Linnea_pearson's Blog
final thoughts from Linnea
Posted By: Linnea_Pearson, Dr. Kanatous on Monday, December 18, 2006
Since getting back from the ice, the entire experience almost seems like a blur, as if I imagined the last two months. Then I look at the pictures and read my journal and the entire trip floods back. It was such an amazing experience both from a research perspective and the “I was in Antarctica!” side. It is difficult to describe the sheer amazement that you experience while in Antarctica and I feel lucky to have experienced it first hand. Even at times when things weren’t working out, I could always look out across the ice and remember that I was in Antarctica and that simple thought would make everything seem more manageable. Now being back and dealing with being gone for two months (the piles of mail, playing catch-up with friends) I still have that image in my mind and remind myself where I was and what I was doing and again it makes everything easier.
The one thing I have been asked the most besides “how was it?” was “did you learn a lot?” and the only answer I have to that is a resounding YES. As this was my first major field experience, I had no idea what to expect. After all the preparation we had it was still a shock to see everything that needed to get accomplished just so we could start and continue the season. But after the initial confusion everything ‘clicked’ and learning and understanding the techniques we used became much easier. Plus, we managed to make it through and accomplish everything we set out to. I feel that everything I learned will be useful in my next phase (aka Graduate School) as well as beyond that not only in scientific research but also in understanding what needs and does happen with a team of people.
Even though it was fairly easy to remember and fall back into the everyday routine of the ‘real world’, the past two months seem to be stuck in the back of my mind and the effect the experience has had is apparent. It wasn’t just the seals or penguins made the experience (although that was amazing as well), it was everyone involved and the bond we all formed working together. I feel extremely lucky to have been able to be a part of such of an amazing project and thank everyone who was involved for making it what it was and especially Shane for asking me to be a part of his project.
I will think of this as what is hopefully just the beginning of many projects and experiences and although I hope to one day make it back to Antarctica, these past two months will always stand out.
Linnea
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