I became a New Orleanian in July 2003. I had been fascinated with New Orleans from the time I was 13 to the day I moved here (I am originally from Philadelphia). When I was 13 my Aunt Anita gave me a book called the Witching Hour. Heard of it? It was written by Ann Rice and through her writing, she created for me a great love affair with the city. My Aunt Anita figured out that a 13 year old who is intrigued by a book is a VERY GOOD thing. She bought me book after book by Ann Rice and continued to fuel my desire to read. And so, to date, I have read every book ever written by Ann Rice. I guess it was my destiny to finally become part of the city, because in June 2002, I met Brandon. It was instant - yes, love at first site can really happen. Our only dilemma was that he lived here and at the time I lived in Ft. Lauderdale. After a year of long distance dating, I decided to move to New Orleans. Ironically, I thought moving to New Orleans would be a blessing because in the 3 and 1/2 years I lived in Florida, not one hurricane. \r\nBrandon and I married in October 2004. Eight months later we evacuated to Dallas, TX with my mother-in-law and father-in-law, Grandma Josie, and Grandpa Jake, and stayed with Brandon\'s sister, husband, and two children. As many of you mentioned, I also learned a valuable lesson - family and friends are meant to be enjoyed in small doses. After 2 weeks, we were at each other\'s throat. I decided it was time to visit my family in Philadelphia and take a breath. I needed to be around my own family created chaos, and not my husband\'s. He and I flew there and stayed for another two weeks at peace without the drama of being a \"Hurricane Katrina\" victim.\r\nWe were very luck that our house did not flood. As a matter of fact, other then my car flooding, a few things from our shed lost, and our wonderful pecan tree, we did not have much damage. Brandon\'s family did suffer some major devastation, and so helping someone else grieve you also experience the emotion, although not as dramatically. I can say that being an outsider, invited in, I have watched, listened, and experienced the city\'s emotional ups and downs every day. But rest assured that I speak from first hand knowledge as someone who has lived in over 6 states in her lifetime - the grass is not always greener on the other side for everyone. Some may leave the city and prosper, others may leave and find that home really is where the heart is. I believe the later, that home is what you build with your heart and if you can stay tough and keep believing, then this city is worth the fight.\r\n