First Place

This post in a reflection of the entire trip, and not just a story of the trek through the ice age on our way back to Jersey. Before this reflection can start, however, I must brag a little.  Our van was the first to arrive (in 29 hours, the record).  This would not have been possible without the maneuvering skills of Liz Moody and the lead foot of Michael Brower.  Liz, more or less, saved all of our lives when we quickly realized that the road was a sheet of ice.  While saving our lives and keeping the van on the sheet of ice, she also managed to console all of our fears as she told us "It will be OK, Don't worry, I got this."  I commend you Liz Moody for multitasking between diminishing our fears and navigating the van.  When Liz decided she saved enough lives for one day, Brower took over, and, trying to preserve our first place position, put the pedal to the metal and burned down the icy highway at 15 mph.  Although we had a minor setback, literally, on a hill, we were able to make friends with a trucker and get to know our van-mates a little better.  Upon finally arriving safely to the Bonner center, I was proud to see that we had maintained our lead position for the rest of the trip. 

  OK, now for the reflection part (what this was actually supposed to be about).  The trip was amazing and I could not ask for a better experience. The camp we stayed at was great and the people there were very fun and interesting to interact with.  My experience with working on the house was good.  Although we were not able to finish the closet we had began in the beginning of the week, we were able to talk to our homeowners everyday, go out to eat with Miss Mary, and have a presence in the community.  This trip really opened my eyes to the underbelly of America.  Many problems are swept under the carpet, not to be talked about- ex. Most low-income housing complexes damaged by Katrina are now being replaced with Mixed Income housing.  Seeing the poverty that existed in and around New Orleans (where there were even communities) was astonishing.  I would like to go back to New Orleans sometime soon, and be able to contribute more of my time to this more than worthy cause and needy community. I hope that by reading this post someone will be intrigued, interested and moved enough to get involved and donate their time to the people of New Orleans.  Signing off for the last time,

 Ryan Gale 

home at last

I still cannot believe I am New Jersey. Sunday’s drive was an adventure to say the least. I wanted to get back safely more than I wanted to get back in time. The snowstorm in Tennessee was something I had never experienced before. It was new to me to be on the road in such harsh conditions and I was really glad our van was the only one that nothing happened to. There were some close calls but we managed to come out in one piece.
I have also never crossed a median (or two) in my life and that is also something I will never forget. So many things could have gone wrong but Maria did a really good job driving the van. Without her we would have reached New Jersey way later than we did. I believe God really answered my prayers and kept us safe the whole ride back because it really could have gone a different direction.
Going on this trip has changed my perspective on a lot of things. I am really proud of the help we gave to these survivors collectively and I hope people continue to go back and help rebuild time after time. Every day, I myself hope that I can go back again one day and as soon as I can. The job is definitely not done. After being back in school, all my friends have asked me about the trip and the one important thing I stress to them is that the rebuilding is not finished. I remember what my home owner, Ken Short, always told us. He advised us to take the stories back with us and share these stories with others. I hope I inspire someone with a story and cause them to want to go on the same journey I was blessed to be a part of.

Jax

..33 hours later

As much as 33 hours of driving was a bit much, I strongly feel that it built even more character within all of us along the journey. It's hard to believe that the week that has been talked about since day 1 of my Bonner experience has finally ended. The days were some of the most meaningful I have ever had, and I am glad truly proud of all of us. Coming from diverse positions of leadership in the past, all of us were used to stepping forward and claiming leadership roles within groups of our peers in high school. It was both interesting and challenging to be forced into a situation where there really were no subordinates. We were all leaders forced together to accomplish a common goal. Learning to listen, stepping forward when you feel necessary, and understanding that one way, or your way, is not always the correct one were a few of the many things that this service trip helped me realize.

Overall, I feel that the overall consensus of the group is that it felt so good, no actually unbelieveable, to contribute all that we did. The physical labor and emotional support we provided for our homeowners are what was most in need and that is what we provided. I am so thankful that the Bonner Center Staff and champerones made this trip possible it provided me with memories that will last a lifetime and allowed me to regain the spark I have for serving to the greatest extent.

Ashley :)

hmmm the end.

So we're finally home. I could make this long but I'm really lacking the energy. So we were a very long time in coming home. We were in the van for like 34 hours I believe. Something like that. It was a very long interesting trip. You learn a lot about the people you're with and about yourself when you're stuck in a car in some potentially dangerous situations. All in all this trip was awesome. I really enjoyed myself. I learned a lot about what I'm capable of and what my short-comings are. I also just want to say Su was right...we are a force to be reckoned with. I'm really proud of all that we accomplished and the manner in which we went about it. I wish we would have had more time down there but I'm also very glad to be home. Thank you to all the drivers for getting us home safely.
I'd really like to say thank you to the the Bonner Staff and the upper classmen who really helped make this trip possible. I know Morgan, Britt, Liz, Todd and countless others put in a ton of time and energy to make it all possible. I know I had an awesome time and it was a great experience so thank you guys!!!
Hope everyone's semester started off on the right foot.

Night at Pearlington

On Thursday night we went to Pearlington camp in Mississippi. Going to this camp really opened my eyes to how much devastation hurricane Katrina caused. My ignorance about the whole situation lead me to believe that Katrina had only devastated the city of New Orleans and other places were unharmed. However, visiting Pearlington showed that still after three and a half years people outside of New Orleans were still feeling the stress and pain of recovering from Katrina. The fight and resilience of the home owners inspired me to work through my own battles. They made me see the light at the end of my own tunnel and made me believe that if people can go through something like losing their home and all of their possessions then they could live through anything.

Home Sweet Home

A 33.5 hour van ride from New Orleans to Ewing, NJ pretty much says for itself that we ran into a few roadblocks along the way on our return trip. After a long and very productive work week for all of our teams, getting back to TCNJ in the amount of time that it took us to get to New Orleans would have been nice. But, unfortunately, mother nature had different plans for us. Instead of arriving at TCNJ at noon on Sunday 1/18, as planned, we instead ran into an ice storm in Tennessee which forced us to camp out for the night since it was too dangerous to continue on. While frustrating, we knew this decision was for the best. Around 7:30am, we attempted again to continue our trip home. This time, an accident had blocked all lanes of the interstate and according to 511, may not be cleared until 3pm. So, as you may have already read in the Santa Maria's post, we pulled a few U-turns and found an alternate route around the scene of the accident and back to our route leading home. Eventually the roads showed no more signs of ice and we were able to drive without worry. However, as our luck would have it, crossing into Delaware also brought snow, ice, and more cars spinning off the road/getting into accidents (not us!). Finally we crossed the Scudders Falls bridge into New Jersey and our van literally cheered. I love to travel and for as long as I can remember, I have never really gotten homesick, but after the constant concern about everyone's safety and my exhasustion building, I couldn't help but begin to dream about being home, comfortable and without worry.

When I walked into my front door around 10:30pm tonight, I couldn't help but to recognize the feeling of utter joy to be home that I was experiencing. And then it hit me. While I have been down to New Orleans now 5 separate times for Katrina relief work, never have I had the kind of experience like I had on this trip which made me appreciate so much what it must feel like for the residents of New Orleans to come home. After arriving in New Orleans last Sunday, we took a tour of the lower 9th ward and visited Juanita who lives in the Lower 9th. Maria, Mike Strom and myself, as well as many others, had the great privilege of working on Juanita's house this past June and July. Juanita worked with us the whole week that we were there in July and we were able to get to know her well. When the three of us showed up on her doorstep that Sunday and seen her finished home and her beaming smile, I began to get a glimpse of just how much being home can affect a person's morale, personality and overall outlook on life. Juanita went on to invite all 40 members of our group to walk through her house and see her beautiful home. You could see that she was so proud of her home that she wanted everyone to see it! While walking through, she would make comments like "I remember you worked on this wall" and other similar comments that let us know that she remembers all of the hard work that had put in and that what we had done had meant, and continues to mean, so much to her. Her smile said it all. After our "adventure" home as I like to call it, and the sense of relief that I felt walking into my house tonight, I couldn't help but to think that my sense of joy and relief is only a fraction of the joy that Juanita, and other homeowners in the New Orleans area, must feel when they are given the gift of returning to their homes. They have "traveled" through years of sorrow, disappointment, discomfort and hard work to be able to make it back to the place they call home. What an incredible gift to be able to give someone!

Without the struggles and setbacks of this trip, I don't know how much this idea really would have hit home. Only with elements out of my control keeping me from being in the comfort of my own home could help me to realize, on a much smaller scale, the frustrations that homeowners in the New Orleans area must feel, but then the great joy that they experience when they are able to return home.

All in all I feel that we had a very successful week. I am proud of every single Bonner as well as all of the non-Bonners who joined us on this trip. Even the village manager at our camp complimented our group and expressed that she was so happy we had been there that week--that they had fun with us and that they respect so much how personable we were with the other volunteers at the village. As the leader of the group at Olive Tree, this was so nice to hear. Not that I expected or thought any less of the Bonners, but it is always nice when someone else sees what you see...

More later when I have the energy...

The Adventures of the Santa Maria

1pm(central time) - departed Perlington Mississippi in short sleves and flip flops

1130pm(est) - stopped for dinner at the classy Wendy's resturant and switched drivers

2am (est) - Woah! Icey roads!!! The sea was getting rough...

4am (est) - The ship docks amongst large barges at Le Rest Stope

730am (est) - The voyage continues...

731am (est) - Stopped in a boat jam (pirates ahead? Sinking ship?)

830am (est) - Jive ho! We make a quick U-turn... Followed by the Pinta (they were tooo scared to go first)

915am (est) - Detour through uncharted territory only marked by confederate flags..

Will check back in soon... May the winds be at your, no wait, our backs.

Signing off,
The Santa Maria (aka Van 2)

Last full day

Today our home owner took us on a tour to Bay, St. Louis. I am really going to miss his tours because we usually got one everyday after lunch. First we picked up lumber in Lowes and drove to the Bay. He showed us where a lot of stores used to be and where a lot of people abandoned their houses and still have not returned. We went to the dock of the bay and looked out into the water. We were actually able to see the oysters at the bottom which is something we wouldnt have in Jersey. Next he took us to a dock that overlooked the gulf of Mexico. That was a breath taking sight. I would have never thought I would get a chance to see the Gulf of Mexico and it made me even happier to be here. I took so many pictures of the water and the beautiful houses on the coast. I really wish everyone on this trip could get a tour like we did.

Later at night we went out to eat in New Orleans. I tried raw oysters and crocodile sausages for the first time. They really didnt taste as bad as I imagined. We did some light shopping and went to a club afterwards. It was kinda slow at first but then it picked up and more people came in. I had such a good time with everybody and it was the perfect way to end the trip.

We are leaving here soon and I am going to miss this place. I am going to miss the warmer winter, the people, the food, and the experiences. I really hope I get a chance to come back here and do some more work. I am glad I came. :)

i expected the week to feel longer. and because of that, i feel like i am leaving abruptly, before i've had a chance to make the impact i had hoped i would.

i know that's just my overthinking, though, that the week we spent here did help chisel away at what's necessary still to help rebuild this city. but i also know that i need to come back. i feel a certain sense of ownership now, and i can't forget that.

i'm proud of our team: our behavior at the camp, our work at our sites, how well we interacted with each other. i feel closer to those i didn't know as well and excited for this upcoming semester.

bonner love. nola '09.

liz

Leaving in a few hours =[

Well I now have only a few hours before I leave MS. The week went by so fast I can't believe it. Last night we had dinner together at a restaurant, and went dancing. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed myself on my last night in the city. 

This trip was amazing and I'm so glad I had the chance to experience this. Not a lot of people have an experience like this, and I feel really lucky to have had one so young. 

My goal is to go back home and educate my friends and family about the condition New Orleans and MS is still in. I was ignorant before coming to this trip. I did not know the seriousness of this catastrophe. It broke my heart to see the condition the homes were still in. 

Someday in the future I want to come back and meet a new family to reconstruct their lives. 

Well, Today is our last day in New Orleans, and I must say, It has been a phenomenal trip and experience. I loved being immersed in the New Orleans culture and also being able to make such a huge impact on the lives of my homeowners and the members of the local community. This week i worked rebuilding a house on Orleans Avenue. Through the help of my construction manager, Duncan, I built a closet and two sets of stairs this week. Duncan helped teach me how to efficiently frame, drywall, mud, and tape. In addition, Duncan taught us a lot about the culture and history of New Orleans.
This trip has truly been an eye-opener to all the injustice that is present in our country. It is very saddening to see all of the devastated houses, even after about 3 and a half years. Seeing the lower ninth-ward and the remnants of the hundreds of houses that used to be there is very disappointing. If the chance presents itself again in the future, I will definitely make a return trip back down to New Orleans to help the continuing efforts of home rebuilding. As Duncan told us, it is estimated that the rebuilding will continue for about another 10 years if we continue on our current pace.
Our Homeowners Al and Mary were also great. They had some incredible stories to share which were very enlightening and interesting. I greatly enjoyed talking with them when they were around. Yesterday, Mary brought my group to a local restaurant which served some local cuisine. I got a dish which had fried catfish, shrimp, and oysters which was fantastic.
I am very sad to be leaving New Orleans. I wish I could stay longer and complete more work for our homeowners and other members of the community. I have learned so much this past week, and I will not forget about the people down here and their incredible stories.

I have procrastinated - again.

We're about to head away from Olive Tree, so I suppose this is the best time to reflect on my time here. I know I am leaving NOLA changed. I've gained a whole new sensitivity to the events preceding/following Katrina. I more aware of the pain felt by those affected by Katrina after personally hearing their accounts. Last but not least - I have perfected my painting technique :] This week was a huge amount of fun. We might not have built a house from scratch, but every layer of paint we applied to a wall was one less layer of paint our homeowner needed to worry about. We poured ourselves into our work, ultimately feeling accomplished and satisfied with all that we had done. I have laughed, felt, and thought so much on this trip. It feels wonderful to be awakened this way. After a lazy month of doing absolutely nothing, this is just what I needed to remind me of what it feels like to be proactive.

The last day holds the most memory

This week has really been a great week. As a team, we have worked very hard on the house on Galvez. Day to day, we see improvement within ourselves and also see different characters developing which is a good thing because it shows a sign of strength and appreciation. The last day holds an excitement and also holds sadness because we are about to leave the house that we worked on all week and not get to finished it ourselves. We have brighten the house by painting the living room orange which turned out very nice. Once you walk in, the brightness's will put a smile on your face. This trip has also made me realize that I work very well with all the Bonner's. At school, majority of us work at different sites so we do not get to work together, but this trip has open many doors. Team Lire and Richard. That is a combination that works very well. Lire has taught me a lot of things dealing with carpentry and also I have gotten to know him much better this week. A new friendship has form which has made me very glad.

Last Day!

At our site this morning I felt a little disappointed that we were leaving. I find it really difficult to leave behind a house that you really want to finish.
However, I was very proud of the work we all accomplished!! My favorite part of course was learning all the new SKILLS -tilling,removing shingles off a (very)steep roof, and using all types of electric tools that I normally would hide from.

Oh and lastly:Last year when I left New Orleans I found myself much more confident, this trip I find myself leaving much more humble. I learned so much more significant information about what occured before and after Hurricane Katrina. I was almost angry about all of the details I knew nothing about. I'm really determined to appreciate how much I have and to not leave here purely confident, but also a little more humble. I'm thinking I can make it happen

Blogalicious

Sooooo I have not blogged at all since I have been here-- it just has not really crossed my mind. Don't get me wrong, it's not because I am lazy, it's just because I have been so busy and I have been having so much fun that I have not really focused on sitting at my computer and typing. But that does not mean that I have not been thinking. I think that my experience here in New Orleans has been different than any other. The experiences that I have had and the changes that I have felt myself going through have put me in a state of constant thoughfulness. I hope that the vows I have made to better myself are not just in the heat of the moment and I also hope that I really do end up changing myself for the better.

Day 5

Today was our final work day.  Unfortunately, the perk of being in the South where one would believe it to be warm, did not help us out today--it was bitter cold. Once we got to work, our complaints of runny noses and numb finger tips quickly stopped.  We were outside working side by side with people who have the same vision as ourselves, aiding others in need, and we were going to finish the week off strong.

Although our house was months from being finished, this week we completed the tiling in the kitchen, bathroom, the bamboo floors in a potential (I believe) dining room, and stripped the old, tattered roof.

As much as it was great to see physical proof of our progress after five work days, forming a relationship with our construction site manager Kate and getting to speak with our home owner Victoria and other locals, was to me the most rewarding aspect of the trip.  Understanding that these individuals are just people like myself became a reality to me.  

I truly hope to return home and share, with as many people who are willing to listen, my story of my week of service in New Orleans, Louisiana.  "I do not want anyone to forget about what Katrina did to New Orleans," as a local named Earl put it, and that is exactly how I feel.  

Ashley :)

a pickle in a bag.

we finished up work on our galvez street home and said goodbye to monica. when we got to the house in the morning mark had decided that it was too cold to paint, even though it was well into the forties, so we had to wait a half hour or so for a "can heater" to be delivered. the kitchen was to be painted orange which made everyone happy. we finished that fairly quickly and then moved on to the bathroom which will eventually be tcnj colors and finished up the hallway and edging. on the way to the site, we stopped at walgreens and bought monica a pickle in a bag which i had never seen before. to our surprise, she ate the pickle and even gave me a bite! it honestly wasn't bad. that made me happy.

but i wish she drank the juice.

Last Night

Here we are opn our last night getting ready to go out for dinner and I couldn't feel better. We finished working on our house today. Britt and I didn't exactly finish the closet, but it is to the point where it can be assumed as to what it is. We went out to lunch for some amazing food with our homeowner, Miss Mary, which made the work all worthwhile. Last night we went to Pearlington where the rest of the group is, and it made me that much more thankful for staying @ Olive Tree. Needless to say, I am glad I'm not sleeping in an almost heated tent. I commend those who are though. ... On Wed. we went on a scavenger hunt which was a great time, and allowed us to make a total mockery of ourselves in front of everyone on Burbon St. I have enjoyed this experience and hope I have another opportunity to come back and help those in need down here....
I'll let you know how the ride home goes!
-Ryan Gale

galvez st.

so the final time we drove away from our house on galvez i was felling a bit of nastalgia. we only met our homeowner once and we had a couple of set backs (no paint, no supplies, homeowner didnt like it, etc), but as we drove away i thought of other things we did on this trip. i saw the lower ninth ward and met a survivor on the verge of the dedication of her new home. i saw houses with three walls and a collapsing roof. i drove by plot after plot of bare foundation with stairs that arent leading to a front door. i drove along the levies that broke. i was taught me how to properly paint a wall, how to caulk, and the order in which to paint a house. i climbed up a ladder and climbed on a rooftop. i met a new bonner and found out she's pretty cool. i went on a scavenger hunt and some drunken man threw me beads on burbon. i listened to a new orleans native speak about NOLA in a beautiful poem. i was part of a team that worked hard for a homeowner to make her life just a little bit easier. i'll never forget this trip and i'm so glad i was able to go with the rest of the first year bonners. i looked at our house today for the first time and i'm so proud of everything we've done.

hmmm part 3

So I must admit I'm disappointed in the attitude I had yesterday. My post was rather bleak as a result. Today we had a minor setback in the beginning of the day. It was too cold to paint (?) so we had to wait and sorta construct a heater. After we got that going we were beasts. We finished the living room, the kitchen, and the bathroom completely, and were able to get one more ceiling done. It was awesome. We finally painted with something other than white! ORANGE! and I mean orange...like crayon orange. Macaroni and cheese. It was awesome. Today was a good day. We had a game plan that got switched around but we handled it efficiently. Outside there was still the framing for the windows caulking and then painting the newly framed windows. All in all today was an awesome end to the week. Though I feel like there's so much more to be done I'm so happy that I was able to be a part of this. I just wish I could stay longer. This trip was an eye opener. I was able to see a lot of situations from strictly a volunteer point of view rather than the planner. It was helpful to see what frustrated us as volunteers and what got us really excited. Hopefully we all took notice of things like this and will carry them back to Bonnerland with us. All in all awesome trip. Really looking forward to the city tonight...and um...curious....to see how the trip home goes. haha yay 20 hours in the vans! Hope you're all well!
~K

Finishing up

Hey everyone-

I just wanted to tell you all how much I've enjoyed reading your blogs! Collectively, it seems you've had a broad range of experiences. Some of you are working in New Orleans, others in MS - doing a variety of projects. Whatever the case, it sounds like you're all motivated and trying to get as much done as you can. Good for you!

For those of you that have not met your homeowners (or had dissapointing experiences with your homeowners) - try your best to think about why your homeowner may not have been able to make it. I know it is nice to make that personal connection and hear the individual account of someone's experience, but it is important that as volunteers we try to put ourselves in the shoes of the homeowners... and imagine why they might not have been able to make it. Hurricane Katrina has left several families displaced and suddenly residents of random places in which they never imagined they would live. For some people it is extremely hard traveling back and forth from their current residence to their home in New Orleans, for others it is easy, and for others impossible. Commuting is both draining and expensive! However, that should not belittle the work that you are doing. Without volunteer groups like you, New Orleans would be much worse off that what it is. It is times like this when we must be selfless and persistent in helping those in need in times like this.

These trips and experiences are important in both not only opening your eyes to the current events that take place outside of New Jersey, but also in developing and strengthening friendships within the Bonner corps. I hope you have found your time in New Orleans (or MS) to be fruitful. Take what you've learned and experienced on this trip back with you, and build upon it (both with the TCNJ Bonners and your families, friends etc).

I wish I could have been there to join all of you (I was there in heart). Hopefully next year I will be able to return. In the meantime thanks for sharing your moments with me and the other people who have read this blog.

Heather Camp (former Bonner staff)

Kevins amazing lesson by Kevin Gabel

In life one has many stages a person goes through.  The early stages in ones life determine the path for the future.  Whether it is marriage, retirement, or having children, the time of ones life becomes important when he or she makes the choices which determine everything.

           In this stage of life i realize that my life and the life of everyone else is determined by the ones surrounding one.  I am so glad to be with a group of young and inspiring people who have one of the greatest influence in my life.

           New Orleans is the spot to be.  From the first day we have arrived until now we have gained so much.  Today is thursday and me and the crew i am working with have almost finished the entire job.  We had to put sheets of vinyl around the entire house.   I have never thought of working on something like this.  It is definitely a great feeling to know that there are people out there to help out others in a case of a disaster, like hurricane Katrina.  It is not only the material we put on the house or the work that we provide, but moreover the spirit of optimism we brought with us and shared with those who needed this spirit.  These people really needed help.  The thing is that they didn't ask for help.  They prayed for help and their prayers were accepted.  I have learned so many different lessons i can bring back home to teach others who need to learn the value of helping others in need without asking for it.  I have a great smile on y face whenever i know that i have helped someone in need.  All of the people i work with are the nicest people ever who are going to make it far in life.  I know that i can always really on these people.  I do not call them my friends.  I call them my family. 

Days 3 & 4

The past two days have been like nothing I have ever experienced. Moving on to another home, which was in its initial steps of restoration was quite different than the work we did on our first home. Jared, Kat, & I were working on the roof of a woman's home named Victoria, also known as Victory (and yes, I love the symbolism in that). We ripped down the weathered shingles and any other debris that remained. Naomi, Kristina, & Leanne worked on other various jobs such as laying down "Hardybacker" and tiles in both the kitchen and bathroom. I cannot remember the last time I woke up as sore as I did Wednesday, but my aches served as a constant reminder to me throughout the day of how hard my team and I were working to aid all of the individuals who were more than deserving of the help.

My team was also very privileged enough to meet Victoria. Her words were honestly touching. She spoke of how she moved to Texas shortly before the storm hit and stayed there for approximately two years. When she finally decided it was time to return home, she held her breath as she walked into her side door. She told us that she cried in every room she walked it. All of her memories, all of her treasures were gone. She couldn't get any of it back, and this broke her heart. After finally getting her thoughts back in line, she hired a contractor, who ended up being a scam. Victoria was left with a mere $5,000 and that is why she is now working with PDA.

I cannot believe the week has gone by so quickly. Tomorrow is our last day and I am looking forward to talking to Victoria one last time.

Ashley :)

nola

today my team embarked on another day of work on galvez street. after having to re-prime the entire house to meet the expectations of the home owner, we were able to begin painting. the home owner's choices of color were less than attractive but we started with the family room. we deemed the ceiling an "arctic grey" and the walls "ugly sand." we painted on. after a delicious lunch and much waiting, our infamous home owner showed up. i was hoping that maybe meeting with her would make it easier for me to deal with her meticulous requests but her less than friendly demeanor didn't do much. i don't believe she said thanks once. that got me thinking about what i'm really doing down here and why. after a good back yard talk with katrina, i realized that our home owner appearing ungrateful in no way demeans what we're doing and why we're doing it. we are all here to give help to whoever is in need.

what ive been meaning to do

so i've been meaning to blog during this trip. i've thought about it, started some, i even saved 2 but i always forget to go back and finish on that thought. today I'm going to finish this one. one of the saved blogs was a poem i had written so i'm going to post that and then blog.

War Zone
burbon street and beads, line the advertisements for New Orleans, Lousiana
yes we have heard about Katrina and we have seen the destruction she left;
but on the 6 o'clock news, i see those pretty lines of brad pitt houses.
I don't see her real parting gift;
the amount of destruction, impossible to imagine-
the ninth ward filled with plot after plot of bare foundation, stairs leading up to nowhere,
ladders leading up to windows without houses;
the level of reconstruction is nothing compared to sheer volume of destruction,
and it does not stop at the end of those broken levies.
it continues to the upper ninth ward, to gentilly, to st. bernard parish, to the eighth ward, on and on victims are listed,
X's stuck across siding and doors with numbers and letters,
a combination depicting how many were alive, how many were ill, and how many had passed
still remains on houses yet to be picked for restoration and houses in the process of.
they've won this round of lottery against a series of losses;
every street shows the results-
the first winner with a new house and manicured front lawn,
the second with ladders, paint and familiar blue Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Shirts,
and the third player who has lost, still separated from family by thousands of miles,
unsure of what to do with a collapsing roof and three walls.
but still she has hope that someone will come to help her,
to ease the weight upon her shoulders as she continues down the road katrina has destroyed.
and in her eyes there is a light because she can see a house rebuilt for her
she can feel the pride for her city running through her veins
not for burbon street or its bars or its floats
but for the sweet smells of gumbo and the bayous and the arms of the people who grew up with her
surrounding her in a new kitchen on Tennessee in the lower ninth,
listening to the creole of her people and the pulse of her world.


another post later

hmmm continued

So today was a bit frustrating at our site. We got there and were really excited to be able to finally put color on the wall after all of the setbacks we've faced. Our site leader began the day by telling us we only had paint for one room........so! frustrating. Especially considering that was the main task set before us at the beginning of the week. But we kinda pushed on and found odd jobs to do in the morning hoping that the home owner would come at 12:30 with farther plans. Well when lunch rolled around she hadn't come home. While we waited unfortunately we had nothing to do. So many of us sat doing nothing and waited. Finally the home owner arrived. She walked into the house to see the one room we had painted with the colors she had designated and was silent. We were all ridiculously nervous. She didn't really like the colors; though the colors weren't our decision we were all really really disappointed. She brought the paint for the rest of the house in and we got ready to start painting in an effort to finish. We got the tape up around the border and by chance had to take a small portion off to reposition it to find that it was pulling the paint off.....bummer!! Anyway we regrouped and came up with a game plan for tomorrow to hopefully be as efficient as possible. Today really showed us the importance of communication and making sure that we as Bonner's have to be prepared for our functions because when leaders aren't prepared....it's .... difficult....and disappointing. But! on a good note. We're gonna kick some serious painting butt tomorrow. And the windows are all framed and caulked up. Yay!!

Day 4: The Dream Team

It's already been four days since we started working on Denise and Ben's home. And, it's been a great time. My teammates are John and Saba. The three of us, who didn't know one antoher before this trip, are now inseparable. That is not a stretch. We have become fast friends, spending most of our time working and laughing. Non-stop.

The homeowners that we are working with are great are great as well. Denise, who's about 56 years old, could single-handedly build a home herself, if she had the strength. Instead, we settled on her showing us how to use a nail gun, a skill saw, and a table saw. Yeah, I know. Where am I?! And, then she surprised me again today by showing me how to fix a plumbing problem they had in the kitchen. She literally took the plumbing apart under the sink, cleaned out a few pieces, and put it all back together. Honestly, I would never have done that. Now, I know that I can. As surprised as I was, I also became a bit sad when I realized that the only reason she knows how to do all of this is because she's basically rebuilt her home twice in the last 4 years. Once, right after Katrina (of course) , and once right after hurricane Gustav. In Pearlington, MS, after hurricane Katrina, most of the natural protection from the water (which is only 8.5 miles away from the Gulf of Mexico) was lost. Now, flooding is unfortunately a common occurrence here.


So why does Denise and Ben stay here in Pearlington? Because, they simply love where they live. From their neighbors to their town, they can't even think about living anywhere else. Before I got here, I would have thought that rationale was ridiculous. Now, I completely understand. Everyone on their street helps one another out all day long trying to put their lives back together. Then again, wouldn't most neighbors come together in a time of crisis?

We spent a lot of time with Denise this week talking about God. The people here also have a tremendous amount of faith in their Lord Jesus Christ. After hearing their stories, you begin to understand how they were able to gather up the courage to get up from the blow they took almost 3.5 years ago, and rebuild everything back to the way it was. Katrina would not win. I saw a billboard today that said, "Katrina was big, God is bigger."

Which brings me to one last experience that I want to share with all of you. Take a moment and go to YouTube. Search for "Pearlington's Prayer." It's a wonderful video set to a song written by a local beauty pageant winner. The images that are displayed are all pictures taken by locals who witnessed the strength and destruction from Hurricane Katrina firsthand. I hope it moves you as it moved me. All the best.

Week is almost over

Today I felt very accomplished. Over the past few days I, along with three other members of my group did siding on a house. Today we really worked together, and got a lot done. It felt really good! Its a lot of work, and I now can say I can do siding on a house, which I never thought I could ever say. 

The scavenger hunt was amazing. I had so much fun with everybody. It was a long time since I've had to do a scavenger hunt, ad I'm really happy tat it went so well. 

I've learned a lot on this trip that I will gladly bring back to educate my family and friends. I've learned to appreciate everything I have at home, and to never give up on a goal. There were days and moments when I was siding the house, and I would get so frustrated, but at the end of the day I realized that I made a difference in someone's life. 

I love this trip, and the people that I came with =D

Firebugs & Shawtys

As we await the arrival of our peers from The Olive Tree Camp, we are anticipating a great night with them as well as our homeowners.  The past couple of days have been filled with new experiences, friends, and memories.  Last night we had the chance to do a scavenger hunt throughout the city of New Orleans.  Along  the way we had many laughs, met interesting people, and pushed ourselves to new limits. The thrilling night ended with a flamboyant parade of both Bonners and strangers.  Today, began at 6 a.m. because we had the pleasure of cooking the entire camp breakfast.  This time, we had pancakes WITH syrup, but STILL no bacon.  Later, we continued to work at our sites and wrap up our numerous projects.  In addition, we are looking forward to seeing the finished products of all our hard work and dedication.  

Until we blog again,

Lasha, Dana, and Rachel

Change of scenery

Since our home owner had a doctor's appointment today, my site team went to a different house today. There we met Greg and he told us he wanted us to work on putting in insulation. As we worked he kept thanking us and I could tell he was very appreciative about the help he was getting. He had one month before they take his mobile home away and he was trying to get as much done on his house as possible. We went outside after our job was completed and he told us about his Katrina story. He told us how a big tree fell in front of him when he was trying to leave his house and how he ended up on the couch in his house waiting for the storm to stop. We talked about how the government should be helping more and how much more progress could have been made as a result of it. He told us about a neighbor of his who got a 25K check for his home that was not in that bad of a condition and then used that money to buy two cars. It made me think about how in a disaster, you see people's true colors, the good, the bad, and the selfish.

I really love my camp. I have met and bonded with such awesome people. Although we do not have the same resources or facilities as the people in Olive Tree, we have made the best of everything and made memories we will never forget. Tonight we are having dinner with our home owners and I am really excited to meet everyone. Should be a good time.

one day left

one day left until the end of our trip it feels like we just arrived yeaterday the past week has been life changing and we have learned alot on this trip. the new people we have met will forever hold a spot in all of our hearts. the new friendships we have made will forever be with us. this night we will be joined by our owners and fellow bonners. tonight we will all gather around the fire and enjoy some smores and good food. we are looking forward to tommorow and returning home to see our loved ones but we our sad to be leaving our new friends. 

Kate, Anna, and tiffany.  

Anticipation!

Day 2

The first day off to work was one of the most exciting days of the trip. I anticipated meeting the home owner(s), working together with my group, and most importantly, making an impact on someone's life. I couldn't wait to pick up a tool and have a major, out-of-my-element job to do! Of course this is not what we got to start off doing, but I learned quickly that it did not matter how large the job, but how well i did it and with as much passion as possible. I made a goal at the conclusion of day 2 to focus on things I would not normally focus on.

Day 3

Today was definitely a motivating day. As the hours progressed I noticed how well my teammates and I got along and worked together. This really triggered my desire to keep putting forth as much effort as I could in each task.
I'll admit I am a big "bonding" person and love a comfortable atmosphere among people I am working with. I was so excited that our group achieved this so quickly and stuck with it.
I know I'm rambling and repeating myself,but it really helped me to open up and enjoy this trip even more!

Before the Trip

Wow!

I cant believe the day has finally come! I am really excited to go to New Orleans...I believe the experience is going to be incredible.  I am going to grow as a person, as an individual, and see great things that not a lot of people have a chance to see, or experience.  I've never done anything like this before, so I am really anxious and really excited.  I wish to discover new things about myself, to learn, and educate other students about the New Orleans trip.

Its going to be so much fun! I am counting the hours!

Team Work

Today, our team had spend the whole day painting. I never knew that painting can take a lot of team work. Team work involves listening, participating, helping, sharing, and most important communicating. In order for team work to succeed, we should all be team players. These are the traits that I had observed today. We worked together as a group and involved everyone in everything that we did. At first, I was not really sure how to hold the paint brush. Lire, known as the teacher, went around and gave everyone a mini lesson which helped me to do the work throughout the day. No one felt over power, nor felt insecure because everyone was able to work in their comfort zone. During the day, the church pastor in the neighborhood had pass by to see the work that we were doing. He was very happy to see us and to see the things we were doing to help New Orleans. He appreciated everything and recited two poems before he left. Hearing him recite this poem made me reflected on powerful New Orleans is. The more lending him that participates, the more we can gain success.

Making Progress

OK, well after typing an incredibly long blog and having it deleted due to a bad internet connection, I'm keeping this one short. My site team and I are working on a house owned by Al, who is out of work due to a bad back, and Miss Mary, who has recently been fighting breast cancer. We are working on building two closets for the daughter and parents. Progress is being made, having framed and started putting up the dry wall today. I will post later with more details, but it is a great feeling to be able to do such meaningful work for such a deserving family. Until later-
-Ryan Gale

coincidence?

our team on galvez spent the day priming. i can't wait until colors fill the house. homes look most like homes with some paint on the walls, and i'm excited for our homeowners to (maybe) start considering this place their future home.

on another note:
teach for america sent me this email about their 30 regions.

"As always, you are welcome to visit our website to read more about us, including our 30 regions. If you are flexible and would like some guidance about regions to explore, we encourage you to consider the following regions: Greater New Orleans, the Mississippi Delta, and South Louisiana. We expect these regions will have particularly great needs this year, and we hope that you will investigate the opportunities they offer."

i thought that was a great coincidence.

painty

good evening,
today was paint day. it was good to do visually recognizable work again, after yesterdays yard cleanup. it reminded me, however, of the environmental disaster that gets overshadowed by the human disaster that occurred in 2005. After we cleaned up our paint stuff today, we rinsed out our tools in the street, and watched as the PVA paint primer washed down the storm drain (and ultimately into the mississipi/gulf coast. it reminded me that during the time that huge portions of the city were flooded, tons of oil, chemicals, and garbage floated out to sea. that made me feel less bad about washing paint down the storm drain.

Closets and much more...

After day two of working on our house I am feeling very good about our progress. We are working on two closets in a house that is almost finished and the homeowners are currently living in. The house is a shotgun house and is looking very nice, but there are still many problems that Miss Mary and Al are facing. It is awesome to be able to help such a deserving family. Al has done his fair share of floors for other people rebuilding their houses, so PDA is trying to help him, and his family, get his house finished.

I am loving my team and we are working very well together. I am excited to keep moving, we will be working on front and back stairs later in the week, which will replace the cinder block stairs that are there now.

Above is a picture of one of the two closets we are working on!

Will check in again soon!

First Day at the site

Yesterday was the first day at the house we were going to be working on. The home owner was Kevin Short, who ironically was short. He showed us how to do the different tasks he wanted accomplished and we immediately started working. He talked to us the whole time about the Hurricane and people he had helped. I learned that he had helped build about 7 houses before he started working on his. He told us about each of his neighbors and how they got through the flooding. Looking out into the neighborhood, he showed us where houses used to be, which houses are being rebuilt and where some houses landed. This helped me get an even more vivid picture of what happened in the area when Katrina hit.
At his house, I learned how to use some wood tools I had never seen before. There was a wood shaving thing and a kind of polishing tool. He had a lot of confidence in me when he taught me and even left me to prepare the wood he had set out using those tools. Although it is easy for me to feel incapable, he really helped me get my confidence up and realize that I could do a lot more than I think I can.
Later on he sat us down and showed us pictures he had collected. He told us that he had lost all his pictures in the flood. I can tell that his pictures were very valuable to him. Only two of them were saved. He showed us pictures of the demolished houses after katrina hit, pictures of his neighbors, and pictures of Katrina heroes he had met over the years. From one person, Mr. Short, I feel like I know the stories of people who survived Katrina. Their stories are trully amazing and heroic and it helped me realize what a true blessing people can be to each other in so many ways. Because of the unfortunate flooding, a kind of heroic character has come out of lots of people from different walks of life. It gives me some comfort to know that.

Soul Patrol

Hip Hop has been turned on its head by a trio of prophets/philosophers/sages known as the Soul Patrol. The Stromeister General and myself had the privilege of running into the main member of the Soul Patrol, Earl Bartes Jr. AKA Uncle Golf Shoes while exploring the lower 9th Ward. He spoke with such confidence and vigor that he captivated us for at least fifteen minutes, and he capped it off by selling us copies of the Soul Patrol's debut album consisting of two tracks and a 26 minute long spoken word track. Strom and I have chosen to dedicate our lives to giving them the exposure they deserve. Uncle Golf Shoes does speak at universities so we hope to get him out to Jersey sometime so he can share his tales of unrivaled heroism.
Feel free to check out his myspace.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=231192903

Support the Soul Patrol lads and lasses. If you are interested in listening to any of the tracks feel free to ask me or Michael Strom, we will gladly enlighten you with the soulful words of... The Soul Patrol.

-Ham

Why is it so bloody cold? Honestly. This is shocking. These fluctuations of temperature is doing our heads in and we are going to get sick. We do love our sites though. Our homeowners are so welcoming that you really do try to do the best you can because you want to give them the best you can provide. The ladies are looking gorgeous under these conditions. I get more surprised everyday with their stunning beauty.

P.S. They are refusing to get Anna soda.

Ham, Anna, Katherine, Tiffany

Days 1 & 2

      So, after our initial day of catching up on some sleep and a brief orientation of the Lower 9th Ward, we got to work.  My group, Jared, Leanne, Kat, Kristina, and I were assigned to a house that was just about finished.  We generally worked on small jobs that needed to be completed such as sanding, paint touch-ups, clearing and cleaning out garbage, and lastly, organizing and dropping off tools at the warehouse where PBA stores their materials.  

     Overall, the day was a success.  Our site manager David was informative and I feel that the story he provided for our group, as he stood over a map of the city, was very helpful.  I learned a lot more about the levee system and how there were 58 breaks in the system when Katrina hit.  To me, that number was unbelievable, especially now knowing that the system was in progress for the past 40 years.  Also, I was disturbed after being informed that all of the low-income housing in New Orleans has been knocked down.  David explained to us that around 5,000 homes have been demolished that could have been restored and only suffered from minimal damage (about 1-2 feet of flooding).  The city is doing all it can to rid these low-income individuals of an opportunity to return to their homes so that they can make more money. 

    At the end of our day we got the opportunity to speak with our home owners.  The couple was exceptionally warm, friendly, and grateful for our help.  They are what, for me, made my service become a reality.  The strength and faith that the family possessed was more than apparent to me by the stories they shared with my group and I; I am so grateful to be here, because experiences like this are what give me purpose and reason, which is an incredible feeling.

    Lastly, our reflections had a vast impact on my thoughts and feelings.  From the first two sessions, I have come away with a message that goes something like this: one week of service isn't going to rebuild and restore the city of New Orleans, but one week gives us all an opportunity to reflect and realize the importance of our intentions for bettering this world one step at a time.

:) Ashley

hmmm

So I figured I might as well post tonight before I forget everything I want to say. Yesterday we toured the ninth ward and the one thing that struck me, as it did during my first trip here, was the front steps of a home leading to absolutely nothing. There were steps upon steps leading to no where. For some reason those scenes struck me far more that the broken down houses. It seems to desperate, so hopeless.
Today we went to our sites for the first time and well...we had to be flexible haha as usual. Our house wasn't ready so we ended up doing some odd jobs. Moving debris from around a half constructed house...concrete slabs and cinder blocks. Fun heavy hauling. I worked with Su mostly and I was really proud of how upbeat we stayed and how innovative we got with what we had. We even thought to pull the lids off the bottles for a woman who is using them to get a free chemo treatment. Then later after lunch we moved to do some yard work....like extreme yard work. Weeds waist high. I think I might have scared Narolyn when I went to the backyard...haha my team understands. The house next to that was still essentially untouched since the storm. As I walked through the house there were two things that struck me that really motivated and inspired me. Hanging on the wall was this framed poem about a mother. The background had faded and molded but the poem was still intact filled with words of love and encouragement. Morgan also found this porcelein bell among broken dishes that had an inspirational quote about how love and friendship was what made a home not material possessions. It was touching that these were the items that had endured the winds and waters and rain. These really are the things that have kept New Orleans going: love and friendship.
I'm stopping, this is long. Hope you're all well!!!!
~K

What a day to remember

Today was the first day of official work. Our group was suppose to be painting, but things did not go as plan. When we got to the site, the home owner had wanted to make some changes, which made us had to go to another site to do our service. We were moved to a new location. When we got to that house, I was amazed by how big and beautiful the house was. We contributed by clearing the backyard. We took bricks, garbage's, unused materials, and pack all of it in the dumpster. Next, we moved along to our second house. At this new location, we mowed the lawn, cut grass, and made the front of the house look decent. It took a lot of work, but our group was able to work together and complete the task within two to three hours. After today, I am proud of what our group was able to do. We have started something that another group can continue to help build New Orleans. I am looking forward to tomorrow because we will get the opportunity to paint the original house that we were suppose to be working on. After today's hard work, I am prepared for what is laid ahead for tomorrow.

eighth trip down, first time leading construction

Although this is my eighth service trip down to the gulf region, im happy to say that this was the first time where i completely was in charge of construction. I had lead gutting teams before, which was mostly self explanatory and didnt need much supervision from me, but this was the first time where i got the opportunity to be almost 100% alone in organizing the construction efforts for the house that we were stationed at.

Im proud to say that I think that I did ok in leading the group, considering that I had no idea how to do what we did at the start of the day. However, we worked very effectively throughout the entire day, never giving up and always figuring out ways to complete our tasks. Even though ive been down so many times, i didnt think i would be comfortable completely leading the construction. I guess that when youre forced to step up you leave all hesitation behind and rely more on yourself and your teammates rather than the site manager for answers. Im thankful to have had this opportunity to be put to the test.

Day 1: Hanging Out With Brother Carl

I knew what to expect when I arrived. I just didn't know how emotionless I would be when I saw how much work was still left. Last year, it was hard to not get frustrated with the lack of urgency that I felt the government displayed in helping the people that lost everything down here. Today, I wasn't angry. No, I was just eager to work. And, that's what I did.

We arrived at sister Denise's house around 10am this morning and began the painting. I could tell this lady had some "style." From the electric fireplace that was being installed to the polished clay tiles that were laid throughout the house, you could tell that Denise knew what she wanted her new house to look like. While we painted, she told us her story...

She left on August 27th, two days before the storm made landfall. She begged all her neighbors to leave with her, and most did. Only, a few remained. One was her trusted friend, Brother Carl. He stuck around because God had asked him to. To help the others that didn't understand how bad it was going to get.

When she returned to Pearlington, MS with her husband, and her grandchildren, she couldn't get back to her house. The National Guard had cleared a path for her family, and a few hundred others, but the only problem was that when she had finally reached her neighborhood, there was about 2 feet of thick mud everywhere. Telephone poles were littered about, as were most of the trees that lined her street. There was no electricity, nor was there any cell phone coverage. (What no one knew was that it wouldn't come back for months.) She really thought that there was going to be nothing left when she saw her house. She was wrong. "By the grace of God", she said, "my house looked great from the outside. It was the inside of the house that broke my heart." There was another foot of mud inside and it got into everything. That was only the main floor. You see, the water level in Pearlington reached 17 feet. By most standards, that means that you would have 2-3 feet of water in your bedroom (on the second floor). She went on. "My refrigerator was lying on top of the kitchen table! Can you believe that my refrigerator was floating in my kitchen?!" Sister Denise said that they were warned by the National Guard not to even think about opening the fridge because it would be toxic. The couches were upside down in a pile on her staircase. (Oh yes, she was able to show us the pictures.) But, the one thing she said she was grateful for was Brother Carl. Her friend was there when she returned home.

Brother Carl, how can I describe this simple, kind-hearted man? Well, if there was anyone that could find a silver lining in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina it was Brother Carl. He said point blank, "Katrina was the worst thing that ever happened. But, it was a chance for me to serve my people." And, that's exactly what he does. Carl helped everyone on the street clean up the mess that Katrina left behind. He spent the better half of the next couple of months helping everyone dig the mud out of their homes. Then, he went from house to house and removed destroyed televisions, refrigerators, freezers, stereos, and anything else that couldn't be salvaged. There was a lot. And, now he helps to cut, nail, paint, tile, roof, basically if there's anything that needs to be done Brother Carl helps. And, he never asks for a thing. He said to me, "These people are my family. Would you charge your family?" Not a dime I said.

It was a great day. And, it was only the first day, I thought.

"Working like Trojans"

Day one of our work week is officially over. It was quite the experience. Our homeowner, Alice Johnson, may be one of the sweetest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She kept exclaiming that we were sent here to "work like Trojans" and that she was very grateful for that. She also opened up her house to us and offered us her computer, fax machine, and telephone so that we could call anywhere in the continental United States. Great to see people maintaining such a great sense of humour after all that she has been through. We cleaned up the porch of her new house and she was on the brink of tears upon seeing her porch back. We then burnt the entire pile of trash in a large bonfire, which smelt fantastic. Nothing lie burnt plastic and wood to clear your head. We then worked on a shed that would eventually house her water pump. Considering that it was my first shed building experience, I was quite pleased with how our squad of Lasha, Anna, Rachel, and myself did. We have two walls ready to go, and they are actually level. Considering the swarm of gnats that loved to attack our faces while we dealt with such harmless tools as power saws, we maintained our focus and pulled through.
I also may have contracted mild hypothermia after our heater ran out of kerosene last night. That was not as much fun as today's work day, obviously. When a couple of our members escaped the pod in the middle of the night, whimpers of "can you get me an extra blanket?" were heard throughout the tent. We are now quite capable of filling up our tanks now, so hopefully we can avoid sleeping in freezer.
Good. Times.
Ham

Mississippi, Feels Like Home?

Greetings from Pearlington, Mississippi! 

Our day began about 4:30am, when the kerosene heat ran out. Breakfast included pancakes with no syrup, but rather honey and chocolate and whipped cream as toppings. Yum! And there was bacon too. Oh wait, there was none left. haha

Next, chores were completed. Everyone had there share of new experiences, for example, the three of us cleaned port-a-potties. 

After, we split into different groups and headed off to our sites, with no help from the GPS system.

Lasha and Rachel met the sweetest woman on Earth, Alice Johnson, the homeowner. There day included: cleaning up debris, hammering, sawing, digging, shoveling, and building a shed. Their favorite part of the day was hearing Alice's heartwarming story. They are overwhelmed by her kindness and positive outlook on life, after all that she has been through. They are extremely excited for tomorrow!

Dana traveled a couple streets down from Lasha and Rachel to work on Dennis' house. I worked with Maria and Kate spackling almost every inch of the house. The first thing that Dennis said to us was, "You're too short." We didn't know what that meant, until we realized our job was to spackle the ceilings. Dana is sore, but still pumped to go back tomorrow to start sanding.

Amanda for the first time in her life did siding on a house. When she met the homeowners of the house she received a huge hug, along with the others working on the same site with her. It was a great feeling, and made her feel special. It was hard work and by the time the day was over, one side of the entire house was done. However, through all the hard work it made Amanda and everyone else on the site feel accomplished and great. Tomorrow will be another day of accomplishment. 

Well, the aroma of chicken parm is filling our all purpose room tent, so keep your eyes open for our next entry! We can not wait for all the wonderful experiences and memories to come!

-Dana, Lasha, Rachel, and Amanda

 

A New Perspective

Today we arrived in New Orleans. The trip was long, and slightly crammed with 9 people in the van. Most of it was spent in the rain, but after all of the driving, stops, and continuous debates over music, we made it. For the first half of the day after we arrived in camp we were able to catch up on sleep. The camp is set up well, with plently of beds, never-ending hot water for showers, and available working bathrooms. In the afternoon we toured the Lower 9th Ward. This was truly and eye-opening experience. What struck me was the utter devastation that was still evident years after Katrina hit. There were homes that were rebuilt here and there, but for the most part, the area was in ruin, with the spray pain telling the story of each home and it's inhabitants still present. Seeing this barren land and wreckage only further energized me to want to get to work for the next week and to help make a difference in these people's lives. Tonight we will have our orientation and learn where we will be working. I am looking forward to this week and will be sure to continue writing of my experiences. Signing off for now.
-Ryan Gale

Today's View

We have finally arrived after a 20 hour drive. Being here today, has made me realize that we should all appreciate all of the little things we have. Some have few, some does not even have any at all. Taking a tour around where the hurricane occurred makes me wonder, what can our country do to help living situations here. It seem as of the country have ignored what took place in New Orleans. There is a lot left need to prepared. If i was put in the situation that the family here are in, deep down I know the days will be depressing. What people once called home is not home anymore. Families childhood dreams has been destroyed, some has to start everything over again, and some even loss family members as a result, they have no history nor future to look forward to. Back at home, people does not know what is going on unless they come here and see it first hand experience. We may watch documentaries, we may watch T.V. shows, but it is not the same. Once you have come here and seen what really occurred, that is when you know that it is time for change.

still? after four years?

Steps that lead nowhere.
Concrete slabs, remnants of what
used to be called home.

We Have Arrived

I braced myself for the worst yet was still left speechless by the dismal landscape that was the lower 9th ward. I envisioned something entirely different for the city, seeing as over four years have passed since Katrina hit. What was once a thriving suburb is now a barren stretch of land - a vestige of what once was. A few houses have been reconstructed while the majority are still in shambles. I can't help but to reflect on those who now inhabit the city and how strong they all must be. What must they feel when they look out of their windows? Do they feel alone or empty?
The experience today made me wish I could single handedly rebuild New Orleans. (Impossible - I know) Still, like everyone, I wish more was being done. It has been four years, yet it doesn't appear as though much time has elapsed. This is why we're here though. Granted, our mission isn't to bebuild New Orleans. It's like the saying goes - this greatest mistake you can make is doing nothing because you can only do a little.
Looking forward to getting my hands dirty!

Heading out the door - last minute reflection.

All throughout winter break, people have asked me what I was doing/going to do with all my time. When I told them about this trip - the general reaction was that of shock and admiration. I am so proud to be apart of this phenomenal group of individuals. This trip is a tremendous opportunity to finally DO something. I know how gratifying this short week will be and how close we will all get by the end of it.
Harrowing disasters like Hurricane Katrina inspire people like us to help. It isn't enough to sympathize with the victims of the hurricane. Actions of course will always speak louder than words - and Bonner has always been about action. I don't know much about renovating and demolishing, but that really hasn't worried me. It's going to be a blast learning with all of you, working with all of you. I can't wait to see what such a small group of people will be able to accomplish in a short period of time.

See you guys soon!

today

in my usual style of procrastination, i am writing the day we leave. i should be sleeping (since i haven't seen the light of day at 8:30am in months) but i spent most of the day packing etc and had to finish up some last minute stuff. i can't believe that we're meetting in seven hours and about to embark on a life altering journey together. it is unbelievable to think that such a tragic disaster could have hit so close to home. what is more unbelievable is the inefficient action taken by u.s. government. i am thrilled that we have an opportunity to go down there and do something. i can't wait to see what's in store and to see you all again.

see you in seven.

.. tomorrow :)!

I cannot believe the trip has finally come. I'm still doing some last minute packing, of course, and I'm going to leave my house tomorrow around 630am and I can't wait to see all of the Bonners again.

When Katrina hit, I of course watched news highlights on the hurricane and the damage it had done, seen pictures, and briefly learned of how it effected thousands of people, but it was not until I watched the documentary that I knew how bad the natural disaster really was. I could not believe that it took our country, The United States of America, six days to get the citizens of NOLA help. Not only that, but the fact that the poor areas that got hit by the hurricane are STILL in need of so much and look as if the natural disaster only occurred a few months ago.

I cannot wait to help out those in need for I know that our work will go a long way and touch many hearts. I am truly excited to hear stories from the peoples' homes we will be working on.

Ashley :)

twas the night before new orleans

and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a giant freeway-collapse-monster.

im pretty excited to go make houses. haven't been to n.o. since 06 (found the airline tickets today). fixing should be cooler than cleaning, perhaps. though less adventurous. the best part will be hopefully fixing a home for someone who really needs it.

New Orleans!

I can’t believe we’re leaving for new Orleans tomorrow! I know that this trip is going to be absolutely life-changing. I honestly feel so lucky to be able to go on this trip with such an amazing group of people! I know that we’ll make a world of a difference while were down there and have such a great time! I’ve never been to New Orleans before so I really have no clue what to expect. I remember watching the news and seeing all of the devastation when Hurricane Katrina hit, but watching Spike Lee’s documentary really was shocking to me. It was terrible to watch how the people of New Orleans were completely ignored and I was horrified to see and hear about the current conditions there. I really excited to be able to make a difference in the lives of those who were so horribly affected by the Hurricane. I cant wait to have a great week of service, learning, and spending time with all of you guys! <3 Rachel

NOLA here I come ...

Yea I know this is last minute, woops! :-) Its been said by pretty much everyone but I must go on the record and say I'M SUPER EXCITED! I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow! To be completely honest, during the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina I couldn't understand why everyone was making such a big deal over a 'storm'. I thought, aren't they used to storms like this, they should be prepared. It wasn't until after the storm had hit that I realized the devastation it had caused. But still almost four years later I hadn't completely grasped the severity of it all until I saw Spike Lee's documentary, it really opened my eyes. I feel a sense of obligation to help others, especially my fellow Americans and to see how little the government did to help is shameful and upsetting. With that said, as I so anxiously await 8:30 a.m. I can only hope that during this week I can make a positive and lasting affect on someone's life as well as learn and grow as a person. See your beautiful faces VERY soon!

Yay!

So I'm last minute posting. I can't say I'm surprised; this is how I generally do things which most of you know. I can't believe it's time to leave already. Even as I'm preparing myself and helping with last minute trip prep it still seems unbelievable. I can't wait to see everyone and be the force to be reckoned with that Suzette once told us all we were. I'm excited (the word has been overused today but it fits) to see us all grow closer together and work to accomplish incredible things. I've been to New Orleans for a rebuilding trip once before and can't wait to see the work done on the city. Even having seen some of the damage first hand When the Levees Broke still pulled at my heart strings. I'm honored to be able to be part of the rebuilding process and hope and pray that I will be able to be an effective and efficient team member. Safe travels to everyone as they wake up early tomorrow to get here bright and early. See you all soon! :) ~K

12 hours

until we leave for NEW ORLEANS!!!!!! i'm excited to be going to new orleans for the first time, to be helping people in need, and of course to see other bonners who i have missed very much. i am in the bonner center making folders and preparing for our trip and its just like wow we're actually going to new orleans......and i still havent finished packing lol. there are so many issues going on in the world especially with the recent events going on in Gaza, and sometimes i feel the things im doing arent enough. then i talk to people who have gone on service trips like this one and i realize, i'm doing something somewhere and thats enough. i'm excited for this trip and to be part of this program. writing things up for this trip, making scavenger hunts and maps, just make it that much harder to wait to do everything. i cant wait to see you guys tomorrow morning and to get started on that long drive.
bonner love :)

As I sit in my room packing for our trip to New Orleans and for the next semester, I begin to get more and more excited for the things that are about to occur over the next week. I think about all of the people we will be helping and how grateful they will hopefully be for all of the work that we will do. I know that as Bonner Community Scholars, we can work together as a collective team and get things accomplished, just as we do continually throughout the year. In addition, I hope to learn more about the people effected by Hurricane Katrina and how we could have dealt with the situation in the gulf coast better.
Hopefully the 20+ hour car ride isn't that bad haha. Can't wait to see all of you tomorrow!

-Adam

EXCITED???

Yes!! i am very EXCITED to go to New Orleans! I think i cannot get enough of the word EXCITED... even after Brit's e mail. :) I know that this is an experience that i have been waiting for and as i am packing my bags i wonder what lesson i am going to learn down there. I know that what ever i learn in New Orleans ,will not stay in New Orleans but it will be brought with me back to Trenton. After i saw the New Orleans movie, I really had a feel of how bad New Orleans was when the hurricane struck. I honestly had very little knowledge of the hurricane but what i was not surprised of was the way the government took care of the situation. Its very disturbing but i think that there is hope. This trip will the be my first trip outside of the regular family trip to Ecuador every summer, because of this i am EXCITED. Tomorrow morning i will be writing on the first page of my traveling journal, this might sound a little cheesy but i plan on traveling as much as possible, mainly with the purpose to gain more knowledge. I am also very EXCITED for the 20 or so hours in the Super Bonner Vans!! ;) Over all this trip is exciting and i cannot wait to see all the morning faces of the Bonners tomorrow!

NOLA Here We Come!

We leave for New Orleans tomorrow morning! I'm at the office now finishing up some of the planning and I can't wait to get on the road! Last year was my first time down in LA and it was an eye-opening experience. I was very disappointed with the amount of work that had been done and how many people we met that still were not able to live in their homes, so I am hoping to see more people living in their homes (not trailers) and that the quality of living for those people is higher (schools up and running, stores close by, and neighbors to talk to).

I am looking forward to three things on this trip:

1. Meeting more people from New Orleans
2. Working on a house and really pushing to get as much done for the homeowner as possible for the week we are there
3. Getting to spend time with the Bonners!!!

Finally, for those wondering how our trip is going to look, here is the tentative schedule:

Sat 8:30am - leave from TCNJ
Sunday afternoon arrive in NOLA, watch the Eagles beat the Giants, tour the 9th ward, eat dinner as a whole group
Monday - 1st day of work (our group will be working on 6 different houses)
Tuesday - 2nd day of work, meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers
Wednesday - 3rd day of work, Scavenger Hunt in the french quarter
Thursday - 4th day of work, meeting with homeowners effected by the hurricane
Friday - last day of work
Saturday morning depart for TCNJ

Well hope that gives you a good idea of our plans! Enjoy the blog, I'm sure we will all have meaningful and interesting things to say over the next week!

Britt

Pre New Orleans Trip Post (That's a mouthful)

Here I am writing my Pre New Orleans Post 2 days before the deadline (oops!), and I get all excited and flustered just thinking about it! I feel like though I have been there before doing almost the same thing that this will be a whole new experience for me. Being that I feel so much closer to this group and am absolutely more excited to go, I think that I will go on this trip with more of an open heart and mind. I know that after this trip is over I will be able to look back on all that I experienced and accomplished and smile seeing that I really made even the most minor of differences in someone's life. This all sounds really cliché, but the words could not be any truer. I don't know what else to say but that I hope that everyone else is just as psyched as I am and I can't wait to make this journey with a group of some of my favorite people on the planet!!

Till next I blog,
~ Sejour

I miss Bonners!!!

It is strange, I have been to New Orleans twice before and both times had a fantastic experience, but this time it is not the city of New Orleans I am excited about. I cannot wait to be around Bonners again! Winter break is always a relief and traveling is one of my passions, but a few weeks after no longer seeing the same energetic faces and I cannot help but miss you all.

I cannot wait to see you all and have an amazing full week together. Each time I have been to New Orleans it has been an amazing learning experience about social justice in the USA but more so it has been an opportunity for us to learn about each other and ourselves. I am confident if we all bring the energy we have shown this past semester at TCNJ to New Orleans then this will happen again.

See you all in few days!

Service Trip

I am really excited for this opportunity to go to New Orleans to help rebuild. I would have never imagined that I would have the chance to be a part of its history. I feel like I had forgotten all about New Orleans and what the hurricane had done to that city. Watching Spike Lee's movie, "When the Leeves broke", opened my eyes and helped me remember the disaster the hurricane caused. The movie helped me learn about the victims, their individual stories, and what they each went through as a result of the hurricane. I cant imagine having to go through what they went through I learned a side of New Orleans I had never known. In the movie, I also got to see what a difference a helping hand can make in someone's life. On this trip I hope to be an extra helping hand to individuals, families, and the community. The job that needs to be done in New Orleans is not yet finished but I'm glad I have the chance to contribute to its upbringing.

Wondering What is Next

As I sit here and ponder about what is laid ahead for this trip, I am eager to get up and start making changes. Going to New Orleans is something that I will be looking forward to because this will be our chance as Bonner Community Scholars to shine, to help out, to put a smile on someone face, and most importantly to do what we do best, which is community service. Hurricane Katrina reminds us that we can’t control the events in our lives, but we can control how we’ll to respond to them—how we choose to act. People can make decisions to regain control, at a time when it when it feels like they’ve lost control. Those who have witnessed the devastation, and made donations to help survivors, understand this. There are so many kinds of traumatic experiences that can affect people, yet there aren’t nearly as many kinds of physical reactions. In fact, people respond the same way to a car backfiring as they do to a gunshot—the “fight-or-flight response.” It’s not until they begin thinking about their experience that they become aware of, and, begin to understand what’s happening to them. My prayer goes out to all of the families and relatives who had to be part of this experience. With time, New Orleans will regain its strength and God will put everything in place.

Re: Thank You from New Orleans

The most important question i had after reading this article is, how are we (the U.S.) acting to prevent such a chastistrophic disaster from occuring again? The article very nicely explained all the advances in homeownership and education but does not mention how they are rebuilding the city to withstand another inevitable hurricane. Another hurricane will come, larger if not just as large, and New Orleans is an extremely geographically vulnerable target. As a nation we seem to forget that weather patterns are not like crime. We do not have any control over them. Coasts erode no matter our efforts. And New Orleans is one such area. The Mississippi, which once let the majority of its sediment out into that area creating new land, is no longer doing so. The advent of dams and leeves have created a backlog. Sediment is no longer reaching that area and it is slowly eroding and becoming more and more vulnerable. This and many other geologic problems must be addressed if the effort of millions to restore this historic city will be longer lived than a few years...

Before the Trip

I can not believe that we will actually be leaving for this trip in less than a week. I am more excited with each day passing. Before watching Spike Lee's film, I was not as aware as to how much New Orleans is still in need of help. It was both devastating and heart warming to see how little the government did but yet how much the people did to help their fellow citizens and neighbors. I truly look forward to the learning experience of going to New Orleans,whether it be learning how to do contruction, learning about the city, or learning about a whole different culture from my own. I hope that the work that I am able to contribute will, as Ryan said so well, not only make a difference in terms of a buildng a house, but make a difference in someone's life as well. I am also anticipating a great time working with all of the Bonners, and hopefully creating stronger bonds with each and everyone through this wonderful opportunity.

Pre- New Orleans

Well, it's six days before the departure to New Orleans and, truthfully, I have no idea what to expect.  I have never been to New Orleans and look forward to the experience and the opportunity to volunteer with the Bonners there. Based on Spike Lee's film, I can gather that the area is still greatly in need of help.  I am very interested to see the current state of New Orleans, years after Katrina hit.  Also, I am curious as to the work that I will be doing. I have never really built anything, but hope to learn and to be able to play an important role in the rebuilding of, not only homes, but people's lives.  Finally, I look forward to touring the city, encountering the people and experiencing a different culture within my own country.  

Suggested Readings

Two recent interestin news articles on New Orleans:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-081223blakely_briefs,0,4021037.story

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iDMk11iicY2HuKesRu1DlPYco_kQD958K0101