Bittersweet is my word of the day. In the women's room this morning I announced that it was the last day at 6am in an upbeat tone. I feel like bittersweet was the emotion that fell onto everyone in the room. It is sad that we only have one more work day left. We will wonder if we made a difference? Yesterday's rain put a delay on many projects around the village, but still work was completed. No we weren't able to finish siding the one side of a house, but our group was able to complete three or four more rows...we are almost there! So yes, I believe we did make a difference. Although, I believe it is only a small difference compared to what needs to happen in the future. (If you are looking for a service trip in the next few years, please consider the gulf coast! There is so much deconstruction and construction that still needs to happen to bring people back to their homes.) It is exciting to know that we will be returning to Bluffton tomorrow. With Christmas right around the corner, I am ready to spend time with my family and friends. What a wonderful trip this has been!
I leave you now so I can go catch some breakfast before we pull the van out at 7am! :)
Katie
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The music will play again...
So it's pretty clear that we've been working in Musician's Village (or "Magician's Village" as Dan likes to call it) and the general consensus is that it is a good time (albeit painful and sometimes wet). At orientation Mike told us about the vision for the village... the free, public music center... the musicians in the streets... and he said something that really stuck: They just don't play music in the neighborhoods like they used to. We'd like to think that what little insulation we're putting in is one step closer to making that a reality once more.
We took a stroll around the greater 9th yesterday (we'd discuss the lower 9th, but people have pretty much covered that) and it was so quiet. Even now houses are abandoned and falling apart-- in total disrepair. It's sad and moving, but all the more motivation to bring the music back.
Last night we hit up the French Quarter... We were probably the only group that knew what we were doing because of LeeAnne (even then with a few detours!). We ate Po-Boys! Oh my goodness, were they gooooood. Not just good, deeeeeeeeeeelicious. Gotta love Nawlins' food! We also did a lot of shopping (Melisa spent half of her life on Christmas presents) and general sightseeing. It was really neat to see the quarter during the holidays. It's Christmas here, too!
It's unbelievable that it's already Thursday. Somehow the days seem so long AND fly by all at the same time. Sometimes it's hard to remember that what we're doing is worthwhile, but just a little thank-you sure puts things in perspective. Whether painting at camp or working on a new home, every bit of work benefits someone down the line that will work to bring the real New Orleans back.
This is obviously a little deeper than our last post, but shucks, all this service sure has that effect on some people. ;) Enjoy your last few days before Christmas... we'll be back soon!
--Melisa & LeeAnne
We took a stroll around the greater 9th yesterday (we'd discuss the lower 9th, but people have pretty much covered that) and it was so quiet. Even now houses are abandoned and falling apart-- in total disrepair. It's sad and moving, but all the more motivation to bring the music back.
Last night we hit up the French Quarter... We were probably the only group that knew what we were doing because of LeeAnne (even then with a few detours!). We ate Po-Boys! Oh my goodness, were they gooooood. Not just good, deeeeeeeeeeelicious. Gotta love Nawlins' food! We also did a lot of shopping (Melisa spent half of her life on Christmas presents) and general sightseeing. It was really neat to see the quarter during the holidays. It's Christmas here, too!
It's unbelievable that it's already Thursday. Somehow the days seem so long AND fly by all at the same time. Sometimes it's hard to remember that what we're doing is worthwhile, but just a little thank-you sure puts things in perspective. Whether painting at camp or working on a new home, every bit of work benefits someone down the line that will work to bring the real New Orleans back.
This is obviously a little deeper than our last post, but shucks, all this service sure has that effect on some people. ;) Enjoy your last few days before Christmas... we'll be back soon!
--Melisa & LeeAnne
Backseat Dialogue #2
We are now professional insulation installers. We have had two wonderful days of stuffing insulation and caging it in with masses of attacking chicken wire. Throughout the two days there are a number of quality lessons we have learned.
#1- Fiber glass makes your shirt shiny
#2- The combination of fiber glass and sand up your nose makes your boogers glitter.
#3- Wear gloves while working if you don't want to look like a self-mutilator.
#4- Crawling/hanging out under houses is really a very enjoyable experience.
#5- Shannon is a rock magnet.
#6- Not even the underside of a house is dry during a rainstorm.
#7- The quickest way to get everyone out from under the house is to find a huge dead rat.
Last night we had the privilege of livin' it up in the French Quarter. We began the evening at a fabulous seafood restaurant where only 1 out of 5 people actually liked seafood. However, the restaurant - the Bubble Gum Shrimp Company - had totally sweet atmosphere. Forest Gump was playing on the TV's, there were quotes on the tables, ping pong paddle menus, and even a roulette wheel. (Which Taasha just happened to guess the winning number for.)
After dinner we explored Bourbon Street. The first store we went into was a Voodoo store (which were all over). While our curiosity pulled us in, most of us left just a bit creeped out. Also while traveling down Bourbon Street Teresa was approached by a drunk guy who insisted on giving her "dancing" lesson which she gratefully accepted and proceeded to go to a hotel room. (Just kidding about the whole accepting part. She walked a lot faster...)
To wrap the evening up we spent some quality time relaxing by a body of water... probably the Mississippi.
Also, after spending the entire evening in search of some quality ice cream, we finally found a Walgreens. This was comparable to heaven for us with its large variety of wonderfully tasty ice cream. We bought a couple pints to share and enjoyed the creamy goodness as we waited for Ma, Pa, and the rest of the clan to take us home.
Today we arrived back at camp very early! We got rained out. Ok- we didn't just get rained out, we got POURED out. We were wet... very wet, and our wonderful van drivers were no where to be found! So we stood outside the van, in the rain, for what seemed like forever and a day. While getting wet we got to talk with one of the residents of Musicians Villiage. He stood out in the rain with us for a while and said, "Well, if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em." We liked him. He was cool.
So here we are... sitting in our construction site (Camp Hope), wondering if we're doing anything tonight, and enjoying being above the floor instead of below it.
With sincere regards,
Teresa, Shannon, and Kelsey
#1- Fiber glass makes your shirt shiny
#2- The combination of fiber glass and sand up your nose makes your boogers glitter.
#3- Wear gloves while working if you don't want to look like a self-mutilator.
#4- Crawling/hanging out under houses is really a very enjoyable experience.
#5- Shannon is a rock magnet.
#6- Not even the underside of a house is dry during a rainstorm.
#7- The quickest way to get everyone out from under the house is to find a huge dead rat.
Last night we had the privilege of livin' it up in the French Quarter. We began the evening at a fabulous seafood restaurant where only 1 out of 5 people actually liked seafood. However, the restaurant - the Bubble Gum Shrimp Company - had totally sweet atmosphere. Forest Gump was playing on the TV's, there were quotes on the tables, ping pong paddle menus, and even a roulette wheel. (Which Taasha just happened to guess the winning number for.)
After dinner we explored Bourbon Street. The first store we went into was a Voodoo store (which were all over). While our curiosity pulled us in, most of us left just a bit creeped out. Also while traveling down Bourbon Street Teresa was approached by a drunk guy who insisted on giving her "dancing" lesson which she gratefully accepted and proceeded to go to a hotel room. (Just kidding about the whole accepting part. She walked a lot faster...)
To wrap the evening up we spent some quality time relaxing by a body of water... probably the Mississippi.
Also, after spending the entire evening in search of some quality ice cream, we finally found a Walgreens. This was comparable to heaven for us with its large variety of wonderfully tasty ice cream. We bought a couple pints to share and enjoyed the creamy goodness as we waited for Ma, Pa, and the rest of the clan to take us home.
Today we arrived back at camp very early! We got rained out. Ok- we didn't just get rained out, we got POURED out. We were wet... very wet, and our wonderful van drivers were no where to be found! So we stood outside the van, in the rain, for what seemed like forever and a day. While getting wet we got to talk with one of the residents of Musicians Villiage. He stood out in the rain with us for a while and said, "Well, if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em." We liked him. He was cool.
So here we are... sitting in our construction site (Camp Hope), wondering if we're doing anything tonight, and enjoying being above the floor instead of below it.
With sincere regards,
Teresa, Shannon, and Kelsey
What A Day....
Yesterday was a bunch of fun! We got to build in Musicians Village for Habitat for Humanity. The Village looks like it is going to be a really neat place to live once it is all completed. All of the houses have been painted different colors and many of them are very bright. When we got there we got our orientation. The man that led it was a true New Orlian. He had an obvious passion for the work he was doing. We got our assignments and we were off. The group that I was with had to staple mesh to the undersides of houses to keep the insulation from falling down. My knees are, needless to say, quite sore. After a hard day of work we were off to see the Lower 9th Ward. The destruction there was incredible. We got to see Brad Pitt's vision for the future of the Lower 9th, which seemed to us to be not worth it. The models for the houses were very modern and wierd looking, but I guess donated time and money cannot really be frowned too much upon. After cold showers and fresh clothes we were off to the French Quarter for some sight seeing. Getting to see the city was life was a good time. People watching was quite interesting. For dinner a few of us got Po-Boys and seafood gumbo. The best meal so far!
Today, after struggling out of bed, back to Musicians Village we went. This time we were going to get to put up trusses, oh wait, they decided that they already had enough help for that and so we were back to putting up mesh. This time we added installing insulation to our resume. The rain had started in the morning, but it was only a light sprinkle so work continued as usual. Then the rain really came down. After thunder was heard we were instructed to pack up and head out. So, we did just that. Lugging ladders and tools to the containers is normally an easy task, but when it is pouring down rain and everything is slick the task is much more difficult. All but 3 of our group headed out to the van to leave, but without a key. Eh, we can wait... so we waited. And waited. Finally a search party went back to the site to find a key and the rest of our group. I went ahead and found them and a key so we could now sit in a nice warm van.
Showers and a couple peanut butter sandwiches later we are all feeling a little better :)
-Lindsey
Today, after struggling out of bed, back to Musicians Village we went. This time we were going to get to put up trusses, oh wait, they decided that they already had enough help for that and so we were back to putting up mesh. This time we added installing insulation to our resume. The rain had started in the morning, but it was only a light sprinkle so work continued as usual. Then the rain really came down. After thunder was heard we were instructed to pack up and head out. So, we did just that. Lugging ladders and tools to the containers is normally an easy task, but when it is pouring down rain and everything is slick the task is much more difficult. All but 3 of our group headed out to the van to leave, but without a key. Eh, we can wait... so we waited. And waited. Finally a search party went back to the site to find a key and the rest of our group. I went ahead and found them and a key so we could now sit in a nice warm van.
Showers and a couple peanut butter sandwiches later we are all feeling a little better :)
-Lindsey
Stairs. . .
So today was our second day in the musician's village helping rebuild the wonderfully colored homes.
We went to the lower 9th ward yesterday afternoon after working and it was really moving to see steps that lead to nowhere, but then realize that those exact same stairs used to lead to someone's front porch, neighbors and family members were welcomed on those steps, children and grandchildren were brought home using those stairs. It's crazy. We could look to the side and see the levies that broke and flooded the area and could only imagine the area with water so high it covered our heads like 3-fold. People's lives were essentially washed away in no time at all. It's so easy these days to forget about the help that people still need here, we think, "Oh, it's been two and half years, I'm sure people are back up on their feet by now." But really, they're not. People are still living in FEMA trailers. People are just now moving back into the city. People are still trying get their lives back together, but it's hard.
I worked yesterday with a future H4H home-owner from the city. It was really interesting to sit down and talk with him about what he did before, during, and after the storm hit. His story is amazing and it gives me hope that one day, someday, while this area will never be the same, that the area could be better than ever, with a new spirit of resiliance and pride.
New blogs are coming from everyone else, so I'll stop here so you can read what they have to say.
Sending NOLA love,
Tasha
We went to the lower 9th ward yesterday afternoon after working and it was really moving to see steps that lead to nowhere, but then realize that those exact same stairs used to lead to someone's front porch, neighbors and family members were welcomed on those steps, children and grandchildren were brought home using those stairs. It's crazy. We could look to the side and see the levies that broke and flooded the area and could only imagine the area with water so high it covered our heads like 3-fold. People's lives were essentially washed away in no time at all. It's so easy these days to forget about the help that people still need here, we think, "Oh, it's been two and half years, I'm sure people are back up on their feet by now." But really, they're not. People are still living in FEMA trailers. People are just now moving back into the city. People are still trying get their lives back together, but it's hard.
I worked yesterday with a future H4H home-owner from the city. It was really interesting to sit down and talk with him about what he did before, during, and after the storm hit. His story is amazing and it gives me hope that one day, someday, while this area will never be the same, that the area could be better than ever, with a new spirit of resiliance and pride.
New blogs are coming from everyone else, so I'll stop here so you can read what they have to say.
Sending NOLA love,
Tasha
Wet..
Mark B Wet is the word of the day, just for you. The past two days sure have been crazy. Last night in the French Quarter was lots of fun, I am a little sad that now I have been to New Orleans twice in my life (last year's soul trip and this one of course) and I have still never seen the French Quarter in the day light. I hear that the buildings and architecture there is incredible, I wouldn't know though.
Today we worked at Muscian's Village again. It was a pretty productive day of putting in insulation underneath the house and securing it with "chicken wire". After two days of that (as well as my time spent doing the same thing after the flood in Ottawa) I am thinking I should take up the insulating profession, I sure know how to do it. It rained most of the day today which was fine since most of us were under a house and dry but after a while the rain got to be too much and the Habitat staff decided it was quitting time. Dan, Katie, and Phil (as well as the keys) were working inside houses securing some last minute things while the rest of us, unaware of their whereabouts, stood outside of the van in the pouring rain for at least 15 minutes. We were all completely miserable and complaining but after we got ahold of the keys and got in the van I sat there and realized that what we were going through was nothing. Standing outside in rain, even being soaked, was nothing compared to what the Katrina victims went through during the storm.
This trip has really helped to paint a new perspective on life for me as I see the massive devastation that is still present. Up in Ohio, I knew that things were bad down here but I had know idea what bad really was. It is unbelievable the way things still look down here and its making me wish I could stay here longer and do more.
Until later...
Tonya
Today we worked at Muscian's Village again. It was a pretty productive day of putting in insulation underneath the house and securing it with "chicken wire". After two days of that (as well as my time spent doing the same thing after the flood in Ottawa) I am thinking I should take up the insulating profession, I sure know how to do it. It rained most of the day today which was fine since most of us were under a house and dry but after a while the rain got to be too much and the Habitat staff decided it was quitting time. Dan, Katie, and Phil (as well as the keys) were working inside houses securing some last minute things while the rest of us, unaware of their whereabouts, stood outside of the van in the pouring rain for at least 15 minutes. We were all completely miserable and complaining but after we got ahold of the keys and got in the van I sat there and realized that what we were going through was nothing. Standing outside in rain, even being soaked, was nothing compared to what the Katrina victims went through during the storm.
This trip has really helped to paint a new perspective on life for me as I see the massive devastation that is still present. Up in Ohio, I knew that things were bad down here but I had know idea what bad really was. It is unbelievable the way things still look down here and its making me wish I could stay here longer and do more.
Until later...
Tonya
Blessed
So I keep having these negative thoughts run through my head...
I'm so tired - My feet hurt - My neck is stiff - I hate cold showers
...but I just remind myself that I am so blessed. I am blessed to have the opportunity to spend a week in the Gulf working on hurricane relief. I am blessed to be physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy to be able to do the work that many wish they could do. I am thankful to God, my family, and friends for supporting me through this journey to assist others in need (especially during the holiday season).
Today is DAY #3 of work days...we will be headed out to the Musician's Village again in about a half hour (must keep this short so I can go eat some breakfast before the van pulls out). I am excited because I believe that I will be working with the same group of individuals (Dan, Erin, and Gail...the women are not a part of our Bluffton group) to put siding on a house. I can't wait to finish the one side that we started working on yesterday...I feel such a great sense of accomplishment when I stand back at the end of the day to see all the progress we have made on one family's home. I am excited to head off to the work site today!
Katie
I'm so tired - My feet hurt - My neck is stiff - I hate cold showers
...but I just remind myself that I am so blessed. I am blessed to have the opportunity to spend a week in the Gulf working on hurricane relief. I am blessed to be physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy to be able to do the work that many wish they could do. I am thankful to God, my family, and friends for supporting me through this journey to assist others in need (especially during the holiday season).
Today is DAY #3 of work days...we will be headed out to the Musician's Village again in about a half hour (must keep this short so I can go eat some breakfast before the van pulls out). I am excited because I believe that I will be working with the same group of individuals (Dan, Erin, and Gail...the women are not a part of our Bluffton group) to put siding on a house. I can't wait to finish the one side that we started working on yesterday...I feel such a great sense of accomplishment when I stand back at the end of the day to see all the progress we have made on one family's home. I am excited to head off to the work site today!
Katie
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