2008 - tuesday 1 january

HAPPY 2008.

Wow I can't believe it's January already.

Station two crew saw the new year in with style - with a high five at midnight then straight to bed! Although my good friend Heath helped me keep up my tradition of a swim at midnight, by accompanying me to a swim in a snowdrift pile.

Start working on those new year's resolutions and goals you made, and remember; "give everything in life and walk away with the world"

ICE STOCK & CHILLI - sunday 30 december

Happy almost New Year's eve. As you may have guessed we seem to celebrate holidays before they actually happen. Thanks Giving was early, Christmas dinner was on the 24th, New Years on the 30th. But alas, it's still a blast.

It's tradition. Every year Antarctica turns on the snow, the residents cook up some chilli, and skewer birds dance to the live outdoor music. Now that's a sentence I didn’t think I’d ever say.

Ice stock is a big outdoor festival held for New Years. A stage is erected and bands play continuously throughout the day. Every department is given a milvan to decorate and cook chilli in. We named ours BACKDRAFTER.

It was chilli heaven. A type to suit even the fussiest of chilli eaters. Vegetarian, venison, mince, chunky to finely chopped. You name it, we had it, and to wash down the chilli, the carpentry guys provided coffee in their SAWBUCKS milvan.

The sounds were incredible. There are some super talented musicians out here. The snow joined in for the festivities and it dumped down on us the entire time. It was awesome. It really added to the whole occasion "authentic antarctica".

What an unforgettable new years. Friends together dressed warmly from tip to toe, bearing smiles and bouncing up and down to the music, as snowflakes drop into their mug of hot chilli.

Perfect.

GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE - thursday 27 december

I watched intently as the official hit the reset button on his stopwatch. My mind travelled back to my days of training, I was outside come rain or shine, will it pay off? I looked around at my competition; I can do this, I thought as I took my socks off. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach.

"Kiwi, are you ready?" I heard, bringing me back to reality. This is it, do or die time.

"go"

I could feel the intense coldness of the snow penetrate through my bare feet. As I rounded the last corner of the building I could hear screams of encouragement as I made my way back inside to the finish line. 11 seconds. "Yeah kiwi"

Welcome to station 2 Olympics.

After completion of the barefoot run around station 2 we moved onto the other events.

DIZZY DARTS - being spun around 3 times then trying to hit the dartboard

TABLE BOULDERING - Starting on top of the table and successfully working your way around and underneath it.

HOLDING YOUR BREATH - well, it's self-explanatory

PAPER BAG LIMBO - Stand on one leg, bend down and pick up the bag with your mouth. It gets shorter and shorter (harder than it sounds)

KIWI COPYING - Who can do the best kiwi impersonation

Needless to say we had a lot of fun! I represented New Zealand well, obtaining a few medals.

SEALS - Christmas eve

I forgot to mention - but this was really cool! Keri and I walked down to Hut point today and discovered 3 seals swimming up through a hole in the ice. Now that makes up for being away for Christmas!

WHITE CHRISTMAS - tuesday 25 december

Merry Christmas!

Yes it's true Santa does visit the south pole! I awoke to view a lovely box of brightly coloured Christmas presents.

The day was a joyous one, starting with a tummy satisfying brunch at the galley. Work was fun. We have such a fantastic crew. The day was relaxed and full of laughter.

It was nice to be able to talk to my family too and feel apart of everything back home.

Ho Ho Ho

(the photo above is outside my friend's room. Incredible. They did really well making a christmas tree which even has presents!) (my friends and I at Christmas dinner)

ONE MORE SLEEP - monday 24 december

Happy Christmas Eve!

Returned to work yesterday on light duties. It's great to be back.

Tonight we have our Christmas dinner, talking to the head chef; duck and beef wellington are on the menu. He said they tried to get a meat order from NZ and the suppliers responded that McMurdo's "one" order would completely drain their entire stock! I guess when you're feeding 1300 mouths that's a lot of tucker!

Nasa released one of its long duration weather balloons yesterday. The balloon itself is 3 football fields in length. They cost millions to make/prepare and they set three off during the summer. These balloons are picked up by the prevailing winds and carried around Antarctica's entirety. I was fortunate enough to be able to have a tour of their facilities. A lot of work has gone into this project, along with a few pennies! I was shown by the experts a tiny glass solar panel, which he stated costs $10,000.
I saw the balloon high in the sky over McTown yesterday - it looked like a planet passing by.

Tonight at 11.15pm, I’m going to a carol service at the resident chapel. I have to work tomorrow but not until 11am.

I'M BROKEN - sunday 16 december to current

I pulled my back out. Apparently I sprained a ligament in my back and my pelvis was out of line causing more pressure.

So I’ve been flat out, not literally, but horizontally. I've been at one with the floor.

I'm starting to feel better now; I’ve been given a brace from my physio to wear when I move around. I get to go back to work tomorrow (light duties) which I’m super happy about. Needless to say I am beyond bored!

Anyways, less negativity and more positively. It snowed yesterday. Real snow. Just like the flakes on Christmas cards. Great timing. I stood outside in total awe. I felt like I was on a movie set and someone was standing above me on a ladder dropping super light fluffy snowflakes, it was incredible.