I woke up this morning excited about Day 2 here in New Orleans. We left the hotel around 10am headed to the French Quarter area of the city. We went over the lake, through the city and down to Bourbon Street. Hmmm, still not real sure what I thought it was going to be like but let's just say I was ready to go up from Bourbon Street, through the city and back over the lake about an hour after we got there. I'm still trying to figure all that out. Don't let that influence your decision to head over there though or not until you hear this. Something really funny did happen there and I was able to make a memory in the French Quarter area that I'll never forget.
When we pulled in to park, Melanie mentioned that they used to have a big aquarium nearby and she said that it was damaged in Katrina and she wasn't sure if it had been reopened. As I walked up and down the streets, I kept noticing something on T-shirts and bumper stickers and even on some of the windows. (Now you are reading this and you're going to know exactly what this means but follow along for just a minute because I had no clue.) I kept seeing things like I LOVE NOLA and SAVE NOLA and I promise you, I didn't know what that meant. I finally decided, being the intelligent person I am, that it must have been a big fish or something that they had in the aquarium (kinda like the save the whales thing) but I couldn't understand why there was no picture of NOLA on anything. I thought that was a little strange but I kept thinking that they really must have loved her.
At lunch, I meant to ask my friends who NOLA was but I forgot. Then, as we were pulling out to leave, it hit me. Don't know why or how but I suddenly realized that NOLA meant New Orleans, Louisiana and I felt so stupid. I really thought NOLA was a lost fish. Isn't that crazy??? I swear sometimes I wonder how I've made it this far...a fish? Oh, man!
We got back to the hotel about 3:30 and got ready to go to our dinner with the amazing women from NAWIC Chapter 339. I shared my I LOVE NOLA story with them - I think just so they would know that if I can "launch" my life, anyone can! Being here with them has been one of the most incredible things that has ever happened to me. I hope that every one of them know how honored and humbled I feel to have had the opportunity to share this part of my journey with them. Incredible women. Incredible dreams. Thank you for letting me share this evening with you. I can't wait to see all of you again in the morning. Did Nancy really mean 8:30??? Maybe I should take a nap!
Oh, by the way, I LOVE NOLA, too!!! Good night.
(see the New Orleans photo album at www.myspace.com/tammy.king)
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