It has been quite some time since I have even logged into this account never mind even typed a single word. I decided to take this blog on a little bit of a ride instead of solely updating about my life. To start, I have since left my job with one non-profit organization and joined another, St. Bernard Project. This organization is rebuilding homes for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Yes, as of tomorrow 8 years later, rebuilding New Orleans. I have fallen completely in love with this city. I knew coming down here that I loved everything about New Orleans, the culture, the people, the food, the music, and the overall love each person also has for the city. Never did I think after 4 almost 5 months living here that I would love it more. I have met some of the most incredible people since I moved down. People from all over the country come here to serve with the same ideas and purpose in life as I have. I know now that I am a lot happier in the job department of my life. I was missing something since I moved here and started a job that involved me sitting behind a computer, we all know how well I do not interacting with people, so there's that.
I started at my new job almost two weeks ago, and honestly, I am so happy. The organization has been rebuilding homes for individuals who lost theirs from the hurricane since 2006. Now, 8 years later, they have completed 500 homes, as of TONIGHT. Rachel became the site supervisor of the 500th house of the organization about a month ago. She knew the deadline for the home to be done was tomorrow, the 8th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The family who the home was rebuilt for are 4 of the most incredible people I have ever met. The two kids in the home are being raised by their superhero grandparents. I have learned so much from all of them, especially little Quinnton. This 8 year old with a love for the world around him is one of the most life changing little boys ever. I got to meet him about two weeks ago, and I instantly fell in love. He is so curious about the world around him and told Rachel, Margaret, and myself that he doesn't care what his room looks like, he just wants somewhere to sleep...and to watch animal planet. Since I moved down here to a city that my two best friends happened to be living in, we don't really do anything alone. Needless to say, we were at this house working until, sometimes, the wee hours of the morning, just so this family has somewhere to finally "eight years too long" as one family member said, call home. Everyday we had Vanessa come check on us to make sure we were okay, and to share a few stories about anything going on that she cared to share, which we loved hearing. The Ross family has changed my life forever. Their home was the first home I worked on with SBP and it will be a thing I honestly will never forget. Each time a home is completed, our organization puts together a welcome home party for the family. This one is the #500 home and it is going to be kiiiiind of a big deal. I am really excited to see the faces of the kids when they go into the home and to experience what it is like to see a family come home from something the rest of our country views as something that is totally fixed. I am more than happy to have helped out on this house and more than proud of the job Rachel did leading the way the entire time. This family is lucky to have someone as dedicated as she is to her job be in charge of leading the force on this home.
That being said, one thing I have really learned in the last almost 5 months being here is that, "to keep the world spinning it takes all kinds of kinds." All Kinds of Kinds is a song by none other than Miranda Lambert (genius) that got me thinking, and gets me thinking every time I hear it. She then created a music video that has people holding signs that say what "kind" of person they are and it got me thinking. How does this song relate to my life you ask? Over the past 5 months I have had ups and I've had downs. Ultimately, I have learned so much about who I am and who I want to be and quite honestly, who I want to share that journey with. I have met some of the most amazing people, all who are EXTREMELY different than I am. Everyone has their own story. In turn, everyone is their own kind of person. I was trying to identify myself with a certain "kind of kind" but trying to do this, I have discovered that my kind is an accepting kind. Before the last 2 years, I haven't thought of anything outside of my bubble of where I came from. Now, I couldn't picture my life without the different kinds of people I have met. Those people, whether friends, coworkers, or the Ross family, have shaped me and molded me into who I am today; the happiest and most accepting me I have ever been. If everyone I associate with here hasn't dropped me, the crazy person I've always been, like a bad habit yet, I must be doing something right!
Just a little review...in April I came down here to work for one non-profit. I have a great relationship with my supervisors still which is awesome. I love everything that organization stands for, I just ultimately had to do what was best for me, which involved getting a new job. For the month of June until the beginning of July, Joe came to visit! He rented this sweet apartment close to where I live and work. I got to show him around the city, he got to meet my friends, and I got to share my life down here with someone who now can understand what I am constantly talking about. One fast month for sure! I started my new job 2 weeks ago and I haven't been this happy in a LONG time. September brings a few friends coming to visit for a bit. Then October, MK is coming to see me on my birthday again! Pretty exciting stuff coming up. As for this long weekend, I have never wanted to sleep, drink beer, and relax more than I have in the last 2 weeks. Now that the house is done and our new little family is home, the three of us can relax, which we are looking forward to!
That's all I have for now. Keep the people of New Orleans and the Ross family in your thoughts tomorrow, and always! Thanks for reading!
