Simply, My LIfe

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Christchurch: Devastated but Beautiful

Well, the time has come for me to leave the United States and make the long journey to the South Pole. As part of my travels south, I, along with other Antarcticans, layover for a couple of days in Christchurch, New Zealand. The main purpose of this stop is to get our Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) gear at the Clothing Distribution Center (CDC).

Once this pesky chore is out of the way, we then have the chance to fill our bellies full of flavorful Asian cuisine, drink our final draft beers and explore this beautiful city. However, much has changed from my time here in 2007/2008. Starting in the fall of 2010, earthquakes (some reaching a magnitude of 6.3) and several aftershocks have ravaged this city. Now, downtown is cordoned off and is eerily quiet, giving it a very distinct post-apocalyptic feel. Favorite restaurants are closed, rubble remains where buildings once stood and we are housed miles outside of the city center.

However, hope remains in resilient Christchurch. Reconstruction efforts are underway, businesses are reopening in other parts of the city and the expansive botanical gardens, where most Antarcticans go to soak up some life before heading to the ice, are open and alive and luscious.

Trying on lots of layers at the CDC. Love my insulated carhart bibs!

My first view of the earthquake destruction

Empty sidewalks

and closed roads

Sadly, many historic buildings tumbled

or had to be braced

Many sidewalks rolled or caved

I couldn't help but feel a zombie may come around the corner any second

But there is hope

And beauty

Flowers abound during the southern hemisphere spring

And bees love it!

I only just realized my camera has Sepia...duh

This can't be real

My fellow Portlander, friend and colleague, Kris, joined me for the day

As did, Rhiannon, my other fellow Portlander, friend and colleague

Monday, September 5, 2011

Final Adventures in Denmark

As I sat on the train to Copenhagen to catch my flight home, I took a moment to reflect on all the time I've spent in this cool little country over the last 18 months and to wonder if I would ever return. I honestly feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to see and experience Danish culture and to make so many new friends here. With impending life changes on my horizon, possibly making this my last trip to Denmark in quite a while, I tried to live it up as much as possible. My travels took me from Copenhagen to Aarhus to Skagen, the northernmost tip of the country, and to Kolding for my final Vestas team event. When my two weeks here were up, parting was definitely bittersweet. I'll miss you DK.

Copenhagen

The Ice Bar in Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid
She had previously been at the World's Fair in Shanghai but now she is back

Vestas Team Event 2011

My boss riding a segway

Very, very fast jet boat rides

Glad there is a sign warning me NOT to do this

A Vestas team event isn't a team event without a helicopter ride....

..or driving an ATV...

..or shooting a shotgun

The girls of IT: myself, Fritzie from Manilla and Violet from Beijing
I feel lucky to work with such strong women who aren't afraid to speak up and be an empowered member in a team of 40+ men

Skagen, the Northernmost Tip of Denmark

My ride, borrowed from a friend, for my solo adventure to the wilds of the north

Grenen or "the stick" of Denmark

Standing where two seas collide

Yumm! Fresh Norway lobster for lunch in the cute town of Skagen

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Return to 90° South

The last time I left Antarctica, I always thought I would return. But as fortune would have it, life took its turns and years passed. Now, however, all this has changed as I recently signed a contract for the 2011-2012 summer season at the South Pole. I leave at the end of October with bittersweet feelings in my heart. I'm excited to once again be on an adventure to the end of the Earth but also sad as I'll need to tear up some roots that have grown over the years in Portland, my absolute favorite city in the world. Regardless, this should be an epic season as it is the 100 year anniversary of human exploration at the Pole.

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

January 1, 2008 (I think)

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Doe Bay Full Moon Music Festival

'Utopia' is the word that comes to mind when I think of the Doe Bay music festival I attended last weekend on Orcas Island in the San Juans. This 3 day event was set in an idyllic, beautiful setting (as the pictures below will attest) where music could be found at almost any place at any time. People were friendly, shared a common interest in finding the joy in life and had a feel for community (my blanket left accidentally behind was easily found the next day). Bands were mostly local and you would find musicians joining the crowds, easily transitioning between fan and artist. This was most evident when following a rousing game of volleyball, one of our opponents grabbed a guitar and started a music set mere feet away from court. In fact, this festival was so good and special to me that I almost don't want to write this blog in fear of more people knowing about it (it sold out in 3 minutes this year!). Doe Bay, I will see you in 2012! Much love!

A camp for 9
(photo courtesy of Liz)

Our first view of Otter Cove

Checking water temps at the beach...it was cold!

View of Doe Bay Cafe and area from across the water

While walking, we randomly came upon this cool little band called Pickwick giving an acoustic set

It was a full moon festival
We sat for a while to take in the view and just so happened to see porpoises

Heather watching her new favorite musician, Bryan John Applebee, at the main stage

This accompanied us the whole weekend

Not an uncommon sight

My new favorite musician, Matt Bishop of Hey Marseilles, performing in the cafe

Also not an uncommon sight

The whole gang at Otter Cove
(photo courtesy of Stapes)

Our skilled volleyball opponent and even more skilled guitar player
Elk & Boar
(photo courtesy of Stapes)

Lemolo giving an unscheduled midnight set in the yoga studio

This equals '1' and is a night I'll not soon forget as I rolled the dice with band members and friends alike
(photo courtesy of Josh)

The Doe Bay Cafe with a cloud-ridden full moon

Unfortunately, it was time to go
And it took all of us to deflate this air mattress that had a stuck valve
(photo courtesy of Stapes)

Monday, August 1, 2011

First Ever Mt. Adams Summit!

Mt. Adams, located in Washington state and a little over 30 miles from Mt. St. Helens, is a beautiful and huge volcano in the Cascade Range sitting at 12,276'. It was also my conquest for the weekend. On Saturday, 4 of my friends and I set out on an adventure that would take us all to the top of this majestic beauty and have us back in Portland by late Sunday night.

Josh, myself, C-lin, Heather and Liz starting out Saturday morning at the trailhead at 5,600' (pre-sun burns, wind burns and sore muscles and joints)

Me with Mt. Hood, my first love, in the background

An awesome view of Mt. St. Helens as we start to get above timberline

If we were ever to start a band, this would be our album cover
(randomly perfect picture courtesy of some dude on the trail)

Josh snapping pics and gathering material for his new blog, "Climbing with Women"

Josh and Heather setting up our tent after making it to our Saturday destination, Lunch Counter at 9,200'

Wildflowers graced our steps at Lunch Counter

Succulents not in a terrarium

Sunset and St. Helens

An early morning start of 5 a.m. on Sunday gave us this awesome view of the partial pyramid shadow of Mt. Adams

The first peek of sun for the morning

Liz still smiling her awesome smile as her and Heather make their way up to the false summit in some relentless wind

I had the opportunity to see my shadow in a rare Brocken Spectre, a magical and emotional moment on the mountainside

We finally made it to the cloud enveloped and very windy summit of Mt. Adams after 5 hours of climbing!

After glissading down most of the mountain in an hour, we chilled out and ate a refreshing meal back at camp

Heather after a post-summit nap in our cozy tent

Packing up and heading out. Thank you Mt. Adams for hosting us for the night and giving us an awesome climb!