My story is similar to that of the rest of the country. I'm not from New Orleans. I watched Hurricane Katrina from my living room for two weeks straight. I was gripped with horror, desparation, and an overhwelming sense of sadness. I cried uncontrollably at times. I was filled with rage at the failure of a supposedly competent local, state, and federal government.

I moved from the midwest to New Orleans in January of 2006. I wasn't forced to evacuate. I didn't lose my home, property, or family. But I certainly had a "Katrina Experience". Everyone did. This event in part prompted my move to New Orleans. I just had to be there. I had to be a part of a rebuilding effort of something bigger than myself. I have never lived in a pre-Katrina New Orleans. I only know what it's like after the storm. That's part of the story. We must move forward and make this city great.