So the hurry up and wait continues at the Recovery School District. We had to help box up a library the other day because there is a lot of shifting as schools still try to move back into permanent buildings. We also spent a lot of time driving around delivering books, DVDs, and jumpropes to elementary schools. The other morning we went along as chaperones to see "The Princess and the Frog." It was really cool to see the movie now, after having spent nearly a month living in New Orleans, I was able to notice the connections they made, and pick out different details of the city. I made friends with a couple of first graders, and my teammates hung out with other small children. It was interesting to reflect on the different culture these children grow up on, and it was really sad because a lot of their conversation comparing their daddy's jail time, and whether or not they have ever even met them. But the day was rewarding too, because the kids thought we were really cool. The weather has been all over the place. It was 70 for a couple days, but one day it was pouring, and then the temperatures dropped to low fifties, maybe even forties, I'm not sure, but after a cold morning it started pouring...like monsoon pouring, with shin high puddles, and it began to warm up, and again today I am in shorts in the sticky sticky weather.
I have no social life down in New Orleans. We don't get out a lot, except maybe to do laundry. I was able to spend a few hours wandering around magazine street, which was super cool, somewhat like State street, but went alone because it is too hard to try and make plans. If you tell someone you are going to do this, then you have to wait five minutes, and then invite someone else, and wait five more minutes, and finally when you are ready to go you have to be back in an hour, so its not worth it to go. So we hang out in our hostel a lot, I've been building up my war skills...just the card game, contrary to some unfortunate public opinions, I am not in Obama's army. We have decorated for the holidays, yes we are celebrating Channukah, and I have participated in observing the menorah lighting for the past two nights.
I am very much looking forward to coming home in less than a week!!!!
Happy Channukah, and Merry Christmas!!!!

Well, I am on a slight break in my 18 hour day...we just put up another playground, and have some time off before we go to an art gallery something that is benefiting the World AIDS something or other (I suppose I should be more aware of what I am doing, sorry).

This last week we have been working away in one of the schools that did not survive the hurricane. It was a really eerie experience to go through this school that is covered in graffiti and broken glass, obviously abandoned after the hurricane, and still see plans written on the chalkboard for the days and weeks to come, that never happened.

We are going through and gutting the school before it gets destroyed. There is a lot of mildew/mold so we wear some pretty spiffy looking masks...but the work isn't that exciting, we are just shredding papers.

Must go, using a friend's computer. sorry.