so...a lot of you know about my original plans for life in New Orleans. Well, those have changed quite a bit in the last few weeks. Subbing was great, but turned out to be quite inconsistent, as well as a long commute. So I started looking for jobs closer to home...in the neighborhood even. Last week, I got hired at Starbucks. I know...how crazy to move all the way to New Orleans from Seattle and wind up working at Starbucks. But hey, it's a really great place. Great environment, great people, great coffee. What more could you ask from a job?
I'm also taking a short break from school. I'd planed on starting back up in March...which proved to be extremely stressful. Now I'm planning on going back in the fall, which opens up time to officially intern with Communitas-New Orleans. It's a lot of changes, but I'm actually loving it...finding things that really jazz me. Ah life. :)
Thursday, I got to take the Carlson boys to the zoo. I'd never been to it before, and let me tell you, it is awesome! My favorite area was the Louisiana Swamp.
Among other native animals, they host an albino alligator.
The swamp also hosts a "swamp monster", as well as some little black bears.
The boys and I visited a few more animals before we headed back home.
Over Easter weekend, the gang piled up in the big white van and headed to Mississippi for a community retreat. We stayed in a cabin at a state park.
It was nice to have some play time, and some time to just relax and be with each other.
During our time there, we found a turtle in the middle of the road. We pulled a rescue mission and saved him from potential liberation. Elvis (which is what we named him) was later released near the lake.
Easter morning the kids got to do an Easter egg hunt and we all got some time to reflect on the resurrection of the King. 
