Friday -last day on the site. We all want to stay another week or more. I want to learn more building skills!!!

So, today began again at 5:30. Everyday we hear the alarm clock buzz and awake from our bunks quickly to get ready. I'm amazed at how well all these young people get up at such a dreadful hour. Plus, they are so worn out by the end of the day, they are in bed by 10:30 or earlier! It's not what you expect from a group of residence students!

Today we finished installing the fascia and soffets on the side porch and then spent quite a fair bit of time slugging a load of sand from the front yard to the side. I love moving dirt (or sand in this case). I like "operating the wheelbarrel". It feels so good to be outside working after such a long winter of being lazy and inactive. I can't wait for spring back home now.

After the build today, we ended early and walked through Musician's Village and got to see all of the finished houses. There are people living in them. I took a great photo today. It's a simple close up shot of one of the side porches of a Habitat home. Next to the porch is a bike lying on its side and a Fisher Price Basketball net beside it. Why would I choose this as a favourite? Because it's shows the fruits of our labours. That's what it's all about -giving families their simple, normal lives back after so much tragedy.

This was such a rewarding week on all accounts. I can't say enough good things about it. I will do a wrap up blog when I return home -perhaps Sunday or Monday when I'm back home at my comfortable computer. I'm back beside this vending machine and my feet are freezing. Tonight we head out to Bourbon Street and if I don't get some N'AWLIN's food, I'm going to be very upset. I've yet to have any!

Although I'm beat right now, I'm sure I will perk up. Tomorrow we will arise at 7:00, pack our things, take a 2 hour boat cruise and a 2 hour tour of the city. Then we will head back to Windsor on the bus. We should be home Sunday morning but I can't recall the time at this point. Beth