Crescent City Dreams

I saw this the other day when we were at the BBQ and Blues fest in Lafayette square. I was suddenly so overcome with emotion that I had to photograph it. I walked the narrow street four or five blocks until I was close enough that I could capture it. Whenever I see this building from the highway or down in the CBD it makes me wonder when it will ever be re-built and what it would be like to work in a hotel that size. Here in New Orleans, the city lives on through dreams. Everyone has one, mine is to have a good salaried position working for Hyatt one day. It is the one unifying theme that has become our official language. I suppose that’s part of what drew me to this position. Being part of a team that helps people to come home and have a home. Is there any simpler dream?

New Mexico or Bust!

My roommate Alicia and I left NOLA on Wednesday Sept. 22nd bound for Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. On our first flight we met some other YAV’s from Miami. We then went through Dallas before reaching Albuquerque. From there it was a two hour drive to the ranch. When we got there, it was supper time; which was good because we were all tired and hungry. After supper, we had the first of many amazing worship services and then unpacked and went to bed. Thursday was so busy I can hardly remember what we did. It seems to have all blurred together. We had a guest speak for part of the morning. His name was Buddy and he talked about race relations inside the church; why they are important and how to resolve them. He was a good speaker. All of the meals we had there were phenomenal. We had French toast one morning, and pancakes the next. They served us prime rib and shrimp alfredo for dinner. My favorite was the mashed potatoes with brown gravy, whole mushrooms, and chunks of tender sirloin. Oh yes, we ate very well. The scenery was utterly breathtaking. The Mesas were gorgeous and we took advantage of them at every opportunity. One evening, after it got dark, we took a night hike. Let me tell you, New Mexico has starry skies bigger than anything Van Gough could have imagined. Friday, during our free time a group of us choose to take the Box Canyon trail. It was a fantastic trail full of river crossings, cairns, a climbing rope for a near vertical slab of rock, and huge big boulders in our way everywhere. We lost the trail for a bit twice, but that’s okay, we found it again each time. Once we got to the end, we sat for awhile; all reflecting on the beauty of the place in our own way. After awhile, we all decided to leave and we made our way out of the canyon. The next day, we discussed discernment (vocational and otherwise) which I rather liked because it was present through a historical perspective. I love history! Later we shared what we had learned about our own lives in small group discussion. Saturday night, we had a fire, and some s’mores. Someone started playing music and the result was an awesome dance party!!! Sunday was our last day. We had a complete church service before heading of to the airport to say our goodbyes and fly home. I can’t wait to see all my friends at the end of the year and hear all their incredible stories of progress and change.