Three Blogs from Kerry

Working at 8394 Jeannette st has been such a blessing the past few days. I've been working outside, painting the exterior of the house. The "sunny side" crew is so supportive of one another, and getting to know new Bonners and see their work ethic first hand is incredible. We went to crabby jacks for lunch today and had FANTASTIC poboys-- the food is one of my favorite parts of this incredibly cultured city. DJ found a cute coffee shop near the work site and got a coffee too, until I accidentally knocked it over and the entire thing spilled and seeped into the back of my pants. Neither of us were particularly pleased with the situation but I'm happy to report that were still speaking after the incident. We also met our homeowner very briefly, and he told us he was excited to move back into the neighborhood, because its people are better than before the storm. "Hurricane Katrina came and washed all them crackheads out." He seemed like a great guy, and I can't wait for another work day tomorrow !

Today's weather left us in a bit of a pickle, cramming 30 people into the house to mud. I was expecting some hostility and defeated spirits, but in typical bonner fashion, everyone made the best of the situation and did an excellent job of working together and showing dedication to the house and their work. My favorite thing about this trip, both this year and last year, is watching people from different sites with different strengths coming together with a common goal. Regardless of our differences within bonner, this trip proves the sense of community we feel with one another and everyone's individual passion for service. Even after only being in bonner for one semester, the freshmen have a clear vision of the end result of our service, placing those in need before themselves and dedicating themselves to make he world better. "Be the change you wish to see in the world" has a renewed meaning for me, and I'm thrilled to finish out the week at this home. 

Having the opportunity to chaperone this trip has been the greatest blessing. Between the service and our time experiencing NOLA culture, we've built meaningful relationships within bonner and with the city itself. While walking through the quarter Saturday morning, I saw two people passing through a crowd. One said to the other, "a shower?! what's a shower? Does the rain count?" It was yet another reminder that while I was struggling to choose a painting to take home, some people are struggling to find shelter from the cold and rain, or their next meal. Our work will never be finished, but that doesn't make it any less meaningful; in fact, it makes it ever more important. It was heartwarming to see everyone looking out for one another on bourbon street, and laughing with people they hadn't ever spoken to before a few days ago. I can't wait to return to New Orleans!

While packing up my bags, getting ready to head home to the freezing cold weather, I have begun to truly think about the experiences that I have had while in NOLA. I have made unforgettable friendships with many people I probably would not have even talked to before this trip especially with so many of the wonderful chaperones. Thee friendships that I have made will continue well beyond this trip and it makes me extremely excited for the start of next semester with them. 

In addition to the friendships, the experience of working on a home was truly amazing. I have never done construction work before and having this opportunity has made me truly grateful for the home that I have and all the hardwork that was put into it. 

I will not forget this trip and everything that has happened in the past week. It was an amazing time.  

My day

     Today was unfortunately the last day working on Mr. Perry's home on Jeannette street. The weather today was not lovely at all. It was pouring outside and there were puddles everywhere. Even worse was standing outside in the cold washing the mud knives and mud plates in buckets of cold, cold water. But overall it was a good day. I was able to do some painting and mudding and also some sanding. At first I did not like sanding. My throat started to hurt a little bit so I stopped and asked Christina, who is a Saint Bernard volunteer, for a mask to protect my nose. The mask really helped and sanding became a little bit more enjoyable. I was able to sand the bottom half of the third  bedroom. When it was time to clean up, I stepped back and noticed how much sanding I have done. The wall was smooth and ready to be skimmed. The mudding so bad. Just like sanding, I disliked mudding a lot in the very beginning after Christina gave a very detailed tutorial. At first I thought I got it, however, it was not until I got on the ladder that I realized I don't got it. I had to ask Christina again on how to mud just to make sure I was doing it right. Eventually, as I kept doing it I got it down and was able to mud the tape on the corners on the living room ceiling. Although, I liked mudding, and sanding, I enjoyed painting the most. At the very beginning of the week, I got the chance to paint the exterior side of the side with the "sunny side crew." Painting the house was awesome, not only because I got to bask in the warm rays of the sun but also because I was able to easily see the progress my team was making. We were able to prime the whole side of the house, the front and also the rails. After priming we then able to paint the house a beautiful, elegant mint green. Soon the front and sides were painted green. I stepped back and saw how beautiful the house looked, it was a satisfying view. The best part of painting was that I was able to bond with Mariah, and DJ. We really had some interesting and deep conversations while painting. It was great!

Skippy Has a Problem

Regular day at the trap is what it seemed. I was working with the squad slapping the mud while Skippy accidentally gives us a 'silent whisper.' It was like initiation all over again. I looked into his eyes and he looked like he was proud of what he had done. What he didn't know is that he could have killed us all. Skippy has a gift that he himself doesn't know about and I am scared to tell him. We are going to use this ability against those who are our enemies, who are little to no one. We had talk within the group about releasing our debut mixtape. Our new single is called El Pollo Loco (Mixmaster Muddy ft. South America).

It's Friday and it's sad to leave the house we've been working on for five days. So far I've tried to get out of my comfort zone as much as I could've which proved to be one of the hardest things. I've managed to talk to bonners I really don't talk to that much just enough to establish amiability. The food never ceases to surprise and amaze me. Skippy is still adjusting to the food. He learned the hard way, while we suffered along with him. Van life is approaching. Beware.

Cuatro: El Pollo Loco (Mix Master Muddy Ft. South America)

KEY: 4 Locos
Rae = Basura Head
Luis = Eduardo
Mike = El Gallo
Manny = Skippy

Today the 4 Locos were grouped together again. This was our last chance to prove to everyone how great we were. We receive a shoutout yesterday but that wasn't enough. Things were expected of us and we did what was expected of us, everything. I remember K-Pop telling me I was the best volunteer she had ever met or something like that. The low of the day was Skippy's  gas. I'm convinced that he pooped himself. I'm sad that I won't be able to finish my work but thats life, you work hard and have nothing to show for it.

#SBPJeannette
#NOLA

The Day After Hump Day

On Thursday I formed a gang featuring Michael, Raekwon, Manny, and I. We don't have an official name but be on the lookout for that. Since we formed a gang we each assigned each member their respective nickname. Michael is El Gallo (The Rooster), Raekwon is Basura Head(Trash Head)/Whoopi Goldberg, Manny is Goofy/Skippy, and I am El Loco but off the streets my mom calls me Eduardo. Initiation for the gang is a little tight but we can schedule one whenever Manny is free. In order to get into the gang, you have to sit in a room with Manny for 13.5 seconds while he gives you the 'silent whisper' of initiation. Didn't realize gang life was this tedious. Squad done mudded up a whole room that day and it turned out Goofy skipped a spot so we was back on the grind.

Other than that, New Orleans has so far been absolutely not what I had expected coming from what I have heard of beforehand in documentaries, people, and the media. I am really getting into the routine of things here which sort of makes each day blend into the next. It is actually very sad to think about the end of this trip and I sort of want this to continue for just a bit longer. At the very beginning I had very low expectations of the whole trip but that proved to be not true.

Last Full Day

"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity."
-Douglas Adams

Last full day in NOLA and I definitely do not want to leave. We've accomplished so much at our site, but the house is definitely not close to being done. I wish that I was able to be here to help complete it, but I will hopefully finish mudding and sanding the room I'm working in today. For the first few days I was moving around between everyone's rooms drilling in screws that were done incorrectly, so I wasn't in any specific room. However as of yesterday I somewhat claimed the living room to complete the drilling, mudding, and sanding. I'm just about halfway done and I have one of the high school girls from Connecticut that keeps coming in to help me periodically, so hopefully I can finish it today. We'll see how well I can work quickly today though, because I am definitely sore from the week.