Catie - To get out of the heat...

New Orleans is hot
it is cold,
it very rarely snows or sleets,
it rains,
it storms,
there are hurricanes,
there is flooding
New Orleans whether is unpredictable
It does what it feels like doing
this is good in the sense that you do not get tired of it
all i know is it changes constantly, but when it is hot
it is HOT
and the desire to get out of the heat is great

Catie, age 16

Catie - Home

New Orleans rings off the beautiful sound of home
home is being in a familiar, comfortable place, with the presence of peace
peace is being at rest in ones' heart
heart continues to allow one to put effort and "heart" forth in whatever they are doing or trying to achieve
achieve is when one has finally reached their set goal
goal is to become at peace with oneself at home
home is when one finds their way back to God
God is always with us, and New Orleans has the heart and soul to display this through its traditions, friendly community, and sense of togetherness
this is home

Catie, age 16

Catie - NOLA Greetings

New Orleans Greetings

Hey y’all

Hi, you guys

How ya doin’?

How’s it goin’?

What’s up?

How are you?

How’s ya mom en ‘em?

How ‘bout them saints?

Who Dat!?

Southern Hospitality on the streets everywhere you go

Can’t pass one by without greeting them

New Orleans is good about making others feel at home and at ease in the Big Easy

Cajun and traditional music floating around

Story swapping with strangers

The close community that comes together as a family

NOLA’s special form of communication is what makes it special

Catie, age 15

Catie - Mardi Gras

There is such a sense of community down in New Orleans
Being with most of your friends on the streets of your Home city during parades is so much fun
Knowing almost everyone that you see walking around gives you a feeling of family and importance
There is a melancholy feeling  of not watching too much of the parades when in high school, but instead, visiting with friends
When you do finally watch some of the parade, it brings back memories, and reminds you of the excitement and joy Mardi Gras really brings
The strong bands' wholehearted sound defines Mardi Gras, while making people smile and dance
Masks are all around along with crazy costumes
Spirited people wearing beads around their neck up to their chin displays a good time on the route
Having soccer everyday preparing for state, brings you back to reality and soon the Holiday is over, leaving people with just memories to talk about

Catie, 15

Catie - Winter in NOLA

Pushing my family out of the door to go to Christmas in the Oaks late at night when it’s freezing cold in NOLA
Oh such memories
I can only hope that this Christmas is as joyful as last
Advent candles, lights everywhere, and decorations
Making my dog where her “HO HO HO” sweater when we go on walks
Bundling up so tight that only your face is cold while sipping on Swiss Miss outside
Coming inside and falling asleep all cozy up next to the fireplace
Eating so many Hershey kisses as they sit in a glass container next to you, open for everyone to take
You know once you have hung the stockings it is Christmas time
Having “real snow fall” at Loyola where they have their Christmas party
Watching “Eloise at Christmastime” on twenty-five days of Christmas
The NOLA spirit during the Holidays is unbeatable

Catie, age 16

Catie - There's a Feeling in the Air...

A time of joy and togetherness

There’s a feeling in the air of magic with mistletoe and holly hanging above

Movies watched during the Holidays

Ornaments hung on the tree while dancing around to Christmas music with antler ears or a Santa hat on

Shopping in stores decked out in Christmas lights and decorations on a chilly night before coming home to sit by the fireplace with hot chocolate

Presents underneath the tree

Home for the holidays with the ones you love

Everyone gathered around to have eggnog and celebrate the Holiday season

Remembering past holidays and traditions while making gingerbread houses and snowflakes

Each stocking filled to the top with treats and candy canes

Catie, age 15

Catie - I Will Defend

Cardinals

The phrase “I will defend” or the theme of the volleyball team, “I will protect this house”

Not only a theme, yet a phrase that is backed up with such passion

Honoring your school and teammates in the way you play the game

Helping one another out every chance you get

You are a team

Uniforms are only a part of what unite you

Fans

Red shirts

Red socks

The intense faces of the players

Hands flying everywhere

The look of exhilaration and stimulation after scoring a point

Anticipation for the ball to come back over

Creeping up on the other team point by point until reaching victory or defeat

The feeling of knowing you gave it your all and left it all on the court

Content; you did your job and defended your school’s pride.

 Catie, age 15