Click here to view our Picture GalleryFirst day in Louisiana... meeting the Lake Area students!
Last night I arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am staying at the house of Taylor, a Project Ambassador to the New Orleans Lake Area Middle School. I did not see much of Louisiana last night... just baggage claim, the inside of a car, and the night sky briefly. But, as I was shutting off the lights in my room last night, I did notice something. As soon as I had flicked the last light switch off...I could see through the window that there were bright lights outside creating a warm glow in the distance. I walked closer and peered out. At first all I saw was the backyard and garden...then some terra-cotta colored roofs...and then there was the light source. As my eyes adjusted, I could see that the lights were boats moving along the river! I had no idea her house was so close to the water!
Today I met Sally Meredith, the teacher of the gifted program at Lake Middle School. Her two gifted classes (one seventh grade and one eighth grade) are both participating in One World Youth Project. I introduced the Project in both of her classes. It was nice to talk to small groups of students at a time (about nine or ten in each class). I was so impressed by all the work they had already done on the Project. They had already created a bulletin board about Mongolia in honor of their sister-school in Ulanbaataar! The bulletin board displayed a map and facts about Mongolia. One student had even hand-drawn the Mongolian flag! Another student had brought in a Snapple bottle cap which said, "Lemonade was first invented in Mongolia".
Everyone was excited to see the photo of the students in their sister-school! I talked some about Ulanbaataar and Mongolia ... though the students already knew a lot about the region. I was particularly excited by how well the 'passion to action' section of the workshop went! All the students had very original ideas focusing on how to turn one's passion into positive action. They talked about a wide-range of subjects... everything from the importance of teaching the public about the benefits of R&B music to using dance and singing as a way to make difference in the local community.
After school, Taylor and Taylor's grandmother (who everyone, non-relatives included, calls "Granny")showed me the residential areas of New Orleans. We went down this one particularly beautiful street called Esplanade.
The entire street of Esplanade was lined with historic homes...some were greek revival, others looked more victorian, and some had a cajun influence. No two looked alike. Though, all of the houses had large front porches. There were tall trees with huge trunks everywhere...many trees were wrapped in hanging moss.
The 19th century novel, The Awakening, by Kate Chopin was set on Esplanade. The lead character, Edna Pontellier, spent much of her time on a front porch that I imagine looked very much like one of the porches we passed. I read The Awakening about a year ago for my literature class. And, driving down Esplanade brought back memories of the novel. I suddenly could picture Edna Pontellier sitting on one of these very porches, fanning herself, and looking lazily out at the neighborhood.
Below is a quote from an article regarding the historical context of the novel. It provides a glimpse into Creole culture (a culture prevalent in Louisiana). Edna socialized with the Creoles throughout the novel as she was simultaneously discovering her independence as a woman. The book was originally banned when published in the late 19th century because it did not fit within the context of accepted social mores of the time and was therefore considered taboo.
"In The Awakening, ...[Kate Chopin] wrote specifically about Creole society in northern Louisiana. Creoles saw themselves as different from Anglo-Americans and maintained cultural traditions passed down from their French and Spanish ancestors. They enjoyed gambling, entertainment, and social gatherings and spent a great deal of time in these activities. The Creoles seldom accepted outsiders to their social circles and felt that newcomers should live by their rules."
If you want to read and learn more about the Awakening and its effect on America click here.
Also tonight, I went to a Norah Jones concert with Taylor. I know that it is not particularly educational...or helping to facilitate the cultural exchange... but it was great fun and good music! Even a bit of comic relief as well: a fly flew down Norah's bra much to her dismay.
Good night!
Sincerely,
Jessica Rimington
Today I met Sally Meredith, the teacher of the gifted program at Lake Middle School. Her two gifted classes (one seventh grade and one eighth grade) are both participating in One World Youth Project. I introduced the Project in both of her classes. It was nice to talk to small groups of students at a time (about nine or ten in each class). I was so impressed by all the work they had already done on the Project. They had already created a bulletin board about Mongolia in honor of their sister-school in Ulanbaataar! The bulletin board displayed a map and facts about Mongolia. One student had even hand-drawn the Mongolian flag! Another student had brought in a Snapple bottle cap which said, "Lemonade was first invented in Mongolia".
Everyone was excited to see the photo of the students in their sister-school! I talked some about Ulanbaataar and Mongolia ... though the students already knew a lot about the region. I was particularly excited by how well the 'passion to action' section of the workshop went! All the students had very original ideas focusing on how to turn one's passion into positive action. They talked about a wide-range of subjects... everything from the importance of teaching the public about the benefits of R&B music to using dance and singing as a way to make difference in the local community.
After school, Taylor and Taylor's grandmother (who everyone, non-relatives included, calls "Granny")showed me the residential areas of New Orleans. We went down this one particularly beautiful street called Esplanade.
The entire street of Esplanade was lined with historic homes...some were greek revival, others looked more victorian, and some had a cajun influence. No two looked alike. Though, all of the houses had large front porches. There were tall trees with huge trunks everywhere...many trees were wrapped in hanging moss.
The 19th century novel, The Awakening, by Kate Chopin was set on Esplanade. The lead character, Edna Pontellier, spent much of her time on a front porch that I imagine looked very much like one of the porches we passed. I read The Awakening about a year ago for my literature class. And, driving down Esplanade brought back memories of the novel. I suddenly could picture Edna Pontellier sitting on one of these very porches, fanning herself, and looking lazily out at the neighborhood.
Below is a quote from an article regarding the historical context of the novel. It provides a glimpse into Creole culture (a culture prevalent in Louisiana). Edna socialized with the Creoles throughout the novel as she was simultaneously discovering her independence as a woman. The book was originally banned when published in the late 19th century because it did not fit within the context of accepted social mores of the time and was therefore considered taboo.
"In The Awakening, ...[Kate Chopin] wrote specifically about Creole society in northern Louisiana. Creoles saw themselves as different from Anglo-Americans and maintained cultural traditions passed down from their French and Spanish ancestors. They enjoyed gambling, entertainment, and social gatherings and spent a great deal of time in these activities. The Creoles seldom accepted outsiders to their social circles and felt that newcomers should live by their rules."
If you want to read and learn more about the Awakening and its effect on America click here.
Also tonight, I went to a Norah Jones concert with Taylor. I know that it is not particularly educational...or helping to facilitate the cultural exchange... but it was great fun and good music! Even a bit of comic relief as well: a fly flew down Norah's bra much to her dismay.
Good night!
Sincerely,
Jessica Rimington
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