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The Countdown

Official Departure Date: October 21, 2011

Just a little teaser of more to come. This is a photograph of a group of Adelie penguins hanging out in front of Mt. Erebus, Antarctica.

A glace at my internship via notable dates.

  • Received my first email from USAP (United States Antarctic Program)with my Medical and Dental check list and USAP Participant Guide:
    June 1
  • Got my wisdom teeth removed so that I could pass my dental:
    July 1

*Note: I spent most of June in and out of Doctors appointments.

  • Officially started work and moved into Hatfield Marine Science Center housing:
    July 5
  • First met Jo and Allyson when they flew from Alaska and Colorado respectively, to work out details of the project in person with Markus:
    July 25

*Jo is the head PI (Principle Investigator) on the project and Allyson is a post-doctorate researcher who was/is integral in the proposal process and project as a whole.

  • Sent in my Medical Packet after being scolded by Jo and Allyson:
    First week of August
  • Offiicially knew I was going to the Antarctic and was designated PQ (Physically Qualified):
    August 12
  • Received my first Travel Documents and USAP luggage tags:
    August 14

  • Sent out our first shipment of gear to Antarctica:
    August 26
  • Sent in my Travel Packet:
    ~August 31
  • Received my B470 Team hat:
    September 21

 

In the lab with my new team hat and grant provided fleece

 


 

 

b470 is the Antarctic assigned name for our team. When communicating with McMurdo, it is our identification. In the Antarctic, it can be more important than my own name.

  • Received my travel itinerary:
    September 22
     

    • October 21, 2011: Official Departure Date
      Portland, OR – LA, CA – A      uckland,  NZ – Christ Church, NZ
    • 3 Days in Christchurch, New Zealand
      October 24: Appointment to pick up veterinary supplies with a local veterinarian
      October 25: ECW (Extreme Cold Weather) gear issue – This is when I will get my “intense” gear, like my parka which is commonly referred to as “Big Red”
    • October 26: Ice Flight (the flight to Antarctica)
  • Sent out our second shipment of gear to Antarctica:
    September 23
  • My desk reflected how my brain feels… A jumble of scattered papers and illegibly scribbled notes:
    October 10
  • Bought what is hopefully the last of my “last minute gear purchases” at REI.com:
    October 11
  • I received my work laptop for use of Photomodeler in the Antarctic:
    October 11
  • Finally received my travel insurance card from OSU (just in case I have to be evacuated to a medical hospital…):
    October 12
  • Received my OR “Ninjaclava” and Julbo glacier glasses for the Antarctic:
    October 12

This is the package my gear came in from Moosejaw.com. This sticker made me giggle. I found it especially humorous because I had to pick it up in the mail room, where all  mail sent to HMSC is picked up. As in, one location where everyone can see your mail. Your mail with a giant <3 MOM sticker on it.

  • The number of days until I fly out of the U.S. and into New Zealand…
    8

  • The day I officially lost my mind……
    undetermined

~ by monninm on October 13, 2011 .



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