Not bored

13 days here. My friend works in the Recreation Department, making sure that we all have lots to do between working and exclusively drinking or wandering off to find a penguin. The enthusiasm of community already makes it feel like college. That is fine, for now, it should wear off, it’s more humorous than anything else at this point. Behind my friend’s enthusiastic cheerleading for REC, she’s a bit more ambivalent like me about all the activities. Everyone is saying that they just don’t have as much time as they thought down here! There is so much to do! So far, I was talked into playing bingo but failed to win the $200 jackpot or any lame prizes. I’ve been to some science lectures regarding research going on down here and also attended the outdoor safety lecture for going on trails outside the station. I’ve also been to each of the bars on quiet nights and also on the night that many bands played (huge musical community down here). There are 3 bars—a smoking dive bar, a general dive bar, and the coffeehouse which is a pretty cozy dive and they sell alcohol there also. Last Saturday (the big night to go out), my roommate invited our room to a pig roast at the Vehicle Maintenance Facility. Yes, the Galley actually orders some pigs for folks to roast if they sign up (I’ve heard about this pig roasting thing way too much this year). We made it after the food was served, but it was nice to hang out in a different space, one that houses large vehicles called deltas and piston-bullies. Sure, why not.
I am also drinking lots of water, putting on lots of lotion, and getting shocked constantly because of the dry weather and abundance of fleece and wool. Touch metal first. Touch metal first. I am also reading.
Our room is pretty nice, considering. Considering I share it with 3 people and there are no windows and it has dorm furniture. At first I inhabited a bottom bunk bed, but came up with some schemes and we all decided it would be nice to change the layout so all beds were in separate corners. I spent the first two days of work (before the supervisor got here) creating 3D models of our room as I was pretty bored. My room is in the main building that also houses the cafeteria and store and shared computer lab. I like not having to go outside for meals and being able to bring them up to my room easily and still warm if I am not in the mood for small talk in the galley. The other dorm buildings mostly have 2 person rooms and some of them I hear are nicer, or at least there are a lot of regulars in those dorms. The more time you spend on ice, you tend to get a better dorm situation. You can request roommates if you know them, or you can shack up with your husband or significant other (you’ll get the really small rooms).

my room

the hall outside my room

the common lounge on my floor

recycle center... a bin for everything.

recreation board

there are 4 coat alcoves like this outside the galley, i lose my coat alot.

the galley and main meeting space. science lectures are here too.

the handwashing station outside the galley - let's not get each other sick

the library, very cozy and has internet hookup for laptops