I few weeks ago I got a message on Facebook from a friend telling me about this cool job opportunity in Antarctica. Two slots are opening up for the Summer deployment. She thought it might be awesome if we got the chance to deploy down there together.
I told her I would apply, and go from there. Well... She and I are the top candidates for the two positions! A month ago this was not on my radar... now I am a tetanus shot and TB check away from submitting my medical and dental clearance packet.... and that happens tomorrow.
I am excited and scared and anxious and happy.
My wonderful manfriend will be taking care of all my things and my dog and cat and my loft.
He has been so supportive of me in this chance to do something so few people have ever done.
Spend 6 months in Antarctica.
It;s crazy, it's enormous, and it's wonderful.
I got my packet on Monday. Printed on Tuesday Dr on Wednesday, Dentist on Thursday. Final paperwork and shots on Friday. Packet mailed before lunch.
And then I wait.
Training at the end of July. Fly to Australia, then New Zealand, mid August, pick up cold weather gear, then catch a plane to the bottom of the world.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2009
Autumn Pancakes with Cinnamon Apples
I made these for my daughter this weekend and they were a hit. I wanted to share them with you. I wish I had a picture to share, but she and her boyfriend went through them way too fast.
Makes enough for 4 people
Cinnamon Apples
4 apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Zest of 1 medium orange
juice of one medium orange
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar or Splenda (I used Splenda because I was out of sugar)
2 tablespoons butter
Place all ingredients except butter in a sauce pan on medium heat. about 10 minutes
Stir occasionally, when the liquid has reduced by half and the apples are just tender, add the butter and stir.
cook for 3-5 minutes longer.
For the pancakes I used the Healthy Heart Bisquick and just added 1 teaspoon of vanilla and some freshly ground nutmeg (to taste)
Serve. I served them with turkey sausage.
then...
NOMNOMNOMNOM
Makes enough for 4 people
Cinnamon Apples
4 apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Zest of 1 medium orange
juice of one medium orange
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar or Splenda (I used Splenda because I was out of sugar)
2 tablespoons butter
Place all ingredients except butter in a sauce pan on medium heat. about 10 minutes
Stir occasionally, when the liquid has reduced by half and the apples are just tender, add the butter and stir.
cook for 3-5 minutes longer.
For the pancakes I used the Healthy Heart Bisquick and just added 1 teaspoon of vanilla and some freshly ground nutmeg (to taste)
Serve. I served them with turkey sausage.
then...
NOMNOMNOMNOM
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Why has the average American become so lazy about grammar?
A lot of people do not care if they use the wrong form of there or your or its... but I do. I care very much. Then there's the than and then issue and the fact that alot is not a word. Alot is a word the way corn is a vegetable... just because most people think it's right doesn't make it so. It looks right (to you), no one ever said any different and well... it's easier that way. Easier is usually wrong, the public school system taught us all that, if nothing else (I went to public school and I got a great education, but that's because my mother cared about my education and she made it important to me... but that is for a different blog entirely).
I can go on and on with examples of how grammar is butchered in society today, I really could, but I think you get my point. It would take an extra second of thought to say or write the correct thing. And don’t go throwing the whole education crap at me… it just means your lackadaisical attitude started in the 2nd grade and that, my friend, is your own damn fault. Speaking correctly, communicating well, and being understood clearly have always been important to me and should be to you. So maybe it boils down to priorities?
It has been said that people that read on a consistent basis have better communication skills than those who do not, as they are exposed to the proper use of the English language more often. “Me and Joe are going to the store…” should be “Joe and I are going to the store.” My mother taught me a trick when I was younger and I am going to let you in on it; take away the other person and say it the way you would say it if it were just you and that is the proper way to say it. And then the order… always say everyone else before the pronoun that signifies you, it is just proper etiquette, as well as proper English, at that point. That brings to mind the effect of affecting, effect is a noun (think special effect) and affect is a verb (that affected me), if you remember that then it should make it easier to use the right one.
I am not even going to get into punctuation this go round…
Laziness has become part of our culture and we are raising a nation of grammatically lazy children that will grow up and have to compete globally. How can we, as a country, be a voice in the world if that voice is illiterate?
I can go on and on with examples of how grammar is butchered in society today, I really could, but I think you get my point. It would take an extra second of thought to say or write the correct thing. And don’t go throwing the whole education crap at me… it just means your lackadaisical attitude started in the 2nd grade and that, my friend, is your own damn fault. Speaking correctly, communicating well, and being understood clearly have always been important to me and should be to you. So maybe it boils down to priorities?
It has been said that people that read on a consistent basis have better communication skills than those who do not, as they are exposed to the proper use of the English language more often. “Me and Joe are going to the store…” should be “Joe and I are going to the store.” My mother taught me a trick when I was younger and I am going to let you in on it; take away the other person and say it the way you would say it if it were just you and that is the proper way to say it. And then the order… always say everyone else before the pronoun that signifies you, it is just proper etiquette, as well as proper English, at that point. That brings to mind the effect of affecting, effect is a noun (think special effect) and affect is a verb (that affected me), if you remember that then it should make it easier to use the right one.
I am not even going to get into punctuation this go round…
Laziness has become part of our culture and we are raising a nation of grammatically lazy children that will grow up and have to compete globally. How can we, as a country, be a voice in the world if that voice is illiterate?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's Not the Guns That Kill People, It's the Bullets
We have all heard that little saying time and again... but what if we actually got rid of the bullets?
I have always said (I know you probably don't know all that much about me, but trust me when I say 'I have always said') In my perfect world we would get rid of all the guns and start over with training classes and thorough background checks, and reoccurring background checks to ensure sustained ability to own a gun. And the world would be a safer place. But that is not the world we live in, it will never be.
Well, we can't get rid of guns, and my perfect world isn't anybody else's perfect world -don't I just know that all too well- so my solution is to get rid of the bullets, or make them harder to get a hold of, or make them outrageously expensive, or at least show some form with proof of training and certification to purchase them (the last is the most feasible I know, though still not probable). If you had to spend $500 a bullet you would be less likely to keep them anywhere near where kids could get a hold of them and then accidentally (or on purpose... or accidentally on purpose) shoot themselves or someone else. There would be less 'innocent bystander' killings, people would aim better and actually hit what they were aiming for - because of the training and certification, you can see how that works.
It isn't a perfect world and my solution isn't a perfect solution... but it might make a dent in the number of murders where guns were the weapon of choice. Besides, I prefer knives anyway... they are just so much more personal. (that was a joke, like I said, you don't know me yet)
I have always said (I know you probably don't know all that much about me, but trust me when I say 'I have always said') In my perfect world we would get rid of all the guns and start over with training classes and thorough background checks, and reoccurring background checks to ensure sustained ability to own a gun. And the world would be a safer place. But that is not the world we live in, it will never be.
Well, we can't get rid of guns, and my perfect world isn't anybody else's perfect world -don't I just know that all too well- so my solution is to get rid of the bullets, or make them harder to get a hold of, or make them outrageously expensive, or at least show some form with proof of training and certification to purchase them (the last is the most feasible I know, though still not probable). If you had to spend $500 a bullet you would be less likely to keep them anywhere near where kids could get a hold of them and then accidentally (or on purpose... or accidentally on purpose) shoot themselves or someone else. There would be less 'innocent bystander' killings, people would aim better and actually hit what they were aiming for - because of the training and certification, you can see how that works.
It isn't a perfect world and my solution isn't a perfect solution... but it might make a dent in the number of murders where guns were the weapon of choice. Besides, I prefer knives anyway... they are just so much more personal. (that was a joke, like I said, you don't know me yet)
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