I survived!

Well, I officially made it through my first Mardi Gras and I am pooped. Over the course of 2 weeks, I went to 19 parades (including the Saints parade) and biked to the French Quarter with friends on Mardi Gras day. We stayed at least a block away from Bourbon St at all times and it was surprisingly PG to PG-13 rated everywhere we went.

Mary Anna and I pulled together an awesome, homemade peacock costume in a week but realized that we need to start planning ahead now for next year. We're thinking lemon wedge, oyster, hot sauce, and beer. :)

Me and my friend Ashley watching the Thoth parade with church family. I love that I am getting to know new friends on deeper levels now.

And SO GLAD to get to experience new things with old friends.

Lombardi Gras

I was seriously offended yesterday by Andrew Perloff, a writer for Sports Illustrated, when he wrote the following ignorant comment in one of his articles:

“Brees and the Saints have bought into this emotional wave and it gave them an edge. But to honestly believe a sports team's success can have a sustainable positive effect on a community seems naïve. Not to dampen the party, but Brees efficiently running the Saints' offense has nothing to do with real urban renewal. How many people's lives is this really going to affect in a meaningful way for more than a few weeks?”

First of all, who do you think you are to shoot down the excitement and emotions that this brings to the people all along the gulf coast? This is the team they have been rooting for and dedicated to for 43 years despite them never having won a championship game. This momentous victory not only comes after a long awaited time and a period of devastation but also on a weekend where the city (black and white alike) have united to elect a new mayor who we hope will bring positive changes and during the first big weekend of Mardi Gras. It brings tears to my eyes when I remember how far things have come in 4 ½ years—from a place of utter devastation to this.

The Saints winning is so much more than just winning the Super Bowl, it symbolizes hope and pride and gives a sense of unity as we are all part of the “Who Dat Nation”. This unity is critical to the city’s continuing recovery. For example, I received this email today from school:

Faculty, Staff & Students,

With the Super Bowl victory in hand, New Orleans has reached this momentous point in its history and recovery. As a key part of this community UNO encourages you to participate in the celebration that has brought us all together like none before. For this reason, the University will be closing at 1PM today. All classes at all locations are cancelled and all are encouraged to go to the parade and take part by supporting the Saints in their victory that symbolizes how far New Orleans has come!

Check out this article for more details of the impact this is having on daily life here. Only in New Orleans can you call your boss to tell him you are not coming in to work and he replies with "Duh". Haha. The culture and atmosphere down here is like no other.

Get Ready Miami

This article is funny but true: read it here. It is somewhat of a warning to Miami and Colts fans of what to expect from their New Orleans visitors. :)

Celebrate Good Times!

As many of you may know, New Orleans has experienced an amazing victory with the Saints going to the Superbowl for their first time EVER--over 40 years without a winning season. It has been incredible to see how something like a winning football season can transform a city. It truly is a picture of heaven.
The night after the Saints won the championship game I went down to Bourbon St to celebrate with my fellow New Orlinians. We drove down Canal st with our hands out the window giving high fives to Saints fans and Vikings fans. Everyone was going crazy! Even with all of the madness, cops noted the following morning that there were no crimes, vandalisms, fights, etc called in that night. Wow! Even today I read an article about how the homicide rate has declined after the Saints started the playoffs. It is speculated that this common purpose of rooting for the Saints and celebrating their victories has had something to do with this but who knows. It is so hard to put into words how this winning has changed New Orleans but I truly believe that it has given the city a goal and a purpose, no matter how cheasy that may sound.

Go Saints! Who Dat!