My Journey Thus Far

I arrived in ChristChurch, New Zealand yesterday around noon local time. Prior to that I spent three days in Denver doing OSHA training and orientation. The training wasn't really all that bad, and it was really nice to meet all of my fuels crew. They seem like a fun and lively bunch. I'm really looking foward to the season on the Ice with these guys. I'll be going over to the CDC today at one to get my ECW (Extreme Cold Weather) gear, and from there will be exploring the city of ChristChurch. I was scheduled to leave for the Ice tomorow morning, but because of snowstorms in McMurdo I won't be leaving till thursday at the very earliest, and I wouldn't be surprised if I got delayed further.

Predictions

I'm going to go ahead and say that I really don't know what to expect, but from gleaning various Antarctic blogs, websites, books and a few Ice People I know (including my aunt), I hear that McMurdo is just like a small college campus. There's the dorms, the cafeteria, the rec center, the weight room, the coffee house, the bar (if you're a wet campus like C of I), the parties, the gossip, and the copious amounts of licentious sexcapades and binge drinking. Just like college, should be a nice transition for me since I'm a recent college grad and am used to the lifestyle (albeit trying to show restraint with the last three).

I predict Antarctica will be stark and beautiful; the landscape harsh and unapologetic, completely comfortable being the most environmentally hospitable place on earth yet drawing humans to explore its wonders. I predict that it will be unbearably cold, then eternal daylight, then unbearably cold again. I predict that I will work hard, break my back, heal my back, tell myself that labor is character-building and that I'm in the pursuit of science, and bond with my crew. I don't predict that I will "have a great experience and make lifelong friends" because I'd never consciously write something that cliche. There will be stories galore, I hope-- not necessarily all good or all funny, because that's not what life is. I am a memory collector, an experience hoarder, and a skill-seeker. I want those things, and I hope I can draw them out of this cold harsh land.

Gathering of the Fuelies

A word from Alex Morris, head of Fuels and Josh's boss: Greetings one and all. the time draws nigh to a gathering of all Summer 09-10 Fuelies. Just as a quick reminder, all of you should have tickets or be in process of getting ticketed. If not, please call me ASAP! You will be arriving in Denver on Sept. 23^rd for DJ’s 40^th birthday training and deployment. OSHA training will occur the morning of the 24^th at 7:30am. Shuttles will be provided by the hotel and Raytheon. After we all go through LOCK OUT/TAG OUT training, we’ll shuttle back to the hotel for Fuelie Training. The 25^th is another full day of training (ethics, Raytheon’s tactical assault systems, IT INFOSEC completion for those you who haven’t done it yet), and a heap of other stuff. Training on the 24^th and 25th ends at 5:00pm. (There are a few businesses close to the hotel that offer food and beverage service if there is anyone interested in such.) We all return on the 26^th for another morning of fun in the saddle and then we all get on busses and head to DIA for the commencement of our Antarctic adventure! Whooo hoooo! It is this last point that I wish to specifically address. Below is word from the head of the Deployment Specialist Group (DSG) concerning the increase in weight allowances when flying to McMurdo. It has gone from 75 to 150lbs. The international weight limit still remains 140lbs, but if you have a lead ballon collection that you’ve always wanted to bring to McMurdo, this is the year to do it. see you folks soon! alex 720-568-2266

Antarctica Gear!

Just bought a SmartWool crew top! Anti-microbial so it doesn't stink (as bad). Need to get a couple more of those, but I've got a start. Sticking with the SmartWool theme, I bought myself a pair of SmartWool pants to wear under my carhartt's, coveralls, etc.

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Also bought a couple pairs of mountaineering socks from Cabela's,
And last but not least, my big splurge: a GoLite women's softshell jacket.

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One of the things that Antarcticans consistently report regretting not bringing down is their own cold gear (NSF issues you some, but it's, well, borrowed goods.) Almost outfitted; good thing I won't be able to spend my paychecks b/c this gear is costing me a pretty penny.

Three Weeks to Deployment

I got my deployment itinnerary a few days ago and will be leaving on Sept. 23 for the Ice. I know that three weeks is going to fly by. It's hard to believe that it will actually be happening. I sometimes have to stop and consider how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. At 19, and with only two years of college credits, I'm very lucky to be going down to the work on the ice.

We're Physically Qualified!

After running back and forth to Boise nearly every weekend this summer, numerous doctor visits, dentist visits, failed faxes, mailed x-rays, and phone calls back and forth to HR for paperwork, Raytheon informed us that we are "Physically Qualified to deploy to McMurdo Station." I thought this day would never come!

Our First Piece of Antarctica Gear!

Today Josh and I found a steal on backcountry.com in their luggage sale section. On sale for half the MSRP, we bought two Patagonia Black Hole duffel bags, each holding 90L of stuff (hence the name "black hole"). It always feels weird to make big purchases online, but the shipping was free and backcountry always has great stuff. It also feels weird to buy the same bag in the same color as my boyfriend which makes me feel like I'm part of this weird cookie cutter couple thing, but whatever, black was the only color in stock. They should be delivered to my Boise house by Tuesday. Then, the packing tests begin!

USAP email: "recent changes"

(edited for length) This e-mail is being sent to all RPSC and NANA employees and alternates deploying to McMurdo and South Pole. SYDNEY You will deploy through Sydney this season instead of Auckland. This is lame for us because it puts our arrival in Christchurch at a much later time, and eats up our free days before heading to the Ice.

• Participants with non-U.S. passports must obtain a transit visa before deploying. Apply online at www.australianvisaonline.com/#australia_transit_visa; there is no charge. If in doubt, contact an Australian Embassy or Consulate.
• Wait until Sydney or Christchurch to purchase duty-free liquids, aerosols or gels (LAGs). LAGs purchased at LAX will be confiscated in Australia. Non-LAG purchases are allowable. Really?! But I wanted to buy my allowable 2 handles of premium Scotch! ;)
• Leaving the terminal is in violation of Australian law. This won't affect us much, as our layover will only be a few hours anyway, not long enough to get out of the airport to see anything.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES The NSF increased the baggage allowance on Mainbody flights between Christchurch and Antarctica. This is the combined checked weight of your ECW gear and personal luggage. (Save room for about 5 pounds of ECW gear.) Carry-on allowance is the same as for commercial flights, that is, it must fit inside the test box. Most airlines charge for one or more bags or for bags over 50 lbs (22 kg). Please check your airline’s website for estimated costs and be prepared to pay at the counter. You will be reimbursed for commercial baggage fees from your home to Denver as long as you follow the guidelines below and submit all receipts. (You can do that at Orientation.) RPSC covers baggage costs from Denver to Christchurch as long as you follow the guidelines below.

• • Commercial flights (Home-Denver-Christchurch):
  – up to 2 bags, no more than 70 lbs (32 kg) each, plus carry-on
  • Ice flight (Christchurch-McMurdo):
  – up to 150 lbs (68 kg) of checked luggage, each bag no more than 70 lbs (32 kg), plus carry-on

CURRENCY EXCHANGE Travelex offices at the Auckland airport and in downtown Christchurch (Cathedral Square and Colombo/Armagh Streets) are the only offices that waive currency exchange fees for USAP participants. Present the USAP Travelex letter in your travel folder and your passport. This is pretty neat, considering usually you get screwed as a foreigner with currency exchange. Luckily, as of today the US dollar was worth about 1.48 New Zealand dollars, so I'll have a little more cash with which to purchase schwag and souvenirs. Thank you, Deployment Specialists Group Raytheon Polar Services Company 7400 S. Tucson Way Centennial, CO 80112-3938 1-800-688-8606 prompt 2 303-790-8606 prompt 2 deploy@usap.gov

Wisdom Teeth (Josh's this time)

Yesterday I (Josh) had my wisdom teeth removed at about 8:30 am. The surgery went really well, better than I expected in fact. Fortunately the surgeon who did the extraction was the same dentist that I've been seeing since I was a little kid, so felt pretty comfortable going in. After I got home and my face started to regain feeling, I had quite a bit of pain in my jaw, but the miracles of hydrocodone quickly got rid of that. Today it hardly hurts at all, but I'm still having trouble eating anything but liquid food. I just gummed down a bit of cheese, and although difficult, it didn't hurt at all, so I may try making myself some real food tonight.

My teeth hurt like a biiiiiiiiiiiiitch

I'm popping hydrocodone like Dr. House after he had a fight with Cuddy and some kid took his cane. Well not really, but that's what I feel like. Last night all I dreamed about was all of my current posessions being put in my second grade classroom at Garfield Elementary, and looking for my hydrocodone prescription. It was weird, becuase yesterday I was getting by with just Ibuprofen, but last night I felt like my jaws were in a vice.