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Today was an extremely busy one but it also was an absolutely wonderful one. It started first thing when Stacy announced during the 7:30am team meeting that Scott and I would get our first opportunity to dive tend on the ice. I was excited and a little apprehensive. I know that this is serious

I woke up today and I felt like I hadn't slept in a week. "Happy Camper training was definitely a workout.Today I get to learn how to drive some of the vehicles in McMurdo Station. There are a lot of different ways that you can travel. There are trucks and vans. These require you to put a chock

I can now say that I slept outside in the snow and I mean that literally. That's right - I slept in a snow trench. Now you may think I am crazy and you might be right. What type of person willingly sleeps outside in freezing weather? Actually it was -16 ⁰C which is 3⁰ F. What makes it even stranger

Today I began "Happy Camper" training. Now, you may be wondering just what this is and to be honest, so was I. This is a two day training that will prepare you to survive in case you get stuck outside in Antarctica. The chances of this are much greater than you might think. If we go on a day trip

This puppy's got some "guts"! The flotation pieces, which are the orange outer shells you saw in the earlier pictures have been removed in order to get to the robot's innards. The batteries that Maciej charged up a few weeks ago were added to the robot and all the electrical and control connections

My first Monday in McMurdo started early. I was up at 5:30am and off to breakfast by 6:00am. We had our team meeting at 7:30am. My main responsibilities today were to complete some additional training and try to catch-up on my journals. The training this morning was about the environment in

Two big events today! One: ScubaDooba Doo, which is the robot 8th graders at Rye Junior High built performed flawlessly on its first Antarctic adventure! I am so proud of all the students that worked so hard to make it work - CONGRATUATIONS! Your robot swims, maneuvers, sends video out, and has a

On November 11 and November 12, 2008 I completed mandatory Snow School, also known as "Happy Camper School". This course is a requirement for anyone leaving McMurdo proper for a field camp at any time during their stay in Antarctica. The two day course covers camping, safety and survival skills in

What a day! For years I have been waiting for this day. My friend Jean Pennycook, who works with the Adelie Penguin project (you met her in an earlier journal when I got to sort through penguin poop!) took me to the Cape Royds Adelie penguin colony. What a site! Those little creatures were busy

Sunday is the only day that the team doesn't work. Dr. Stacy Kim has a reputation for working her people hard (12-16 hours a day for 6 days a week). However, she also has a reputation for taking excellent care of her people.Today Stacy took the entire team on a field trip. We all met at the lab at 9