ProJo Faye & Mel in NOLA

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April 13, 2006

Mel counts down

In exactly 3 days, 22 hours and 12 minutes my mom, Faye, and I should arrive in New Orleans, Louisiana. I’ve been counting down for the past few -- I don’t know -- 40 days for this trip. The strange thing is, now that it’s so close, I feel overwhelmed, nervous, anxious, excited and kind of scared. I guess I should explain how this all got started.

It all began back in October when I first saw unbelievable pictures of what Hurricane Katrina had done to New Orleans. Buildings where destroyed. A whole city had come to an abrupt stop. But that wasn’t the unbelievable part.

The part that shocked me the most were the people affected. Their homes had been destroyed; their work places gone; their lifestyle would be changed forever. They had to start form scratch. But that wasn’t all. The levees had broken, and those who tried to ride out the storm at the super-dome were stranded. It was then that something clicked. I should help. Send money, food, water, anything. I donated money through my school, it was the least I could do. As far as I was concerned, it was all that I could, until this February.

On one of the first days of February break I received an e-mail from our good friends who live in New Jersey:
Follow our journey in NOLA
View our blog

I clicked on the link that was sent in the e-mail and was instantly (well not really since my computer isn’t exactly the fastest or newest thing in the world) linked to a colorful blog. After reading about their trip and experiences in NOLA, I new I had finally found my way to help out. Giving money was great and all, but actually helping out, being there, going above and beyond, that was what I really wanted to do.

The begging began. After about 2 days of non-stop nagging I had pretty much given up on the NOLA trip. You can imagine my surprise when my mom told me that she had found a place where we could volunteer. We would make and serve food as well as clean dishes in a kitchen for workers and pretty much anyone else that needed a good meal in New Orleans.

After getting a tent, buying tickets, renting a car, and making various phone calls, we were well on our way to NOLA. And although I have been excitedly waiting (not to mention wondering why spring break is so far away) I am kind of scared.
What will the food be like? Will our tent be too small? Or uncomfortable? Will it be unbearably hot, or miserably rainy? You can see why I’m so nervous and scared. But the biggest question on my mind is:

Am I making a huge mistake?

Oh the irony, by the time I figure it out, it will be too late to turn back. Oh well, here goes nothing. Next time you hear from me I will be in New Orleans.

Wish me luck!

Mel

Posted by Faye Zuckerman at 11:21 AM | Permalink

Comments

Looking good.

Posted by: faye at April 2, 2006 09:31 PM

Good luck and good idea to help people directly. The world will be a better place if more folks act and believe like you and your mom.

Posted by: mark honigman at April 5, 2006 11:53 AM

You look ready to go! Have fun Melanie! Hopefully, you will come back with a totally new experience on how a single day could change your life.

Posted by: Seth at April 9, 2006 10:30 AM

lol. sounds like someonessss excited! hope you have a fun, rewarding time!!!!
u've gotta tell me how it went when you get back!

Posted by: sally at April 11, 2006 10:42 PM

You're in for an adventure, Melanie. Faye, you are too! I hope you have an unbelievable experience and I can't wait to read your daily reports.

Posted by: Ruth at April 13, 2006 11:52 AM

Wow! You have every reason to be very proud (not to mention a bit nervous!) Can't wait to read your future blogs. Take good care of your mother!

Posted by: anne cohen at April 13, 2006 11:58 AM

Sounds exciting!! The world needs more people like you, willing to make sacrifices to help others. Enjoy and I can't wait to hear how things go. If I new ahead of time, I may have joined.

Posted by: Ms. Taglione at April 13, 2006 12:01 PM

Mel - you love challenges! You will never stop talking about it (or is it never stop talking??) Only kidding. Lots of luck and love,
Miriam and family

Posted by: Miriam at April 13, 2006 12:06 PM

My melanie has become a little mother teresa! I love you melanie, have fun and see you soon!

Posted by: Jonathan Schwartz at April 13, 2006 12:22 PM

Mel.....I wish I was going with you guys. You and your mom are angels...Can't wait to hear every detail. Hope it is even better than you expect...

Posted by: jane at April 13, 2006 12:45 PM

Melanie- I wish you and your mom a safe journey..enjoy the adventure.Bonnie and family

Posted by: Bonnie at April 13, 2006 06:16 PM

Mel, I'm so impressed with you. Because you're out there making our world a better place, it will become that. Sending you lots of love!~Karen

Posted by: Karen at April 13, 2006 09:33 PM

great writing, hope u have a good time in NOLA

Ike (the cool one)

Posted by: Ike at April 13, 2006 09:33 PM

Good Luck on your journey!

Posted by: Mark at April 14, 2006 09:46 AM

once again, hope you have a great time, I think it's great that you're spending your vacation helping victims of Katrina.

Isaac

Posted by: Ike at April 14, 2006 10:05 AM

bully for you and Mel, grandpa. P.S. don't drink the water

Posted by: james zuckerman at April 14, 2006 08:31 PM

Mel,

I think it's great that you're doing this! I can't wait to read your future blogs as I'm working my way to Virginia and back!

Good luck,
Rachel H.

Posted by: Rachel at April 14, 2006 08:52 PM

"Helping people in need is a good and essential part of my life, a kind of destiny."

~~Princess Diana

Posted by: Seth at April 16, 2006 11:11 AM

Hi Mel! I have been thinking about you guys. Just wanted to say thanks for everything that you did here. I am sure what you did in St. Bernard for the short time that you were here was a great help, and very much appreciated by the people's lives that you touched in so may ways.
Remember, the next visit has to be much sooner than 10 yrs. You won't recognize the place by that time.
Love ya'll,
Mary

Posted by: Mary Greco at April 30, 2006 11:23 PM

Mel counts down

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