Personal Experience: Home is Where the Heart Is
explanatory Essay
1326 words
I was first introduced to the scenic, exotic, and, unpredictable city of New Orleans as a seventh grader in middle school, at the young age of thirteen-years old. Going on a decision made by group majority, we settled on exploring the city for a weekend on a trip we made from our basecamp in Biloxi, Mississippi, our home at that time.
I first traveled to the Gulf Coast from Boston, Massachusetts during the month of June, for three weeks. We were on a mission trip to help rebuild, gut, and or clean whichever home or field we were sent to after the disastrous Hurricane Katrina had caused ruin through the region, however, not that weekend, that weekend was for appreciation and sightseeing. Our days were spent absorbing beautiful architecture, catching glimpses of cultures come together like no other place, and, of course, trying every possible local cuisine before we became stuffed. After exploring the area in and around New Orleans, and later falling for the city, I made sure to participate on the annual voyage to the region.
On my third and final mission trip, my freshman year of high school, the church that sponsored our trip from Massachusetts to the region was conveniently located a few short miles out of the city of New Orleans. We were to work directly with the people affected by the breaking of the levees. The words “flabbergasted” and “dumbfounded” did not, and still fail to describe my reaction to witnessing the conditions in which some people continued to live, even five years after the storm had arrived and gone.
Being desperate to return to the city of New Orleans for the first two years of my annual trips, I was caught in an utter state of awe at what I discovered after my wish was finally realized on the third time...
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...ght I was, and as David Mamet writes, “that is whom I [pretended] to be” (The Cabin, 123). I find that no two people are alike and everyone has their own reasons and stories for being in such a distinguished city. I am proud to share a city with people who lost most, if not all, material possessions but managed to cling on to their love for something bigger than they. The Woodwrights may not know it, but it is by their grace and their mere existence that I am where I am today. Sure, they did not guide me through high school, but they were always the voice and the instinct, either in my mind or in my heart, or both, to search for schools in New Orleans, and return to where I belonged.
Works Cited
Bolaño, Roberto. Between Parentheses. New York: Penguin Books Canada, 2011. Print.
Mamet, David. The Cabin: Reminiscence and Diversions. New York: Vintage, 1993. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how they were introduced to the scenic, exotic, and unpredictable city of new orleans as a seventh grader in middle school, at the young age of thirteen.
- Describes how they traveled to the gulf coast after hurricane katrina. they were on a mission trip to rebuild, gut, and clean whichever home or field they were sent to.
- Describes their reaction to witnessing the conditions in which some people continued to live, even five years after the storm.
- Describes how they were awed by the city's people, food, ambiance, and pride. they remember the woodwrights' passionate stories about their struggles after the hurricane and their genuine expressions of love.
- Narrates how the cliques unraveled from their nervous first kiss, memorable first date, prom night, and so forth. once they got to august 29, 2005, the fear they had felt returned.
- Narrates how the woodwright's defended their city without losing their composure, when they were clearly offended. their pride in being citizens of new orleans resonated with them for the rest of the trip.
- Compares their thoughts of home to those of the woodwright's, stating that they were proud of their colombian nationality.
- Opines that going to colombia opened up their eyes and led them to the epiphany that, likewise, they are not enough to be all the colombian that they thought they were.
- Describes new orleans as a melting pot of america, and describes how the city's residents embraced the disaster to make it more beautiful.
- Describes how they have never felt so at peace, so in love with the surroundings around them. no two people are alike and everyone has their own reasons and stories for being in such a distinguished city.
Related
- analytical
- opinionated
- argumentative
- explanatory
- narrative
- Poverty in Americaanalytical essayTrethewey, Natasha. Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Athens: U of Georgia, 2010. 83-125. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how lessin and deal's film, natasha trethewey’s memoir, and bell hooks’ excerpts, depicts that the poor are often dehumanized and neglected by structures of power.
- Explains that the film, trouble the water, is a testimonial story of an inspirational couple, kimberly and scott, who survived hurricane katrina, the failed levees of new orleans, and their horrible past.
- Analyzes how hooks' memoir points out the negative assumptions made about poverty, but the media uses tv shows and films to display that being poor means your worthless and shiftless.
- Analyzes how trethewey argues that the government neglected the poor community and only focused on rebuilding the white or the rich community, specifically, the casino area.
- Explains that dehumanizing a poor person is not supplying them with the necessities during the tragic event or making them feel less than in any situation. after hurricane katrina, lower class people were left homeless with no help and aid.
- Cites hooks, bell, and trethewey, natasha. beyond katrina: a meditation on the mississippi gulf coast.
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In this essay, the author
- Argues that speed of recovery is important to keep businesses alive, rebuild infrastructure, and provide temporary and permanent housing for disaster victims.
- Argues that the disproportionate extent to which african americans were affected by katrina could be attributed to preexisting social and economic disparities in the area.
- Analyzes how hurricane katrina exposed the vulnerability of poor african americans and the long-existing social and racial inequalities that existed in new orleans.
- Argues that many of the racial disparities that occurred in post-katrina relief and reconstruction were "blind." fema storm damage data shows that the storm's impact was disproportionately sustained by coastal louisiana’s african american community.
- Argues that the slow return rate of the citizens of new orleans after hurricane katrina raises important questions about urban reconstruction and government relief and intervention after natural disasters.
- Analyzes how hurricane katrina affected various races and neighborhoods in urban areas, specifically new orleans.
- Analyzes how hurricane katrina reinforced some already well-known urban planning lessons: the u.s. government acknowledges racial minorities and the poor at a lesser rate than wealthy white americans.
- Analyzes how post-disaster reconstruction influenced the rate at which new orlenians returned to their home.
- Analyzes how the racial disparities in fema's relief efforts in new orleans after hurricane katrina are legitimate and true.
- Argues that preexisting inequalities can combine with government decisions to establish structural inequality. fema refuses to release its data on who, or how many people it provided shelter to, which makes researching whether or not race genuinely played a role in government invention after katrina near impossible.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains how new orleans was hit by hurricane katrina, which slammed seven states on the gulf coast with violent winds and raging waters. nine years later, the city is better than ever before.
- Explains how new orleans' economy peaked in the late 19th century, but slowly started declining with rapid industrialization and development of transporting goods.
- Analyzes how new orleans was devastated by katrina and the loss of over 100,000 citizens.
- Explains that tourism helped new orleans rebuild after hurricane katrina. it generated over $5 billion and provided over 70,000 jobs.
- Explains that hurricane katrina brought destruction, death, and despair, but it also brought a reset that new orleans needed for many years.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that hurricane katrina was the costliest and most destructive natural disaster in history, because of the strong winds and storm causing destruction of many towns and communities.
- Explains that hurricane katrina changed the gulf coast landscape and face of its culture when it hit in 2005.
- Opines that after 11 years of devastation, people are still struggling on putting their lives back together.
- Explains that many non-profit organizations and celebrities contributed to support the victims of hurricane katrina.
- Opines that the federal government was to slow on providing the necessary needs for the people affected by hurricane katrina.
- Analyzes how the famous couple tim mcgraw and his wife faith hill disagreed with the us government's slow response to hurricane katrina.
- Explains that hurricanes are powerful tropical storms with heavy rains, strong winds, and that they can damage buildings, cars, homes, etc.
- Explains that hurricane katrina was the most destructive storm to strike the united states and the costliest storm in u.s. history.
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains how hurricane katrina devastated new orleans and the other areas hit years after it struck. millions of people were affected by the tragedy, and restoration was going to need support from all of america.
- Explains that hurricane katrina was one of the worst hurricanes to hit the united states, a category 5 on the saffir/simpson hurricane scale.
- Compares florida's damage to the other areas hit by hurricane katrina and states that the delayed federal response has led many officials to question fema’s preparations for a natural disaster.
- Explains that fema deployed regional responders before katrina made landfall, but a major federal response was not sent until days later.
- Explains that the crime rate went up, people in need were robbing and killing for food and other needed supplies. helicopters provided transportation for military personnel, and national television networks to provide pictures of what had really happened.
- Explains that hurricane katrina cost the united states an estimated $110 billion in damages, making it the costliest hurricane in u.s history.
- Explains that hurricane katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the united states that caused thousands of deaths and loss of homes.
- Analyzes how hurricane katrina damaged the u.s. economy.
- Narrates the aftermath of hurricane katrina: after the flood in the gaurdian.
- Opines that hurricane katrina is a calamity compounded by poverty and neglect.
- Narrates plyer's "facts for features: katrina impact." the data center.
- States that zimmermann, kim a., "hurricane katrina: facts, damage and aftermath." live science.
1428 wordsRead More - Born on the Bayouexplanatory essayNow standing on the Jackson Street Bridge, having made my way down this historic street in Thibodaux, I once again hear the voice, “How’s your mom and ‘dem?” There is no alarm this time, no seeking the source. Capturing the essence of this quaint, sleepy bayou town, it’s easy to see how Thibodaux has earned the nickname, “Queen City of the Parish.”
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how they squint into the glaring afternoon sunlight in the historic district of thibodaux, la, where yesterday welcomes tomorrow.
- Explains that thibodaux was established in 1796 as a trading post between new orleans and the teche country.
- Explains that guion acacdemy, 1000 jackson street, was the first "public" school in thibodaux, and the catalyst for public schools throughout louisiana.
- Explains that the city's history resonates via its historic architecture, as seen in the three remaining queen anne revival styled homes located on jackson street.
- Explains that leonidas polk, a west point academy graduate, was appointed as bishop of the southwest (arkansas, mississippi and louisiana) in 1838. he bought leighton plantation for his home.
- Explains that john fulford and his brother james opened a carriage shop in 1853 on what is now the 800 block of jackson street. they became involved in the presbyterian church, with john serving as an elder, and mary teaching sunday school.
- Explains that the foundry on the bayou was originally built in 1840 as a steel-forging operation. it became home to several nightclubs in the 1970s, including "college inn" and "jackson street junction".
- Explains that the jackson street bridge, thibodaux's first bridge, gave access to the west side of the bayou lafourche.
- Analyzes how thibodaux has earned the nickname, "queen city of the parish," by capturing the essence of this quaint, sleepy bayou town.
1119 wordsRead More - A Visit to the Hostess City of the Southexplanatory essayWith a much needed Spring Break in sight, my boyfriend and I decided to take a weekend jaunt to the “Hostess City of the South”. After our classes were over and our bags were packed, we finally headed out of Tallahassee on the afternoon of March 8th. We traveled east on I-10 and drove the mind-numbing 166 mile stretch to Jacksonville. The sad thing about interstates is that they are generally bland with only an occasional view of different scenery. We breezed past the generic fields and even more generic patches of forest that characterize I-10 along the Florida Panhandle.
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how berendt's midnight in the garden of good and evil spent more time on the new york times bestseller list than any other piece of fiction or nonfiction.
- Describes how their boyfriend and i decided to take a weekend jaunt to the "hostess city of the south". they traveled east on i-10 and drove the mind-numbing 166 mile stretch to jacksonville.
- Describes how the area surrounding the interstate morphed into swampland as they crossed the nassau, and later st. mary's rivers.
- Explains that south carolina's lax laws on fireworks sales have made it a lucrative business judging from highway signs. the first two exits in the state were surrounded by large fireworks warehouses.
- Describes how they found a subway in the gas station across the street and dragged themselves to the comfort of their hotel room.
- Describes how they drove south on highway 17 through the savannah national wildlife refuge, where they briefly stopped to move a snapping turtle who had decided to sun himself.
- Describes how savannah's river street is an old cobblestone street that runs along the savannah river.
- Opines that even during prohibition, one never went thirsty. savannah law enforcement turned their heads when it came to drinking.
- Explains that when john oglethorpe decided to build savannah, he decided that it would be laid out in a grid system with 22 park squares evenly distributed almost every 2 city blocks.
- Explains that savannah takes st. patrick's day very seriously. all of the hotels in the area surrounding savannah had been booked for this weeks pre-holiday celebration
- Describes the infamous mercer house, which was inhabited by midnight's main character, jim williams, the murderer.
- Describes the historic savannah foundation, an organization that began in the 1950's in order to preserve historic buildings in savannah.
- Describes forsyth park as a 30-acre city park encased by dozens of bright pink azalea bushes and was apparently the place to be on this warm, spring day.
- Explains that savannah is "cut off" from modern society. companies use savannah to test market their goods because they know that the people of savannah don't have as much contact with commercialism.
- Narrates the history of colonial park cemetery on abercorn street, which served as savannah's primary burial ground for 130 years.
- Explains that colonial park cemetery's southern side was used as a dueling ground in years past, with the first recorded duel in 1740.
- Explains that the lady chablis is a black drag queen that author john berendt took an interest in while writing midnight.
- Describes how they were in the less wealthy, predominantly african-american section of town. they imagined "the lady" and john berendt discussing the happenings in savannah.
- Describes the drive from savannah to bonaventure cemetery, where they snagged through a beautiful wooded area. they checked the visiting hour postings on the gate and decided to come back the next day.
- Analyzes how the story of murder in berendt's novel circles around danny hansford’s slaying at the hands of jim williams.
- Narrates how the "bird girl" was a bronze statue that adorns einar storm trosdal sr.'s grave until 1995 when midnight fans came searching for her.
- Narrates how they searched the 160 acre cemetery for an hour with no sign of the "bird girl" but were able to see the infamous bonaventure cemetery.
- Explains bonaventure cemetery is situated on top of a sizable bluff overlooking the wilmington river. the cemetery is 160 acres in size and is dotted with ancient, spanish moss-filled live oak trees and azalea bushes.
- Describes how they decided that their last sightseeing venture in savannah would be to tybee island. they walked along the beach on the atlantic ocean, visited tybee lighthouse, and drove around the small community. fort pulaski national monument was built in the 1840’s to guard the entrance to the savannah river
- Opines that the fame that savannah has received since berendt's novel is both a blessing and curse. the relocation of the "bird girl" is one sad example of change due to the success of midnight.
3314 wordsRead More - Descriptive Essay About Ocean Cityexplanatory essayAlthough it has been years since our most recent visit to the shore side of Ocean City, New Jersey, the memories and senses never abandon my mind. All I can recall is the wondrous combination of the scorching heat, the grainy sand in between my toes, and the overwhelming smell of salt and delicious foods . . . I feel as if I am standing right there right now! Who could ever relinquish the beauty of the shore, the healing the shore accomplishes, and the tastes of the wondrous foods?
In this essay, the author
- Describes their recent visit to the shore side of ocean city, new jersey, as a wondrous combination of the scorching heat, the grainy sand, and the overwhelming smell of salt and delicious foods.
- Describes ocean city's awe-inspiring appeal to their senses through its grace. they begin each visit standing stagnant; stunned by the beauty of the city.
- Explains that shell hunting is a seminal feature of their visits to the beach and helps them reminisce about their times at the shore.
- Describes how they ate, walked, and people-watched the two-and-a-half miles of the ocean city boardwalk. the repetitive screeches of seagulls, the laughter of others nearby and the distant crashes of waves made it all the more special.
- Opines that they are conquered with anxiousness after their few trips to ocean city, new jersey. they hope to return soon enough to observe beauty, heal the soul, and eat some great foods.
768 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Dr. Lawrence Powell's 'The Accidental City'analytical essayFrom reading Dr. Lawrence Powell’s book, “The Accidental City: Improvising New Orleans” I get a deeper understanding of the development of New Orleans and Louisiana itself. Being a native of New Orleans I did not expect to learn anything that I didn’t already know, but this book took me by surprise with the way Dr. Powell goes in depth of the initial foundation, growth, and conflicts in New Orleans. When the French “ruled” the city the main problem that the French faced were the fact of the substantial financial losses it brought and also the diversification of the people inhabiting New Orleans, which went against their initial plans for the city, Spain had problems with the Supreme Council that resided over the city during French rule which
In this essay, the author
- Explains that slaves were the driving force behind louisiana's economy. they were able to roam off the plantation and use the time to further a skill.
- Explains that the spanish needed a steady hand to wrest new orleans back on the right path. the creoles despised the fact that spain was taking over the colony.
- Opines that the battle of new orleans was the most important to the development of the city.
- Analyzes how dr. powell's piece of history gives an inside look at the spirt of new orleans and its inhabitants, one that is undying, just, and rowdy.
- Analyzes how dr. lawrence powell's book, "the accidental city: improvising new orleans" gives a deeper understanding of the initial foundation, growth, and conflicts in the city.
1428 wordsRead More - kkdnarrative essayHurricane Katrina hit in late August of 2005. It was my freshman year of college, and I saw the wreckage and devastation on television. Just like the rest of the country. I lived in New Orleans in 2010, and I could still see the struggle of the citizens on Louisiana. Until this documentary, I have not seen footage from the storm. This is the first time in my perspective that the victims of New Orleans had a face, Kim Roberts. This is a response to the documentary that has changed my perspective on Katrina and New Orleans.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how they saw the devastation of hurricane katrina on television during their freshman year of college, and how the documentary changed their perspective on the storm.
- Opines that bridge the water was a tough documentary to watch and sit through. they experienced most of the physical responses in the movie, almost the entire time.
- Opines that the filmmakers used the movie as a political cause in katrina relief, but they did not like the political overtones.
- Narrates how the footage of the flood upset them when they were a freshman. they were angry at people who believed that god was punishing the people of new orleans.
- Describes the three people they would like to emulate: kim and scott roberts, who were in a bad situation in new orleans before the hurricane hit, and brian who risked his life to save others.
653 wordsRead More