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!