Settling into McMurdo is difficult. The population is constantly changing, so upon my arrival I was placed in a "transient" dorm room. On most occasions these are for people going to the base at The Pole, or a base that is run by another nation (most cases Austrailia, Britain, New Zealand, and Belguim; in no specific order). Also, doctors brought down for medivacs and the US Air Forces that run the planes. Today I got my key for my permanent housing room. Instead of sharing a room with 5 guys on a rotating basis, I now only share with 3... none of which I've met yet. So, aside from getting used to my new scheduel and surroundings, I'm finally going to be able to settle into a living space.

For anyone who hasn't seen on my facebook, there are pictures up now. None of my own mind you, but they do keep a common driver in the network that people can share their pictures with other people on base. That is where I found the ones I have posted. I still haven't gotten comfortable with the idea of detaching myself from most of what is still back home. I'm not sure I will. I did find out today that, by luck of the draw I will be one of the only people in my department that gets the acctual Thanksgiving holiday off. We all get a paid holiday in November, December, and January. Mine for this month just so happens to be on Thanksgiving. Coincidentally I have Wednesdays off starting next week (so I can play basketball). My hands don't really like it down here too much, as I've probably said before, there is some type of contact dermatitis on the back of them. It's extreamly unpleasant. They have been cracked and bled most of the day today. I am currently in debate about how and if and where I may travel before coming home. I'm considering several places including, but not limited to, spending time in NewZealand; Austrailia, Hungary, Netherlands, Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, and Southern California. Okay so that is pretty well the list. Partly, it depends on how much I make down here. Also, there are other factors to consider. Like how much it will cost me to go to various places. Hope this clears up any questions. I know I haven't been the most informative person so far. Working on that. Also, I have a new found respect for recycling.We are required to sort every thing into different bins cause guess where all our trash goes? That's right, back to the US. I still think the way it is done in the states is rediculous. Melting down and reusing plasitics isn't helping, it just pollutes differently. I think maybe shooting it into space would be better, but that creates a new kind of hazard.