Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/26/2009 - 13:56

Hi Ms. Diers!

We are enjoying your journal and videos! While we wait for the turkey to roast, we are touring your website. We want to know how many people are with you in Antarctica? What is the most exciting thing so far? Where are your friends from? Have you seen any birds yet? You seem to be so busy---do you get to have any fun? What do you do for recreation? We miss you a lot!

Love, Carolyn, Nate, Simon, Grandma Lucy, Grandpa Bob, Grandma Lynn, and Uncle Matt

Sarah Diers

Hello Oregon!Thanks so much for perusing my journals- I hope you do not get so enthralled that the turkey comes out darker than wanted!How many people are there with me in Antarctica?-In my DOM team right now there are 4 other people, Christine, the Principal Investigator (P.I), Collin and Heidi, grad students, and Mike, a post-doc. Within the next couple weeks we have 3 more people joining our team- Yo and Brigit are also P.I.'s and Chip who works with Yo.     At McMurdo there are around 1000 people. From what I understand for every one scientist there are 5 support staff keeping town running ever so smooth and allowing science to occur.What is the most exciting thing so far?-That has got to be Happy Camper School. Out at Snow Mound City I finally felt like I was in Antarctica. On Sunday I am going out to some Ice Caves, so that may top Happy Camper School pretty soon. From what I have heard the Dry Valleys is a very coveted region to visit, so that most likely is the pinnacle of exciting things at the end of this expedition. Where are my friends from?-Christine and Heidi are from Bozeman, MT. Mike is from Boulder, CO. Collin is from Shaker Heights, OH. I have met people from Seattle, too! It is nice to have someone around to talk hometown stuff with.Have I seen any birds yet?-Only one Skua. They look like huge seagulls and I guess they love to hang around McMurdo to feast off the food garbage that this town generates. I have heard stories of people walking outside with food in their hand and Skuas diving down and grabbing the grub out of their hand!Do I get to have any fun?-I am busy, but everything I am doing is fun! This whole experience has me grinning and laughing all the time. Enjoy the turkey and all the fixin's. Love to all of you.Keep cool, Sarah