bridge that brings you over Otter Creek and into Marbleworks has come very close to this special place, perhaps without quite knowing what they were missing.
Started in 1971 as an after school clay program for young people, Frog Hollow has since then grown into a non-profit organization that includes a year-round Craft School offering classes in many media to all age groups, as well as three Craft Galleries located in Middlebury, Manchester, and Burlington, Vermont. The Middlebury Gallery resides in the front half of the building overlooking the Otter Creek falls, and is filled with the detailed artwork of over 250 juried Vermont artisans who specialize in anything from blown glass, intricate jewelry, to wood carvings, framed photographs, and household furniture. Everything is handcrafted with delicate care and overwhelming precision.
Entering from the back into the Craft School you find yourself stepping into quite a different atmosphere, as the light shade of clay dust softens the color of the walls, floor, furniture, and, depending on how long you have been there, your clothing. Classes offered to adults range from pottery, knitting, glass bead-making, wood-carving, woodblock print-making, wax-carving, and jewelry-making, to painting, drawing and even the occasional guitar and song-writing lessons. A lucky group of Middlebury students come to Frog Hollow four times a week during January for Mathematics Professor David Dorman’s hands-on ceramics class, Trial by Fire, in which students experiment with the wheel and learn about giving up their creation to the fire of the kiln.
Of the many places to explore during J-term, Frog Hollow is a true gem of Middlebury and a strong sustainer of fine art and crafts in Vermont. Whether it be to take the opportunity to enroll in a class for the upcoming Spring semester or to simply browse the gallery for a beautiful handmade gift to bring home to your family, Frog Hollow is a place we are lucky to have in our backyard.
Frog Hollow is located up the hill from the Storm Café on Mill Street, which is a left off of Main Street when coming from the College. For more information about classes, scholarships, or the gallery, visit www.froghollow.org.

My First Entry

Welcome to my blog. I'm still putting down the carpet and painting the walls. Come back once the paint is dry!