Biloxi Bunch

This trip has been like being reunited with family. I am so excited that I get to take this trip with so many great people.
I have been gone from Deutsch for a month. I have lost 3 pounds (true)…I have been back together with these guys for two days now and I have gained about 4 pounds back (unfortunately true).
We had some nice time to bond in New Orleans, but are now getting ready for our Habitat orientation tomorrow in Biloxi. I am so excited to be with everyone on this trip. Everyone brings a different personality and energy to the group. I know that this experience wouldn’t be the same without each and every person here.

Taryn- Keeps us together. If we were playing soccer, she would be the mom (she already has the mini van). She is totally responsible…except for when she buried herself in a pile of feather boas and got yelled at by the shopkeeper.
David- Handles the 15 passenger van like a dad…actually, more like an uncle because we can be as loud and obnoxious as we want and he doesn’t tell us to shut up.
Alyssa- Is our professional paparazzo. She paid an extra $100 in overweight baggage just so she could capture our good side with the absolute best lens.
Craig- Is the silent adventurous type. You think he is waving down a cab for everyone to get back to the hotel, but when you try to get in, he tells you that he is going to the casino…and then silently rolls back home at 7:45 am.
Troy- Is the loud adventurous type. He is always game to get in on the trouble. Not sure what I mean?…I am hoping pictures will be posted soon of his dance partner at the Karaoke club.
Jon- Is hard to describe. Even pictures could not capture the intensity that is “Jon Yuson.” He is Deutsch Culture in it’s true, potent, non watered down form. I think his eyes just bugged out when he read the word potent.
Sean- Is nothing but awesome. He always has a laid-back, up for anything attitude, but the best thing about him is that he offers me a taste of anything he orders…although I also blame him for some of my newfound pounds.
Tiffany- Is a lot more fun than me…that is all I will say. If you want to know more, you can ask her about it.
Amy- Is my constant (for any of you LOST fans); she is my home away from home. Her big Linea Pella purse, cheap watery beer and cute Philly accent (especially when she says the word “fire”) bring a comfortable smile to my face…even if she winces when I want to hug her.
Trevor- Always has a sinister smile on his face like he just got away with something. But he is just being coy and is utterly adorable… and he lets me hug him whenever I want to hug Amy.
Marina- Has the best attitude out of the bunch. She is always game, whether it be taking Karaoke requests or participating in a street performer’s show when Amy couldn’t due to the length of her dress.
Cheryl- Is my trustworthy roomie. My Yin to my Yin…trust me, I would much rather room with a Yin than a Yang on this trip.
Rachel- She thinks that she is a travel jinx, but because of her, I had time to have Texas BBQ and a great Bailey’s Milkshake during an unexpected, long Dallas layover…however, I also blame her for the aforementioned waistline issue.
Dessiah- Brings out the local flavor. Without her, we would not have gotten to hang out with one of the cooks from Café Du Monde at 3 in the morning.
Nicole- Is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the local food…especially oysters. She can describe all the different kinds and the preparations. She has taught me everything I need to know…everything but the taste…I’m not going near that slimy little sucker. And she takes pictures of us with this incredible filter that makes us look tan. She is super cool…actually, wait, she is the one who found Café Du Monde and the beignets on Google maps…she accounts for two of my pounds all by herself…I knew she was trouble.
Davina- She doesn’t know it, but the picture of her writing under the shingles of the roof “Davina Turnbull was here” from last year’s trip always makes my eyes water, and is the reason that I wanted to come on this trip.
This trip has already been amazing, with tons of memories, and we haven’t even started the house building yet. I can’t wait to see what stories come next.

Nicki