Let me preface this post by saying, I suck at blogging. I am fully aware of this fact. Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest I can begin this latest update. My wrap-up of my New Orleans experience will most certainly require more than one post, but I need to get something on paper while my memories are fresh.
The first leg of my year’s journey is over. I got back to Jamaica Plain two days ago and am still in a Nyquil induced haze, so I hope I am able to articulate my feelings on my three weeks in New Orleans. In previous posts I have tried to limit the corniness of my writing, but there is no way I can sum up my time in LA without being over the top sentimental and cheesy. I had a superlatively phenomenal time in New Orleans. It’s hard for me to even believe that a. it really happened and that b. it’s over. My heart has been opened up and will never be the same.
My final week at Mrs. Jones’ house flew by. We laid down the floors on the second floor and I began refurbishing the old, antique windows for the front of the house that she had requested be put back in. The brain cells I lost from the lead paint scraping was totally worth the fact that I was fulfilling a request by the home owner. Not to brag or anything, but I have say that any HGTV show would be lucky to have me. My laminate floors were a thing of beauty (just nod, Joshy).. By the end of my last day the kitchen cabinets had been installed, the lights were being installed and the house was really starting to come together and look close to ready. I am so grateful to the St. Bernard Project, and especially Adam, for placing me at the same house for my three weeks of service. I am honored that I was able to be a (very small) part of getting that place ready for Mrs. Jones and her two kids. I obviously forgot to take pictures, but I will hopefully be getting some sent to me soon and will post photos of the house asap.
As anticipated, this trip was more than just about rebuilding tangible houses, it was about rebuilding/building upon my heart, soul and mind and it definitely delivered on this front. I was beyond anxious before leaving Boston. Going to a strange city where I knew no one was definitely out of my comfort zone. It was most certainly sink or swim, with sinking meaning being a recluse at Camp Hope for the three weeks, making friends with stray cats (wait a minute…) My experience certainly wasn’t perfect and there are absolutely things I would have done differently if given a second chance, but it was pretty darn fantastic.
A few things I learned:
1. Though I am calling this trip the “Living and Loving Tour” I am discovering that it is ok not to love everyone I meet. My goal is to be open to any and all, but there are inevitably going to be to people whom I would rather not love and this is acceptable. That being said I love 95% of the people I met on this trip. There are some real gems out there and I feel lucky to have been surrounded by such amazing human beings.
2. Things have the ability to get weird, and get weird fast. No need to get specific on this one, but a good life lesson. Sometimes weird is good, sometimes not.
3. Be aggressive, b.e. aggressive. b.e.a.g.g.r.e.s.s.i.v.e. aggressive. Who knew this dumb cheer from middle school soccer would teach me so much. Josh and I really did it and are still doing it.
4. When you start craving/needing a drive through bloody mary at 10 in the morning you know you have a problem, listen to your body.
5. There seems to be a law in New Orleans that requires the city to hold at least two kick-ass free concerts a week. This should be a law everywhere.
There are many, many more things to say, but these will have to be kept until the next post, my add is kicking in and I am no longer able to sit still at the computer…..
Live
Love
e
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