Monday November 28, 2011

Well, while today was still a lab day, Sandwich and I managed to get out on some snowmobiles to clean up our fish hut before they pull it off of the sea ice this week. The weather (and the ice) has been getting warmer every day and soon it will be unsafe to even travel on the sea ice.

Here is Sandwich and Alicia (a "townie" we brought out with us to help clean up).

Sandwich collecting some bamboo flags with the Royal Society Mountain Range in the background.

Oh McMurdo, how we love thee!

The famous "Fish Hut 6" with our snowmobile and the sled that I hauled in the foreground.

Here are a couple of panoramic photos of McMurdo. The first is only of McMurdo. The second also has a snowmobile and "Fish Hut 6."

Once I get the pictures from Sandwich of me on my snowmobile, I will post those as well. What a fantastic day, once again!

Sunday November 27, 2011

Happy Birthday Jacqui! Well, it was your birthday here in Antarctica a day before it was your birthday back home, but I wanted to say it anyway :)

I didn't do much of anything on Sunday. The internet was having a scheduled maintenance during most of the day which also inhibited off-continent calls. I watched a few movies and relaxed for most of the day. I am expecting another massive week full of experiments and excitement. However, since I again don't have any pictures from today, here is a video of the guys in turkey costumes from Saturday's Turkey Trot. Also, a few more pictures from the Turkey Trot.

Here is the start of the race, the guys in the turkey costumes started the race.

And here I am just before I crossed the finish line!

Saturday November 26, 2011

Saturday was the day that we celebrated Thanksgiving here on station. I started my Thanksgiving out by participating in the Turkey Trot 5k. There were free pre-race massages to anyone who wanted them. I figured I might as well take one. I found it to be more ticklish than anything else!

Here I am, hanging out with Nick (1st picture) and Darren (2nd picture) before the race.

Here are all the people getting ready for the run.

Then, three guys dressed up like turkeys came running through the group!

Darren and I trying to stay warm before the run. Also, there is a gorilla behind me, because why wouldn't there be? If you look closely, you can see that I had to run in my hiking boots. It hurt a ton by the end!

Me during the run. It did not feel nice since the first half to the New Zealand Base sign was uphill!

Welcome to McMurdo! I had just made my u-turn at the Scott Base sign and got to see this sign!

After the run, I helped Condition Fun setup for their final show. Then I got dressed up into the best clothes that I could find at gear issue. At least I didn't go as Cinderella again!

And here was the Thanksgiving spread! Just look at the Galley! And at all that amazing food on my tray! There were even cranberries, but nothing can top my Grandma's cranberry recipe! Also, I think this may have been my first Thanksgiving where I got a drumstick. Normally, I would have to battle my uncle Jeff for one of those ;)

The guys dressed as turkeys made an appearance at dinner as well.

Here is the whole group (except for me) at our "extended family table."

After the meal, we all settled in to hear Condition Fun play their final show. It was so amazing. So much fun. Several new songs, guest performers and individual musical and non-musical performances made the show that much better!

It was such an amazing day! After the show, we all got a group picture with all of the band. What a great way to end such an incredible day.

Friday November 25, 2011

Well, today was yet another lab day. However, there were many other fun thing that also happened on Friday that had nothing to do with my lab work! Before I get to that, I wanted to show a picture of my friend Lydia working hard at the microscope in the cold room. I have to dissect my fish in the -2 degree room, but she has to sit in there for hours on end looking at sea urchin larvae. Yet she is still smiling!

Later that night, I went to Condition Fun's last band practice. I got my Condition Fun t-shirt signed by all the members of the band! I'm such a nerdy groupie!

After their practice, I took some pictures of them all standing in front of or on a Pickle. A Pickle is one of the vehicles that is used here in McMurdo. It is a small, 4-wheel drive forklift. One of the songs that Condition Fun sings is called, "In A Pickle." It is about driving a Pickle all day long. That is what my shirt is referencing. Here they are with a Pickle.

After their practice, Isaac and Sandwich came back to our room and practiced a bit more. They also wrote a new song that night!

After that, we all went to the pub and played darts and listened to/participated in Karaoke. Here is Lydia showing off her first bullseye of the night.

My first bullseye was not far behind.

The game was all tied up. We both needed two bullseyes to win.

Lydia had the greatest round of the game to win it all. Here she is celebrating!

And here is what her winning round looked like.

A proud, yet humble champion.

After darts, we decided to participate in some Karakoe. I don't have pictures of me singing, but here is one of Darren and Lydia singing "500 miles." It was a great day.