"Ya gotta fuss for the poor people"

So, some interesting stuff has happened during the last week. We had orientation, which was kinda boring but including some eye-opening events. We visited a free clinic called St. John's that is actually a few blocks from my house. They are the only non-state run clinic in Louisiana, and do not get as caught up in red tape because of this. "You gotta fuss for the poor people" the lady there told us after she helped a homeless woman in a wheelchair. I think that's a pretty simple way of saying what we're here for. I liked it. A lot of orientation was just sitting in a big room and listening to lecturing about safety, resources, a necessary monotony I guess. I did meet my learning team leader, who I and 8 others will meet once a week for tips on special ed. He has a potty mouth and likes to drink beer, so I think it will be a good time every thursday night.

Last Thursday, we saw a free show at Harrah's casino (the owner is a TFA board member- we get pretty awesome hookups sometimes) with a guy named Earl Turner, who was straight out of Vegas nightclubs, with the pompadour and glittery jacket and everything. Several of my corps members got in dance-offs with him when he came in the audience, it was pretty funny. That same night we ended up at the Hustler Club (don't ask me how) and threw beads from the balcony below to the people on Bourbon Street (balcony spots in the French Quarter are hard to come by and expensive, but we got in free because it was my friend's birthday). Pretty seedy, we didn't last long there.

Another highlight of the week was going on a couple's yacht for an evening ride on Lake Pontchartrain, yet another family who does nice stuff for TFA. Last week was pretty fun, but they also packed way more social events in to the calendar than we will ever see again. I think it's too get us pumped to be here and lessen the anxiety we are all feeling about teaching.

Speaking of teaching, next week I start new teacher orientation. This week still moving in, buying furniture, watching as money flies out of the bank account and none comes in, trying not to cry or hyperventilate. Counting down the days until paycheck #1 (September 15). Still stoked about 950 Felicity Street; the best part of our house is definitely the game room, which includes a putting mat and soon, a foosball table. That might be where the bar is, too. My housemate Tom and I have this week off, and we find that pretty much every other purchase we make is directly related to the "game room." And I wonder where my money is going...

That's it from the Big Easy.