In the Beginning

...there was light.

Now and then I get this flash of insight that goes as fast as it has come. I struggle to hang on to it yet it vanishes with every other thought, idea, memory... So I've broken down and started a blog. Cliche here and cliche there, randomness abounds ~ Here we go!

Have you ever seen the shadow of a bee before it flew past you? Yeah, scary.

I've been feeling a bit pressured at work lately - to not work so hard. It's a strange feeling, but I'm not heeding the pressure, especially since I'm not done with my 6-month probation period. I actually love what I do, yet I'm surrounded by people who do not like what they do and think that my working hard makes them look bad - or maybe feel bad. I don't know, but it gets old hearing about how they think I should work. The upside is that I'm encouraged to take time off and I have lots of freedom with my schedule.

Aside from the pressure to not care so much about what I do, I'm loving the benefits of the job! A few weeks ago I volunteered for the first Clinton Global Initiative University and spent the last day of the conference working in the lower 9th ward. I met Bill Clinton and took a picture with Brad Pitt... sort of. I also met James Carville and a ton of students from across the country that have made commitments to better their community, city, school, nation or the world. http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=1853&srcid=1399
Please also see http://www.peaceinfocus.org/ ; This nonprofit was founded by a good friend of mine from college who has traveled the world and knows first-hand that youth of conflicted areas need special attention and creative healing outlets. The Peace in Focus commitment was recognized at the conference in the Human Rights and Peace workshop; view the video of this on the CGIU web page.
I also got to see Barak Obama speak on campus - 5th row, center. I've been to the inaugural season of the Green Wave Baseball team at the brand new Turchin Stadium. Unfortunately I missed Samantha Power and Salman Rushdie, but next week I'll see Anderson Cooper. I'm going to a 4 day Professional Development seminar in Atlanta in July. We're hosting the International Research Conference in Service Learning and Community Engagement in October. I found out I'll be in charge of 20 courses in the fall compared to my current 8!

Outside of work I've been to Mardi Gras, French Quarter Festival, Superdome events, crawfish boils, swamp tour, river parades, Bourbon St. too many times to count, climbed the N.O. International and Lakefront airport towers, V to the 10th, and so many other things!

This city is coming back with a vengeance! It's so amazing to see the power this catastrophe has released within the citizens of New Orleans! Their sense of belonging is empowering (bumper sticker: "New Orleans - Proud to swim home!") and their self-recovery effort miles ahead of where "people" thought they would be! Thankfully, there are tons of national events happening here and there is still some attention on the devastation. But not enough. Not enough.

On a lighter note, I absolutely adore Rachel Ray. I come home and watch her show after work now and then and almost every time I love the recipes. Who else would come up with the name "That's Shallota Flavor Spaghetti"? Yummo!

I'm tired of my couch. See ya next time!