NOLA Blog 3

I cannot even begin to describe how awesome the past two days of servicehave been. I was part of a work group that had the privilege of going to theARC of Greater New Orleans.  Not only didthis establishment employ people with developmental disabilities, but they hadan entire program dedicated to recycling Mardi Gras beads. Now, I’m on theEnvironment Team in Bonner, and I was under the impression that all of my workwould consist of building houses.  Eventhough this is a wonderful form of service, it’s not my favorite. This pastsemester I learned that there is more to service than just helping people one-on-one.  When working on “eco-friendly” causes, Ifound that I can help better the environment for groups of people. Even thoughI may not meet people face-to-face, it still benefits someone. This semester Idiscovered that my favorite service days were CEL days for the Environment Team.Going to New Orleans’ ARC reminded me of an Environment Team CEL day, and it wasso exciting to have other people experience that kind of service work, too.

     Anotherthing that has made these past couple of service days so much fun is the uniquenessof the tasks. Nowhere in New Jersey will I sort Mardi Gras beads for a goodcause. I feel as if I am being immersed in the culture of this city and takingpart in one of its traditions. I may have never experienced a real New OrleansMardi Gras, but I can now say that I had some part in helping create the MardiGras 2012 experience for townspeople and visitors.


     Ifeel as if I have bonded with my fellow Bonners even more. I can even say thatI have made some pretty good friendships on this trip...and I don’t want theserelationships to end when life goes back to normal. They won’t end…I will makesure of it.


     Ido not know what the next few days will have in store, but my experiences hereto this date have been heartwarming. Between the people and the spirit of thecity, I never cease to be amazed. Despite the disaster that this area hassuffered in the past, it doesn’t hinder their activities in the present.

~ChelseaLynne Sandmeyer

In NOLA Blog 1

To start…I cannot begin to describe how awesome it has been to bond with my fellow Bonners, especially the freshmen Bonners.  I feel as if I have made a ton of new friends.  Now, I’m not saying that these people weren’t friends before this trip; instead, I feel that between bonding on the vans and exploring New Orleans, I have gotten to know some of my fellow Bonners on a much more personal level.Even though roaming the city has been awesome, I am ready to start the work week.  However, I am a little worried about the weather.  I heard that there was going to be scattered thunderstorms throughout the 9th and 10th.  I also heard that most of the work that we will be doing is outside.  I cannot help but ask, “What will we work on if it rains?” It is my understanding that painting will be a big part of our service here in New Orleans.  How will we paint outside if it’s raining?  I didn’t think that was possible.
I was told that one of the most important parts of this trip is meeting people from the area.  So far, all of the people I have met ar ewearing sports jerseys.  Because the national champion game hype has taken over the city, one cannot help but become excited for them.  Also, it is amazing to see millions of different fans from rival teams walking together and talking together.   I did not see or hear about a single fight breaking out in the street (or in a bar).  To me, that’s amazing.
One of the most shocking things that I saw (so far) was the emptiness of the lower Ninth Ward.  When I learned that the blocks used to be full of houses, I was flabbergasted. Also, to add insult to injury, tour buses drive through the lower Ninth every day, just so people can gawk and take pictures of the devastation. 
All of this gives me a moment of pause, and it keeps me motivated to have the energy needed for tomorrow.   I feel that I am accomplishing something,even if it is for one person.  It is worth it. 
~Chelsea Sandmeyer

Just a few thoughts before the trip begins...

                The trip to New Orleans is rapidly approaching.  Granted, I am excited to return to the South (and experience some warmth in the wintertime), but I am a little worried about a few things.  For one, I am not really looking forward to being stuck in a van for 24 hours…straight.  I already spent 16 hours in a car over the past week.  I went to my dad’s house… he lives in Erie, Pennsylvania.  That is the northernmost point in the state of Pennsylvania, and Canada is about 15 miles from the City of Erie.  Now, I am going to spend an entire day in a van.  I have recently come to realize that I will be traveling from one tip of the United States to the other.  I don’t mind being in a moving vehicle, but I don’t exactly celebrate it either.  At least I will be in good company.

                Another thing I am worried about the actual work that I will be doing in New Orleans.  I’m not that good with power tools, and I don’t want to paint every day (even though I rather enjoy painting).  I just hope that I don’t hurt myself or mess up something.  I can be kind of clumsy sometimes.  Also, I don’t know how I will feel when I see all of the damage that still exists in New Orleans.  Even though I saw footage of the wreckage during a screening of When the Levees Broke, I am unsure if I am ready for the shock.  I heard that there is still a lot of damage in parts of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina.  To me, that’s unbelievable.  I suppose that our work will be making a difference…it will show that people still care about fixing the damage even though it isn’t shown on the news anymore.  It seems that when I tell people about my upcoming trip, they thank me for spending my time on such a worthwhile cause, and it motivates me.

                Honestly, I really can’t wait to bond with my fellow freshmen Bonners.  They all live in the same dorm and on the same floor (except for three of us).  Over the past semester I have watched their relationships blossom and grow, and I can’t help but want that, too.  Although I was in a class with them, it’s not the same as living in close proximity.  I live not only on a different floor, but a different building on campus.  Even though my dorm is right next to theirs, I feel disconnected from them.  I am definitely looking forward to the bonding.

                I am excited to experience New Orleans.  I used to live in the South, as I was born in Texas. However, I moved from the Lone Star state to South Carolina when I was a mere six months old.  My parents continually tell me that I have been to all of these places, but I don’t remember them.  I am excited to see the Deep South (even though most of it will be from the window of a van).  After I moved from South Carolina, I lived in Virginia for about four years.  I hope we drive through the Appalachian Mountains.  I lived in these mountains, and I miss them.  When I graduate, I am planning on going back to the mountains; nonetheless, seeing them on the way to New Orleans would be wonderful…just wonderful.  I guess I am just excited to take part in new experiences and relive some old ones. 

~Chelsea Sandmeyer

NOLA Pre-Trip Post

As the final semester of my TCNJ career looms before me, I find that thinking about beginning this trip tomorrow for the 4th time tomorrow gives me comfort and often manages to calm my nerves. Service trips anywhere whether through Bonner or another organization always prove to change my life or my outlook on life in some way be it large or small. I can't wait to embark on yet another potentially life changing experience with people from the organization that I love and trust. New Orleans service trips with Bonner have always given me the opportunity to reflect on myself as well as step outside of my own bubble for a while and focus on other peoples' lives rather than my own.

I am really psyched to be heading out again and expect nothing less than another trip that I will never forget with people that will make a lasting impact.