We leave tomorrow! I am so excited to go back, on the three year anniversary of the last time I went, and see the progress that has been made. I am prepared to see that it has not progressed as much as I hope, but I am going there knowing that I get to help move it along, even if it is just a small piece of progress. I am most excited for Matty to experience something that was so crucial to my healing from my past and making me the person I am today. We are going to be doing all sorts of projects - building houses and community gardens, helping with clean up and hopefully something with another agency at a soup kitchen or school. We are also going to have a whole lot of fun - this is the first time I am staying past the volunteer days just to have fun - and we already have a four hour bike tour in the Ninth Ward booked as well as tickets to see Rebirth Brass Band! We are so, so fortunate to have raised so much money to get us there - and we can't thank everyone enough for making this possible - you are all in our hearts and will be there with us in love!
In other news - Matty and I booked our dear friend Vanessa as our wedding photographer and we are over the moon excited that she is going to be such an important part of our big day. We are going to book an engagement photo session for May, and the three of us have all sorts of fun ideas we want to play with. Vanessa asked us to think about our favorite spots, our favorite movie, our song and outfits so I have been brainstorming and getting so giddy to get our pictures done!
Work was absolutely b-a-n-a-n-a-s this week trying to get everything set, meeting with residents and dealing with this big change over from paper to a new computer system. I was super busy, but I feel like I left my co-workers with not a lot to take care of and I don't have to worry about my helpless inmates while I am away!
I am trying to become a runner, and Matty has been the most awesome coach while we have been doing laps around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, and if it wasn't for the stupid rain we would definitely be out there today. It sounds very cliche, but running really clears the mind and does something to your body that makes you super aware of how human we are. I hope I can keep it up, and get better before Matty gets sick of me and leaves me in the dust when I want to walk!
Off to spend the day getting ready for N'awlins!
XoXo
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