A Mixed Bag

Above is a picture of a house that I took from the car driving into the Ninth Ward.


Work today was different than usual because my boss, Nivan, wasn't there. As a result, I was assigned some busy work, namely calling a bunch of small business owners to ask if they'd like to come to a free seminar we're holding on how to increase their business. It took a long time, but it was nice to hear the excitement of some of the business owners.

I also typed up a list of instructions on how to use Microsoft Word for the business across the street. It was a strange experience; I certainly don't consider myself someone who is technically proficient. Still, my time here has taught me that it's a blessing even to have these small skills.

Work ended on a sour note when I spoke to a woman who was very upset with NENA's service. She was frustrated about all the documents she had to collect in order to get service. It's true, there are about fifteen things to be scanned, photographed, or retrieved in order to gain service from NENA, but most of them are reasonable. Even so, it was awful to hear the anguish in this person's voice. I spent much of the day trying to reconcile how I, as a low-level employee at a non-profit, could provide humanitarian assistance despite (necessary) bureaucracy. It's certainly going to be the subject for my first photo project for class. Below: My desk!



Tonight was fun. My friends and I hung out at the house of a few Xavier folks who were friends with someone in our program. Later, we went to the French Quarter. It was a typical French Quarter night: beautiful architecture, balmy weather, and scantily clad women practically throwing jello shots at us. Oh, New Orleans. Below is a beautiful alley in the French Quarter. My friend Petra took the picture for her photo project.