Final Reflections Amy Jones

This year was my first year coming down to New Orleans. I think back over ten months ago when I almost did not pass in my application to be a part of this group, I had forgotten it at home and thinking that was the end of it I did not plan to act on it anymore. One of my friends promised me that Mr. Kane would allow me to pass it in late and, to my surprise not only did he accept my application but he accepted me.
I can reflect now on this last night in New Orleans, why it was so important for me to be on this trip that fate had to play a hand in making sure I took part in it.

This week I work on many different projects, I tore up floor boards in a home, painted an exterior of a house, sorted food, painted a daycare, and in the midst of all this service I was cleansed of the parts of my self that masked the true person that I am. During this trip I was simply alive, fulfilled with the purpose of service.

I'm sure its no surprise to all the parents out there that I, like all the other amazing students who were my family over these eight days, do not want to leave. I do however see coming home as a blessing. I see it as a blessing because I will have an opportunity to embrace the person I have realized that I am and to come back into the reality of the everyday and be able to stop simply going through the motions of life but to think back to what it felt like to have a purpose and then find that purpose in every moment.

Our Last Reflection

Tonight was the night we have all been dreading for the entire trip.  We have pushed it into our subconscious, avoiding the negative energy which comes with the ideas of having to leave our home away from home. 
  At our final reflection tonight, I knew that I would find closure by talking with my friends about all of what I had learned and experienced.  My expectations were fulfilled.  There were a lot of tears tonight from many different people for many different reasons.  Of course, we all don't want to leave and we all have our reservations about returning home.  But I think we all have gained a lot here, and together at reflection we pooled the lessons we learned.
  I was among those who cried.  As I spoke it came on me in a rush when I adressed the group and opened up my soul to them about what New Orleans taught me this year.  I can trust them with this because I know they understand the way that this trip can change a person.  I am so glad to have people who share my experiences.  We carry what we have learned together.
  I continued to cry through out a good portion of reflection.  I was thinking of my dread of returning to school, my despair at leaving New Orleans, and my sadness at not being able to spend every day with my  friends any more.  But I am a firm believer that expressing your emotions helps you deal with them.  So as I cried and cried, I felt myself lightening.  My heart grew a little warmer, and the lump in my throat disappeared, and the nausea I felt as a result of my overwhelming emotions began to weaken.  Working through the tears, I now realize, was the only way to feel ready for the oncoming weeks away from New Orleans. 
  I am now happy.  I feel ready to go back to Townsend and carry in my heart and soul all of the lessons I have learned here, and maintain all the friendships I have been blessed to gain here.  Reflection is so important to this group.  I especially understand that now.  We communicate with each other in a place free from judgement about issues which we need to express.  No where else is there such safety for expressing emotion as around the fire in New Orleans with these amazing individuals.   I can breath again and be joyous because I have listened and been listened to by some of the greatest people I have ever met. 
  Thank you to these people, these friends. 
~Colleen Schroth

C'est La Vie- Matt

Today was one of the best days of my life, not only because of the volunteer work I did today, but also because of the fact that I was able to spend a good amount of time this evening with my friends and basically, my family.  I went to the Stokes's house today and spent a great amount of time siding with one of the United Saints leaders, Twiggy.  Twiggy and I had a few, or really a lot of good quality conversations about the most random things.  At one point during lunch time on the broken and battered front steps at the Stokes's house, we engaged in a heated conversation about baseball, how long would it take for Manny Ramirez to retire after his suspension is up.  We almost began a pot betting when he would retire.  But one thing about Twiggy that struck me and that revealed itself to me was that no matter what we were talking about, one could sense a passion in his voice as he talked.  His passion that motivates him to clean up and rebuild the city where he has lived for most of his lifetime, New Orleans.  And I think I can say this on behalf of the whole NOLA Service Learning group and myself, that this passion inside of Twiggy is what fuels our fires inside of us to continue to devote countless amounts of hours to this group, to New Orleans and to each other.  New Orleans has given me so many opportunities I would have never been able to do back home.  Like siding a house using a Saw Z-All (big saw that can cut through nearly anything, even nails) and a air compressed nail gun that would be able to take any one's finger right off.  New Orleans has also given me a chance to connect with people I usually would never have hung out with if it weren't for NOLA.  Like today, Maria, Elisabeth and I explored the French Quarter of New Orleans and had a great time doing it.  Walking up and down Bourbon Street, watching and listening to various street performers do their thing (even one man sang to Maria, Elisabeth and I while on the dock, his original song was titled "C'est La Vie" or "The Good Life") and also touching the Mississippi River and sitting down by the river watching a boat scoot by while a party went on in the boat.  New Orleans has a lot to offer a person, and we, as a whole group, can offer an equal amount back to the city.  Our passion for rebuilding what I and many others refer to as our "home", is indescribable.  Being down here, in a different atmosphere, a little more friendly, and helping New Orleans recover from Katrina so many years ago, is truly "C'est La Vie".

Best Week Ever

Like in the title this is literally the best week ever. I got to know everybody in this group so much better. And like what Mr.Kane said "We are all pretty much our own family". And we are. Through out these 10 months we have worked so hard to be where are today and when we all look back at the beginning of the year we barely knew anybody. I know I only knew like 3-4 people. This is my first year down in New Orleans and my closet friend said to me that you will be lost in your own little world because this place just has so many things that can fit anybody. And its totally true I totally forgot about school, drama, and family (Sorry Mom and Dad ;)). But, its kinda a good thing because instead of having all of those thoughts inside your head you are concentrating on working over 110% every day for 8 days trying to make this little indent in this city that really needs it. And I feel that this group did just that and tomorrow I know that we will even work even harder because tomorrow is the last day we will work and help New Orleans. And also this week no matter what the challenge was we just conquered our fears and did it without any second thoughts. Like twice this week I pushed myself to climb about 12 or more feet above ground and I hate heights so much. And that's also what this trip does. It helps people conquer their fears and set goals for themselves. This might sound dumb, but its like what Sylvester Stallion said in his last Rocky movie "Life is always gonna throw you punches, but you just gotta get up and punch back harder". And I'm so glad that I got to this trip on my senior year and I wish I did this earlier. So to all underclassmen and women who are thinking about doing this next year you should do it. And to the people in the group this year I hope you all do this next year and never stop working hard and testing your limits. -Devon Vasel

Deadlines

60 hours. I have less than 60 hours that remain between now and my last minutes here. In a program that has grown to shape me. In the city of New Orleans.

My mind is a constant reel of thoughts. They are staggered, and while I slowly slip deeper into thoughts I become lost in my own mind. Sometimes, because of this, creating the right word choice has become inevitably hard in voicing these thoughts. NOLA has provided me with the means to clear my mind. The revitilizing feeling of solidarity through my service has allowed me to realize the truth of who I am, and who I have become.

Society tends to hinder us, to bring cliche to the human conscience that solidify our futures. The emotions I have felt here, have driven me to break free of a concrete future that has been set forth. The physical aspect of our service here has shown that with hard work, you will continually surprise yourself, and for the emotional aspect... there are no words I can find to complete my feelings. I feel as though my first trip here, during last years Feburary break, provided me with the initial shock to spark my desire in rooting myself to this location. Now 60 hours away from the completion of my second trip, I can reflect on my experiences this year through new eyes. Eyes that have seen and understood the true meaning of happiness. Eyes that have understood the true meaning of fulfillment. The deepening of my beliefs will forever attach me to this trip, as I know what I feel will carry into my life continued. Being strong minded and willing will bring me far, and the passion I feel to suceed will compose my ultimate growth. I will continue to break from society's structure in search for these feelings that I have experienced through this trip. I will experience. I will endeavour. I will be present. And most of all I will love what I do. Because if the passion for life does not exist, then what are we left with?


Sarah

Ownership

I'm a first born, so sharing doesn't always come naturally. That may seem surprising, considering that community service is my greatest love, but it's true. So one thing that always crosses my mind when it comes to NOLA, especially this year, is a sense of ownership. This is now my third year on the trip and my second as a coordinator. Since I started out as the only sophomore on the trip I've spend countless hours at NOLA meetings, fundraisers and of course planning/worrying about things during my "free" time. As a result, I've grown to view this program as something very important to me - in a way it is mine, just like it has belonged to every other participant before me and just as I belong to the program itself. It's hard to share this and to accept the fact that the magic of the program effects others just as it effects me. However I see that it does every day, especially while we're here. It's evident in reflections and even in every one's reactions to what they witness while in this city.

The people I'm sharing the program with this year are amazing in every way and I'm so grateful that I am part-owner with such a perfect selection of 41 individuals. And I'm especially glad to be sharing it with my sister for the first time. I've been so lucky to go through the ups and downs of this year with her by my side. When something hits me especially hard, she knows exactly what she needs to do to make it okay and then she does it without thinking. And I can't even count the number of times we've made eye contact over the fire at reflection because she knows just what I'm thinking and is the only one who would understand. She's the closest thing I have to a second half and I don't even think she knows just how much I need her.

I'm also sharing this trip with my best friend and pseudo-brother. I won't name him here, but he knows who he is. Seeing him grow and change over the past year has been indescribable and his presence here is loved by everyone. Without his sense of humor and crazy antics this whole year would have had an entirely different feel. When I look back at the times I've been happiest on this trip he's always in the memory, laughing and joking.

I really am who I am today because of my experience over the past three years. NOLA has given me everything from leadership skills to construction know-how to lasting relationships I will always cherish. The city itself has taught me things, like what it means to truly rise from the ashes and that sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint and a smile to fix the biggest problems. I'm going to miss this all once I get off the plane on Saturday; I'm going to feel like I lost one of my prized possessions. Only part of me, deep down, knows I'm ready to move on. It's time to pass the torch, to give the program to a new group of sophomores (and juniors and seniors) so that it can become all their own.

So thank you NOLA - past, present, and future - for all that you are and all that you will be. I'm glad I could call you mine for as long as I did and will always be thankful to you. - Casey Libonate

So I'm not too sure what i was actually going to write about in this blog and let my warn you before i start that my punctuation, grammar, and spelling are far from any thing special. I have made it my goal during this trip to journal and log all of my days adventures and reflections into my journal, not just so i don't forget them in 50 years but also to help myself process and reflect upon what has happened as it all happens so fast. Every night when we go back to our rooms i take out my journal and write. All of my days thoughts and events, good and bad are piled onto that small piece of paper and it takes me forever! Its kinda like taking a big funnel with a small opening and then filling the funnel with water and waiting for all the water to come out.
On a side note to that its 10:15 and I'm tired so I'm going to sum up all that i was thinking into a blurb...( a semi large blurb) On night one Mr. Kane talked about how a large part of service learning is the reflection. At first i was like "ok" sure and kinda understood what he meant, but i don't think i really understood it. Although throughout the week, having myself journaling and reflecting my thoughts on paper i completely agree because, any one can do work but its what you as a person get from the work. and this concludes my blurb.
-Andrew Shepherd
p.s I spellchecked