It started snowing a little while ago which is making me even more excited about heading south! Over the last couple of days we have had discussions about the different issues that ocurred because of hurricane katrina. Everything that we have read and talked about have been extremely informative and will be helpful on our trip. During our time at union we have also been practicing cooking dinner and so far everything has turned out really good. Yesterday we learned how to use powertools and put up drywall which was extremely hlepful.
I am definitely excited and ready to head down south!

We’ve been preparing for weeks to go, and the moment has finally arrived–I think the common emotion in the group right now is excitement!  We’re all excited to begin our journey and arrive in New Orleans to make a difference, no matter how big or small it may prove to be.  We’ll be there to help, but perhaps even more importantly, we’ll be there to learn along the way, and to carry the message of the ongoing problems in the South back our communities here at home.  The only way change can occur is if there is an awareness of the need of change.   We are to be catalysts for the change that is so needed in Louisiana.

With every reading we’ve discussed in this pre-departure period, it seems that there looms new problems around every corner for Louisianans.  Educational hardships, health care catastrophes, ecological tragedies, race issues, domestic violence, toxic waste contamination, absence of adequate funding, and lack of leadership all plague Louisiana in one way or another.   Most were present before Hurricane Katrina and have been exacerbated after the destruction that she caused.  The media’s influence in this period after Katrina has brought these issues to light, but when enough time passes and Katrina fades deeper into the shadows, the awareness of such problems will inevitably fade as well if nothing is done to mitigate them.  We, as a small group of volunteers from Union College, have an opportunity to do our part in alleviating these issues, but it’s not enough to help for two weeks and come home.  We’ve talked a lot in the past few days about the necessity of continuing to make others aware of the situation until finally change begins to occur.  We can only hope that by the time such change is made, it’s not too late to undo that damage that’s already been done.

I can’t believe that tomorrow at this time we will be down in New Orleans! I am really excited and can’t wait to get down there. Everything that we’ve been reading and talking about has been really educational even though it is really depressing. However, I feel that once we sart to get involved in the projects things will not be as depressing although there will still be some sadnessed attached to whatever we do.

Like I said before I am really looking forward to getting down to Louisiana and having a wonderful 2 weeks!!

The past few days back at Union have been very educational. The movie “Washing Away”, which we watched on Tuesday discussed how the Louisiana coastline is actually washing away therefore making the land extremely vulnerable to small storms, winds and flooding.

The articles we read for Friday were also really interesting. The piece on education really put things into a better perspective for me. What stood out most was the statement, “materials and facilities can be replaced. Students are receiving a real-life educational experience in that they see that they cannot take people, things and places for granted.” The other article on Memorial Hospital helped us realize the ways in which the system malfunctioned: how they were short on doctors, nurses and resources and needed help. I couldn’t imagine being placed in such a high stress environment and forced with the decision of who to help first.

My favorite part so far was definitely learning how to use power tools and perfecting tasks of hammering nails, to cutting and hanging dry wall. I think we are all ready to head down South!

Traveling!  One of the most frequently used words in the month of December.  “Where are you traveling to?” or “Are you traveling over the vacation?”  Those are just some of the phrases in which I hear the word used and the answers are normally, “Oh, to my hometown… to visit my family.” or “my family decided to go to…  for vacation.”  However, I don’t think I have every heard, “Well I am traveling down to New Orleans for a community service trip during my vacation break!”It is exciting hearing something different.  Doing something new over break.  Working in a city (state) I have never been.  Listening to people talk about their story of Hurricane Katrina.  Understandng about the architectural problems of the building in the Lower Ninth Ward.  Figuring out the flaws in the healthcare system prior to Hurricane Katrina.  Basically, learning something new!!!!Period.

Very excited to get started on Monday. The students seem very dedicated to the next two weeks, for which I admire them greatly. Every one of them has a very big heart. Though I work with a lot students in a service capacity, I can sense already that this will be a special bunch for me. 

From a personal standpoint, this is something I’ve hoped for years I’d get the chance to do. I keep wondering if it’s real! From a professional standpoint, I’m sure I will grow in some way or another from this experience; from the challenges and rewards that are soon to come…

 Don

I enjoyed todays discussion, it was very insightful. True the doctors at the Saint Memorial Hospital did have a hard choice to make yet I think we need to hold our doctors, mayor, govenors, federal government officals and military personel accountble for the decisions they make. In order to do that we must first exmaine how we view race, class, age etc. I thinks its one thing to give a patient an overdose of morphine to ease their suffering or

This is my very first blog, so if I do anything wrong, forgive me.
So we are leaving in 2 days to go down to New Orleans and I am excited. In the past few days I think we have started to come together as a group and I’m confident we’ll be able to overcome whatever challenges we face.
I enjoyed the discussion we had today about the education and Memorial Hospital articles, which forced us to think about ethical issues and made us imagine how difficult and complex the situation was.
Cooking has been going pretty good the past few days so I think we will survive on Oreos and what ever meal we prepare each day.
I think we all had a good time today learning about power tools, and as long as no one gets really angry at anyone else, that should be put to good use while we are in New Orleans.
Anyway, I hope we all wake up in time to make it to the pick up van at 5am =)
See you on Sunday!

So…Pre-New Orleans thoughts:
-can’t wait to wake up at 5am to go to the airport, although the food is going to be AWESOME. No, but really I am absolutely psyched about eating some food in the Big Easy!
-I’m pretty pumped to actually get there instead of talk about it…start to make a difference in the community rather than study it (I’m a pretty hands-on kind of guy Jan)

LET’S GOOOOOOO

Our first posts will be about our thoughts as we head to Louisiana for two weeks…