have an ICE day

Friday, October 12, 2007

Back for a Week and a Half

I can't believe it has taken me this long to sit down and properly update my weblog. I apologize to those who have been waiting. Good news... my luggage did arrive. However, this season I decided to mail myself most of my clothes and package mail has NOT arrived. We've had a plane break down and bad weather, and package mail just keeps getting bumped off the flights. I guess fresh fruit and airplane engines are more important... whatever.

I flew into McMurdo last Tuesday and started work the very next day. It was a crazy week of learning where everything was and who to talk to for each thing and how to work the DOS door program, but I'm finally settling in at the office. I share a nice big office with an INCREDIBLE view with two OAE's. We love our acronyms in Antarctica, and OAE (Old Antarctic Explorer) is a term we use for people who have worked multiple seasons. I think it's in reference to those guys who came down here over a hundred years ago in their fur boots riding horses. Despite their 16 or 17 seasons on the Ice, Karen and Jesse have been really welcoming to me. Although Jesse still just grunts when I greet him with "Good morning!" as he walks in the office in the morning.

The job itself is great! I'm the Administrative Coordinator for the Crary Lab, which is labeled Building #1 for a reason (at least that's what my co-workers say). It is rumored that our building was one of the most expensive buildings on the planet to build due to our isolation and all of the expensive instruments inside. I spend my days updating our incoming and outgoing flight bulletin boards, scheduling and advertising the two weekly science lectures, and programming key cards for the grantees to get into the building and their labs. There are tons of other little tasks I pick up along the way, making my day just fly by!! I forget to take breaks (or get so busy I don't have time), and I don't mind at all.

It's good to be back. Before I had even arrived in Antarctica for the first time last year, I knew I wanted to do two seasons. I wanted to know what it felt like to come back and know the place like a home. Just before I left home, I started evaluating whether or not it is worth missing so much back home to be here. The thought never crossed my mind last year, and for good reason... it was my first year. I did make the right decision this time. Being here is the best place for me right now. I'm sure next year, the decision will be even more difficult.

Last night I was invited to Scott Base (where the New Zealanders live) for dinner (it's invite only). Helen, my old roommate from last season, spent her winter on the Ice cooking and cleaning for the 20 people who stayed on, and last night was her last dinner on the Ice. We curled up by the new fireplace and had a glass of wine before dinner, shared a great meal, and then hung out in her and Blake's room for a bit before we visited with everyone at the Scott Base bar. Blake and Helen gave me a ride home, and the inevitable happened... I started bawling. Helen and I must've hugged about 20 times before she finally got back in the truck.

My new boss Cara at CDC waiting to get all of her luggage weighed.

Getting our boxed lunches for the plane ride

Kim Holland

Adriana

Sharron, a kiwi friend of mine from last season, me, Tony Marchetti (works out at Black Island and we got to know each other on the plane from Denver to LAX), and Adriana (dates my old supervisor from last season)

On the C-17 - cargo in the back behind us

View of ice from the plane ride down

My welcome home notes! Erin and Roxanne were holding the banner on the left that says "Welcome Home, Katie Leum! Get a Real Job - Be a Janitor!" and Carrie had my bed all made with flannel sheets and a cute little sign.