The Whole Wide World

This entry was originally titled Twenty-Eight Days To Go and began: Twenty-eight days. Not many in comparison to the 153 I’ve been here for. But, now it’s eighteen days to go and I’ve been here for 163. That’s how time works. It’s also our hundredth day without the sun this season, but she’s a coming!

Here is McMurdo Station, Antarctica, where I am wintering over for the third time…in a row. Compared to the first two, this winter has flown by. The ramp up to the end is exactly that, a ramp up. There is no winding down and out of winter. Instead it is full throttle gearing up for the influx of population that the four late-August (hopefully) flights will bring.

the Busy Season

I think part of the it’s flown by is because this winter’s population was 268 people which is pretty much double the 130-140 we had for the past two years. More people means more work. I’ve caught myself saying busy is good on more than one occasion. And while I think busy can be good, slow isn’t so bad sometimes either and that is one of the things I am looking forward to when I leave the ice this time. Slowing down a bit.

How busy can I possibly be you ask? Here is a little insight into a typical week in the life of yours truly down here. And remember, it’s a six day work week down here. One precious day off a week.

For most of the past six months my day starts just after 6AM when my alarm goes off. Shower, breakfast, and in the office by 7:30AM. The workday ends at 5:30PM. I spend most of my lunch break in the gym. I’ve managed to walk at least two miles on the treadmill almost every single day since I arrived back in February. I’m proud of that. I’ve been lifting weights more days than not as well.

Yoga, a Radio Show, Abs & Zumba…all the activities

After work varies by the day. Monday’s are for yoga. In the beginning of the season I attended someone else’s yoga class, but they left in April and guess what? I started teaching my own Monday night yoga class. Big step. It’s been well attended with 20-25 people each week. I am more confident, less anxious and proud of myself for doing something that scared me. It took a little nudging from Thomas to commit to it, but here I am eleven classes in.

Oh, and it’s not just Mondays that are for yoga. Everyday is for yoga. Mondays are just class days. In addition to walking (at least) a couple miles on the treadmill everyday, I’ve practiced yoga almost every single day since I arrived as well. Four days. That’s all I’ve missed. I told myself when I got here that I would practice yoga every day, even if sometimes it’s only for five minutes. It’s about habit and that’s exactly what it has become.

Tuesday is a twenty minute abs class followed by Zumba. On Wednesdays I’ve been cohosting a radio sho with my friend Jess. It’s called Them’s the breaks; Advice with Jess & Annemarie and it’s been a hoot. All the advice is terrible, sarcastic and I’ve had so much fun giving it. It broadcasts over the TVs and radios on station. We set up an email for people to submit their anonymous questions and put a drop box on station as well. Thomas hosts a weekly listening party and sometimes people call in while we are on air. Most of the humor is centered around whatever the drama is on station that week. It’s fun.

Thursdays are a second abs class and then date night with Thomas. We’ve done pretty good with the dates too. We’ve watched all the extended versions of Lord of the Rings, attended a murder mystery dinner, an escape room, boot-scoot-boogied at line dancing night, used a space that has an oven and baked some eggy treats, and currently we are watching Andor and I am soooo into it as it Thomas.

Fridays and Saturdays are open. I either have a quiet night in or take part in whatever the week’s activity is. This week was our final two-day weekend. We get one of those a month during the winter. I spent last night celebrating my friend Karen’s birthday with a private karaoke session. It was my first time ever participating in karaoke made more palatable by singing from my chair in the room and as a duet with Thomas. We sang Alan Jackson’s Chatahoochee and I might have even enjoyed myself. There’s always something going on at the weekend.

Sunday is the only day we have off work. I get up a little later and head straight to the gym. After the gym is coffee and brunch. We hosted quite a few coffee mornings during the first half of the season. After brunch, I relish in lounging, but try to keep my lounging at least a little productive. I completed the most intricate paint by numbers ya ever did see over the past couple weeks while Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Down (and Round) played in the background. I’ve dabbled with pastels and completed a macrame piece as well.

All in all, it’s been a really good season. By far the healthiest and happiest of my winter career down here. Eighteen days to go. What’s next?