Getting paid

I don't make a lot of money. I think everyone knows that. But my job makes up for it elsewhere; it pays me in different ways--a lot of ways that most people don't get paid. I know some people may opt for the money and the big salary, and I may opt for that one day, but for right now that's not what I need.

Yesterday morning was cold. Very cold. It wasn't as bad as my fellow Virginians who got a foot of snow, but it was 41 degrees. And for New Orleans, that's definitely cold. My body has adjusted to the 65 degree days already, and I was shivering on my walk to work, equipped with nothing but a light sweater.

On my walk to work I walk under a bridge that is a popular place for homeless folks to reside. As I went by, people huddled in their sleeping bags or blankets, some still sleeping, some looking hopeless, and some still shivering from the cold night.

I knew the weather would warm up over the course of the day, and it did, but then last night the temperatures dropped again to 40 degrees. When the temperatures drop all I can think about are the people under the bridge--my clients.

A majority of the people under the bridge are in our registry waiting to be housed. We know their names, their disabilities, their substance abuse history, mental health issues, social security numbers, citizenship status, homeless history, housing history, medications, family, and standard demographics. We know they're there. We know they exist. But we don't have enough money to save them right now.

Although we cannot save all of them, we save the ones we presently can with the money that we have. Last month, we housed 32 people. We got 32 people off of the streets and out of the cold. 32.

Yesterday at work my supervisor and I put in 13 applications for Permanent Supportive Housing for clients. 13. The PSH applicants are the sickest of the sick-- these clients are not just suffering from one disease. They're suffering from a multitude of diseases and disabilities. Yesterday one client had HIV/AIDS, Hep C, Tuberculosis, and multiple mental health issues (not to mention common issues such as asthma, violent attacks, etc.). These are the eligible PSH applicants.

The applications are not easy. We need to make sure every disability that they have has been documented and signed by a doctor. Each mental health issue needs to be assessed and confirmed by a doctor. Homeless history needs to be documented and confirmed by each shelter the individual has stayed at--or confirmed by outreach members if they live on the streets. Each client needs an i.d., a birth certificate, and a social security card. These documents are very hard to acquire for homeless people who start off with no documents at all, not to mention that a lot of documents and information in the city was lost and destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. In addition to all of the things we need for a client's application, most importantly we need a place for them to move into. Thankfully right now UNITY has slots to fill, but that's not always the case.

13 is a lot of applications to submit in one day. A lot. My supervisor and I worked our asses off to get those applications in so that 13 clients are that much closer to receiving housing. The next step is that the government has to approve those clients. Sometimes the government is finicky, as everyone knows. They want everyone we house to be chronically homeless (has been homeless for one consecutive year or have had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years). So the people who are recently homeless don't stand as good a chance as the ones who have been there for years.And homelessness by the government's standards means someone living in a place not fit for human habitation (car, abandoned building, emergency shelter, outdoors). If you are a couch surfer, you are not homeless. If your house burned down but you have friends and family to stay with, you are not homeless. If you stay in a motel but don't have a residency of your own, you are not homeless. If you are being evicted but still have a place to sleep, you are not homeless.

Yesterday I got 13 homeless people closer to housing. I got 13 people closer to warmth, a bed, a bathroom, and appliances. That's how I get paid. I get paid in the satisfaction that as I walk past the bridge each morning, little by little, the number of residents under that bridge will decrease. Little by little those people will get off of the cement and into an apartment. And I know that there are thousands of people to house in New Orleans, but today 13 of them are closer than they were yesterday. That's how I get paid.

JMU lovin'

I have a vendetta against people who haven't attended JMU. It's not that I don't like you, in fact I probably like you a lot, however you will never understand some aspects of me. Ever.

You won't understand my school pride and the magnitude of love I have for JMU. You won't understand my hunger to return even for just a day or a weekend, and splurging on a plane ticket just to do so. You won't understand my overflowing wardrobe of purple and gold clothing.You won't understand that although I have a real home, I will ALWAYS look to Harrisonburg as my second home, no matter where I may be.

You won't understand how I actually craved food on campus, and how my life is so much less convenient now that I don't have punches. You won't understand how disappointed I am in myself that I never made it on the wall of Jack Brown's as part of the 100 notch club. You won't understand that pre-riot Spring Fest was the best experience in the world (the whole world).

You won't understand that naps in a public place, as long as they are confined to campus grounds, are completely and totally acceptable. You won't understand that Ashby or Hunters Ridge will never be referred to as their new names. You won't understand just how frustrating it is that Jimmy John's does not deliver to Copper Beech.

You won't understand that Gold Crown, one of the sketchiest looking bars in all of the world, has led me to some of my greatest nights of college. You won't understand that your taxi driver might as well be on speed dial. You won't understand that although North 38 was only roughly two miles away, it seemed like a lifetime.

You won't understand that Sundays were often more fun than Friday or Saturday nights. You won't understand that when the snow starts falling, the kegs come out. You won't understand the bond you have with the people who lived in your dorm freshman year.

You won't understand the magnitude of Uggs and Northfaces that surfaced once the fall hit. You won't understand what the tunnels are. You won't understand what SMAD and the APL are.

Most importantly, you won't understand that we don't care what you say about our sports teams. If our football team is having a winning season or a losing season, we will be there to support them regularly. Tailgating and going to games is a way of life. If you went to JMU you WILL understand this. And you WILL understand what 21-16 means, and you will remember where you were and what you were doing when it happened.

And although our basketball team hasn't made it to the NCAA tournament since '93, or had a win in the tournament since '83, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that we made it right now.

All that matters is that every single status on my news feed last night was JMU related. The outpouring of love and support for the basketball boys is something that makes me realize why I love my school.

If you didn't go to JMU there are so many things you won't understand about me. But if you meet anyone who went to JMU, and you mention any one of the things above, they will sure as hell know what I'm talking about.

Halfway

A few weeks ago, on February 24th, NOLA and I had our six month anniversary! The past six months have seemed to fly by and stand still at the same time, if that's even possible. I feel like I've gotten so much accomplished, yet not nearly as much accomplished as I would like to. But if there is one thing that the past six months has taught me is that life is incredible. I've been through a few struggles since August, but overall, Louisiana has exceeded my expectations in so many ways.These are just some of the few things that have made New Orleans awesome:

Americorps

This is the whole reason I moved down here. Back in the beginning of August, I decided to apply to Americorps, however the job I applied for was in Nashville. Somehow, my organization in New Orleans got a hold of my information and wanted to interview me. I had never considered Louisiana, but I thought I'd give the interview a shot. A few phone interviews later, I was offered a job in New Orleans. From the time I applied, it took two weeks to get the job and make the decision to move to Cajun country. I lucked out and got placed at an agency that I love with people that are amazing and inspiring. I'm sure I would have loved Nashville, but I'm so happy that I caught UNITY's eye.

Friends

I would have been a lost soul if I didn't meet the friends that I have here. Tracy, Ben, and Caroline, you have introduced me to so many great people, shown me amazing places in the city, fed me mouthwatering meals, housed me for many nights, chauffeured me when I was stranded (often), treated my friends from home with the utmost hospitality, and most importantly, played matchmaker. It's hard to believe that I've only known you all for six months because you already feel like family. 

Boyfriend 

You are so wonderful. Even on the most stressful of days I always know I have something to look forward to on my bus ride home to you. Thank you for spoiling the hell out of me, and for putting up with me when I'm impossibly emotional and annoying. And sorry for trying to kill you with raw chicken, it wasn't intentional. I vow to become a better cook, and to try to make you as happy as you make me. Between surprising me multiple times, taking care of me when I'm injured, helping me through tough situations, and constantly making me laugh, I can't even describe how amazing these last six months were.

Zachary Mehan

Although you are thousands of miles away, you have affected my life so greatly here. I still remember the conversation I had with you when you offered me a couch to sleep on at your friend from England's place. Surprisingly enough that person became my best friend here. So indirectly (and directly in Tracy's case), you have introduced me to my closest friends and my boyfriend. I also miss you, a lot.

Friends from home

I am extremely blessed to have friends that visit me in any obscure place that I live. Caitlin, Jackie, Justin, Michelle, Marlee, and Desiree, you guys are awesome. It's so hard not being able to see you all as often as I would like to, however the lack of seeing you made it that much more special when I got to see you! I can get a bit homesick here being away from everything that is familiar to me, but your visits brought such a beautiful familiarity and sense of comfort to me. Thanks for loving me as much as I love you.

Other things that are awesome but don't require an entire paragraph

Food. Mardi Gras. Palm trees. Street cars. Beads. Warm weather. Friendly people. Drive-thru daiquiri shops.  Super Bowl. News Years. Scavenger hunts. Australians. Bourbon. Frenchman. Marine Corps Balls.

Things I don't enjoy in New Orleans

Cockroaches. The influx of termites that is about to occur. Not having a car. Stolen bikes. Injuries. Potatoes.