The Next Leg

As I sit here in Los Angeles waiting for my flight to Auckland I am looking forward to many adventures! We had some training today and they spoke of some potential things we can experience. The clocks that are posted on the wall at Raytheon made me think of these possibilities...

We may or may not be able to do things such as visit the South Pole, go to field camps, tour the research vessels, etc. I am stoked! I just hope my camera survives the cold! They also told us about the rules, well laws actually, about photographing and interacting with the penguins. With some creative thinking I'll hopefully have some really neat pics.
On the flight from Denver we flew over the Grand Canyon which was spectacular! I have visited the south rim with my family before and it was breathtaking but the over head view was even better! I sat next to a guy that is a firefighter. He grew up in Utica, NY and now lives in Colorado but we had some serious discussions about the fact that I didn't bring my own Vermont Maple Syrup! He had done some bike trips through New England and we compared notes on the cute small towns and Vermont facts. I also met an electrician from southern Vermont who is a repeater as well. Again comparing stories and places we knew and frequented.
Well, I need to walk a bit before the 13+ hour flight. Next stop, New Zealand. I will be sure to take pics of the extreme cold weather gear issue! My internet access may be limited until I get on the Ice as there is still significant destruction from the earthquakes that have continued to plague the area. I'll post when I can.

Welcome to Denver!

Monday was travel day, once I got to the hotel I spend some time relaxing before having dinner and heading to bed. Tuesday was the first day of orientation. It included getting a flu shot, needles aren’t exactly my thing but I did very well! I also got travel money!!! The rest of the day was spent doing ServSafe training and some quick paperwork. Today was information overload day. It started with a welcome speech that was not so helpful since it was our second day, plus the guy that was giving it was taking pity on all the returning staff and skimmed over so much that we had no idea what was going on. We then moved on to a session of just NANA Services employees which is all the chefs, dinning attendants, and janitors. We got a good idea of what NANA is all about and then did our paperwork to get refunded for our medical, dental, eyewear, safety shoes, baggage fees, etc. It was then lunch time. After lunch we had a gap in our schedule because the supervisors were meeting. We then had a very helpful meeting about traveling, our flights, the baggage, our time in New Zealand, and our ice flight. Raytheon has really helped us prepare incase of a natural disaster like the earthquakes in both South America and New Zealand. We were also issued our luggage tags!! So cute!

I also had my computer checked over by the IT people and it passed inspection. I have been getting to know the other kitchen people and it looks like we are shaping up to have a great group. I’m going to go hang out with them by the pool then we are headed out to dinner.

What exactly does one pack for Antarctica?

I've had many people ask me what I'm bringing with me on this adventure. I have gone by the packing list that I was given and probably over packed. How does one fit their whole life in two suitcases? It's basically how I've been living for the past 3 years but this is by far the coldest adventure so lots more sweaters than bathing suits.

My bags

The packing list given to all Raytheon Polar Service Company employees like myself is as follows...

Boots or shoes; work, climbing, hiking, insulated as needed

Glasses; eye and sun, extra pair, record of prescription

Gym clothes and shoes for athletics

Holiday attire

Jacket; pile and windbreaker

Neck gaiter

Pajamas/robe

Pants/jeans

Shirts; light wool or cotton

flannel, long-sleeve (machine washable)

Slippers for indoor  wear

Sock liners; polypropylene or Thermax

Socks; heavy

Sweaters; heavy and light

Swimsuit (for sauna)

Towel and washcloth

Underwear, thermal top/bottom

Underwear, regular

Flip flops for shower

Alarm clock

Batteries, rechargeable/charger

Camera/camera batteries

Coffee mug (nonbreakable)

Day pack

Hair dryer

Hobby, craft items (small)

Laundry bag

Lock, combination or key

MP3 player/extra headphones/

AC adaptor

Musical instrument/spare parts

Prescription medications

Sewing kit

Skis; skate/cross country

Plastic food containers with lids

Toiletry articles; toothpaste,

dental floss, comb, razor,

shave cream, deodorant, soap

and skin lotion for dry skin,

tampons, a carrying case

Vitamins

Water bottle

Ziplock® bags

 
You might say a jacket isn't going to keep me warm in these harsh conditions...
I will be issued extreme cold weather gear when I arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand and orange bags to put my things in as well. The ECW gear is loaned to every employee for our stint on the Ice. Pictures of course as soon as I can!
Now, how much of things do I really need was my next question. We are talking 6 months here! There may not be a Wal-mart or CVS on the continent but I can get things via mail. As well, we have to bring out everything we bring in so empty bottles of shampoo, vitamins, etc. So its recommend to placing things in reusable containers like ziplock bags or food containers. Lots of planning here!
I wish I had thought to take a picture of all of my clothes laid out on my bed and my mom's as I was packing and debating on what to take and what not to.
So I am all packed. Hopefully I've got it all.
I was asked today if I'm nervous. Honestly, it hasn't really hit me yet. I've planned and prepared for another adventure. I'm more excited to actually be there. I want all the flights to go by quickly, as I'm not looking forward to sitting for ~12,000 miles! The circumference of the earth at the equator is 24,902 mi... ok half way around the world here I come!!

Following me just got easier

and I don't mean literally(sorry Dad, no visitors allowed at McMurdo!).

I have changed some formatting here and added two ways to follow the blog.
I hope these work for you depending on your preferred method.

See the menu on the left side to sign up. 

You're going WHERE?!? You may or may not have heard right!

I have had many people ask me about my next adventure and I'm not sure if people are just confused or don't fully hear what I'm saying. To clarify, I'm going to Antarctica. That's the continent where the South Pole is. It still puzzles me that people think I'm going to the North Pole which actually has no land, it's all ice. Or strangely enough, Alaska, which is one of the 50 United States. Please don't be confused! :-)
A little bit about Antarctica for you...

• Antarctica is the highest, driest, windiest, emptiest, coldest place on earth. 
• Eskimos and polar bears are found in the ARCTIC, not the Antarctic.
• There are lots of penguins, whales, seals, krill (the main food for whales), and even fish in Antarctica's waters, but there are no land mammals and, as far as scientists know, no native peoples. 
• The mean annual temperature at the South Pole is minus 56 degrees F. During the Austral Summer, temperatures at McMurdo base(where I will be!), on the Ross Sea, may get as high as 40 degrees F, while at the South Pole, at the Amundsen- Scott station, temperatures may reach 0 degrees F.
• The seasons in Antarctica are the opposite of the seasons in the Northern hemisphere--summer is October through February. Winter is March through September.
• The continent is roughly 14 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles). The USA is only 9.36 million square kilometers (3.6 million square miles).

What exactly will I be doing there you ask?
I will be a support person at Mc Murdo Station. Mc Murdo is one of 3 US owned stations on the continent and the National Science Foundation sponsors scientists to work there.

What the heck are these scientists doing or studying?
Scientists work on all kinds of unique projects in Antarctica, including penguins, Antarctic cod (they have a special antifreeze agent in their blood!), whales, seals, global warming, climatology, meteorites, glaciology, astronomy, volcanoes, UV radiation, and more. Scientists also study humans in Antarctica, doing research on how the human body adapts to cold and how the human mind and heart react to extreme isolation.

So where on the continent will you be?

If you look at the lines that form a plus sign (+) follow the vertical line down from the middle and you will see Mc Murdo (USA) at the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf and Ross Sea.
I will be flying from New Zealand. My total journey will include 6 flights: Burlington, VT to Philadelphia, PA to Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA to Auckland, New Zealand to Christchurch, New Zealand to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The mileage I've roughly calculated is 12,324 miles.

I have expressed to many that I have a dream of living on every continent and this is my next step toward that goal. Where else have I lived you may ask? First, born and raised in North America, in college I lived in Australia, and I lived in Germany while working as a civilian contractor for the Army. So continent number 4 here I come!

I am still trying to figure out what to pack. I will be issued over 20 pounds of extreme cold weather gear in New Zealand as well as my work uniforms of blue polo shirts and black pants. My job is a dining attendant which means I help prep, serve, and clean up the meals in the cafeteria. I will work six 10 hour days a week. I leave on Monday for Denver where I will spend a few days doing training and will continue on from there.

If you have questions please feel free to ask. I'll try to answer them as best I can.

The Next Chapter!

So much to catch up on!

I had an amazing summer aboard the Schooner Conch Pearl sailing the waters of the Florida Keys. Capts Holley and Denny made my life easier and my belly happy! Thanks again for all the snacks and listening to me rant. And a special thanks to my "boyfriend" Hermes for spending quality time with me lounging on the deck.

After the last group left my mom arrived and I got to spend two nights on the Pearl before we headed north. We had planned to take the Amtrak car train but due to Hurricane Irene the train was canceled so we ended up just driving... and driving more. We had to alter our route to avoid the damaging path that Irene had taken. Due to the storm my dad was stuck in Chicago and was able to get a flight into Albany. We picked him up and did some rearranging and made it to Vermont.

I got my own storage unit and got myself arranged there. Dive gear maintenance completed.

My next adventure was driving with my mom and aunt to Madison, WI to watch my brother do an Ironman Triathlon. Two long days later we arrived. Saturday we spent shopping and enjoying the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Sunday was race day. This was a long day for us spectators but even longer for Ben. I think he was up at about 3 am after we got back from dinner at about 10 pm the night before. Then he did a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and finally a marathon, 26.2 mile run. 13 hours and 2 minutes later Ben crossed the finish line. We packed things up so we could drive back the next morning. Monday night we spent in London, Ontario and then on to Niagara Falls where we rode on the Maid of the Mist. We returned to Vermont on Wednesday and I headed off for two nights of babysitting. 

Now I have time to pack and get my things together for my next adventure... Antarctica. I have my tickets booked and training arranged in Colorado. I will be posting here about my Antarctic adventures. Check back to read on!