To no surprise, I’m still very much consumed by the trip. I find myself thinking about New Orleans and Dulac very often. I’ve gotten to tell my family a lot about the trip and found I could go on and on in trying to paint a clear picture of what it’s like in Southern Louisiana. I didn’t realize how much I learned until I began explaining my experience and detailing all the facts I’ve absorbed since the start of the miniterm.

Being back in New Jersey, I can already tell I’m a little bit different – or at least my thought processes are (is there a difference?). First, I can’t describe how thankful I am for my family, my friends, and my home. Although I have always felt privileged, this trip has deepened my appreciation for everything in my life. Since my return to Warren, I’ve been stopping to think about how grateful I am to being able to do (what I previously considered) the most basic things. With that, I feel somewhat guilty that I had taken these opportunities and abilities for granted, and that I am returning home to luxuries that many others have never known.

It’s also frustrating to think that so many others take what they have for granted. For instance, last night I was considering the types of children I have been a camp counselor for in the past couple of summers. I remembered how some of them were so ungrateful for what they have and for what people do for them…the way they demanded things without being trained to even say “thank you.” They couldn’t care less about things that underprivileged children would go crazy for. (Of course, this is a generalization that doesn’t apply to all of my campers.) They won’t know until they’re older how safe their lives have been, and how amazing their childhoods are. With the exposure and experience that comes with growing up (furthered by opportunities like service learning) I feel so fortunate for my own childhood and for the life I live.

I thought about my campers when Jenny came to talk to us about her work with City Year, and the terrible things that some of her students in New Orleans have experienced. I’m so glad that my campers and other children I know have not been exposed to any of the horrors that Jenny’s students have unfortunately come to know. I really admire Jenny’s work, and I know I want to continue volunteering with children at home, in Schenectady, and/or in New Orleans.  On that note, I feel a bit incomplete and know that my work in New Orleans/Dulac is not done. I already want to go back.. 

I’ve had a really hard time explaining my trip to my friends. Parts of the trip were very fun, while other parts were difficult. We were tourists enjoying ourselves, while realizing more fully the troublesome realities that challenge the region. I feel like I can’t convey my total experience well. I still think some of my friends assume the trip a vacation in which we happened to do some physical labor. Therefore, I try to express how much work still needs to be done in New Orleans and in the wetlands. Maybe the pictures they see will help to give them a better idea of what the trip was like…they can see our group having a good time in the French Quarter, but also see our worksites and pictures of Dulac. I don’t know. I know there is still a lot of processing to be done. I’m definitely very grateful to have had such a great experience.

I hope everyone is enjoying their time at home! Happy Holidays!

In both New Orleans and Dulac I noticed something about people, specifically about survivors of natural disaster. At first I was surprised that people could live normally and appear to have a calm mindset when they were surrounded by debris left over from the hurricanes, and while their homes were still in shambles. I soon realized that the challenges the locals face are not unlike those of others, in that they must be processed emotionally but then (to an extent) be put aside.  Eventually, you force yourself to move past troubles, and adjust to hardships simply because you have to in order to lead a normal life, and in order to maintain your sanity. You have to come to a point where you can remove yourself from the problems that once monopolized your thoughts. This simple observation helped me to understand why residents here were not more distraught at times. Sure, they still seem disappointed with their circumstance, but just like any other people they can experience a normal, healthy range of emotions, and are not constantly overwhelmed by the burdens imposed by the storms.

I’ve been very impressed and inspired by the spirit of NOLA residents. On Saturday at Kaboom I got to know a woman whose actions and attitude demonstrate a passion unique to New Orleanians. Michelean, a 32 year old mother, was friendly and excited to be at Gentilly Terrace. She explained that her family lived in the city for generations and had a hard time after the storm. They tried to settle elsewhere but found it was much hard than expected. Leaving New Orleans was just too difficult. Michelean returned committed to restoring her community. I believe she currently works two jobs (she came to Kaboom only a couple of hours after getting off of work at 7 am). In addition, Michelean helped to rebuild her own house and volunteered to work on another in St. Bernards parish. After everything she and her family has been through, she seems to have remained confident and continues to give herself and her time generously. I really admire Michelean’s commitment, selflessness, and optimism. Talking with her helped to make Saturday special, and strengthened my desire to help the New Orleans community.

We have less than two full days before we depart for New Orleans. As the trip approaches I’m getting more and more excited. But when asked about what I look forward to the most, I realized that I didn’t know specifically what it is that I am excited for. I concluded that there are many reasons for my enthusiasm, but two simple factors weigh more heavily. First, the not-knowing contributes to the thrill. After discussing New Orleans and Dulac, and as our departure draws closer, my anticipation steadily increases, and I find myself even more curious to find what our experience will bring. Second, I’m just eager to work. Now knowing how layered the Post-Katrina situation is, and how various people and organizations have failed to act appropriately (in prevention and relief), I am excited to be contributing to the recovery efforts. All in all, despite a lot of unknown, for what this trip will bring and what I will take from it, I’m ready for Wednesday and looking forward to the next couple weeks.