Originally written: Feb 16, Saturday
- I got the call on the 8th of February. I was chosen to go to Greenland!*
Starting in September of '07, Rick Jones, a colleague and mentor, mentioned that I needed to start an application to go on a polar expedition. He had gone to Antarctica in '99 as a teacher researcher to help with core drilling and atmospheric sampling at McMurdo and the South Pole.
I got the application material together with much help from my wonderful wife who proof read everything 2, 3 sometimes 4 times. I had convinced myself several times that I wouldn't be a candidate to be a PolarTREC teacher because of age, experience, etc. but decided that the experience I would gain from the process of applying would be invaluable. Much to my astonishment, I received a message from the folks at PolarTREC in early February that I was selected to be in the final pool and would need to visit with the Principal Investigator (Barry Lefer) for a phone interview...and that brings us to today!
- I have slept little since the phone interview and even less when I heard the good news. I lay awake at night thinking, worrying, pondering, and holding back excitement. I was given the choice of spending 3 weeks at Summit Camp, Greenland or 6 weeks and the choice is not an easy one to make. I have never been away from my wife and dog for an extended period and have never been away from "civilization" either. I am leaning toward 6 weeks because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I also want to see what kind of struggles one goes through being away for so long. The longing for home has to bring the simple things I take for granted into perspective. What a great opportunity for personal growth and reflection!*