Alternative Spring Break 2007

First about today- We finished the Kershaw house!  Yay! She was so excited that when we asked to take picture with her in front of the house she went in and put on lipstick. She had such a huge smile on her face and hugged us all individually before we left.  Its amazing what a small amount of work can do for this woman's life. She told us today that she never thought we would come.

I am so sad that ASB is almost over.  We just finished up at a bonfire at a local youth camp that a group help to rebuild.  As I think  back to my experience here I cant help but be overwhelmed with joy and sadness at all I have seen and learned.  This has truly been one of the greatest experiences of my life.   I have a lot of things that have happened in my life that I feel I learned a great deal from.  I have been on trips, met people, and had jobs that have had an impact on my way of life.  But I have never felt this way after an event before. Its so hard to describe.  Tonight at closing ceremonies a few of us were sitting around the campfire.  We were talking about how hard it would be to explain this experience once we get home.  We couldn't find the words for the feeling.  I dont think everyone feels this way and I know that some used this as a purely social experience which is fine.  They were still here putting in the hours.  

Speaking of the hours- one of the greatest impact this program has is actually financial.  For every hour that EACH PERSON completes 18.72 will be paid towards Southeast Louisiana FEMA debt (which is HUGE).  Tonight Southwest Louisiana United Way was presented with a check for $175,546.32.  We did that. The 150 people here gave up one week to progress people's lives, give back hope, and help with debt.  They also made a video for us and seeing all the people that all the other teams helped and thier emotions was almost too much for me.  Then I think to all the amazing friends that I am walking away with.  There is a special type of people here.  I am so happy that I had this amazing opportunity and cant wait to come back next year.  

"What do we live for, if not to make life a little less difficult for others." - George Elliot

A few things I have learned:
*Alligators chase people.
*A little paint goes a long way.
*I dont do so well with ladders.
*Smiles really do warm the heart.
*AMERICORP is not a bunch of tree-hugging hippies.
*The next time I am walking across campus complaining about the rain, I hope I remember the people still living with tarp roofs and FEMA trailers that leak.
*Bunk beds. Enough said.
*I will never suck the heads of crawfish- EVER.
*I may have a cold shower, but at least I have one with water pressure.
*There is a lady, on LA 496, sitting on her new porch swing, drinking sweet tea, smiling.  
*_______________________________________________________ --> this is for everything I have in my heart that I cant find the words to fill the space.


"Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world." -Margaret Mead

Our team cannot seem to catch a break lately.  So last we didnt get to go back yesterday becuase of the rain as you know.  So we went back bright and early at 730 this morning.  We were energized, ready to go, and finish this house.  We get there and the lady comes out and shows us a place where it is bubbling.  With furthur inspection we realize that the 2 walls and the bottom of the front were all bubbling (these were the walls that we didnt get a chance to get a 2nd coat on).  When Tom scratched it, the paint peeled off. Literally. It was like peeling glue of your fingers but it came off in huge strips.  I wanted to cry.  All the work on those walls that we spent so long on Tuesday had to be peeled and scraped off and re-painted.  We figured out the problem shortly.  The old paint on the house was oil based and the new paint they gave us was latex.  Any good painter (which I myself am NOT) would know that those two paint textures will most of the time not seal correctly.  So since we didnt get a 2nd coat on it and it rained the next day the moisture ruined it.  Oy.

So spent the rest of the day today re-painting and we started on the roof.  Today our team really came together and made a decision.  We could have stayed an hour late and finished the house today and start on a new project tomorrow.  The next team would have to just pick up where we left off. We were talking about while we were sitting int the grass eating lunch.  It would suck for the next family to get their house started on and then have to wait until Monday to get it going again. And you have the whole conflict with different work ethics and style and equipment.  Also, the Kershaw's house we were finished was white. EVERYTHING. They gave us white house paint and white roof paint.  Everything just blended together and we could tell she was dissapointed.  So we all decided to chip in and buy a couple more quarts of paint.  Tomorrow we are going to paint the trim, shutters, and porch swing a burgundy color.  We also decided to scrape off her iron laddice things and repaint them. That was terrible it felt like nails on a chalk board.  So we may have not finished our third project, but Im ok with that. Its quality, not quantity. And when Ms. Kershaw came out and saw us scaping she CRIED!  Then when we told her about her new trim color she wanted to hug us all and gave us candy.  It was almost too much to bear how much happiness and quality of living that comes from the little things like shutter paint.  

I am learning so much here and gaining such a new perspective.  I sat with one of the national members last night and talked to them about non-profit careers until 3am.  I am falling in love, not just with this program, but with United Way and all the other affiliates. This has really sparked somthing in side about non-profit volunteer based programs- especially geared toward youth.  Today I actually set up a meeting back in Louisville to talk about bringing the 10,000 hour show to our campus and starting a high school senior version of ASB in Louisville.  I know what everyone is saying that I am only caught up in the moment of being here. But I really do care abou this stuff before.  Just being here has really made me realize how small things can make such a big impact.  And how volunteer organizations need career people to run them.  I know there's no money it, but lets look at all the careers I have considered- nothing has ever had money. Anyway it just an idea and just a reflection.  Hey its my online journal.

good night!

The animal shelter was so fun!  I got some really cute pictures. Basically we cleaned cages, watered, fed, and gave played with them. We took them outide to play in the mud and then gave them a bath.  Between 10 of us we accomplished this job on almost all the dogs at the shelter.  I cant imagine that dogs are still there from Rita.  It was great and sad at the same time. Of course I cried a few times when they wined and shook so bad.  You all know me!!

It is STILL raining. Today has been really frustrating. We want to do all we can and help as many people as we can and we only got in 2 hours of work today, and it wasnt even a case.  But I still believe we are making a small difference.  Those pups were so happy just to have attention, to me that is fulfilling. 

It has been really frustrating today with a few people on my team.  Two of them complained the whole time we were there and would not even partake in the puppy fun.  They kept saying we are not making a difference and wasting our time and that UWA is so unorganized and ASB is a joke.  You know what? We are making a small difference just being here. If one out of five days is bad I think thats a success.  I really wish people who just shut up and learn to enjoy the little that is there.  Other teams were able to go out and do things. One of them even got on national news.  So the 10 of us didnt do anything remarkable but we helped that shelter and that is HELPING. The whole reason why we are here.  Oh well.

AND- they need to stop talking about politics if they dont know what they are talking about.  If you dont like Bush or Iraq, or Kerry, or anything about politics, thats fine.  BUT DONT try to correct me and tell me I am wrong and then back up your answer with, "just becuase generations back in my family and felt this way and I just know its right, its tradition." Or, "he's stupid, he didnt even really graduate high school, he (Bush) failed out and they covered it up." Or, "Terrorism is made up. Bush just wanted to go to war so he could go down in history books." Those of you that know me know how fuming I am right now. 

But all is well, we didnt get to go to Holly Beach tonight becuase of the storms. So we are going bowling instead. Hopefully orphan Annie's song will come true and the sun will come out tomorrow!!

ps- I am now known as the un-sorority country girl.

So we woke up to another torrential downpour and  severe stroms. We actually had 3 tornado WARNINGS today.  Needless to day there is no way that we could go paint the roof we put on yesterday. So we were going to have to do needs assessment surveys, but about halfway throught the TERRIBLE training video, our team leader Jen went and made some phone calls. So now our team get to go to.... THE ANIMAL SHELTER!!! We get to go walk dogs and play with them, and give pups baths. I AM SO EXCITED. Its not exactly why we are here, but at least we are doing some good!!

I cant wait!!

Today was a great day.  We actually worked from 8am until 4pm.  I felt so accomplished!  We went to the Kershaw residence today.  The first thing I noticed when I pulled up was the large mound of dirt in the yard. I wondered what in the world could have done that, I was ready for almost any explanation except for the one I got.  The Kershaw's house was completely demolished by Rita.  They could not get anyone to come and clean away the mess (which included rubble, family effects, everything).  So they decided to bury it, literally.  The lady almost had me in tears when she talked about throwing things in the fiery hole, like her wedding album and baby clothes.  Now they have all this excess dirt.  We are working on a plan for that but unfortunately it will have to wait for the next crew.  I learned how to roof today, I never felt so manly!  The lady across the street made us lunch! It was so sweet. She cooked: homemade Gumbo with rice, homemade potato salad, tuna sandwiches, chips and dip, sweet tea, and HOMEMADE German Chocolate cake. It was the most amazing thing ever.  The worst part was she still needed alot of work on her house and we werent even there for her.  That is how these people are down here.  I could really live in the South.  

Tonights dinner back at the VHC tasted like something I got straight out of china. It was some shrimp, fishy concoction with fried eggplant. I stuck to salad and rolls.  But its hard to complain when everything is free.

Tomorrow I am drywalling...and Im really excited. Im learning so many new things while Im here. 

My orientation crew: I thought about you yesterday while I was painting in the rain.  I hope the phones are treating you well. Megan I hope that everything is going good with you conference!

And Lee Ann thanks for fixing my taxes!

So today it RAINED. Not just rain but poured, hard, from 8am until 1pm.  It did not let up at all.  But did that deter our group? Nope. And did Toree remember to bring a poncho like the rest of her team? Nope.  

We visited Ms. Pitt today.  Her house had minimal damage on the inside except some flooding, hers was mostly external.  I had been repaired but gutters and staining needed to be done.  She was one of the nicest ladies I have ever met and she's a washer and shuffle board Senior Olympic 2 time champion! (in southwest Louisiana.)  

After the pleasantries we got to work.  We climbed scaffolding and ladders and sat in the mud.  We were soaked from top to bottom and it was freezing. She felt so bad she kept saying that she was so thankful for what we were doing but she wanted to invite us in for hot chocolate!  This woman had been charged almost 10,000 dollars for people to fix the house and remove a huge tree that had fallen on top of her house.  They removed the tree, tour everything apart, cashed the check, and never came back.  She came to tears when she told us the story.  Her dog, Prissy, was adopted at the local shelter AFTER the storm.  She said when she went to look for a companion she saw prissy with painted toenails and a bow in her hair.  She said she could tell that someone somewhere was missing her terribly and she couldnt stand to let it sit in the kennell, so Ms. Pitt brought her home.

At one oclock we were hungry, cold, and drenched to the bone.  United Way provides us with lunches everyday. Today it was peanut butter and Karo syrup sandwiches, chips, fruit, and assorted candy and granola.  After we ate we couldnt do anything else becuase the rain just wouldnt let up and we had done all the dry spots of the house we could.  I will say I think Im pretty crafty at staining!  They let us come home early and shower. We took a much needed trip to walmart (You all know I cant go on a trip and bring everything!)  Its amazing how many students here had never been to Walmart, or a Sonic, or a Waffle House.  Meeting all these people is also an experience.  

I dont know what we are giong to do tonight. I do know I can smell whatever Chef Joe is  cooking! Tomorrow we will finish Ms. Pitt's house and move onto to Ms. Kershaw.  Our team is officially a 'floater' team.  Instead of finishing one project we will be knocking out as many as we can and moving to the next one. Our team goal is to finish 4 houses- an ASB record!

Thanks to everyone who is reading this, if you have any comments or questions please leave them!  Alot of time I dont get the chance to write until night time but Ill try!

OK...so I just spent the last 20 minutes typing a stupid entry and it deleted it.

Day 2 has officially ended.  Today we went into Cameron Parrish, the most devasted parrish in Southwest Louisianna.  I could not believe the things that I saw.  Houses, literally, uprooted and dropped in the middle of the marsh or field. On the side it would have the family's name and address spray painted on it for insurance purposes.  They still have a snake and alligator problem. We saw our share today.  We passed many piles of rubble and flat foundation where you knew houses once stood.  Many times on top of that foundation or next to the side of a half gutted house you would see the while FEMA trailer.  Sometimes you would see a FEMA park where the rows of trailers were sickening.  Just knowing that a family of 5 could be living in a space smaller than my dorm room is hard to imagine.  Random cemetaries also dot the roadside.  Hundreds of families had to rebury their loved ones after Rita hit.  They said to date they still have 42 caskets missing.  Could you imagine having to handle that? Losing everyhting you own and then THAT?  We had lunch at a South Cameron High School.  It is completely destroyed.  They go to school in small trailers that are setting on the old playground.  The k-6 go 2.5 days and the 7-12 go 2.5 days. There are no sports (they have no practice space or equipment) and the elementary kids have no recess becuase there is nothing but empty space. Can you imagine being in the 2nd grade and no swings or jungle gym to play on?  

I used to ask the question, why come back?  Why do these people want to put thier family back in harms way. Today I got that answer loud and clear. The parish's in Louisiana are extrememly close, something I could never understand.  They have tradition and values and respect and pride.  This is thier home, where their  ancestors lived, where they grew up, what they know.  It was amazing that the kids that we talked to wanted to stay.  Even though they just knew another storm was coming. I talked to an 8year old today. Someone asked her what if a storm came back? And she said..."We will build another house." Simple as that.  People are different here and its amazing.  There are now new codes in Louisiana and every business, house, school, anything that is built must be up on stilts at least one story high.  The new school they are building will be up on stillts with the elemntary school on bottom and then high school on top of that. It will be interesting to see.

Tonight a cajun band, Bayou Kats played a concert for us. It was awesome.  I have not had so much fun since I was like 13 at summer camp.  Tomorrow the work starts! My team will headed back to Cameron Parrish to start our project. I still dont really know what I will be doing.

I hope everyone at home is having a great break and I cant wait to show all of you pictures!

Welcome to my recording of one of the greatest weeks of my life.  The team here is encouraging us all to keep a blog while we are here.  So I have decided to make a NEW journal just for my ASB experience. I am going to be copy and pasting from my old one the entry from yesterday and then hopefully keep everyone updated daily.  I hope this will not bore you (you can always stop reading lol) but give an insight into what I am really doing here.

CYA!

DAY 1: Saturday March 10!

I am pretty sure this is going to be one of he most amazing experiences of my life. It took awhile to get here. Delayed flights, shutdown interstate, and flat tires...but eventually we pulled up to Lake Charles Volunteer Housing Center. Here is a few things about the good ole VHS. Its an old middle school litterally, everything is still the same. Its surreal. They knocked out a wall and made one big room out of two classrooms, then added about 50 bunk beds...just like dorm life again. Except its super crowded. The showers are semi-clean with no place to change and everything is in a seperate outhouse building. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

As soon as we stepped off the van the camera guy was there. Its kind of weird getting used too. It will be aired as an MTV special: THE AMAZING BREAK later this month. How exciting! (does that make me vain?) We got new asssignments when we got here, now I will be doing nitty gritty in Cameron Parrish. It was the worst hit area and we are driving in there today. They did give us shirts for the week...5 of the exact same kind i got in the mail, lol.

Last night at kick-off they brought in three college kids who had been completely displaced by Hurricane Rita. It was so sad, and its just the tip of the iceberg. There is a college here and even when they opened back up they only had one out of 7 dorms operating. People slept in cars and WALKED over 45 minutes to schoool just so they could graduate. Its amazing. Hurricane Rita vicitims are a casualty of circumstance. They were hit just as hard as Katrina victims, and only 3 weeks later. But becuase it is less populated and had less crime and crazy problems as New Orleans they just got overlooked. People were just now getting FEMA trailers a year and half later.

I am so excited to be here. It sounds nuts but because every team will FINISH a project, we will actually see results. Here is our weekly schedule:

6am: wake-up
7am:breakfast
730: leave for work site (CAMERON PARRISH for me)
noon: lunch on site
430: leave for VHS
600: Dinner
EVENING: assorted activities
10pm: Lights out/free time in the gym

You'll be tired of hearing from me on this stupid thing but I really want to keep an account of whats going on. FedEx just donated 30 laptops so now we have an internet cafe. Nike also donated some field stuff and a HUGE trampoline! They said MTV would also have a 'special' guest later on in the week. aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! I am so excited!

Oh-and my official name her is now "tasty".