United Way Alternative Spring Break sponsored by Deloitte

So, I've had to allow myself a few days to recover before writing about my ASB experience. I have to say that Week 2 of ASB has been the best week of this year for me. I met lots of new, amazing people, reunited with old friends, learned the basics about finishing work in a house, and most importantly, I volunteered lots of free time to helping out those who need it most. When I first arrived on March 8th, I was very exhausted from the 7-hour drive. I probably didn't look like the friendliest person in the world at the time, but once all of my friends from last year showed up, my mood quickly changed. It was the beginning of a great nine days together. AND that leads me into my top 10 for week. 2

# 10 - Driving a big 15-passenger van to Houston, TX without any practice beforehand. I loved it.

# 9 - Meeting most of the participants at the airport. It was amazing to see all of them just rush out of the airport and to the shuttles.

# 8 - Taking the tour of Cameron parish on Sunday and seeing all of the destruction that Hurricane Rita caused. Seeing that house in the middle of the water was simply amazing. I couldn't believe that a hurricane had that much power.

# 7 - Team Leader Training. It was great being in the room with everyone and just bonding and getting to know each other. Lots of fun activities to help us bond more. It was great seeing all of my Storm Corp alumni's again and meeting new TL's for the week. Y'all have given me lots of memories and I will never forget any of you. Thanks for accepting me the way I am and always being there for me throughout the week.

# 6 - Habitat for Humanity. I've always wanted to work with this organization and I'm so honored to have gotten the opportunity to do so. After going through that introduction that felt like hours, it was all smooth sailing from there. Shoutouts to our two homeowners that we did finishing work on for their houses.

# 5 - Late-nite/games. I never learned how to play poker. :=) I did learn how to play CatchPhrase though. I didn't quite understand all of it but I had a great time. Best line ever "It's the opposite of goat". It's amazing how no one ever slept. Everyone would be up till 2 and 3 in the morning. My kinda crowd!

# 4 - Sunday's Cajun Dance/Bayou Cats... A great way to start off the week is having the Bayou Cats come in and jam for us. I absolutely loved it. I don't think I've danced so much in my life. The Soul Train line was phenomenal. I really enjoyed myself and I'm glad that everyone else did too. Those of you who left after the band finished playing missed the afterparty. We jammed to a few songs on my iPod and had a great time.

# 3 - ASB Karaoke.. This had to be my favorite activity of the entire week. It was great to see everyone just get up on the stage and have fun and sing their favorite songs. "Baby Got Back" and "Ice Ice Baby" were off-da-hook performances. But the #1 performance of the night had to go to lil' ole me. Not to be cocky or anything, but I stole the show. I'm always down for a challenge. Step ya game up! Just kiddin!

# 2 - SLOPPY CAULKERS! We were da bomb! I'm so happy that I was able to be one of your team leaders for the week. I had an absolute amazing time. Y'all provided me with laughs that will definitely last a lifetime. Shoutouts to Ryan, John, Jose, Ana, Heather, Renee, Ross, and Jose. Big shoutouts to our two NCCC members, Shyra and Sean. You two were nothing but pure hotness. And a big shoutout to my co-leader, Tessa. I think that you were one of the big reasons that I was able to make it through the week without buggin' out. I will see all of you again real soon!

# 1 - One of the most important reasons that I came down was to help out those who needed it most. After taking the tour and seeing what Rita had done, I was more than willing to do whatever was needed to help out. Completing this 2nd year of ASB makes me realize even more that I need to volunteer more and encourage others to do the same. Thanks for Stephe, Nicole, Jessica, Adam, Randy, and Brian (Mohawk Boy) for having me as a team leader and for inspiring me to want to do more. I truly love all of you.

ASB Reunion? Let's work something out....