Getting over the Wednesday hump
I'm writing this offline as our wireless is disabled for some reason. The library project is coming along. We presented part one of the proposal yesterday and will finish up today. Yesterday because of the amazon wish list around 10 packages arrived. I was so excited-it was like Christmas. The most amazing thing was that one of the books was the Time Life book on Katrina-full of pictures. One of the kids wanted to look at it and I was hesitant because I had not looked at it yet and knew that there would probably be a few pictures of dead people. But we looked at it together and suddenly this hard to reach girl was telling me her stories of Katrina. Soon a group of kids gathered around and started talking about it. They relayed thier stories of being rescued by boat, of waiting for 4 days on a bridge without food and water, of being in the Superdome or some other shelter, or relocation and how they were treated. They didn't edit or dramatize their stories all making these stories so more powerful. One girl in particular was so articulate and was able to describe different events in such heartfelt detail. She obviously needed to tell her stories as she would wait until one kid finished and she would begin again. I asked her if she had written any of this down. She hadn't and I asked if she would like a notebook to start with. She did and asked if I would help her. So she plans to start writing and come by the library so that I can look it over. I wished so much that I had a video camera attached to my head as she spoke. It was so powerful.
I've been going to bed early each night-8:30 or so. The bunkhouse is nearly empty at that point because everyone is going out to hear bands and go to events. There is never a lack of things to do in New Orleans and coming this Friday, the first night of Mardi Gras, it will be very crazy. We are basically shutting down operations and just doing in house stuff. We can't logistically get around the city as so many streets will be blocked off. I will still continue my work in the library. I can wait to see the parades. I think most people associate Mardi Gras with crazy drunken frat boys and while I don't doubt that will be the case, I intend to see the more eccentric parades that happen outside of the French Quarter.
I'm coming down with a cold and trying to fight it off. I need all the alertness I can muster to work with the kids. It's one thing to be sleep deprived and go and gut a house. That is easy compared to being challenged by a sharp 12 year old. They sense weakness and your ass is grass.
I'm feeling some stress and burnout here. I think it's the bunkhouse living, not being able to leave the area by myself and not having transportation. Getting a bicycle will help that but I really feel the need to change my living situation and that is tricky. There is a pecking order here as to who is up next for a more private area outside of the bunkhouse. Supposedly we are moving into a new location but I don't see that happening soon. It will be ok during Mardi Gras because our numbers here will be very low. We aren't accepting any more volunteers during that time so it's only long term volunteers who wil be here. But right after....we will be booked up for months and I just don't think I can take that any longer. So what to do?
My friend Georgia has a room in her house in exchange for work in it's maintenance. I feel red flags with that. I can't afford to move into an apartment without a job and I'm getting to that point where I'm ready to get a job and an apartment. Yet, I'm not willing to let go of my committment to the children at the local school.
…..later in the day. Wednesday 3:30 pm. Exhausted. Good presentation. Had one pre-K reading in the library-fun. Then two 2nd grade classes-a little harder. Then two 4th grade classes back to back-arg. So hard. And one girl working in the library today was so hung over that she was more of a hinderance than a help. Using the library computer for her MySpace. She is only 18 so I try to give her some slack.
I've been going to bed early each night-8:30 or so. The bunkhouse is nearly empty at that point because everyone is going out to hear bands and go to events. There is never a lack of things to do in New Orleans and coming this Friday, the first night of Mardi Gras, it will be very crazy. We are basically shutting down operations and just doing in house stuff. We can't logistically get around the city as so many streets will be blocked off. I will still continue my work in the library. I can wait to see the parades. I think most people associate Mardi Gras with crazy drunken frat boys and while I don't doubt that will be the case, I intend to see the more eccentric parades that happen outside of the French Quarter.
I'm coming down with a cold and trying to fight it off. I need all the alertness I can muster to work with the kids. It's one thing to be sleep deprived and go and gut a house. That is easy compared to being challenged by a sharp 12 year old. They sense weakness and your ass is grass.
I'm feeling some stress and burnout here. I think it's the bunkhouse living, not being able to leave the area by myself and not having transportation. Getting a bicycle will help that but I really feel the need to change my living situation and that is tricky. There is a pecking order here as to who is up next for a more private area outside of the bunkhouse. Supposedly we are moving into a new location but I don't see that happening soon. It will be ok during Mardi Gras because our numbers here will be very low. We aren't accepting any more volunteers during that time so it's only long term volunteers who wil be here. But right after....we will be booked up for months and I just don't think I can take that any longer. So what to do?
My friend Georgia has a room in her house in exchange for work in it's maintenance. I feel red flags with that. I can't afford to move into an apartment without a job and I'm getting to that point where I'm ready to get a job and an apartment. Yet, I'm not willing to let go of my committment to the children at the local school.
…..later in the day. Wednesday 3:30 pm. Exhausted. Good presentation. Had one pre-K reading in the library-fun. Then two 2nd grade classes-a little harder. Then two 4th grade classes back to back-arg. So hard. And one girl working in the library today was so hung over that she was more of a hinderance than a help. Using the library computer for her MySpace. She is only 18 so I try to give her some slack.
posted by singsforyou at 1:33 PM
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