8 November 2013 What A Difference A Year Makes

The endless hours in the air and constantly being seated next to crying babies made me question my choice to return to Antarctica this year. I was already missing my wife, family and my students. However, when I finally met up with the team I remembered why I am here. The research, scientific exploration, and relaying information to my students could foster the imagination of the next generation of scientists.

After arriving in McMurdo, I felt like a little kid going back to the amusement park in summer. The familiar sites and faces made me feel welcome. The big surprise was the numerous changes that were made in just one year. Our lab space doubled, so there is finally enough room for all us to work at one time without tripping over our gear. Also, the lab now has a huge window that provides our team with the best view. We can clearly see across the Ross Sea to White and Black Island, and midway is the new location for the ice runway. If that wasn't enough, we found our dorm room- typically the size of a laundry room- no longer have three bunk beds but just two beds with brand new mattresses. Like college orientation week, we all rushed out into the hallway excited to hear that everyone had the same upgrades.

After collecting our bags from the storage building, we headed to dinner. Again our mouths were agape with the selections: steak, baked tilapia, rows of desserts, and pizza, pizza served everyday! Finally, satiated we lumbered back to the dorms to collapse into a food coma on our new mattresses. Before bed, my roommate, Jordan and I unpacked and set up the flat screen we signed out from the housing department. Giddy, we await other new things that may be in store for us tomorrow.

We have trainings all this weekend and it looks as if our first flight will be Tuesday. So stay tuned for the first video of the 2013 Antarctic field season!