Can't Believe It's Over- Jackie

I still cannot believe today is our last day. It seems so odd that by Tuesday I felt like I was just settling in and then by Thursday I became aware that we would be leaving soon. I felt sad yesterday to say goodbye to my homeowner and the house. It felt like we had been almost living there for so long and before we knew it, it was time to go. We made a lot of progress on the room we were working on. We had finished the floor, finished putting sheetrock on the cealing and we were almost done with the walls. I had a lot of fun measuring and sawing wood and I am glad Brian was confidence in us to let us use tools we were not familiar with. I am going to miss Mrs Rosaline as well as her dog Jewel who kept us entertained the whole time we were there. Dinner yesterday was really fun. I ate aligator for second time and tried frog legs which were delicious. I got to dance with the dancing instructor which was also fun, and had a ball with the conga line we created in the restaurant. I also got a chance to experience the french quarter again in all its craziness on a Friday night. I really wish we were staying here longer and it saddens me to know that we are leaving. I am very glad I came and had a chance to hear the stories of victims and to contribute to their homes. These memories will always stay with me and it has been a blessing to have been part of this Katrina effort once more. Still, this really cannot be my last time here and I am going to make every effort to come back.

My site- Jacqueline Abbey

I have been having a great time working on my site and with fellow Bonners. Our responsibilities were to demolish a room at our home owner's house and rebuild the room back up. I have to admit, it was pretty fun hammering and ripping everything apart since we never get a chance to do something like that. I do not think I have seen so many pieces of wood in my life. With the guidance of Brian (our site leader) we were able to take the ceiling, floor and walls apart efficiently with no casualties. My team really worked well together to coordinate our tasks for the day and everyone contributed to the work at hand. I could tell that our homeowner (Mrs Rosaline) was very happy with our progress and her company along with her humor lightened our spirits and kept us going. I am not sure if we are going to be done with the room but I always like to look at the glass half full. We have made a lot of progress and have made contributions towards the completion of our homeowner's home.

When the Levees Broke-Jax

I first saw the documentary last year before the trip but even while watching it again, it seemed as if I was watching it for the first time. I am first really glad a documentary such as this was made and that it focused on the survivors and their points of view on what happened. The hurricane Katrina I saw on the news when it first happened was quite different from the katrina I saw in the documentary. Of course the news showed the disaster and suffering but the documentary definately went deeper. It made me imagine myself in such a disaster and to empathize with the survivors. It made me thank God for my blessings and be thankful for each day I am alive because it not garaunteed. No one could have imagine something like that occuring on American soil and what the hurricane took: lives, families, homes, possessions, schools, history... is something to be remembered. I am now over being angry at the below par assistance the survivors were given and now I am just focused on being a tool to be used to rebuild someone's home. I really enjoyed being there last year and feeling like I was part of something historical and I cannot wait to get back in and get dirty and just to give a helping hand to someone in need. I am really greatful for the opportunity.