Prom: McMurdo Style

Tara, Me, Taryn, Brandon, Jim, Audrey- YEAH SHUTTLES!!

Tara- she's an angel fish, Lisa- my AWESOME roomie, Jim- I don't even know what to say about that outfit- Wow, and myself in the photo booth

Audrey and I in the photo to the bottom. Me, Taryn, Jim, Audrey to the top.

Tara and me with the "Ugly Sweater Crew" (Brandon, Stevo, and Tom)

This past weekend was the Prom here at McMurdo Station hosted by the BFC (Berg Field Center- they outfit crews who are leaving to work at field locations with all their survival gear.) The theme was "Under the Sea" and I think it's quite possible I had just as much, if not more, fun at this prom than in high school! My dress is courtesy of Lisa G. Designs- aka my awesome roommate who made my dress for me- and yes, I am wrapped in hot pink bubble wrap and tape. That was entirely her idea- and I have to say- BRAVO! I received so many compliments, and several people took pictures of me in it. It was a little warm and I couldn't breathe for the first while til it loosened up a bit, but those are things I believe accompany any high fashion outfit. :)

There was a photo booth, as you can see from many of the pictures above, and there was a lot of dancing, great outfits, and great music. And some more firsts down: first time to a BFC party, first time at the McMurdo Prom, and first time in a bubble wrap dress! So much fun!!

10 Reasons Why I Love My Job

1. It's like being with extended family all the time.


2. The smiles never stop.


3. We can turn the worst equipment in to a great photo op prop.

4. Girlfriends are always good to have around.

5. Male bonding on a whole new level.

6. Teamwork doesn't seem work!!

7. This ain't my first rodeo cowboy!

8. This doesn't just happen on Halloween.

9. When things get serious, we send in this guy.

10. Well, what more is there to say?

Observation Hill

Cross at the top with a view of the Ice shelf and Royal Societies (Transantarctic Mountains)


Mt. Erebus in the background


Jim and I at the cross

View of Erebus and Castle Rock

View out over the ice shelf, McMurdo to the bottom right

It's my season of "firsts" this year and I'm loving every minute of it. It seems that no matter how many times one comes to the Ice, there's always more to see and do. My friends are getting me out for some of them, and on this past Sunday I hiked Ob Hill with my good friend Jim for the first time. We had a beautiful day, even though it was a little windy, but clear skies as far as the eye could see. The view was awesome, and it's so nice to take a moment to remind myself of what an amazing place I'm at and how lucky I am to be here. Pictures of the view and being on top. The cross is a historic monument erected in January 1913 to commemorate Captain Scott and his party who died on their return journey from the South Pole in march of 1912.

Observation Hill is right on the edge of McMurdo, and it's a steep climb to the top. Coming back down was fun, there's still some snow on the hill, so it was easier to sit and slide for portions of it rather than trying to walk.

Thanks Jim for getting me out to do this!!!

7 Random Facts About Me

I was tagged by my friend Britta, and here's my list of 7 random or wierd facts about me:

1. When I was really young, I used to have frightmares, which means my body would wake up, but my mind wouldn't. So I would sit straight up in bed screaming from a nightmare with my eyes open, and if you walked towards me I would panic because I was "seeing" my nightmare come towards me. My mom thought about calling in an exorcist, but I grew out of this eventually.

2. In September 2004, I was bit by a black widow 4 times. I went to the emergency room for antibiotic shots, and they gave me pain killers as well. I don't like taking precsription meds very much, so only took half a pill and made it through in pretty good shape. My doctor said I must have a very strong immune system.

3. I can draw the floorplan for every house I've ever lived in (which is impressive since I've never been in one longer than 2 years), and also have a very good memory of most of my dentist's offices as well.

4. I've been to the South Pole- twice.

5. I have licenses in both Tai Chi and Hatha Yoga.

6. I figure skated for a couple years when I was younger.

7. Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year. Getting dressed up in a costume is so fun!!!

I just got in to this blogging thing, so I don't have that many people to tag. So Kristin, Rachel, Massie and Chelsea, Brooke, Andrea, Ron, and Mom- get on it!!

Halloween

Kaska and I.

How many can we fit inside this shower from the movie Karate kid?? 6 so far...

Me, Kaska, Jim

yes all these people fit in my dorm room for the pre-party...



Brandon in his creepy Oompa Loompa costume....

One of my favorite holidays of the year!! The Halloween party is always a big event here and some of the costumes that people come up with are really creative. I employ my favorite aunt- Nancy- in to slave labor for about a week before I come to the Ice- it's always last minute- some kind of wierd tradition we have- and she makes my costume for me. :) She is amazing at a sewing machine- and this year held up to the expectations. Here I am as Zorro... and my "date" for the evening was Kaska. It ended up as more of a group date with a bunch of us girls, and we had a great time! I wish there were more holidays/events that required costumes, though down here, it seems like any party is a reason to get dressed up in something fun! I think I'll have to find my elf costume for Christmas time...