Nacreous cllouds out today! What a shock! They were not the most impressive in the world, but they were the first clouds I’ve seen in a few years! Whoo hoo! Now this post is added with a real, live photo from a nacreous cloud that popped out a few days later!

I grew up with a strong focus on career. It was instilled in me early
in my life to value work above almost everything else, to give 100% and
take pride in what you do. School lacked challenge, so I had to seek my
own challenges; my own vehicles for personal growth and pride. Soon
after graduation, I set out to do “hard work” I thought if I succeeded
in what no one could deny as “hard work,” then I could accomplish
anything. I sought out every challenge I could find. This meant an 80+
hour work week became commonplace. I worked in a man’s world-attacking
the trades with gusto. I worked for a fishery in Alaska. I sought work
in Antarctica. No one can deny that I succeed at really, truly hard
work.
But it only recently occurred to me that all of the hard work I’ve ever
done was simply physically hard work. I challenged my body and spirit,
while my intellect was ignored. It never occurred to me to seek work
that was cognitively challenging, even though my brain was my main
strength from day one. Naturally I am a sedentary, thoughtful,
solution-oriented being and creativity is my power; my talent. I could
have chosen work that strengthened my synapses just as easily as I
sought work that strengthened my muscle fibers.
Yet here I am, more than a third of my life is over and I am strong,
muscular and willing to take on any job, no matter how “hard.” Yet
cognitively I fear the atrophy that inside I know has been taking over
for years.
Initially I questioned my value for physical health. Being sedentary, I
knew I faced many physical challenges, so I fought that. I changed my
physique from my teenage years, and my focus on health has kept me in
good physical fitness. But the more I surround myself with
professionals, the more I realize my blue-collar roots. My grandparents
were steel workers, and think that ethic saturated the minds of their
children. History is a hard thing to re-write.

the weather balloon, gaining lift as it fills with atmosphere, swims like a jellyfish in the brisk air. Contrasted with the bold August moon, the jellyfist sets free.
I don’t tend to interact with very much of the research activity here in McMurdo. But the University of Wyoming group, measuring ozone levels, is always around during winfly. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten pretty familiar with Jen and her crew.

While cheap compared to most balloons, the equipment is valued in the tens of thousands of dollars and needs to handled carefully to not be damaged or twisted prior to liftoff
This year, our janitorial group had the opportunity to observe the group launching a weather balloon. They launch several throughout the winfly period, but since they are weather-dependant, launch times tend to be inconvenient for the observer-3:00 in the morning and such.
This launch was nicely timed, right in the middle of the day.

Infating the baloon is a time-consuming process

Along the lines of “cool things about McMurdo”, I just have to share
that I started walking around town every day! I love how every season
is so different and how patterns are so easy to change. Two years ago,
my favorite hiking buddy, Jeff, left for Palmer and I was stuck in
Mactown with no one to hike with. This is a dreadful reality, because
we are not authorized to hike alone for safety’s sake and it’s really
the only way to get out of town and get some non-machined exercise. But
my anguish was all for naught, because last year, I started hiking with
Erik and his workmates. This was even better, because we went out
weekly, I was among good company with good cameras, and we always had
mochas afterward. So once again this season I was sure I would never
get to hike since Erik left the program. But, much to my enjoyment,
I’ve been hiking every day! I can’t believe it. I started a new
regimen where I go out for an hour or two right after work. This is
great because it forces me to leave work on time, and I can go right
into my room and eat a small, healthy dinner instead of over-gorging
myself while sitting for hours in The Galley. Yesterday we hiked the Ob
Hill Loop trail. I have about 200 sunset photos I have to sort through.
The 360-degree reds and blues were in their brightest during our hike
time, and being at elevation, I had great views. Yea!

Our first Housing Hut 10 party welcomed winfly with great enthusiasm! Since there is no Recreation Department this season to organize our fun, this party was the first big event of the season. In true Housing form, we impressed with a Roaring 20’s theme. We had shrimp, coctail sauce, and little keich snacks to enjoy. Mark, a man with a great knowledge of jaxx, played 20’s jass music just for us on the radio station. The swingy music and fancy clothes added an air of sophistication that rarely exists in McMurdo parties.

A brand new tractor flew into Mactown this winfly. It’s a sparkly new, gigantic beast, complete with “new tractor smell”. It cost over a half million of our tax dollars and will join the traverse team as they drive thier way from McMurdo to the South Pole (only 700 miles of the most barren, harsh land on the planet).

Every once and a while, my dear dear friends ask me if I’d like anything sent to me, and usually I am at a loss for requests. I’m a simple girl, with want for little, and satisfied with what is readily available. However, now I am getting picky in my old age. I actually want things that aren’t here. If anyone wants to send me something, I would be SO greatful. Plus, in return, I’d be delighted to send you some Antarctic lore in return. We have an improved selection of stickers this year, lots of new ball caps, cute logo tees and lots of lounge wear. Let me know and I will send you stuff in return. You too, can get asked questions about Alaska (most people start talking about Alaska when I mention Antarctica. I take it as proof America is terrifyingly under-educated. There are only 7 continents, for chrissakes!)
Anyway, I am longing for:

• Mocha mix (any chocolate and caffeine/coffee-type beverage than can be made by mixing with milk or water) Last year I quickly found myself addicted to mochas. A small group of us would sit around a full-scale espresso machine. It was a group effort of collecting the perfect mixture for steaming impressingly-frothy milk, finding rich espresso beans, quality chocolate and flavored syrups. Oh, those were the days! I miss those mochas like a true addict on detox. I hope to quench my craving with a simple substitution. I am craving!
• Sunkist prunes (or other plump and juicy prunes), Dried apples or other soft dried fruit –not mixed, please– I am getting into snacking on dried fruit instead of desserts. It seems to be a nice substitute, only the dried fruit here is REALLY dried out and hard! I long for the plump fruit you get in the states, or from home-made dehydration.
• Nuts (cashews, peanuts, mixed nut cocktail) -low salt- -raw or roasted only- Protein is so much better when it isn’t covered in fat!
• Small Candies I have a little treat bowl in my office, for visitors, and for my own oral fixations. However, the bowl is looking sad, as it is full of last-years treats and what’s left over spares anybody’s interest.
• Individually-wrapped bubble gumWhen I chew gum, I have the horrible habit of smacking it loudly, something that drives my boss crazy. Clearly, I need a year’s supply of the chewiest bubble-gum around! Plus, I can add it to the treat bowl!
• Body Butter Or other heavily-scented intense-moisturizing body cream. I am down to the last half of my last tub. I probably only need one more tub to last the season. Imagine the driest of dry climates only being exposed to the odors of cigarettes and deep-fried food. I don’t like even mildly scented toiletries in the states, but here, a good strong non-food odor is essential to survival.
• Magazines.I am trying to keep myself a little bit more connected to the real world than usual. Currently I am into Scientific American, but am welcome to your favorites as well. Please, though, nothing on cooking, or magazines that advertise much product consumption. I don’t need to read things that highlight the limited activity opportunities on the ice. I prefer more cerebral reading.

Mail to:
McMurdo Station
PSC 469 Box 700
APO AP 96599-1035