Reflecting

After a week of classes now, I've had some time to reflect upon my experience in New Orleans. When the trip first started, I was a bit skeptical. After a 25 hour car ride and sharing one bathroom with 14 girls, I wasn't exactly in the highest of spirits. However, as the week progressed, all of those trivial things that we all complained about became insignificant and unimportant and I was able to understand what it really means to be a Bonner Scholar. After the first few days I thought to myself, "I could never chaperone this trip". However, as the week came to an end, my outlook had completely changed and now, I can't wait for the next opportunity to go back- I would go back in a heartbeat. From sitting on the levee to touring the city to meeting our home owner and working on his house, there were so many moments from this trip that not only made me more appreciative of life but also gave me a deeper meaning of service. For me, this trip was eye opening in that it makes me want to strive to do better within the Trenton community and do whatever I can, to the best of my ability, to make a  difference and leave my mark. I not only fell in love with the work that I did but I also fell in love with the city. It was just such a different atmosphere and learning about the city's culture was an amazing experience. Not only that, but getting to have all of the fun that I did with my closest friends made the whole trip even better. The beignets helped of couse too. Now that we are all back on campus and back in the hustle and bustle of things, I am more than excited to continue my service and to apply all that I learned in NOLA into the work that I do in the Trenton area.

My Wall

As weird as it sounds, one of the best memories of New Orleans was coming back to my work site one day and going back to a wall I had floated the day before. It was so smooth! All worry that I was holding on to at the beginning of the trip evaporated. For some reason I was so proud of that wall that I just stood there and rubbed it for a few seconds. It was a good feeling to see my hard work become actualized.

Meeting the Home Owners

When I first learned of our homeowner, it was on a scrap of paper. We received a full biography of Chiquita and her son Chase minutes before we arrived at our work site. The first two days were basic service: skimming, sanding, skimming again. But after the second day, the Chiquita and her son stopped by to see their nearly finished house. The work became real at that moment. I realized that the mindless work I had quietly complaining about in the back of my mind was stupid. I realized that because of the work I was doing, that boy would have a room all to himself right down the hall from his mother. I liked that feeling.

Heading to New Orleans

Before heading down to New Orleans, the one continuous idea that kept cycling through my head was the hope that I would not mess up. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to go do some top notch community service, but I ws hoping it was worthwhile. I did not want to do an adequate job on our site, I wanted to do an exceptional job. I wanted to look at the progress I had made throughout the week and be proud of how far my site had come, and to know how excited our home owners would be when they moved in. So I guess I was caught in a type of nervous excitement, tension coiled inside of my stomach ready to unravel after our 24 hour drive. I was ready to begin

Heading to New Orleans

Before heading down to New Orleans, the one continuous idea that kept cycling through my head was the hope that I would not mess up. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to go do some top notch community service, but I ws hoping it was worthwhile. I did not want to do an adequate job on our site, I wanted to do an exceptional job. I wanted to look at the progress I had made throughout the week and be proud of how far my site had come, and to know how excited our home owners would be when they moved in. So I guess I was caught in a type of nervous excitement, tension coiled inside of my stomach ready to unravel after our 24 hour drive. I was ready to begin

This is the end

As this trip comes to an end and we all enjoy this wonderful ride home, I have some time to reflect on the past few days in NOLA. First off, the last day of work was quite a bittersweet moment. It was sad to say goodbye to all the work we had put into the house over the 5 days of work. But as much as I would have loved to help finish and see the completion of Mr. William's home, I'm ready to take all that I've learned about service back to TCNJ and integrate it in my own Bonner site and work. Second, being able to see the city during the day was a completely different experience than just at night. As much as I loved the tours we did each day around different parts of the city, actually being able to walk around it on a beautiful day and experience more of the culture and food in a different setting was a great way to end the trip. I can't get enough of the beignets from Cafe du Monde- so good! As I sit here watching the sun rise in North Carolina, I'm thinking about what a great experience this really was and if I could, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Wendsday January 15th- Thursday January 16th, 2014

Work on the house has gone well. Old pictures were found inside of the chimney of the house, they were in perfect condition even after the flood and fire the previously distorted the house. The chimney's are over 100 years old. Mr. Williams was really happy to  see them. 

I'm glad to have the opertunity to serve in  New Orleans. It is obvious that it means something to the people that we're here helping to restore the community. It's warming to know that we're doing a service people appreciate.

Friday January 17th, 2014

Fun fact: the Circle food store had it's grand reopening today.

The culture in New Orleans is impressive. Today I went to a jazz club and sat for hours while the sousaphone kept the entire place dancing for hours. I loved the music, the vibe, and the people I was their with. It was  a complete New Orleans auditory experience. As a former band member I was able to appreciate the amount of work it takes to perform well, but in the end the hard work always payees  off. When people come together no task is impossible. Many of the problems that lie before us as a people are solvable. Education, finances, homelessness, gun control, ect.  are serious issues  that require for people to cooperate. One side of an issue or one political party needs the help of opposing views to create the strongest, most effective, best changes possible. Through debate flaws to ideas can be observed and corrected. In the scientific community many different scientist may research the same topic, but by sharing findings and allowing their peers to review findings disputable findings are challenged and more comprehensive work can be attempted due to the thorough nature of the field. This same approach is the key to solving the social problems that plague the world today. If we as individuals can resolve to think through solutions, be accepting of criticism, and make justice the goal of our actions then the issues of education, finances, homelessness, gun control, ect.  will notbe solved immediately, however they will be thoroughly  examined an equally thoroughly cured. Solved. Erased. Erradicated. Non issues. There are no easy solutions, the work will be arduous but the result will be complete. It is commonly said that anything worth doing is worth doing right. Is anything more worthy than social justice? NO! And for that reason we owe the world the complete Bonner experience.

Flexibility

Moving our site halfway through the week was not something I would have asked for. When we made progress on Chiquita's house, we developed a personal connection to that home and its story. Although I didn't want to leave that home, this trip isn't about me or my wants. We needed to move to a place where we could help the most and that's what we ended up doing. It is hard to step outside of your comfort zone, and it is hard to put others' needs in front of your own, but being flexible and willing to do what is asked of you is so crucial to service. I mean, if it were easy, we wouldn't need volunteers in the first place!

The end of an awesome week

The past week in NOLA has been the experience of a lifetime. Working with the other AmeriCorps members really gave me a deeper meaning of what it means to be a Bonner and do service. Although their entire life revolves around service, I gained a better insight of what it means to help people and give back to a community. Besides working at our house, the bonding experience I had with the rest of the freshmen and even the chaperones was awesome. I got to know everyone so much better and learned more about everyone's Bonner site and things I never would have guessed about everyone. Getting closer to the chaperones was definitely fun, however, it's sad to know some of the senior chaperones will be leaving after this semester. I definitely want to get to know everyone better throughout the rest of this year and hope to build better friendships with everyone. Hopefully this van ride back will help further solidify my friendship with everyone and continue to build lifelong relationships. I couldn't have been more happy about what this week has offered; I'm glad this trip finally came but I'm sad to see it end.

Last Night

As the trip draws to a close, I am very happy with my time here so far.  We have had a rewarding, fun work site where, even though we were here for only a short time, progress is visible.  I have also had the opportunity to learn things about the city and experience aspects of its culture that I either never experienced as a freshman or have since forgotten.

Between getting to know the freshman and other chaperones, efficient building, learning, and fun off-time in the city, this trip has been everything I could have hoped it would be.

January 17th

Today was the last work day of our time in New Orleans. The day was a bittersweet one. All were relieved knowing that there weren't going to have to wake up at 6am to prepare breakfast and head out. However, I noticed that I wasn't alone in being a bit upset at not finishing our initial goal (starting to paint by Friday). As my previous blogs moreso focused on disappointment, I will end with a good note! :)

It was great seeing the freshman class in its bonding experience with each other. With the help of working together at sites, eating beignets together, walking around the French Quarter, and spending time mixing up groups to spend time with one another, was an enriching site! I also really enjoyed the company of the other eight chaperones.

I had the pleasure of taking pictures and recording some footage to compose a 5-7 minute video about this year's New Orleans trip. Wait on it!

I also made a promise to myself that no matter what, I will return to New Orleans every two years! If New Orleans was a person, I'd tell him/her to hold me to it.

Peace.

B<3

January 15th - 16th

Midweek through our time here, we've been blessed to experience the "Swamp Tour" and made a visit to the levee that was destroyed by Katrina's flooding. The Swamp Tour was the first tour that I've experienced in any body of water; it was amazing. Our tour guide was knowledgeable enough to teach us about the history of the swamp from its mammal inhabitants to trade and those living around it. We were also able to spot a small alligator, which was the main focus of the tour.

The levee was a bit of a disappointment for me. The scene it set and the site both weren't the disappointment. The disappointment came from being reminded of how similar the height of the top of the levee was in comparison to the homes it towered. I was reminded that those who lived near the levee in any way lost a great deal, and if not, everything. However, out of the disappointment came encouragement. I was encouraged by the other Bonners' comments and dedication they shared in making a difference in only a five day span. It's people such as Bonners and those of the Saint Benard Project that will rebuild this city to be an even greater and prosporous one. 

Thanks guys. Your words mean more than you think they do, and your actions followed suit!

January 13th - 14th

Returning to New Orleans, this time as a chaperone has not only changed my perspective of New Orleans, but enhanced the experiences that I have had thusfar. Being one of nine chaperones, the aftermath of Katrina  is more heartbreaking when having to explain the details of the storm to the younger freshman; teaching others about the storm only opens my eyes even more to bigger pictures about the Katrina aftermath that I haven't noticed before. Little aspects such as long-term water damage, weak structural foundations, and toxic fumes that still are inhabitant in some houses seem to give no hope in a full recovery. I am glad to once again assist in rebuilding a home for one of the less fortunate to have lost EVERYTHING.

At our group's work site, we were able to meet our homeowner, Mr. Robert Williams, the first day of service. His story of loss and wreckage encourages my spirit in helping to rebuild his home. Mostly, we were able to get some mudding, flooring, and floating done, while having a goal to start the primary paint coat around the house sometime Friday. Let's try to make it happen!

NOLA Driving Tour

Driving Tour

Lower 9th Ward - Levee  

Florida Ave Bridge

Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle

Chalmette, LA - Site of Krystal's Uncle's Old House 

Touro Street Team - With the Homeowner, Mr. Williams

Pre-Trip & Swamp Tour

TCNJ Bonner and NOLA

TCNJ Bonner has traveled to New Orleans at least 11 times to continue helping with the rebuilding efforts. Each time we bring a new group of students down, the city never fails to embrace the group and help each person grow and fall in love with New Orleans. 

I am no exception to this spell, as this is my 14th time here. Each time I arrive back in the city it feels more and more like a second home. I have good friends, favorite places to go, and there is always a something new to learn or experience when I am here.

One of my favorite things to do though is watch the students on the trip learn new things about themselves and each other. Listening to them reflect about meeting a homeowner and the tour of the city always reminds me of why we do this trip every year. After our home state was hit by Sandy, we all spent time reflecting on the purpose of this trip and if we are still doing the right thing my traveling down each year. For me, our commitment to help rebuild New Orleans goes hand in hand with our commitment to help rebuild New Jersey. We would not want those helping in NJ to forget about us and homes still not be rebuilt 8 years after the storm, so we won't do that to New Orleans. While some may have forgotten, there are still many, many people here working to get residents back into their homes. When we get back to New Jersey, the hope is that we will continue the efforts with TCNJ's Here for Home campaign and inspire even more people to join the effort. 

So far, the students have worked on two different houses, mudding and preparing the drywall for paint in both places, they have ripped up floors and helped with other projects. Along with the building efforts, the students went on a swamp tour, a driving tour of the city, into the French Quarter, out for some delicious New Orleans food, and spent lots of time bonding with each other. 

Hopefully you are enjoying the blog posts from the Bonners and getting that glimpse into what it is like to be on this trip for them! 

I will be posting pictures soon too!! 

Janice E. – Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Since I’ve been in New Orleans, I like what I see. The people are absolutely wonderful! They’re friendly, very welcoming, and thankful for the work we’ve come here to do. It really makes me feel that the time and effort I’m putting into helping build the house is useful and appreciated. I look forward to the rest of the week because with it comes the end of my work on the house and I can continue to interact with the townspeople and enjoy their beautiful city.

- Janice E.

Janice E. – Pre-Trip Thoughts – 1/9/2014

I’ve never been to New Orleans before so I am greatly excited to be granted this wonderful opportunity! I am looking forward to arriving in New Orleans and taking in the tremendous amount of places, people, and experiences this aching city has to offer me. This is going to be not only a great trip, but one that holds great value and meaning to me.

- Janice E.