12-25-12
Wow!! It's been a wild, crazy, and busy couple of weeks. Because of the way that Christmas fell in the week this year and that I had the duty pager, I had to work 8 straight 10 hour days. But even so, I managed to throw in a lot.
Things got kicked off last week with the Scott's Discovery Hut 10k. Luckily it started at 10am on Sunday and as I had the duty pager, I had to be at work at 11am, so I was able to run it. But as I hit the finish line I just continued on running to Crary Lab. I ended up running the 10k in 43 minutes, which I thought was quite good for me. I got 7th overall, but #3 out of Americans. The Kiwi crew had a big and strong showing.
After work on Sunday, I headed over to the galley to decorate our gingerbread houses. My group was Cassa, Elisha, Ben, Bev, and Abe. We made 6 waste containers. See here in Antarctica we have these large tri-wall waste bins that are labeled with things such as "food waste", "metal", "glass", "skua", "computer parts" etc. But there are some funny ones around the base as well "romance novels" "porn", "urine soaked pants" "glitter", "dignity". So we decided to do 3 naught and 3 nice ones. The waste containers also have descriptons of what is allowed. For example in Lab Waste it says "gloves, lab solids, test tubes" and then says "NO lab liquids, radioactive items, broken glass" So we did this with our naughty and nice themes. When I get arond to it, I will post our gingerbread finished product, but needless to say, they were awesome!
In the evening I got to watch the big #8 Arizona vs #4 Florida. My favorite team (the cats) vs my future grad school team (the gators). It was tons of fun to watch especially since Arizona somehow managed to pull it out last second.
I had several Hut 10 parties that I attended with lots of good food! Liz, the Research Associate combined with the head baker to throw a party. There was tasty filet mignon, and we made gingerbread cookies. Elisha's department, supply, through a party a couple days later. They too had steak, plenty of wine, and other good food.
One day at Crary we also had a huge and tasty Thai feast. The instrument tech, Richard, had to fly to Christchurch for 2 days to help transport some helium for LDB back, so he brought a whole bunch of take-away Thai food back for us! Delicious!
Last week the Waste Barn put on their annual Christmas acoustic show. This year the decoration theme was Mayan end of the world. As it was last year, it was completely hilarious and full of amazing talent. I wish I could describe just how brilliant the performers are. The best ones were the closing act where they took Christmas songs that we were all familiar with and that gave them the McMurdo twist. I love this part the best. This is one of my favorite events of the year, and it's not just bc they give out free beer and unlimited guacamole. I'd like to see if I could get some audio from the last group, but I'm not sure if anyone recorded it.
Last week Elisha and I also began our reservations for our trip post ice. We had been having a hard time deciding what to do. Several months in New Zealand, combined with the Outback or the South Pacific; a round the Med trip (Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey); Iceland; and South America were all discussed. We ended up deciding to go with the North American West combined with Northern South America. We are going to spend a month visiting Estes Park, Crested Butte, Boise, Coeur D' Alene, and Heron (MT) to see family, friends, and to get our fill of Skiing! The plan then is to fly into Panama and work our way to Lima with a sail trip to go from Panama to Colombia, some time in the Galapagos, and major trekking in Peru. Anyways, we booked our flight to Panama and also our trip to and from the Galapagos this week!
On Saturday night Scott Base (the kiwi base) held their annual Scott Base Skirt Part which keeps the tradition going of when Robert Falcon Scott and his men had a skirt party. We had a very fun time. Cassa and Elisha (who dressed up as dapper men) transformed Mitch and I into beautiful ladies. The party was lots of fun, with my suite-mate Kevin winning Miss Scott Base.
On Sunday, we had the VMF party, which included photos with Santa, Carolers, and of course plenty of dancing. Cassa dressed up as Christmas Cheer and Elisha and I dressed up as lawn gnomes/North Pole elves on a beach vacation to the warm south pole. We had lots of fun and danced the night away.
On Monday morning (Christmas Eve) I woke up and raced the Ob Hill Uphill. It was cold and snowing and blowing and definitely a painful straight up the hill race. I finished in about 8 minutes 30 secs (with calves just burning) and 7th overall.
Christmas Eve day, I watched the Broncos (we hardly ever have Monday off (Sunday American time)), then I watched one fo my very favorite Christmas Movies: It's a Wonderful Life). Later in the afternoon, we had the big town Christmas Dinner. I joined the shuttle crew for Christmas, which is always fun. I really appreciate Shuttle (boss) Sharona's "once a shuttle driver, always a shuttle driver" philosophy. Dinner was AMAZING! We had steak wellington, duck, prime rib, and unlimited lobster tail (I had 5 tails!) amongst other tasty things. And of course great deserts like chocolate bon bon's, pecan pie, and fudge.
After dinner, Elisha and I went to the protestant church service which was mainly a choir singing Christmas carols (conducted by my friend Dan Turck), and then we stayed after for the Christmas Eve Mass. After church, it was time to go out and Dance again at MAAG (which stands for McMurdro Alternative Art Gallery). They had cool shows and a cabaret (which we missed bc we were outside waiting in line to get in...stupid new fire codes only let x amount of people in and we had been at church). However, we eventually got in and walked around to see the cool art and then of course got straight to the awesome dancing scene!
Today on Christmas we had a nice brunch and then just chilled. I confirmed our reservation to the Galapagos and then called the parents back home. They are visiting my brother in Crested Butte and are enjoying a beautiful and white Christmas with sleigh rides, skiing, and fondue. Oh how I miss my family at Christmas!!
This evening the plan is a walk out to hut point (where 20 penguins were spotted earlier) and then chilling with some Glee.
I wrote a poem for Crary Lab this year to the tune of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I have included it below.
Merry Christmas!! And may Peace prevail in the world!
He was humming and smiling, a right jolly UT,
And I laughed when I saw him, overflowing with glee!
A chia seed gift and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke in an accent, but went straight to his work,
Replacing the air filters, he turned with a jerk.
Wow!! It's been a wild, crazy, and busy couple of weeks. Because of the way that Christmas fell in the week this year and that I had the duty pager, I had to work 8 straight 10 hour days. But even so, I managed to throw in a lot.
Things got kicked off last week with the Scott's Discovery Hut 10k. Luckily it started at 10am on Sunday and as I had the duty pager, I had to be at work at 11am, so I was able to run it. But as I hit the finish line I just continued on running to Crary Lab. I ended up running the 10k in 43 minutes, which I thought was quite good for me. I got 7th overall, but #3 out of Americans. The Kiwi crew had a big and strong showing.
After work on Sunday, I headed over to the galley to decorate our gingerbread houses. My group was Cassa, Elisha, Ben, Bev, and Abe. We made 6 waste containers. See here in Antarctica we have these large tri-wall waste bins that are labeled with things such as "food waste", "metal", "glass", "skua", "computer parts" etc. But there are some funny ones around the base as well "romance novels" "porn", "urine soaked pants" "glitter", "dignity". So we decided to do 3 naught and 3 nice ones. The waste containers also have descriptons of what is allowed. For example in Lab Waste it says "gloves, lab solids, test tubes" and then says "NO lab liquids, radioactive items, broken glass" So we did this with our naughty and nice themes. When I get arond to it, I will post our gingerbread finished product, but needless to say, they were awesome!
In the evening I got to watch the big #8 Arizona vs #4 Florida. My favorite team (the cats) vs my future grad school team (the gators). It was tons of fun to watch especially since Arizona somehow managed to pull it out last second.
I had several Hut 10 parties that I attended with lots of good food! Liz, the Research Associate combined with the head baker to throw a party. There was tasty filet mignon, and we made gingerbread cookies. Elisha's department, supply, through a party a couple days later. They too had steak, plenty of wine, and other good food.
One day at Crary we also had a huge and tasty Thai feast. The instrument tech, Richard, had to fly to Christchurch for 2 days to help transport some helium for LDB back, so he brought a whole bunch of take-away Thai food back for us! Delicious!
Last week the Waste Barn put on their annual Christmas acoustic show. This year the decoration theme was Mayan end of the world. As it was last year, it was completely hilarious and full of amazing talent. I wish I could describe just how brilliant the performers are. The best ones were the closing act where they took Christmas songs that we were all familiar with and that gave them the McMurdo twist. I love this part the best. This is one of my favorite events of the year, and it's not just bc they give out free beer and unlimited guacamole. I'd like to see if I could get some audio from the last group, but I'm not sure if anyone recorded it.
Last week Elisha and I also began our reservations for our trip post ice. We had been having a hard time deciding what to do. Several months in New Zealand, combined with the Outback or the South Pacific; a round the Med trip (Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey); Iceland; and South America were all discussed. We ended up deciding to go with the North American West combined with Northern South America. We are going to spend a month visiting Estes Park, Crested Butte, Boise, Coeur D' Alene, and Heron (MT) to see family, friends, and to get our fill of Skiing! The plan then is to fly into Panama and work our way to Lima with a sail trip to go from Panama to Colombia, some time in the Galapagos, and major trekking in Peru. Anyways, we booked our flight to Panama and also our trip to and from the Galapagos this week!
On Saturday night Scott Base (the kiwi base) held their annual Scott Base Skirt Part which keeps the tradition going of when Robert Falcon Scott and his men had a skirt party. We had a very fun time. Cassa and Elisha (who dressed up as dapper men) transformed Mitch and I into beautiful ladies. The party was lots of fun, with my suite-mate Kevin winning Miss Scott Base.
On Sunday, we had the VMF party, which included photos with Santa, Carolers, and of course plenty of dancing. Cassa dressed up as Christmas Cheer and Elisha and I dressed up as lawn gnomes/North Pole elves on a beach vacation to the warm south pole. We had lots of fun and danced the night away.
On Monday morning (Christmas Eve) I woke up and raced the Ob Hill Uphill. It was cold and snowing and blowing and definitely a painful straight up the hill race. I finished in about 8 minutes 30 secs (with calves just burning) and 7th overall.
Christmas Eve day, I watched the Broncos (we hardly ever have Monday off (Sunday American time)), then I watched one fo my very favorite Christmas Movies: It's a Wonderful Life). Later in the afternoon, we had the big town Christmas Dinner. I joined the shuttle crew for Christmas, which is always fun. I really appreciate Shuttle (boss) Sharona's "once a shuttle driver, always a shuttle driver" philosophy. Dinner was AMAZING! We had steak wellington, duck, prime rib, and unlimited lobster tail (I had 5 tails!) amongst other tasty things. And of course great deserts like chocolate bon bon's, pecan pie, and fudge.
After dinner, Elisha and I went to the protestant church service which was mainly a choir singing Christmas carols (conducted by my friend Dan Turck), and then we stayed after for the Christmas Eve Mass. After church, it was time to go out and Dance again at MAAG (which stands for McMurdro Alternative Art Gallery). They had cool shows and a cabaret (which we missed bc we were outside waiting in line to get in...stupid new fire codes only let x amount of people in and we had been at church). However, we eventually got in and walked around to see the cool art and then of course got straight to the awesome dancing scene!
Today on Christmas we had a nice brunch and then just chilled. I confirmed our reservation to the Galapagos and then called the parents back home. They are visiting my brother in Crested Butte and are enjoying a beautiful and white Christmas with sleigh rides, skiing, and fondue. Oh how I miss my family at Christmas!!
This evening the plan is a walk out to hut point (where 20 penguins were spotted earlier) and then chilling with some Glee.
I wrote a poem for Crary Lab this year to the tune of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I have included it below.
Merry Christmas!! And may Peace prevail in the world!
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the lab
Not a creature was stirring, not even a crab.
Not a creature was stirring, not even a crab.
The test tubes were placed in their racks with great care
In hopes that dry valley samples soon would be there.
The grantees were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of perfect data danced in their heads.
In hopes that dry valley samples soon would be there.
The grantees were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of perfect data danced in their heads.
And mamma in her lab coat, and I in safety goggles
Had just returned from a long winter’s boondoggle.
When out on phase one there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from field party staging to see what was the matter.
Up to the library I flew with great hope,
Tore open the blinds and focused the scope
The midnight sun on the breast of McMurdo mud
Reminded me of my last battle with the crud
When, what to my goggled eyes should appear,
But a seal sled, and eight lab staff full of cheer
With a muscular driver, so strong in the core,
I knew in a moment it must be Libor.
More rapid than skuas his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"NowBeverly
On, Travis! On, Liz! On Abraham and Ricardo!
To the top of the lab! to the top ofOb hill!
Now dash away! Dash away! There are dewars to fill.
As drifting snow that before a condition one does fly,
When it meets with a pressure ridge, mounts up to the sky.
So up to Crary Lab the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of sticky notes, and space allocation too.
And then, amid glycol alarms, I heard on the roof
The laughing and joking of each Crary goof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the fume hood mighty Libor came with a bound.
He was covered in ECW, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with oil and soot.
A bundle of chems he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a grantee, just opening his pack.
Had just returned from a long winter’s boondoggle.
When out on phase one there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from field party staging to see what was the matter.
Up to the library I flew with great hope,
Tore open the blinds and focused the scope
The midnight sun on the breast of McMurdo mud
Reminded me of my last battle with the crud
When, what to my goggled eyes should appear,
But a seal sled, and eight lab staff full of cheer
With a muscular driver, so strong in the core,
I knew in a moment it must be Libor.
More rapid than skuas his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now
On, Travis! On, Liz! On Abraham and Ricardo!
To the top of the lab! to the top of
Now dash away! Dash away! There are dewars to fill.
As drifting snow that before a condition one does fly,
When it meets with a pressure ridge, mounts up to the sky.
So up to Crary Lab the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of sticky notes, and space allocation too.
And then, amid glycol alarms, I heard on the roof
The laughing and joking of each Crary goof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the fume hood mighty Libor came with a bound.
He was covered in ECW, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with oil and soot.
A bundle of chems he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a grantee, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His wisdom immeasurable, his survival stories, scary!
His strong little jaw was drawn up like a bow,
And the thin beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The tools on his belt were warm with great wear
And they sounded like music as he walked here and there
He had a warm face and hardly a belly,
Thanks to Insanity, it resembled not jelly!
His wisdom immeasurable, his survival stories, scary!
His strong little jaw was drawn up like a bow,
And the thin beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The tools on his belt were warm with great wear
And they sounded like music as he walked here and there
He had a warm face and hardly a belly,
Thanks to Insanity, it resembled not jelly!
He strolled through the lab in a deliberate stride
Regaling us with travel stories, but with the absence of pride
A quick joke and an allegory just for Supply,
Then was off to the aquarium to save a mawsonii
He was humming and smiling, a right jolly UT,
And I laughed when I saw him, overflowing with glee!
A chia seed gift and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke in an accent, but went straight to his work,
Replacing the air filters, he turned with a jerk.
Adjusting a freezer he warmed up his nose
And giving a nod, out the fume hood he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to the lab staff gave advice,
And away they all slid like a penguin on the sea-ice.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove into the weather,
"Happy Christmas to all, I’ve never been better!"
And giving a nod, out the fume hood he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to the lab staff gave advice,
And away they all slid like a penguin on the sea-ice.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove into the weather,
"Happy Christmas to all, I’ve never been better!"
No comments:
Post a Comment