I'm going to help with research in Antarctica. Saying those words out loud seems very surreal. After my interview, I had convinced myself that I wasn't going to be accepted to PolarTREC, probably because I didn't wan to get my hopes up only to be rejected. I was elated, excited, flattered and even a bit relieved upon hearing I'd been accepted. Although behind my feelings of incredible gratitude and eagerness was the daunting enormity of everything; the sheer amount of everything I didn't know and was unprepared for and how distant (both spatially and temporally) this adventure, and the more everything that goes with it, seemed to be. At first, with all my uncertainty, I was even hesitant to tell anyone beyond family and my supervisors. While quite excited for all the new experiences and opportunities, an Antarctic Research expedition seemed so intangible. I wasn't even sure if I was prepared for training--the thing that's supposed to get me prepared.
Orientation and Training are in Fairbanks, Alaska. That seemed very appropriate to me as, when I had checked the weather upon my acceptance, it was about as cold in Fairbanks as it was in Antarctica. But what was I supposed to do to get ready for Fairbanks? Living in LA, the coldest I'd ever been was during a sunny ski weekend in Mammoth. The forecasted temperature for my arrival in Fairbanks, -30F, sounded to me like a temperature that only the heartiest polar animals could survive. If I wasn't even prepared for Fairbanks, what was I going to do about Antarctica?
Needless to say, I survived the trip to Alaska and the temperature change (more on that later). And after one day of training, I already feel as though this program has been so beneficial, even with my expedition still a year away. Its not very often I get to work with and learn from such a diverse group of people who all have the same passion for science education. The staff is so knowledgeable and supportive my questions are answered and my concerns addressed almost as soon as they form in my mind. I'm greatly enjoying the process of learning and building my knowledge and confidence for the adventure ahead (both the expedition and everything that comes after that). I know I will be thoroughly prepared and supported (I don't think the staff wil let me not be prepared). The intangible "everything" is being neatly broken down into goals and ideas that are becoming more and more real. And I'm ready to share with everyone: I'm going to Antarctica.
Questions
What's the coldest weather you've ever been in?