Hi Ms Herrman
Wow, returning so soon! I think I can see in your writing your tone is a little somber knowing that your adventure is coming to a close, although I'm sure memories will remain for quite some time; you may even get to go back. I was thinking how it's strange you have only been at Palmer for two weeks when you have written 25 journals, or did I miss interpret something? Maggie Amsler seems like an incredible person like all of the people at palmer but obviously she must be of some special importance or significance to you if you wrote a journal about her. I feel as though her journey to become a marine biologist is extremely cool and nice to interpret. I still have no idea what kind of path I may follow, whether it be biology, engineering, or environmental policy maker or something I have no idea. I hope I find out soon though so I can follow a passion and be truly happy with my work. I wonder, I guess I never really asked you why you wanted to go to palmer. It seems like such an obvious question and I know you are a wonderful science teacher but this seems incredibly specific. What led you to the project, and what made you finally decide to go? Also what poor chap has to run the terra station 365 days a year. I know people must have to rotate shifts between visits but this seems like a terribly mundane job staring at monitors of Antarctica all day. Unless the readings fluctuate a great deal in which case it would be for some cause of interest but I guess the work there is more important than many things. For regular data sampling of the weather and climate over years would collect enough data to solidly support the degrading effects of climate change. It's also nice that you had some very close friends there, it's good to be friendly with people but having some close buddies is always a plus. It's frustrating for me at times because during the weekends I barely have energy to do anything but sleep and work. I become so mentally and physically drained during the week that other activities become difficult to manage. However on the bright side my hip has not felt pain in a solid week. And my audition for Master singers apparently went well because I got in so that's nice. Although this means that my schedule next year will not be a fun one. Well I am sad you are leaving but also happy you will be back soon. I got published in the LE news letter so that was exciting! I think it would be great if maybe you could take one more picture of the beautiful landscape there, or three or four or an album :). Just saying those pictures are breathtaking.
Luke Plowden