Getting things done for the Recovery School District.

This past week my team and I have been working at different schools throughout the recovery school district here in New Orleans. Here’s a recap.

Tuesday

We worked at George Washington Carver Elementary and went on a field trip to the wetlands. It was really great getting to work directly with students. They were funny, intelligent and a bunch of them are characters. Before going to the wetlands we met the principal of Carver. She is an inspiration, from the stories I’ve heard she has really turned the school around. She talks with children individually and gives them her attention she knows most of their names and seems to genuinely care. She showed us around the classrooms and had the kids recite poems for us.

At the wetlands we planted native species and transplanted some more to help restore them. We worked with an organization called Bayou Rebirth. The kids had a great time and jumped into the water. They seemed excited to be able to leave the classroom for the day.

Wednesday

In the morning we went to Second Harvest, which is a food distribution center. We prepared food boxes to help families in areas affected by the oil spill. It was cool to be able to do something with tangible results. We worked with some members of Blue 6, they’re really great and it was nice to be able to work with different people.

In the afternoon, we went to John MacDonogh high school to start bleacher removal. Troy our site supervisor was able to get a company to donate a new gym floor. For the majority of our first day we tried to figure out what we was needed to be done. We didn’t have instructions and had to figure out the best way to remove them. Obviously, it’s not the most complicated thing in the world, but we did learn that we had to work from the bottom up instead of the top back.

Thursday

We continued bleacher removal in the morning and in the afternoon we went to Fannie C. Williams elementary school to help with a field day. I helped with the face-painting booth. I probably unknowingly painted gang signs on some kids. It’s hard to think that kids that young already know about that stuff. That they are aware of how real it is. I refused to paint teardrops under one kids eye. I did paint a number of black and gold fleur de lis. I didn’t even know how to draw one until that afternoon. It was kind of crazy. It was cool to see the kids get a chance to do something fun at school. They all seemed to enjoy it. Our unit leader was also around for our mid-site visit. My team leader knows where we’re going but can’t tell us yet. I’m hoping to know soon. I’m going to call it now and say that it’s likely we’re going to Baton Rouge. But I won’t know for sure until she says so herself. I might apply for a composite team for fourth round. It depends on what the project is, and if I can find out about the application process.

Friday and Saturday

We worked on Bleacher removal both Friday and Saturday. Our quickest removal was 2 hours and 10 minutes. I was sick Friday and Saturday so I went to the doctor and they gave me two shots. One shot was Cortisone and I don’t know what the other is. I’m kind of concerned that they didn’t tell me. Troy thinks it was B-12. I felt really well yesterday but today I feel worst. I’ve never heard of getting shots for a head cold.

This weekend, I’m not doing much of anything but next weekend I’m heading out of town. I’m excited to go on an adventure of a different sort. It should be a mix between relaxing get away, fun filled weekend, and finding a job and apartment. I’m hoping to figure out some sort of plan for my next step in the next couple of months, seeing as I don’t have much of a choice. In the meantime I’m going to make the best of what I have, because what I have is pretty wonderful.

Tuesdays in Treme

Well,

It is Tuesday, but I have yet to go to Treme. I am exhausted right now. Today, my team and I worked with Carver Elementary school and we ended up on a field trip to the wet lands. I didn't take any pictures but I know such pictures exist. I have been slacking on the picture front as of late. I am trying my best to enjoy New Orleans, and am marginally succeeding. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I've been hanging out with cool people and that I've been able to experience things I wouldn't be able to do elsewhere. I am exhausted from the sun and heat. It's only going to get worst as summer is upon us.

I am continuing my job search and am still looking for jobs all over the country. I am unsure where I will end up. Unfortunately, I haven't heard back from KaBoom! Although, the more I think about it, the more I just want to stay in one place for awhile. I am starting to become burnt out on moving all the time. On average I've moved three times a year for the past six years. It would be nice to have somewhere to call home for a while.

Let's just see where life takes me next.

Sara

I am not writing about this

I am not writing about this, I want to, but I feel like if I do it will just become awkward or forced or something uncomfortable will stem from it, or worst I'll look back at it and I won't feel the same way and I'll kick myself for saying it. I mean it's really too soon to say anything but I can't help but gush and get sudden flutters of happiness throughout the day. It feels different, it feels natural, which is to say it feels unforced. But I am not writing about it. I want to, and I have been talking about it, to close friends and family, and my team but only because my team sees me everyday so they know what's up. But I shouldn't write about it.

so I'll let this slip: It Feels Great!

But I'm not writing about.

N'awlins

So Blue 4's Road trip ended in New Orleans, La. 5 days and four nights in a van made Sara a rambunctious girl. My brother and Best friend welcomed me to the city of chaos with a weekend of exploring the French Quarter. I enjoy the music and style of the french quarter. I also enjoy the hospitality of New Orleans but when I lay down at night I'm willing myself to dream about sunny California. Well, I was. Now I find that I'm thinking about what's next after this year. I had considered applying to be a team leader. After a lot of thought and many frustrations, I decided that it would be best to part ways at the end of this year and start my life. Now the question is where am I going and what the heck am I going to do? I neglected to apply to grad school, and now I'm considering what I can do with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre and 10 months of experience with AmeriCorps NCCC.
Here are some things that I've decided not to do:

Burn all my money and live in a School Bus in Alaska
Go back to school to be an astrophysicist
Enlist in the Military
Try and get drafted for the WNBA (I'm too short)
Work on a farm
Try my hand at professional gambling
Work for a corporate law firm
Participate in illegal activities
Become a Police Officer
Flip Burgers


Above is a picture of NOLA architecture.

It's a astounding that after 5 years New Orleans is still rebuilding. There is a lot of work to be done.

At first I detested this city. I think it has the potential to grow on me, but I still feel my heart pitter patter for California. For now, I'm keeping my options open and trying not to become too distracted. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up somewhere that I didn't expect to go after this year is over.

Onward

Journals from the Road:

It’s day one of our five-day road trip. I am in the van right now listening to The Road by Conner Oburst and the Mystic Valley Band. It is the perfect song to listen to as I stare out over the roadside scenery. It’s not even Noon and I have already seen mountains, plains and palm trees. I love this state; not only is the scenery beautiful but the people here are also genuine. Which probably sounds strange considering that Los Angeles is home to celebrities whom are typically considered to be the opposite of genuine. I have only met a few celebrities and they were basketball players, I don’t think that they count. It’s just seems as if people here are happier and friendlier. Honestly, I think the hospitality here rivals that of southern hospitality.

I’m looking forward to starting our project, I don’t really know what it will be like, I have tried to lower or eradicate my expectations. I am probably the only person who is not super stoked about going to New Orleans. I want to continue doing service projects and the 10 days of driving is taking away from my ability to do service. We will be working with KABOOM! for one of our projects and it’s probably the only part of the project that I can’t lower my expectations. I am hoping to be able to make a difference in my time there and leave a mark somewhere that isn’t on Bourbon Street. I didn’t join this program to drink and party all the time. I joined it for the service aspect. I’m not going to say that we don’t do that. It happens, when you put 18-24 year olds together, they generally find a way to have a good time. I just feel like sometimes other things, like hormones and hanging out, distract me. I am trying to refocus myself for this next project. I really want to be able to build my resume and develop skills that will help me advance my career.

Blargh… this is really boring information. At least California is beautiful.

On day two we stopped in at the worksite and visited with Alberto and Mario and the families before we left for New Mexico. It was really great to see them again and we were fortunate enough to be fed delicious Mexican food before we continued our journey east. The scenery is beautiful, but in some ways very redundant. As soon as we left California, I was ready to go back. I miss it already. I took some pictures from the road and I tried to think of things to do with my life. I’m pretty sure that the next few years are going to be inconsistent. Although knowing me my whole life will be inconsistent.

Driving/Riding in a fifteen-passenger van is hard. We’re are required to wear our seatbelts correctly which wouldn’t be a problem except that I often end up in the seat where the seatbelt is possessed and likes to get tighter and tighter as we drive. Whenever I sit in that seat I feel like I’m in a Steven King movie and can be seen struggling for the ability to breath comfortably. I am told that I shouldn’t sit in that seat, but I am often the last person in the van and sitting near the front is essential for me to combat motion sickness. Although, I haven’t experienced any since we started this ride. I don’t want to be annoying to my team by always sitting in the same seat all the time. Hopefully, I won’t bother them too much.

I’ve just arrived in New Mexico. It’s the first time I’ve ever been to this state and it looks strangely similar to Arizona. The rock formations and giant boulders are worth staying awake for. Actually, I don’t mind the similar scenery, I find it to be serene, and often feel content to drive/ride through it.

I really love the west and can see why people live here. I am actually very sad to be going back east, although, I am happy to be able to help restore such a historically rich and culturally diverse city.

Transition Week and Prep for NOLA.

This week we've had transition, it's been really great to see everyone and catch up on the work they've been doing. We head out on Monday for our five day drive to New Orleans. I am excited for the adventure, but am a little anxious about traveling by van. We will be working with the Recovery School District, which is supposed to be a creative project. We will be able to come up with ideas and if our site supervisor likes them we will be able to implement them. It will be great to see our ideas and projects through to completion or at least starting them. I still miss the Coachella Valley, and kind of wish I could have stayed. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, I'll find a job in California. I'm so exhausted and have a meeting to prepare for but I just wanted to do a quick update.



I have included the video my teammate created of our project with the CVHC.

You can thank Late Harvest Gewurztraminer for this:

Today, my mom and I drove down the coast of California, granted we didn't go as far south as I wanted but we did see some amazing sites. There are lots of really small towns in between Calistoga and Bodega Bay. The smallest we saw was a population of 48. California is a breath taking place. I am so in love with this state. I don't know how I will be able to leave this place in two weeks when my team and I travels to New Orleans. :( The good news is last that I checked our route has us heading back through Mecca. I'm very happy to know that I will be able to drive through a place so beautiful again.

I can talk about my love for Mecca for days. I'll try and restrain myself.

My mom and I did a lot of driving today. The winding roads that took us from Calistoga to Bodega were breathtaking. We stopped an awful lot and we even had cows block our path at one point.

We stopped for dinner at this place called Zazu. It was really good and all of their food was local. It was delicious.

I'm glad my friends in So Cal are safe.

Tomorrow it's back to Sacramento. Then on April 12th we leave for New Orleans.