By Marla Osti
 
Waking up at 6:30 a.m. on your own is not easy. I imagine that it wouldn't be easy for almost anyone. However, waking up this morning came easily. I helped to set up the breakfast and lunch tables, then I got the chance to blast India Arie to wake everyone up. I must admit, I felt pretty powerful knowing that I can wake 100 people up by touching a stereo button. It's also pretty entertaining to watch the annoyed expressions on people's faces as they begin to rise from their uber-comfy bunks.
 
My planned project for the day was mudding and sanding with Chet, one of the team leaders. Unfortunately, the home owner was not at his residence. Instead I had the opportunity to trim ferns in the church sanctuary.
 
After tediously beautifying the ferns, I began to help organize the cluttered bookshelves. Finally, the team leader told me and the rest of the crew that we were going to work on painting a man's house. As we pulled up to the house, I noticed that it didn't look too terrible, but as I got a closer look, I realized that it needed some work. Usually when doing volunteer work such as this for hours at a time, I become extremely tired and feel like giving up. However, there was one thing that kept me going; the owner of the house was watching as we painted his house. He was an older man, and he was very nice. Just thinking about how much he had been through, Katrina and all, definitely was a big motivation for me to get the job done. He talked to me and the crew for a little while, telling us that the houses in his neighborhood are over 100 years old. It's just absolutely amazing how much the residents of New Orleans cherish their neighborhoods, houses and the little things that we tend to take for granted. After a hard work day and an amazing Cajun style dinner, a group of us Oglethorpians decided to head out for a night of bowling at the local Rock and Bowl. It was probably the most old school bowling alley that I have ever seen in my life, but at the same time, it was just an amazing experience. While we bowled, there was a live swing band playing. It really was a blast.
 
All in all, the whole experience here at Hands On New Orleans has been life changing. Helping others has definitely become a passion of mine. It's wonderful to know that I really can make a life, living and difference.