Tuesday night we hosted a group of 20 Santa Clara students at our house for a question and answer talk about JVC. The students were in New Orleans on an immersion trip (similar to the trip i took into San Jose when i was a junior at SCU and what made me want to do JVC). They came with lots of questions and food, so they had our attention immediately (some advise: always bring food to a JV house and you will be loved). As they walked into the house i realized that i recognized at least half of them. It had not occurred to me that i may know some of the students. Its not like i graduated all that long ago haha. One of the girls recognized me as her Orientation Leader! I cannot believe it is over 3 years and i still have that title :) There were a few from classes and the art department. The leader of the group was best friends with Annie's, roomamtes, girl friend... Such a small world, right?! Anyways it was wonderful having them all over for dinner and chatting. They are in NOLA building a house and also learning about the city. We talked a lot about why we are doing JVC, what its all about, and what we are learning from our placements. They were super impressed with the way we live and what we are doing in the city. Which was not only a good ego boost (haha) but also made me step back and remember why i am here and what an amazing opportunity JVC really is. I really do not miss school.... at all. And have come to fully realize that I am not really the school type. There are so many people i admire who just cannot get enough of the classroom and that type of learning environment, but that is just not me. That is not to say that SCU was not an incredible experience and i am beyond grateful for the education i have! But i am doing a different type of learning here, in the world. A much more hands on learning, which as most of you know is a much more Julie way of learning :)
On a different note, for the past few days i have been finding similarities between the people in my life here in New Orleans and the people in my life at home. Maybe its because i miss home or maybe its just that these similar qualities are important ones to have and i am drawn to them. Anyways here are a few examples.
Blue is a guest who does not come in very often but everyone knows him and he brings a lot of love when he is here. He has many necklaces and objects that make up his outfit. These objects are like his jewelery and he wears them with pride. The best part is that each object/jewelry has a story, a history. There is a small shoe that hangs from a chain: representing his travels. The chicken bone that hangs from a string, connected to a dog collar holds some of his magic powers, i think. He has not told me the whole story with the chicken bone yet. There is also a long chain that holds a few different earrings. The value he puts on these objects, because of the history behind each, reminds me of Nana. I love asking Nana about her jewelry, where it came from, who gave it to her or where she bought it and why. I think Nana likes to tell us the stories, Blue does too :) Blue is also a very strong believer in magic and tells me about how powerful it is. A lot like how Nana is always telling us how important love is and how much she loves us.
Bill recently left New Orleans to go on another adventure. But he was originally from California! We had lots to talk about when he was around the center. He is about 45 and looks like the perfect 'beach bum.' (And i do not mean 'bum' as the slang word for homeless person). The way he walks, the sunglasses he wears, his sun soaked skin, even the way he talks has a little beach bum in it (the word 'dude' is used quite a bit). Bill has a hug smile, warm heart, is patient, and loves to talk about where he has been and what he has learned. He reminds me a lot of Dr. Rick.
Mary reminds me of Mom, in her quiet, patient, way. She mostly does her own thing but when your earn her trust she is a valuable friend. She is friends with Robert Terry (who brushes his mustache with a tooth brush). They have each others back and look out for each other, in a way only good friends can do.
Horace is one of the guests i tend to talk about a lot because he is such a great presence at the center. He is a very small man, only about 5'3'' and is more on the quiet, observant side. But he has some of the best life advise to give. He has a way of teaching you a lesson without you really knowing it or helping you look at a situation after and learn from it. Papa may not be a 5'3'' black man but he tends to be pretty good at teaching life lessons too.
There are a few others like Frank, who reminds me of Frank, not only because they have the same name, but they also have similar humors. Kristen's love for choosing outfits makes me think of Jenny and her fashion style. Blair makes me miss Monica Lim: her huge heart and love of chatting. There are so many people who come in and out of the center, so please don't feel left out if you were not mentioned, im sure someone will come along who makes me think of you ;)
I have heard that when you continually encounter coincidences and 'small world' meetings your life is on the right track. A 'small world feeling' is a good feeling. So i guess i am doing alright.
With Love!
p.s. William (the deaf gentleman) gave me a sign name on Friday :) It is a sort of flick of your right pinky on your left palm. You use your pinky to sign the letter 'J' so i think that is why he made the sign he did for my name. I am so excited that i have a sign name now!
