Friday, October 30, 2009

Miss Sarah

Last week Chloe, Chris, Eileen, Drew, and I worked on a house around mid-city. It was a productive week and it was wonderful to meet the homeowner, Sarah, and learn about her experience during the floods after Katrina...

She and her husband had remained in New Orleans at their home. As you know, after Katrina hit, the levees broke the following day and the flooding began, quickly rising. Miss Sarah and her husband made it to the roof of their house where they waited three days for rescue. While they had boats moving through the flood to rescue others, disability prevented her and her husband from easily being able to make it out, and a helicopter ended up picking them up. Like many other people, they were brought to the Super Dome, which became the shelter for people when there was nowhere else safe to go. Even the Super Dome wasn't safe enough, but it was the safest place for the time.

Because of the chaos of getting people there, she lost her husband in the crowd for a good amount of time, something she was worried about happening in the process of getting there. She explained to us how scary it was for her not knowing where it was for such a long period of time, and how relieving it was to finally find him and know that he was alright. I can only imagine what that feels like, having the one person you need the most during a crisis missing. That seems to all most people had... each other.

In the end, it's what got them through. Miss Sarah described that as the worst experience of her life, and she "could never wish that upon anyone."

Her husband passed away a couple of years later. Since then, Miss Sarah as remained at her home on her own, which we are in the process of rebuilding and finishing up. Four years later, her house is finally looking back to normal, as are the other houses in her neighborhood. The disaster affected Miss Sarah and everyone forever, but she'll be darned if it takes away her home and community. She and everyone are much too strong for that, and you can't take that away from anyone... each other.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Miss Lisa


Back in St. Bernard during first round, many of us led volunteers in rebuilding houses. A big part of that project was getting to know the homeowners and hearing their story and watching the the progress of their houses. Well, this past week, we were able to visit Miss Lisa's house, the house that Chris had worked on earlier this year.

Miss Lisa and Chris had been in touch since arriving in New Orleans, and she invited the team over for some homemade jumbalaya. It was a surreal experience, walking into the home that last we saw it was in the final stages of mudding. The house was fully rebuilt and being lived in. The TV was on, her grandson was running around intermittently watching cartoons and playing with action figures around the new couch, and dinner was simmering in the fully functional kitchen. This was no longer just a house; it was a home.

As great as it was for us to be able to join Chris in meeting her homeowner and see the house fully rebuilt, we could tell it was that much more meaningful for Chris, having been the primary site supervisor during the rebuilding process, and getting to see the final product and homeowner back where she began. It was a great night, the food was delicious, and we got to hear all about Miss Lisa's life in the New Orleans area. I look forward to meeting up with my homeowner hopefully at some point in the next couple of weeks.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Team Leader Jay

So some news I've needed to catch up with. Good news... no, GREAT news: I have been offered a job as a Team Leader for AmeriCorps NCCC next year! Yes, I'm in it for another year, and I'll get some Corps members of my own to introduce and guide in the traveling service world. I couldn't be more excited. I'll be at the Point starting in January for another year, where training will begin for a month, with the arrival of Class XVI of Corps Members starting their month-long training, and so on and so forth... I know the drill, as do you now.

But that's January, and this is now, and a lot has been happening. Currently, our project here in New Orleans is awesome, we love our housing, and the temperature recently went down a bit (a welcome change for me).

Also, very exciting... the job hunt/life after AmeriCorps front has been in full gear, and applications, interviews, and/or job offers have been in the works for the all members of Badger 6! More on that soon, once we hear more!

I've finally uploaded pictures from this round. Strangely, this is the most consistent internet accessibility we've had all year, and I've yet to upload anything from the round. I have my finicky browser to thank for that, but I've managed to figure things out and spent a solid amount of time uploading them all. Check out the right for pictures from this round. Also included is an album of photos of Badger 6 team members, in our formals. You'll notice we had a lot of fun with these.

That's about it for now. We're done in exactly a month. Where did the year go? Oh well, let's just enjoy some beat poetry dedicated to our TL, courtesy of our very own beautiful and talented Seven Bloom. Ladies and Gents, Mama Duck 2010:

Friday, October 16, 2009

Unforgettable Potato Leak Soup


Sure, we've been able to have home-cooked meals this round. But it really does taste so much better when someone else has cooked for you.

A couple of days ago some of the RT staff invited our team over for dinner. Not everyone could make it, but for those of who were able to, it was the best potato leak soup we'd had in a long time. Very gracious of them, of course, and it was nice to sit around a table to chat and catch up with them outside of work. But one of the most enjoyable parts of the night was conveying the NCCC experience, which entailed endless stories of our team dating back to the beginning of the year. It felt like a 10-year reunion dinner, except that we were all still there and only months have passed. We were finishing stories for each other, re-living them there at the table, laughing hysterically over things that are evidently never going to fade. At the end of the dinner I couldn't tell whether we entertained our hosts or scared them. One thing was for sure, though; they got a good look at our experience this year, and we left realizing that in just over four weeks, we'll be wrapping up this crazy chapter in our lives that will be truly unforgettable.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Badgers Just Wanna Have Fun


I live on the Real World. That silly (yet admittedly once addicting) reality show featuring strangers who live together, work together, and have their lives taped. But take away the cameras, and add some meaningful service to the equation, and you've got AmeriCorps NCCC, Badger 6 in New Orleans. And not to forget the fact that in reality, we're anything but strangers to one another. We're a family, and we'd love to welcome you to our humble abode, but you're probably far away and we don't have any money to send you here. :-)

The weekend is coming to a close, and the positively overwhelming amount of Sunday night carb-loading has commenced, and we're on our way to recovery. Two days off has left us a bit confused and its been something to adjust to, having had such a busy two weeks thus far. Not that we're complaining... A good amount of the weekend was spent relaxing, visiting the French Quarter, and exploring Marigny, the neighborhood we live in. The rest of it involved the team chilling out here at our house, either sleeping, reading, eating (always), applying for jobs (we're getting to the end!), or driving each other crazy (on various good and bad levels).

It's pure entertainment at times, because not only have we really gotten to understand and predict habits and behaviors of each member of the team, but the energy in the house is contagious. This typically happens right before dinner, and I only wish there was a way to videotape these Badger 6 moments that are filled with laughing fits.

Anyway, I already know that I'll be sad to leave this project in November. I'm simply having too much fun.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Warehouse, Salvage, and Sweat

The salvage yard, located conveniently close to our housing.

I just wrung out my uniform. No, not from the rain. I just finished my third day here in the Warehouse, completing various tasks, moving large items, and transporting what seems like endless amounts of lumber. It's a high-paced environment, and with House Captains (equivalent to Site Supervisors at our first round project) in and out, the loading and unloading of supplies becomes our main focus for the moment during various part of the day. It's very similar to a boxing match, where the boxer takes his break in the corner and several people nourish him or her and wipes their face with a towel. Get the job done, and get 'em back out there!

It's been just two of us, Harper and I, at the warehouse this week, and the rest of the team is out working on finishing a house like we were last week. It really helps to get to know how everything works and where all of the supplies go. Getting to know the warehouse has given me a new appreciation for the rebuilding process. For one thing, I know that we wouldn't be able to work on these houses so quickly without the warehouse and its efficiency. Furthermore, I know that next time I'm out at a house working, I'll do my best to keep things clean as possible, to cause as little headache as possible when it comes to the boxing break.

Today, I was in the Salvage yard. It's located right outside of the warehouse, also known as our backyard. It's quite a workout, moving lumber in 80 degree weather with a relatively high humidity... in October. I'm beyond excited to be in this area for the second time this year, but I can't imagine having been down here during second and third rounds, at the peak of the summer. I would have caused a flood in the warehouse.

Anyway, long day, but satisfyingly productive. Time for dinner; Chloe's making a huge pan of baked ziti. I can barely contain myself. Time to indulge, bye.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

OctoberBuild

As I mentioned earlier, this past Saturday was the OctoberBuild, an annual event put together by Rebuilding Together. Lots of volunteers came to rebuild homes across New Orleans.

Chris, DK, and I worked alongside about 20 or so volunteers on Delachaise St. at a home that had been damaged by the flood four years ago. Like most other houses I've mentioned and shown pictures of from my first round in St. Bernard, this home is still unoccupied. I had worked on the house the previous day removing trash and overgrowth all around the house. The build-up of trash increases even further when you account for the amount of residents from other neighborhoods who dispose of their own trash here.


This picture was taken the day before the arrival of the volunteers. You can see the house on the left. We spent a good amount of the day cleaning all of this up so that on Saturday we could focus on painting the house with the volunteers. It really is just a little bit at a time when it comes to this stuff, but its the only way to do it. You do see progress, and feels better when you know there's so much underneath to be salvaged. The picture below is the house after the build on Saturday.


One house at a time. We're gettin' there.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Boots and Ladders


Check us out: Badger 6, receiving our Orientation for Rebuilding Together (in the Warehouse). This was the start of our first week.

Our work day begins at 7:30am where we meet at the warehouse next to our house. We load up vehicles and then head out to respective sites. It seems we'll be varying it up each week with different jobs, which I'm looking forward to. A couple members of the team worked in the warehouse for the week. A couple worked in the salvage yard behind the warehouse, and the rest of us worked on a house a couple blocks away painting the exterior of the house and the top floor interior.


It was just us with the Rebuilding Together House Captain. Not working with volunteers was something new; We got right to work, and a majority of it was outside, which was nice. The weather was warm this week, in about the 70's and 80's at various times. We enjoyed ourselves.


I may have mentioned this before, but it's always nice to see pedestrians stroll and mention the house. Something I'm not used to is the slower-paced pedestrian culture here. Everyone says hello, and takes the time to enjoy what's going on around them. I've grown accustomed to the fast-paced atmosphere of Boston, where everyone is always in a rush and seems to be on a mission. Furthermore, the gratitude that is expressed by those in the neighborhood walking by who notice us working always reminds me why I'm here. There's always so much to be done. I do it because I can.

This week ended on Saturday with Octoberbuild, a big day for volunteers and organizations who come in and contribute a major effort in finishing these houses. Three of us worked at a house we'd spent cleaning the day before; It involved a lot of high ladders, which was a slight bit nerve-wracking, but I tackled by height phobia a bit. Just don't look down, and keep working. It seems I can go a little bit higher each time. . . Next week I'll try the 4 foot-ladder ;)

Something also worth mentioning: One of the volunteers on Saturday recognized us! From first round when we were in St Bernard! Go figure... Back when we had volunteered at the Los Islenos festival, he had also be working there. He said he recognized the "A" immediately. Small world! He seems very interested in the NCCC program, so its nice we were able to cross paths again to give him the scoop on our whole year since he saw us back in March.

That's it for now. We're exhausted and taking it easy on this day free, so energy is a full capacity for a another week with RT.