Alert Boxtop 2012

Over the past week and a half I think I have seen more planes arrive and depart in Alert (CYLT) than that of my whole tour. Each day, planes have been flying back and forth between Thule (Greenland) and YLT to help with our fuel resupply mission. There are two Boxtops in Alert, one in April and one in September. Thankfully, I will only have to deal with one of the two.

So far, we've had some pretty bad weather, but I used my super powers to make it go away. In all seriousness though over the past few weeks, as the temperatures rise, they bring with the seasonal change from winter into spring. We've had some pretty foggy days dropping the visibility to 0 statue miles and causing a nice lull in the continuous flight schedule. A well deserved break from mother nature.

Some of the images above were taken by the visiting photo tech on station but they truly capture the essence of the mission at hand. The first, I shot myself. This is a photo of a Hercules C130J model sitting on spot one. This photo, believe it or not was taken at three o'clock in the morning! The sun slowly circling the entire sky is definitely a unique experience indeed. I guess it was day time in Australia at that point - kind of cool!  The image I think that captures "Alert" the best is the second last photograph where the Herc is landing on our runway. The snow blowing up around the body of the aircraft is definitely an amazing sight to see. The fact that we live here is amazing enough as is.

I've been so busy I forgot to even update people to let people know I'm still alive and well. Things are going good and only a few more days left until Boxtop is over and the normal routine sets in again. Thank you everyone who has donated to Relay for Life! I can hardly contain my excitement over the success of it all. Thank you so much!

Until next time! x

CC177

Physically and emotionally this week I would describe as: Blue.

Those who know me personally will know how I attach myself to friends and people I spend my days with. Living in such a tightly knit community of just under 70 personnel, you're constantly in contact with everyone and I find you wind the people you "click" with very tightly around your heart. My heart is COVERED in strings and cords of all types and to be honest, I prefer it that way.

This week I had to say goodbye to some of my favourites. It always makes me sad so see such lovely and fun people leave the station but that's always the nature of the military isn't it? The beauty of it all though, is "goodbyes" really aren't "goodbyes" but merely a "see you soon". That's what I tell myself anyway so I don't get too upset...!

Other than my mushy intro, this week was quite busy. I worked quite a few long hours to bring in the CC177 that landed in Alert this week. It was a bit hectic as the flight plans kept changing, but over all I would say the week was a success. I started knitting a scarf, learned some new songs on guitar, got an extra day to spend with the departing friends and tonight is a PJ party with the station! Should be a very fun evening filled with laughs and making memories.

I hope you all had a wonderful week and enjoy the weekend. Remember to take the time to hug somebody you care about today and let them know what they mean to you. Those are the best kind of hugs and trust me, a hug goes a long way!

Happy weekend xo

Overjoyed

Recipe for a fun weekend:
1. Handstands in the snow

2. Admire the horizon 

3. Visit the Lancaster crash site

4. Stand on rocks and praise the sun

5. Draw hearts in the snow

6. Tumble down snow banks

7. Smile - big! 

8. Get frosted tips

This weekend was absolutely hands down the most fun I've had in Alert since my arrival here in December. The day was painted with a permanent dawn, filling the air with anticipation for the arrival of the sun. It was a balmy -37 degrees but that didn't keep me inside. The prospect of seeing what is around the station finally, was enough to make me jump into my snow suit and my fuzzy hat to explore into the disappearing shadows. 

I read this quote and particularly enjoyed its message "I promise to keep on living as though I expected to live forever. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul." I hope I never give up doing silly things that make me happy. Snow bank sledding on my bum, running around with sparklers and enjoying a weekend filled with laughs - what gets better than that? Not much!

I hope the message that people recieve from this post is that there truly is fun and laughs to be had everywhere, if only you take the time to be a little silly and let go of all your expectations for life and just live. I fell asleep with a smile on my face last night knowing that with each passing day more and more good things are yet to come. I'm so excited for everything! 

Have a wonderful day and Happy Monday!   

a hint of a spark

Today is Tuesday, the 17th of January 2012 and today is the first day I saw the faintest glow from the sun. After forty days of night I saw the slightest aura above the horizon. I almost peed myself with excitement. It may have been because I worked 15 hours today and its finally over, it may have been because I had ice cream for lunch instead of real food as a celebration but man, this day has been made. The tiniest spark of light peeking over the hills was enough to remind me that the sun was coming. Twilight.

I don't know if many people noticed, but after the plane took off I was outside in the -35 degree breeze, sitting in the snow bank, bundled up in my parka and drinking a hot chocolate while star gazing. Recently people have been so down and not wanting to do much. It is a constant soul search for positivity at this time of the year. Either way for me, it doesn't matter if the cup is half full or half empty there's still more room for hot chocolate!

In the dark, you re-think your life over and over, who you want to be, what you want to do, how you are going to accomplish all your goals, you miss your family, your friends, the light and the happiness and light heartiness that comes with the day. But the one thing I have learned here, is you truly find out who you are.

You are given the option to eat healthy food, be active, given the choice to stay in your room alone, to put yourself out there and meet people and to become a part of a small but wonderful community. All of it however is a choice you have to make for yourself. I am thankful to have such a wonderful support system back home with my family and friends. Thank you so much for keeping me positive and reminding me that even the smallest hint of a spark can start a fire.

Hopefully shedding some of this light on things will catch on soon can't wait to see it tomorrow.

Alert, Nunavut

My first day on the ground was a blur. We left Thule at 0800hrs and I quickly fell asleep on the brief 1.5hr flight to Alert. The hum of the planes propellers quickly lulled me off into a deep sleep. As we landed, the plane caused a vast cloud of snow and ice crystals to be blown into the air and they hung there, looming, in the arctic inversion. Stepping off the C130J, I took a deep breath as every fibre in my body froze - including my nose and said "hello" to my new home;

Alert.

I have been told that Alert is known to the Inuit people as "Inuit Nunangata Ungata" which means "The land beyond the land of the people". This doesn't surprise me because it was said that "it is easier to rescue people from the international space station than Alert in the winter". Comforting. I shuddered during my safety brief as they explained the dangers of exposure to the elements (right now it is a bone chilling -37 degrees Celsius) and the animals that are native to this area (polar bears, wolves, etc). The newly familiar feeling of my heart pounding in my throat happened as I came to the realization that I would be alone, 3kms away from the rest of the station, in the dark.

Going to work today for me, was a blessing. The beautiful thing about the weather is it is everywhere. The principles and the theory are the same and comforting. I say it's comforting in a sense because although I am thousands of miles away from real civilization, I am home here in my little office, learning more through experience about what fascinates me so much.

As I write, ice crystals are falling from a clear sky and coating the world in tiny sparkles that gleam in the days perpetual darkness. I take a large breath of chilly arctic air and close my eyes, it's wonderful.

Thule, Greenland

I sit, motionless, listening to the beat of my heart swell in the back of my throat. 

Thump. Thump. 

I've had less than an hours sleep but I feel as if I've been awake for days. I can't shake the feeling I'm forgetting something, someone. The empty terminal appears to be filled with nerves, anticipation, excitement, apprehension and exhaustion. I'm the only one here and my own tension could be easily severed with a butter knife. 

I can't believe it is truly hapening. Today. Right now. Butterflies are an understatement. Am I ready? Am I prepared for this? Have I got everything? Will I be okay? Too late. 

As advised by a good friend, I attempt to calm my knotted stomach by humming "every little thing" and for some reason, it is taking the gleaming edge off of my nerves. 

Every little thing, is gonna be alright. 

If I had to name today, I would call this the day of an endless morning and then an endless night. The sun, sitting neatly above the horizon, floating, yet remaining motionless. I waited hours upon hours for it to move but it didn't happen. The sky was a beautiful spectrum of light, fading from grey rolling stratocumulus into a vibrant pink and lastly into a soul calming yellow with darkened streaks of cirrus. I take a moment to absorb the last few rays of sunlight for the next few months. 

I could not think of a better final sight as we pushed forward into the darkness and kissed the light behind, it was beautiful.