Come Fly with Me...


Aloha from the 14th floor of the Crowne Plaza in Christchurch, New Zealand.  I am on the down hill slope of my time in isolation before heading back to Antarctica.  I have spent a small portion of my life in isolation these past two years and I have learned a few tricks.

 

  1. Unpack your things-you will be living in that place for a least two weeks. Make it your home.  
  2. Treat yourself- flowers, ice cream, whatever gives you joy
  3. Move around everyday-workout, do dance videos, stretch or do yoga, walks laps in your space, go for strolls in the allotted outdoor space.  
  4. Show yourself grace-you might have a list of things you want to get done in quarantine.   It might not all get done..that is ok. 
  5. Talk to friends and family- reach out to people you haven’t talked to in a while.  You have time to reconnect. 
  6. Sit in silence-we live in a busy world silence is rare
  7. Listen to music or podcasts
  8. Watch Comedy-stand up, sitcoms, movies- your choice  
  9. Sleep
  10. Learn something new-take a class, practice a new skill
  11. Practice Meditation
  12. Journal-when you have this much time with your thoughts it is nice to write them down
  13. There will be good days and bad days but this too shall pass.

The excitement and anticipation of getting back down to Antarctica has finally hit.  This year I will be working in the Fuel Department.  This department is in charge of fueling the planes, moving fuel all around station, making sure all the generators do not run out of fuel and many other things I do not understand…yet.  Working in this department means I will be spending more time outside around station and at the airfield.  I am looking forward to the challenge of learning a new job and seeing other parts of Antarctica. 

This year there will be more people on station-about double than last year but still smaller than a typical season.  The bare minimum happened with operations last year.  This year things are ramping up a bit with more science groups and projects.  I am looking forward to seeing more research being done especially listening to the science lectures that the researchers will present while they are on the ice.  



I know Antarctica exceeded my expectations last year.  I am hoping to create memories, make friends and go on more adventures this go around.  


Lots of Joy, Gillian  

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