Happy one month anniversary NOLA

Recently, my blog posts have been a bit emotional--OK, very emotional.So today, I've decided to write a little update of my first month in NOLA. First of all, I can't believe I've been here for one month already! Time sure flies when you're helping the homeless, and having fun doing so. This past month every single aspect has changed about my life, literally: my form of transportation, new apartment, new friends, new roommate, new way to obtain food, new job, new city, etc. It's been a tough adjustment, but adapting to it all at once has been such a beautiful struggle.

Let's start out with the roommate. If I could describe her in one word it would be "wonderful." After just knowing each other for one month, Steph and I already make each other breakfast, pack each other lunch, cook each other dinner, share inside jokes, have the same passion for helping people, and most importantly, enjoy exploring the nightlife in New Orleans! Adjusting to the city and the job and all of the aspects that come with it would have been much, much harder if I was by myself. Knowing that someone else is enjoying it with me makes it all the more exciting.

Speaking of the nightlife. Unreal. There are so many treasures in the city. I've been trying to go to as many parts of town and as many streets as my limited funds will allow. On Friday, Steph and I ventured to Frenchman St. and hit up a reggae bar there. It was probably one of my favorite bars, ever (as most of you know, reggae holds a large part of my  heart). I also encountered some nice Canadians who bought me some beers and tried to give me their beads from Bourbon St.--but I assured them they needed to hold on to those as a keepsake.

There's no other way to explain it than the city comes alive at night. Yes, New York City does too, but this is entirely different. Just last Thursday I went to Bourbon St. for drinks with a friend. In the middle of the street was a band playing saxophones, trombones, drums, etc. People were dancing together, drinking together (legal to drink in the streets!), and putting their cares to the sides as the music swept them away in the city lights.

Despite all of my fun, I have encountered some hardships, though. Being away from my friends is definitely the hardest part (call and say "hi" sometimes guys), and being away from my family is up there too. There have also been some difficulties that have come along with being a VISTA: applying for food stamps, making the salary work, and the emotionally draining aspect of the job. But honestly, I wouldn't change a thing. If they paid me more, I wouldn't be getting as much out of it as I am. And if it weren't this emotional than I wouldn't be doing it in the first place.

For those of you who have already committed to coming to visit me (Des and Cait), I can't wait! For those of you who haven't, book a flight! The costs aren't too bad, and the experience I can show you will be fantastic. I promise. Plus, you get to see me, and I just decorated my room, so you're in for a fun snuggle session with great scenery.