BlueTube / Cali Lovvvvve
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BlueTube / Week 4 in the TUBE!
Y'all come back now, ya hear?
Hey Y'all! I hope everyone is doing well and I hope that you ASB'ers who are participating in week four are having an absolute blast!
I'm officially suffering from ASB withdrawal and I literally just got back to school four days ago. I can't even begin to say how much I miss waking up to the sound of 18,000 different cell phone alarms going off and hearing random voices from across the room curse the alarms that won't stop ringing. Now I have to wake up earlier and to my own alarm on its own.
Anyway, I basically just wanted to highlight my favorite events of the week so those of you who participated in Week 3 can read this and say, 'Ah yes, that was a pretty sweet time.' I will just mention that this is my personal recap and some of you may have experienced different things.
So here we go:
I am a member of the Women's Crew team here at Ohio University and I traveled in my Crew apparel because my teammates were leaving for rowing camp at the same time I was leaving for ASB. I talked to them all day and wished I had made the decision to go to rowing camp instead of to SWLA. I was a late arrival on Saturday night because of plane issues and the like and I was definitely on the phone with Ashley about 15 times within a 9 hour time period. When I got to the airport, I was greeted by some enthusiastic, yet obviously tired-of-waiting-around-Houston Airport Team Leaders. I was the only one, besides Megan, who also resides in Ohio (O-H!...) to make the 3 hour trip to Lake Charles. When I got there, I met up with some more Ohioans (I-O!) , really started missing my teammates and then basically passed out.
The next day, we had our tours of Cameron Parish. I couldn't believe how awful it was (and still is) and I couldn't understand how people who had suffered through so much devastation could come back to that same place and rebuild homes, knowing that the same thing could happen this hurricane season. The thing I remember most was how quiet it was in our van as we drove through the parish. No one really knew what to say and we couldn't really make any jokes or do anything to break the ice in fear of the whole wrong place, wrong time thing.
After we returned to the volunteer center, we had dinner and met our teams for the week and found out a little bit about where we'd be working for the week. We came up with silly nicknames that somehow stuck, got spread around the camp, and used quite frequently throughout the week (I think more people knew me as B.E.T. - I like rap music and keeping it gangster - than they did as Kadi).
Then we began a game of kickball. Now let me tell you, us 3rd weekers don't play around with our kickball. It is a serious competition that continued all week. Although there were times when people got a little salty, the games were relatively harmless.
Monday morning was our first day on site. My group was one of the two to be stationed in Cameron Parish, which was a huge honor, let me tell you. On the first day, we got our assigned locations from Ms. Julie. I went to Ms. T Mae's house in Grand Chenier and did some painting inside her house. Ms. T Mae's house was built in the 1930's and had made it through both Hurricane Audrey and Rita. It moved back about 6 inches from its original place.This house, however, was not her original house. She actually rented it out to duck hunters. Her house was just to the left of this house, but was lost completely in the storm, along with her large grocery store.
She made us lunch and we were sure to get the two rooms she'd asked us to get done finished for the day. The house is absolutely beautiful and will be more so when everything is finished. I hope that whoever is working in Cameron this week gets the chance to go there.
Tuesday, I went out to Klondike to scrape and prime Ms. Eula's house. We got all of the scraping and most of the priming done. We ran into a pack of REALLY annoying dogs (there were 6 of them) and I saw quite possibly the biggest pile of cow poop ever. On the way home, we stopped at a little restaurant (Nott's Corner in Lake Arthur) and took a picture by a large crawfish statue. We bought brightly colored t-shirts with risque sayings on the backs and wore them to dinner that night. Everyone was jealous. The Americorp folks actually finished that house on Thursday and from my understanding, it looks really nice.
Wednesday, I went with a group to Ms. Becky's house and put the final coat of paint on her house. I got the chance to talk with her for a bit and she told me that she had lost the entire back of her house and her carport to a tornado within Hurricane Rita. She said the weather service stopped counting tornados in Rita after #200. Luckily, she didn't lose much in the way of possessions and her house looks really nice now, both inside and out. After we finished up with that, Ms. Julie came to pick us up and we went to work on some things at Head Start for the rest of the day. Once we finished everything there, we played some card games and hung out with the group who had been at Head Start all day. Ms. Julie even bought us ice cream. I had a Choco Taco and I KNOW you're jealous. That evening, we went to Holly Beach for dinner and some fun before heading back to the camp. Holly Beach was really eerie, but we made sure to make some fun out of the situation. It's wonderful to see that people are rebuilding their homes there because I'm sure it's a beautiful place to live.
Thursday I went to Ms. Layla's (spelling?) house and culked some boards that were coming loose from her house. We also spot primed the house so they could paint it the next day. We finished everything up and got to play with their little dog who was pretty much insane. Then, since the Cameron group was so far out, we drove into Lake Charles to meet the FedEx truck for pizza - oh, and some Starbucks.
Friday was the last day of work and let me say, it was pretty much the most amazing day ever. I went back to Ms. T Mae's house to do some more painting, but this time, with 3 of the girls from my group and another girl that goes to my college (Alex, Amy, Nicole, Marty - I love you!!!). We got the two rooms Ms. T Mae asked us to do finished and then she made us lunch again - probably the best crawfish etuffle' EVER. She invited us all back in the summer after her house (and hopefully her store) were finished to stay for a few days. I'm pretty sure we might take her up on that.
Working in Cameron Parish taught me a lot. At the beginning of the week, I couldn't understand why these people would come back, fight for thousands of dollars from insurance companies that will likely never come and attempt to rebuild in a place where their lives could be washed away again this hurricane season. But then it hit me - this is one of the best places in America. Not only do you have the scent of saltwater in the air, but you have a large farm down the road. You know the names of your neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's etc. and the names of their parents and cousins. You have quait little shops at your beck and call and if you're feeling daring, you can even go to the marshes and wrestle an alligator. In all honesty, SWLA is amazing. The people are so amazing and so surprisingly hopeful and compassionate. It kind of grows on you just from being there. I am sold.
Aside from the amazing opportunity to do work and meet the residents in Cameron Parish, I found most of my memories coming from the time I spent with my team and all of the people who flocked around our team (who knew they could group so many amazing people together in one group?). However, what I liked most about the whole thing was that everyone seemed to be friends...long time friends. Once Tuesday hit, we were all being the cynical, dry-humored, swearing college students we all are and it was amazing.
I just want to post a few of the inside jokes that took place throughout the week...for those of you involved, please take the time to laugh...because it's okay to laugh: T-squared, the party van, CHIGGERS, Seeeeeeeeee yuuuuuuuuh, Numa Numa Yay, BS!, "Get in the van.", I'll meet you on the trampoline, shut the .... up!, "Just making sure you're awake." And I also want to quickly shout out to all of my wonderful teammates (Alex, Nicole, Josh, Tristan, Jenny, Sunshine, Holly Pocket, Beth, Marty, Jess, Jenny and Heather). One hour van rides would never have been the same without you.
So thanks for an awesome week, ASB! I wouldn't have had it any other way!
I'm officially suffering from ASB withdrawal and I literally just got back to school four days ago. I can't even begin to say how much I miss waking up to the sound of 18,000 different cell phone alarms going off and hearing random voices from across the room curse the alarms that won't stop ringing. Now I have to wake up earlier and to my own alarm on its own.
Anyway, I basically just wanted to highlight my favorite events of the week so those of you who participated in Week 3 can read this and say, 'Ah yes, that was a pretty sweet time.' I will just mention that this is my personal recap and some of you may have experienced different things.
So here we go:
I am a member of the Women's Crew team here at Ohio University and I traveled in my Crew apparel because my teammates were leaving for rowing camp at the same time I was leaving for ASB. I talked to them all day and wished I had made the decision to go to rowing camp instead of to SWLA. I was a late arrival on Saturday night because of plane issues and the like and I was definitely on the phone with Ashley about 15 times within a 9 hour time period. When I got to the airport, I was greeted by some enthusiastic, yet obviously tired-of-waiting-around-Houston Airport Team Leaders. I was the only one, besides Megan, who also resides in Ohio (O-H!...) to make the 3 hour trip to Lake Charles. When I got there, I met up with some more Ohioans (I-O!) , really started missing my teammates and then basically passed out.
The next day, we had our tours of Cameron Parish. I couldn't believe how awful it was (and still is) and I couldn't understand how people who had suffered through so much devastation could come back to that same place and rebuild homes, knowing that the same thing could happen this hurricane season. The thing I remember most was how quiet it was in our van as we drove through the parish. No one really knew what to say and we couldn't really make any jokes or do anything to break the ice in fear of the whole wrong place, wrong time thing.
After we returned to the volunteer center, we had dinner and met our teams for the week and found out a little bit about where we'd be working for the week. We came up with silly nicknames that somehow stuck, got spread around the camp, and used quite frequently throughout the week (I think more people knew me as B.E.T. - I like rap music and keeping it gangster - than they did as Kadi).
Then we began a game of kickball. Now let me tell you, us 3rd weekers don't play around with our kickball. It is a serious competition that continued all week. Although there were times when people got a little salty, the games were relatively harmless.
Monday morning was our first day on site. My group was one of the two to be stationed in Cameron Parish, which was a huge honor, let me tell you. On the first day, we got our assigned locations from Ms. Julie. I went to Ms. T Mae's house in Grand Chenier and did some painting inside her house. Ms. T Mae's house was built in the 1930's and had made it through both Hurricane Audrey and Rita. It moved back about 6 inches from its original place.This house, however, was not her original house. She actually rented it out to duck hunters. Her house was just to the left of this house, but was lost completely in the storm, along with her large grocery store.
She made us lunch and we were sure to get the two rooms she'd asked us to get done finished for the day. The house is absolutely beautiful and will be more so when everything is finished. I hope that whoever is working in Cameron this week gets the chance to go there.
Tuesday, I went out to Klondike to scrape and prime Ms. Eula's house. We got all of the scraping and most of the priming done. We ran into a pack of REALLY annoying dogs (there were 6 of them) and I saw quite possibly the biggest pile of cow poop ever. On the way home, we stopped at a little restaurant (Nott's Corner in Lake Arthur) and took a picture by a large crawfish statue. We bought brightly colored t-shirts with risque sayings on the backs and wore them to dinner that night. Everyone was jealous. The Americorp folks actually finished that house on Thursday and from my understanding, it looks really nice.
Wednesday, I went with a group to Ms. Becky's house and put the final coat of paint on her house. I got the chance to talk with her for a bit and she told me that she had lost the entire back of her house and her carport to a tornado within Hurricane Rita. She said the weather service stopped counting tornados in Rita after #200. Luckily, she didn't lose much in the way of possessions and her house looks really nice now, both inside and out. After we finished up with that, Ms. Julie came to pick us up and we went to work on some things at Head Start for the rest of the day. Once we finished everything there, we played some card games and hung out with the group who had been at Head Start all day. Ms. Julie even bought us ice cream. I had a Choco Taco and I KNOW you're jealous. That evening, we went to Holly Beach for dinner and some fun before heading back to the camp. Holly Beach was really eerie, but we made sure to make some fun out of the situation. It's wonderful to see that people are rebuilding their homes there because I'm sure it's a beautiful place to live.
Thursday I went to Ms. Layla's (spelling?) house and culked some boards that were coming loose from her house. We also spot primed the house so they could paint it the next day. We finished everything up and got to play with their little dog who was pretty much insane. Then, since the Cameron group was so far out, we drove into Lake Charles to meet the FedEx truck for pizza - oh, and some Starbucks.
Friday was the last day of work and let me say, it was pretty much the most amazing day ever. I went back to Ms. T Mae's house to do some more painting, but this time, with 3 of the girls from my group and another girl that goes to my college (Alex, Amy, Nicole, Marty - I love you!!!). We got the two rooms Ms. T Mae asked us to do finished and then she made us lunch again - probably the best crawfish etuffle' EVER. She invited us all back in the summer after her house (and hopefully her store) were finished to stay for a few days. I'm pretty sure we might take her up on that.
Working in Cameron Parish taught me a lot. At the beginning of the week, I couldn't understand why these people would come back, fight for thousands of dollars from insurance companies that will likely never come and attempt to rebuild in a place where their lives could be washed away again this hurricane season. But then it hit me - this is one of the best places in America. Not only do you have the scent of saltwater in the air, but you have a large farm down the road. You know the names of your neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's etc. and the names of their parents and cousins. You have quait little shops at your beck and call and if you're feeling daring, you can even go to the marshes and wrestle an alligator. In all honesty, SWLA is amazing. The people are so amazing and so surprisingly hopeful and compassionate. It kind of grows on you just from being there. I am sold.
Aside from the amazing opportunity to do work and meet the residents in Cameron Parish, I found most of my memories coming from the time I spent with my team and all of the people who flocked around our team (who knew they could group so many amazing people together in one group?). However, what I liked most about the whole thing was that everyone seemed to be friends...long time friends. Once Tuesday hit, we were all being the cynical, dry-humored, swearing college students we all are and it was amazing.
I just want to post a few of the inside jokes that took place throughout the week...for those of you involved, please take the time to laugh...because it's okay to laugh: T-squared, the party van, CHIGGERS, Seeeeeeeeee yuuuuuuuuh, Numa Numa Yay, BS!, "Get in the van.", I'll meet you on the trampoline, shut the .... up!, "Just making sure you're awake." And I also want to quickly shout out to all of my wonderful teammates (Alex, Nicole, Josh, Tristan, Jenny, Sunshine, Holly Pocket, Beth, Marty, Jess, Jenny and Heather). One hour van rides would never have been the same without you.
So thanks for an awesome week, ASB! I wouldn't have had it any other way!
Labels: awesome, cameron parish, chiggers
Winding Down Day Two
After a blazing night of karaoke from the ASBer's, I have in front of me 25 participants playing pictionary. They sang their hearts out and let loose ... From "I want to dance with somebody" to Pretty Woman songs...
Four days ago, none of them knew each other.
Now they are connected.
Sunburned. Exhausted. Excited. All of them looking forward to the rest of the week's service projects. After Saturday, many of them may never see each other again ... at least in person.
It's different now: Many of the bonds formed here will last longer in digital life than they would have otherwise. People link up and share stories now in ways that were totally unrealistic even five years ago. It's hard to imagine what a volunteer center would be like without internet, video-blogs, myspace pages, facebook groups after this experience. Before my arrival, it was hard to imagine such a thing at all.
This is the connected generation, and I'm lucky to be a part of it.
Many will leave here changed. Many will return home to do more volunteer work. Some will share the story and get others passionate about giving back.
It will be easier--I hope. Because now, loved ones, families, friends, frat brothers and sorority sisters ... all of them can follow us in real time. See how we're making a difference in Southwest Louisiana and get that fire burning through the stories, images and the amazing time we are having here.
So keep following along ... in real time ... and watch these incredible people flex there service muscles to make great things happen this week.
See how the picture unfolds.
Four days ago, none of them knew each other.
Now they are connected.
Sunburned. Exhausted. Excited. All of them looking forward to the rest of the week's service projects. After Saturday, many of them may never see each other again ... at least in person.
It's different now: Many of the bonds formed here will last longer in digital life than they would have otherwise. People link up and share stories now in ways that were totally unrealistic even five years ago. It's hard to imagine what a volunteer center would be like without internet, video-blogs, myspace pages, facebook groups after this experience. Before my arrival, it was hard to imagine such a thing at all.
This is the connected generation, and I'm lucky to be a part of it.
Many will leave here changed. Many will return home to do more volunteer work. Some will share the story and get others passionate about giving back.
It will be easier--I hope. Because now, loved ones, families, friends, frat brothers and sorority sisters ... all of them can follow us in real time. See how we're making a difference in Southwest Louisiana and get that fire burning through the stories, images and the amazing time we are having here.
So keep following along ... in real time ... and watch these incredible people flex there service muscles to make great things happen this week.
See how the picture unfolds.
Special Delivery from FedEx
BlueTube / WooHoo!.!!.!!.!
BlueTube / Thank You United Way!
BlueTube / GoodBye Week3 ASB'ers
We All Have Family in Louisiana
Gabby's Gumbies
And Here Comes the Water-Works
What The World Needs Now...
ASB is Better Than Acapulco
I Know That's Right!
Stay Classy South West Louisiana
Gabby's Gumbies
And Here Comes the Water-Works
What The World Needs Now...
ASB is Better Than Acapulco
I Know That's Right!
Stay Classy South West Louisiana
BlueTube / I Love You Jordan!
The Amazing Break...
So I set my alarm for for 7 a.m here in Minnesota to tune in to "The Amazing Break". Clearly, its not amazing judging by the half hour time slot and the time of day in which the show aired. I found myself rather annoyed by the documentary. MTV can showcase spring break in Florida throughout the day yet they can't give us time to tell our story of the liberating spring break that we had helping humanity. Its sad to see teens of America who chose to get intoxicated and waste their life away to get more attention that those who chose to pour their souls into helping people.
On a side note, I just want to let everyone know who did participated in ASB this year that you are amazing people and that your work does pay off. The fact that you can sacrificed your vacation time to helping others shows the compassion that this world lacks at times. Thank you for being the wonderful people that you are and I hope that you can continue to make a difference in the world and the community.
asb week 3....so excellent, so moving
Hey YALL this is not Bronco Keli Everett...this is her wicked most favorite team member Michelle Cleps Wright. So it's 2:14 am on sat march 24,(no I'm not going to sleep during my last hours here) and i'm sorry to say it's the VERY last day of asb magic twa pod "week 3." It's been an amazing week, and I can't believe all our work here is over. To think that I almost stayed home because I was sick! One of the greatest testaments to the power of this experience being that the moment I was amongst all of these amazing individuals, I felt 100% better. The positive energy just hums through this group of people, everyone is just so happy to be here and so willing to give their time and hearts to a common and beautiful cause. Having never done anything like this, I had no idea what to expect coming into this program, but I came in with an open mind and an open heart and it's been such an awesome, life changing experience. I've met so many wonderful, fun, halarious, "super fabulous" people, many of whom are now life long friends. The devastation here in SWLA has been so underrepresented in our country, I my self was even unaware of the capacity of Rita's affects here. But asb has been a vehicle for awareness and change, bringing some wonderful young people together to do some powerful and inspiring work. I just want to give a shout out to my awesome BIG TEAM E! (E= estrogen=man free= whole lotta woman power!) To Chedda and Bronco, you two encouraged, inspired, and cracked me up every single day. To bones, pickles, papi, hemi, playa, naners, ducky, patch, bandy, Shyra, and Kathy Ellen, I couldn't have asked for a better group. And to all the other awesome people I've come to love, Alicia, Maddie, Ali, Marty, Layla, Bryan, Gabriela, Christina, Megin, Michael, Travis, Keith, Steve, Nicole, Clark Kent, Darryl, Suzannah, Emily, Shawn, and of course to Emily "best ever" Burns, you're the reason I'm here and I can't begin to thank you enough, we're pretty much the best ever.
....love you all! Can't wait for next year....keep being awesome.
peace, Michelle
....love you all! Can't wait for next year....keep being awesome.
peace, Michelle
BlueTube / My Trunks
Week 4 TL's Arrive!!! ...finally
BlueTube / Where's Holly Beach?
Welcome Back ... For the First Time
I've got my blogging shoes on: I'm ready to go.
This is my first time in Louisiana, first time in Lake Charles, first time serving with MTV/United Way ASB.
But it's familiar.
I recognize the energy, the logistical challenges, the passion on people's faces. The unknown. The yearning to contribute.
I recognize the AmeriCorps *NCCC teams and their signature grey t-shirts (I served Western Region Class VII ... a remarkable 6 years ago). I recognize Alternative Spring Break. I recognize United Way mobilizing multiple partners and people to make it happen.
I'm excited for the next ten days -- the intense conversation, reflecting on our role as volunteers and how to make a difference. Excited to get my hands dirty and to get to work. Excited to make the experience as valuable as possible for participants. Excited to have them go home and take on volunteerism in their own communities. Excited to get things done.
Bridging Passion to Action
That's my motto this week.
This is my first time in Louisiana, first time in Lake Charles, first time serving with MTV/United Way ASB.
But it's familiar.
I recognize the energy, the logistical challenges, the passion on people's faces. The unknown. The yearning to contribute.
I recognize the AmeriCorps *NCCC teams and their signature grey t-shirts (I served Western Region Class VII ... a remarkable 6 years ago). I recognize Alternative Spring Break. I recognize United Way mobilizing multiple partners and people to make it happen.
I'm excited for the next ten days -- the intense conversation, reflecting on our role as volunteers and how to make a difference. Excited to get my hands dirty and to get to work. Excited to make the experience as valuable as possible for participants. Excited to have them go home and take on volunteerism in their own communities. Excited to get things done.
Bridging Passion to Action
That's my motto this week.
We say goodbye, you say hello!
Before I get into my Top 10 for ASB Week #2, let me say that I miss you guys! I miss being able to walk down the Hallway and see the faces of people that I admire and care about so much every day. For everyone there for the final 2 weeks of ASB, don't let one moment slip by without taking advantage of it! You only get to be around 150 people like this once a year after all.
4. Bowling! So what if I didn't hit a single pin (I kid you not.) the entire evening.
3. One word: SONIC.
1. Meeting each and every one of you guys. You're all unbelievable and I can't wait until next year! Much love from Georgia! :)
Alright, on with my Top 10 Most-Fantastically-Amazing ASB Moments Ever.
10. The first night when all of the TL's arrived. It was like only a day had passed since Storm Corps and to see all of you guys again was surreal. Picking up where we left off was so much fun and I can't wait to see you guys sometime soon!
9. Coming face-t0-face with my first 'mudbug', or actually a gigantic bag full of them. Thank you, Adam & Brian, for that life-changing encounter. I doubt I'll ever be the same.
8. Meeting my team! It was a little daunting, to say the least. All I cared about was making sure that they left ASB feeling excited about volunteering, with tons of new friends, and without the urge to kill their TL's. I'm pretty sure Keerun and I succeeded, thankfully. The Quackerjacks were a crazy bunch of dirrty ducks but you guys made every day fun and I appreciate all the patience and hard work you put forth during the work. You know I love you so I'll shut up now...
7. Ice Ice Baby. Girls just wanna have fun. Summer lovin'. Nasty Boys. Need I say more???
6. I saw my first gator! I was ready to wrestle one like the guys from Animal Planet but for the sake of saving my limbs, I opted to take a friendly photo from inside our van and live to tell about it. :D
5. The tour. The tour. The tour. It was humbling to see that that kind of devastation still exists nearly 2 years after Rita hit. I think that the tour brought everything home for us as volunteers. It allowed us to see why were in Lake Charles rather than New Orleans or other cities. There's a way to cure Rita Amnesia and it starts with taking what we saw and heard that day and throughout the week and sharing it with as many people as possible.
4. Bowling! So what if I didn't hit a single pin (I kid you not.) the entire evening. 3. One word: SONIC.
2. Going to the Gator Park with the QJ's...I don't think they'll have that kind of excitement in their lives for some time to come! At least the ducks were friendly...
1. Meeting each and every one of you guys. You're all unbelievable and I can't wait until next year! Much love from Georgia! :)
BlueTube / Who Needs a Man??? Woot Woooooot!!!!
ASB Experience/Top 10
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....
# 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....
Team Big E
Hey Y'all. Being here in Louisiana is one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. After all the mishaps at the airport I finally arrived safely... luggage and all. On Sunday we took a tour of Cameron Parrish. It was shocking to see that even a year and a half later there is still so much work to be done. My group Team BIG E is workin at Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin. Many people think of the recovery effort as just rebuilding houses, but our team is working on trying to rebuild the entire community. This camp has been unable to function at full capacity since Rita, and after all that these kids have been through it is so important to get some normalcy back into their lives.
I love everyone down here. My team is great!!! They all have such great attitudes and are so eager to volunteer and make a difference in this community. I want to give a shout out to Cheddah, Playah, Hemi, Naners, Pickle, Nash, Sniffy, Patch, Bandy, Kleps, Ducky, Papi, and Bones for being SUPERFABULOUS!! And not only have we being doing superfabulous volunteer work, but we are having so much fun. At night after long hard days painting and building I have played kickball (I rock by the way), danced to some cajun music (yes I danced), was a fly girl for the funniest karaoke version of ice ice baby ever, and went to the beach and locked my van keys in.
Also for all of you back in the Fort... they didn't let me use power tools but they did let me climb on roofs and drive 15 passenger vans. Jamie got to use power tools though. I'm jealous.
I love everyone down here. My team is great!!! They all have such great attitudes and are so eager to volunteer and make a difference in this community. I want to give a shout out to Cheddah, Playah, Hemi, Naners, Pickle, Nash, Sniffy, Patch, Bandy, Kleps, Ducky, Papi, and Bones for being SUPERFABULOUS!! And not only have we being doing superfabulous volunteer work, but we are having so much fun. At night after long hard days painting and building I have played kickball (I rock by the way), danced to some cajun music (yes I danced), was a fly girl for the funniest karaoke version of ice ice baby ever, and went to the beach and locked my van keys in.
Also for all of you back in the Fort... they didn't let me use power tools but they did let me climb on roofs and drive 15 passenger vans. Jamie got to use power tools though. I'm jealous.
Top 10
Of all the wonderful memories from ASB week 2, how 
do I pick only ten? I enjoyed every second of the experience and am so thankful for all of the amazing people I met!
My top 10:
10) The first shower on the left...you ladies know what I'm talking about. Thank goodness for hot showers!
9) Bowling!
8) Late nights full of hilarious games and great conversations.
7) Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin - painting, building tables, lizards, picking up debris, playing in the rain...
6) Accidentally off-roading in a giant 12 passenger van. Who's idea was it to let me drive?
5) Getting lost for an hour on the way to taking LB to the doctor. Good thing it wasn't life threatening…
4) Meeting all of the awesome team leaders Y'all are such a fantastically energetic and inspiring bunch. I better see you next year!
3) Building the most amazing picnic tables the state of Louisiana has ever seen!
2) My doggs- hands down the coolest group of people I have ever met and my 10 newest best friends. I'm looking forward to the reunion road trips that are sure to come!
1) Knowing I had at least a small part in this experience which literally changed people's lives and opened their eyes to the impact we can make when we come together to help others.
Love you all!
do I pick only ten? I enjoyed every second of the experience and am so thankful for all of the amazing people I met!My top 10:
10) The first shower on the left...you ladies know what I'm talking about. Thank goodness for hot showers!
9) Bowling!
8) Late nights full of hilarious games and great conversations.
7) Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin - painting, building tables, lizards, picking up debris, playing in the rain...
6) Accidentally off-roading in a giant 12 passenger van. Who's idea was it to let me drive?
5) Getting lost for an hour on the way to taking LB to the doctor. Good thing it wasn't life threatening…
4) Meeting all of the awesome team leaders Y'all are such a fantastically energetic and inspiring bunch. I better see you next year!
3) Building the most amazing picnic tables the state of Louisiana has ever seen!
2) My doggs- hands down the coolest group of people I have ever met and my 10 newest best friends. I'm looking forward to the reunion road trips that are sure to come!
1) Knowing I had at least a small part in this experience which literally changed people's lives and opened their eyes to the impact we can make when we come together to help others.
Love you all!
TOP TEN!!
I really can't express what last week meant to me. The people, the community and the experience overall were simply amazing. Last year, we posted a top ten for Storm Corps. This year, I would like to keep that going by having everyone respond to this post with their top ten for ASB 2007. Here is mine:
10) Getting to know everyone before y'all showed up as Angela and I knew names and emails of EVERYONE while having to coordinate travel.
9) Working "behind the scenes." This year was so different than last year because we got to work with the national team (Stephe, Nicole, Jess, Val, Adam, and Bpham)
8) Taking the tour of Cal Perish. It was eye opening to see the town of Cameron and how different it looks when you compare it to how it looked before.
7)Saturday March, 10th 2007. A day that shall forever live in emphamy. With 60 people leaving and 136 coming in, this was quite possibly the most hectic day of my life. But with the great support staff, it went by with minimal hitches.
6)One word, two syllables: Catchphrase. Dig it.
5) Late nights, early mornings. pogs.
4)Working with Habitat. These guys were fun to work with once we got passed the 18 hour introduction, ok bit of a stretch, it was only 13 hours.
3) My team. The ASBER OWLS or team "Shut up, our name is better than yours" I loved leading a team of junior team leaders. So much fun was had everyday and I think I was very privileged in having such a great team who started slow but finished hot, Holla Back "Hoot hoot"
2) Meeting all the new friends that I'll keep. Everyone this year certainly had their heart in the right place and was there for a common goal
1) Reuniting with old friends. I couldn't wait to see everyone again, and as soon as we said hello we had to say goodbye again. I love all of you cannot wait to see you again, you all know who you are.
1.b) The team leaders who I had the opportunity to work with. You are amazing people with a multitude of talents. I cannot wait until we meet again. I love you all as well.
There you have it folks, my top ten for ASB 2007, the order may be a little skewed but deal with it. I hope weeks 3 and 4 have as good a time as we did, but I really, really doubt it.
A picture can really be worth a thousand words!
The joy, love and happiness that we all feel during an ASB and for the weeks that follow cannot always be translated into words and pictures can say much more. We feel a sense of accomplishment that ignites a need to change the world. My hope is that everyone will use their pictures and memories to tell their story and help make that feeling last a lifetime.So my advice is to REACH for the sky like we did in this picture and remember TO SERVE is the VERB!!
I HEART you all and I cannot wait for an ASB reunion!!!!
Who let the dogs out?
ASB teams did! As volunteers at the Calcasieu Parish Animal Control & Protection Department, the participants gave dogs baths and walked them.
Keep up the good work!
WooHoo!
Hey, it's Valerie! It's the end of my 3rd day here and I am having a blast. No kidding...a total blast. I'm having the time of my life with people that I know I'll love forever and doing something awesome in the process. I love everyone here, I love what we're doing....heck, I love waking up at 6am to go to an 8hr work day. ASB rocks and I'm definately giving it my all this week. My myspace is www.myspace.com/ryaneugenebarr so check me out, add me, and we'll keep in touch forever ASB'ers! Oh yea...go Team "E"!!! WoopWoop!!!!!
Labels: ASB 2007 post
BlueTube / Christy & Jen
BlueTube / Keerun M. & Mandi W.
BlueTube / The ASB Trio
BlueTube / Mandi W.
^*^ Saturday Night Lights ^*^
....and the games begin!ASB Week 3 Participants start off their week w/ a game of kickball. I personally was super surprised to see the high amounts of energy from them... especially after travelling for soo long.... and in most cases, sooo far... It seems as though kickball is 'Game of Choice' for week 3. We've already played Saturday and Sunday... I'm sure Monday will be no exception.
Week 2 Slideshow
Sometimes it takes awhile to sink in....
Ok so finally home from ASB Week 2 and have just begun to process my experience.
I want to start by giving a big shout out to Sh...Sh...Sh...Sheep Unit! You guys were an amazing team and exceeded all of the hopes I had for our group. You all have such different personalities but all got along SO well and I think (not that I'm biased) that we were one of the best teams at week two. You motivated eachother, worked well together, and just kept it fun- thanks to Brittany's random dance parties, Klaudine's humility ;) Iain's iron stomach , and the list could go on!
I think one of the things this experience has given me is a true appreciation for the little things in my life…i.e. my 4 door sedan (not a 15 passenger van), clean laundry, normal sized bottles of shampoo, and only having one alarm clock that I have to listen to in the morning. But in addition to those little things it as also made me appreciate some big things- like the awesome power of the generations represented at ASB this month, the committment we all made to bring a community back to life, the friendships we forged in just a short amount of time, and the positive attitudes with which we tackled the ups and downs of the week.
Thank you is just not a big enough word to express the gratitude I have for the people I met and the impact they had on my life. It’s crazy to think I met them and got so close in just a week…and crazier still to think about what my life would be like if I never had. The UWA Staff, the other Team Leaders , and all of the participants each insipred me, supported me, and made me laugh the entire week.
For those of you reading this who have not had the opportunit y to participate in the United Way's ASB program I want to encourage you to apply next year, or just get involved in your own communities. These kinds of experiences will change your life!
I want to start by giving a big shout out to Sh...Sh...Sh...Sheep Unit! You guys were an amazing team and exceeded all of the hopes I had for our group. You all have such different personalities but all got along SO well and I think (not that I'm biased) that we were one of the best teams at week two. You motivated eachother, worked well together, and just kept it fun- thanks to Brittany's random dance parties, Klaudine's humility ;) Iain's iron stomach , and the list could go on!
I think one of the things this experience has given me is a true appreciation for the little things in my life…i.e. my 4 door sedan (not a 15 passenger van), clean laundry, normal sized bottles of shampoo, and only having one alarm clock that I have to listen to in the morning. But in addition to those little things it as also made me appreciate some big things- like the awesome power of the generations represented at ASB this month, the committment we all made to bring a community back to life, the friendships we forged in just a short amount of time, and the positive attitudes with which we tackled the ups and downs of the week.
Thank you is just not a big enough word to express the gratitude I have for the people I met and the impact they had on my life. It’s crazy to think I met them and got so close in just a week…and crazier still to think about what my life would be like if I never had. The UWA Staff, the other Team Leaders , and all of the participants each insipred me, supported me, and made me laugh the entire week.
For those of you reading this who have not had the opportunit y to participate in the United Way's ASB program I want to encourage you to apply next year, or just get involved in your own communities. These kinds of experiences will change your life!
Truly an Amazing Experience!
Okay so I was meaning to post a blog while I was actually in Louisiana during week 1, but of course I had the flu and didn't really feel like being on the computer. So it's a week later and I'm back in school not wanting to study, so I figured I would finally post something.
What a truly amazing experience this has been! Being a Storm Corps 2006 alum, I didn't think I could top my trip to Biloxi, MS. I met so many great people, got to destroy the insides of houses, build roofs, help local residents, and get something out of it for myself as well. This year I come down and my experience was undoubtedly amazing (other than getting the flu of course). The people I met: team blowup members, fellow week 1 team leads, other participants, and the national team members were outstanding individuals. It's an experience like this that makes you realize we can be optimistic for the future of our country, because there are people who care and who can make a difference. It was truly inspirational to watch everyone pull together for a common goal of helping the community.
My challenge to all of you (and of course myself as well) is to continue this passion and drive. I hope that everyone that had a life-changing experience, like I did, will go back to their own communities and continue this great work. Contact your local United Way, your student volunteer association, or find a different way to be civically engaged. Making a difference doesn't just end here....we can all fulfill a life of giving
back.
Thanks for the great experience and all of the wonderful memories...Hopefully I will see you all back next year for ASB 2008! (P.S. Thanks to Steve McMahon for everything!!!)
What a truly amazing experience this has been! Being a Storm Corps 2006 alum, I didn't think I could top my trip to Biloxi, MS. I met so many great people, got to destroy the insides of houses, build roofs, help local residents, and get something out of it for myself as well. This year I come down and my experience was undoubtedly amazing (other than getting the flu of course). The people I met: team blowup members, fellow week 1 team leads, other participants, and the national team members were outstanding individuals. It's an experience like this that makes you realize we can be optimistic for the future of our country, because there are people who care and who can make a difference. It was truly inspirational to watch everyone pull together for a common goal of helping the community.My challenge to all of you (and of course myself as well) is to continue this passion and drive. I hope that everyone that had a life-changing experience, like I did, will go back to their own communities and continue this great work. Contact your local United Way, your student volunteer association, or find a different way to be civically engaged. Making a difference doesn't just end here....we can all fulfill a life of giving
back.Thanks for the great experience and all of the wonderful memories...Hopefully I will see you all back next year for ASB 2008! (P.S. Thanks to Steve McMahon for everything!!!)
!!! ASB'ers Keep up the Good Work !!!
FedEX delivers all the way down in Cameron (over 60miles away)? I'm not sure, but they certainly do 'Special Deliveries' for our hard working ASB'ers. After a 1.5hr drive in the shotgun of the FedEX truck, we finally make it to one of many work sites down in Cameron Parish... to which we find one of the niftiest houses ever.
At first glance, we (FedEX Rep. Brian and Me) saw that they were covered in white paint...so much paint that I was curious if they ever got any paint on the walls ;-). But I was soon proven wrong as soon as I stepped into the house to see newly pointed up walls with at least 2 fresh coats of white latex paint.
I've met nearly 200 participants in the last two weeks...and I can honestly say that each and everyone has done their part...in some way, shape, or form... to help out with hurricane relief down 'herre' in SWLA.
So thank you for all of your work guys...
keep of the good work...
and thanks FedEX for helping us keep our program going.
.BRi
BlueTube / Shelly C.
Day 4: Entertainment
Driving. Painting. Laughing. Dancing. Hanging. Caulking. Highs. Lows. Stress. Relief. Embracing. Fulfilling. Experimenting. Attempting. Loving. Hating. Day Four.
Tuesday involved an immense amount of change from the prior day. The plethora of tasks was at times overwhelming and at other times boring and monotonous; however, we were still making progress towards completing the two homes for the future homeowners, which is what matters most.
After a day of caulking, painting, and hanging things, we came back for dinner prior to a karaoke session. One of my participants, Ross, got up and sang a Third Eye Blind song, where he ran out into the crowd. Later he and I sang NSYNC, which was frightening but fun. We also got up to sing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Grease Summer Nights with the team leaders. After a long day of hard physical labor, it was nice to relieve stress and let loose with the other participants and team leaders.
Sometimes in the face of adversity and hardship, feeling emotional and expressing oneself deeply and in therapeutic detail only furthers the situation. Therefore, allowing ourselves to entertain and be entertained at times, gives us the opportunity to separate ourselves from the hardships we witness and are attempting to rebuild each day of this ASB. To entertain is to allow one to feel some sense of satisfaction or happiness during an allotted time, and this is exactly what we all need in spite of the circumstances. ASB is all about helping others, giving back, uniting community, but to get through the process and be successful we must be able to entertain and be entertained.
Tuesday involved an immense amount of change from the prior day. The plethora of tasks was at times overwhelming and at other times boring and monotonous; however, we were still making progress towards completing the two homes for the future homeowners, which is what matters most.
After a day of caulking, painting, and hanging things, we came back for dinner prior to a karaoke session. One of my participants, Ross, got up and sang a Third Eye Blind song, where he ran out into the crowd. Later he and I sang NSYNC, which was frightening but fun. We also got up to sing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Grease Summer Nights with the team leaders. After a long day of hard physical labor, it was nice to relieve stress and let loose with the other participants and team leaders.
Sometimes in the face of adversity and hardship, feeling emotional and expressing oneself deeply and in therapeutic detail only furthers the situation. Therefore, allowing ourselves to entertain and be entertained at times, gives us the opportunity to separate ourselves from the hardships we witness and are attempting to rebuild each day of this ASB. To entertain is to allow one to feel some sense of satisfaction or happiness during an allotted time, and this is exactly what we all need in spite of the circumstances. ASB is all about helping others, giving back, uniting community, but to get through the process and be successful we must be able to entertain and be entertained.
BlueTube / The White Rapper Show
Whatsa Wi-Taw-Wentin?
Inside Ms. Gwenn's House
Itchy & Scratchy
Tony's Tour
MY ASB LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE (So far)
I have been here for so long I am hating to go back home. I have seen roofs torn off of houses, lives and homes destroyed, houses lift off there foundations and traveled 20 miles, and empty graves since RITA carried them away. After seeing all the horrible things that happen during a hurricane, I got to see and appreciate all the good things too. It is so nice to see all these young people from all over the country come togther and make a difference. As a team leader i get to build an amazing team not just once but twice. I have been blessed to have been able to have the best teams so far. As you look around here at ASB, you immediately see friendships start as soon as they load into the vans from IAH. These friendships build so quickly. We are making a huge impact here in SWLA, but most importantly inspiring, motivating, and empowering the team to make a life long impact here and at home. I have to give a huge a "shout out" to my fellow co-leader J.Feld "I love you gurrl", Steve McM., Nicole Ga., and Randy"Without your drive and mentorship I would not be here to experience ASB07, I also have to say thanks to my teams, team leaders, and all the team members to experince this with me. Thanks for making my experience AMAZING.
DAY TWO on the site
Yeah day 2!!!!! We went back to OD's house and almost finished the floor. We finished the kitchen paneling YEAH! Last of the painting, drywall, and taping. I am happy to almost finish. Bill from rebuilding together has been amazing as well as the non-profit Rebuilding Together has been great too. Tomorrow we are at both houses.
A Taste of Some Real Southern Culture
Today was our second day of work in Hackberry, LA. Although yesterday was pretty wet, every member of the Frog team was enthusiastic to work today, even if it meant painting in the rain again. Four of the people from our team returned to the house we were working on yesterday to finish the jpainting job there, while the rest of the team (including myself) went to a new house to begin another painting job. We were lucky enough to paint for one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met.We got to the site about 8:30 and since we had to wait a while for our paint to show up we decided to make ourselves useful. We raked her yard, prepped the house for painting, swept her patio and got to know the woman a little bit. Her home was badly damaged during Hurricane Rita, and painting it was going to be the finishing touch and we were excited to give her a home that she looked forward to seeing everyday.
We finally got our painting supplies around 10:00 a.m. and by 12:00 lunchtime, we had already painted a first coat on 3 sides of the house!! Keep in mind that this wasnt exactly a small house and our teamtotally pulled together and dominated. We made up for lost time and had so much fun while doing it. We were all really proud of ourselves and then, when it came time for lunch we got a wonderful surprisewhich made our accomplishment even sweeter. The woman who's home we were painting made us some real southern Cajun food. It was so delicious and after we finished eating we could all barely move. She cooked us gumbo with rice, homemade potato salad, tuna salad sandwiches, chocolate cake and sweet tea to drink. It was seriously the best meal I have had in a LONG time. We were all extremely touched and grateful. Here was a woman who was doing what she could to repay us for painting her home. If any of you ever get a chance to come south, I would highly recommend it. The culture is incredible and the people are so kind.
Anyways, we are going to finish painting her house tomorrow and we are also going to buy her some new metal numbers so she can have her address numbers nailed to her home. I am so proud of my team, we have painted almost 2 whole houses in about and day and and half!!! I mean... these people are incredible!! Tonight everybody had a lot of fun with kareoke, and tomorrow we get to go to the beach so it not all work... we have quite a bit of fun too, both on and off the work site. I have never had so much fun playing board and card games and jumping on a trampoline. I know I cant wait until tomorrow and see how pleased our woman is with her home. It will be wonderful to see the finished product!
Day Three: Beginning
Waiting. Driving. Directions. Turn arounds. Confusion. Waiting. Raining. DeQuincy. Painting. Drilling. Cutting. Sawing. Thinking. Waiting. Standing. Carrying. Talking. Waiting. Day Three.
Today, after an orientation with Habitat for Humanity at a local church, we drove to DeQuincy, about thirty miles from the volunteer center. At our work site, we were reconnected with Chester, a contractor that emits the greatest vibes of the Louisianan spirit. He had such a great personality mixed along with his willing to go with the flow. He is missing three of his fingers on his left hand; however, this loss does not equate to a decreased efficiency level or the need for sympathy or excuse.
The two houses we are working on have been completed structurally, and we are adding interior aesthetics, along with necessities like flooring and cabinetry. Even with little or no experience in such implementation, the teams were so willing to hop in and get dirty to help complete whatever they could. This willingness to be flexible and experimental made the site more enjoyable and the time more meaningful.
Today was the beginning of work for us as a team, for the ASB week 2 work week, and for the entire true rebuilding experience for most of the young people here. Though this may be the beginning for us, these people have been dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Rita for over 17 months. This may mark the beginning of our mission to help and assist this community, but hopefully with the impressions left on all of us by the people of this great region, our support and assistance will not end here.
Today, after an orientation with Habitat for Humanity at a local church, we drove to DeQuincy, about thirty miles from the volunteer center. At our work site, we were reconnected with Chester, a contractor that emits the greatest vibes of the Louisianan spirit. He had such a great personality mixed along with his willing to go with the flow. He is missing three of his fingers on his left hand; however, this loss does not equate to a decreased efficiency level or the need for sympathy or excuse.
The two houses we are working on have been completed structurally, and we are adding interior aesthetics, along with necessities like flooring and cabinetry. Even with little or no experience in such implementation, the teams were so willing to hop in and get dirty to help complete whatever they could. This willingness to be flexible and experimental made the site more enjoyable and the time more meaningful.
Today was the beginning of work for us as a team, for the ASB week 2 work week, and for the entire true rebuilding experience for most of the young people here. Though this may be the beginning for us, these people have been dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Rita for over 17 months. This may mark the beginning of our mission to help and assist this community, but hopefully with the impressions left on all of us by the people of this great region, our support and assistance will not end here.
Missing: 1 Beloved Georgetown Sweatshirt
Champion, full zipper, gray with blue letters. Last seen hanging from a fence, either outside Miss Roxy's house or Miss Gwenn's house. Can't live without it. If you find it, please leave it at the main office at the Volunteer Housing Center.
If I were a carpenter...
We built this ish!
With the help of their AmeriCorps N triple C leaders, an ASB team helps to rehabilitate Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin.
ASBers built picnic tables...
And rocked out!
The Fire at Miss Gwenn's House
Miss Roxy Gets "Fired Up"
After their first day on the job, Lake Charles resident "Miss Roxy" shows her appreciation to the United Way Alternative Spring Break volunteers who are rebuilding her home.
Wuuuurrrrk!
The ASB teams got to work yesterday a