McGeyvor is my roommate

Talie, my wonderful roommate (temporary though), had invited me to a soiree she was hosting.  She was going to be teaching people how to make a camping stove out of a Pepsi can.  Sounds fun, right?  Here’s how it went down!

After work, I headed to this educational experience.  Yes, I am not sure when I could use this knowledge, but you never know.

Since I was a little late leaving work, I missed the demo and just caught the end explaination of how to do this.  I caught on very quickly by talking with my new friends as well as watching for a while.

So, step one is to cut two soda cans using a razor blade and a hardcover book for a flat even sized shape (We used one guiness and one soda because it was supposed to be easier.  It wasn’t!).

Next, fit one can into the other without ripping either one.  This was the hard part!  I worked on this for about 25 minutes and then needed Talie to come and help.  If I continued doing this, I think I was going to go postal!  I wasn’t the only one with issues, everyone was struggling.  I am not sure how they did it, but I had the teachers’ help! 

Talie got one inside the other and not the fun continued! We had to poke one larger hole in the direct center, four smaller ones surrounding the large center hole, and about 10-12 around the outside.  The hole in the middle was to let air in and the four surronding that plus the outside holes were to allow the flames to heat the pan or whatever you were cooking.  The key to this whole thing was how we made the holes.  Talie had rigged up a thumb tack into a drill and we used it to drill holes into our stoves!  It was such a McGeyor move!

Now the fun part started!  We filled the can with ‘fuel.’  We were using antifreeze from one of the work centers.  Next, you set the can in a small pan with a little lip that is lightly covered with a little more fuel (this is to help light the stove).  You light the fuel on the small pan and in about 30-45 seconds the ’stove’ is lit and the fuel on the pan has all dried up.  The flames come out all of the holes and you can actually heat food.  We were able to boil water.  We used a small camping pot, but boiling water is boiling water. 

The next class is going to be how to make the stand to hold the pot safely above the stove.

Side view of my homemade Pepsi can stove. I know, it's pretty impressive!

Top view of my homemade Pepsi Can stove

So, the lessons learned from this…

1.  When you are stranded in the woods, you can make a Pepsi can stove if you have: a razor blade, a hardcover book, two soda cans (beer will work as well),   a drill, a thumbtack, antifreeze, matches, a small lipped pan, the Pepsi can stove stand, and a camping pot. 

2.  My roommate Talie is MyGeyvor.  She has all of these ways to rigg things and make them work without actually using traditional methods.

3.  Be very careful with a razor blade!  They can cut skin (especially dry and chapped).

4.  You can make just about anything down here.

In conclusion, I have realized that my roommate is awesome!  I have known this since day one and we went to the gym at 5am, but tonight I realized that not only is she an awesome person, she’s got unique talents that can transcend continents!

I told you all that I am meeting great people!

Lesson Learned: Don’t eat the PB&J!

I was craving a PB&J sandwich and realized that there is always a supply of breads, peanut butters, and jellies.  Since I picked up a banana from the serving line, I figured I could be creative and make a PBJ&B; peanut butter, jelly, and bananas.  Doesn’t that sound great!

I made my sandwich and was really excited.  I got a glass of soy milk and sat down with my coworkers for family meal.  They all warned me that the PB was a little bit old and didn’t taste so good, but I was set on this fine sandwich I had concocted.  I took the first bite and was extremely disappointed!  The PB was old and tasted really funky and the jelly was not like any other jelly I have had before.  The banana was great and I attempted to eat as much as I could and not waste too much food.  I was able to finish about half of it and figured that rest could help fill the food waste bin tonight!

So, the moral of the story:  When your coworkers warn you that something is ‘no bueno’ (no good for those of you who don’t know Spanish), steer clear away from it! 

LESSON LEARNED!

Christmas in September

It was such a great day!  It felt like Christmas (actually Hannukah, but I want to be all inclusive!) 

As I have been getting settled in my temporary room, I was contemplating about the packages I sent from Denver before I left and thinking how I could use some of the things. 

I checked my email and recieved a message saying that I had mail in the mailroom.  I was pretty impressed that I got a personal message inviting me to visit the mailroom for special presents!  I headed to the mailroom (It was in a separate building and up a little hill.  It was a nice walk though.  Slow with my left cheek kind of lagging behind, yes, I said behind!) and met Kathy, this really sweet person who found two of my four boxes that I sent.  I was SO excited.  I wasn’t sure which they were, but happy to recieve them.  I was also a little worried about my tolietry supply since it was slowly dwindling and I didn’t want to have to buy stuff from the bookstore!  Kathy (my new best friend) told me that the other boxes would probably not arrive until the next flights in October and maybe not even then with all of the other more important cargo.  Someone obviously didn’t realize how significant my tolietries were!  I understood and figured I would be suprised when they arrived.  What more could I do?

I thanked Kathy and was on my way!  As I was halfway home, I heard this boisterous screaming coming from the hill.  It was Kathy saying that my other two packages were here!  I was so excited, I was jumping up and down (yes, with the other two boxes in my hands still!)  I first dropped off the inital boxes and then headed up the hill (with much more excitement this time) to get the other two.

When I arrived back to my temporary home, I just tore open all of my boxes and was so excited!  Even though I was the one who packed and sent them, it was like someone sent me great gifts!  It was really Hannukah in September!

Oy, I’ve Got A Migrane In My Left Cheek!

September 9:  Well, as things go, I was going planning to go to the Gerbil Gym and start my day with a great workout.  I was feeling a bit lazy and chose to wear my clogs (great nonslip for the kitchen, not so much for the ice and anywhere else on this continent!).  I bundled up and headed out.  The Gerbil Gym is not so far of a walk, but I didn’t make it too far.  I found a nice little angled patch of ice and slid nicely right onto my left cheek.  No, not my face, the other end! 

After taking a second to catch my breath again, I looked around to see if anyone was watching (this was quite embarrassing!).  Seeing no one, I moved very slowly, keeping in mind that I could have really damaged something or reinjure my back, I shed a few tears in pain and maneuvered myself back on both feet.  I guessed that nothing was broken since it all still moved and I made the executive decision that I was not meant to workout this morning.  This was a higher power trying to signal to me that any cardio today would not be a wise choice.  I headed back to my room (and the three flights of stairs were AWFUL!  I got back into bed and rested for a little.  Since it was still pretty early, I thought I could take it easy this morning and see how I felt.  I got up and showered (another really hot, hot, hot shower-thinking the heat might make me feel better) and got ready for work.  As I was getting ready I felt so much pain, but figured I could wait it out.  I read my book and watched TV then decided that I should stop by the doc’s office for him to check it out, just in case.  I didn’t really want to visit any doctors THIS early on my trip, but I guess I could get this out of the way now! 

I entered the McMurdo General Hospital, unloaded my coat, scarf, gloves, etc. and checked in.  I didn’t realize, but it was the doc that I was talking with.  I filled out a little sign in form and he took me back to the room.  It looked a lot like an ER room, but much smaller.  It was a bit intimidating for such a little incident.  I explained the story and how I was currently feeling.  My best explanation was that it felt like I had a migraine in my left cheek.  Since I thought that was pretty witty, I used that line several times to share this story with others!  The doc checked me out (yes, he felt my left cheek) and concluded that I would be fine.  I would probably have a very large bruise for a long time, but if I was feeling better each day, I would be fine.  He did joke that “working out would kill ya!”  I guess it’s required to have a sense of humor to work down here. 

Feeling relieved (emotionally, but not physically), I headed in for work.  I communicated how successful my morning had been and although we both giggled a bit, she hoped I felt better.  My migraine lasted the remainder of the day and I decided that I would take it easy for the next few days! 

The following day my migraine was downgraded to a pounding headache, but I had spotted a HUGE black and blue mark the about 1 1/2 times the size of my hand and a nice sized goose egg in my left cheek.  I was kind of shocked, but I guess this is part of the healing process!  Over the next few days, my pain was downgraded to just a plain headache and then finally just a bruise.  I had kept tabs on the bruise conditions to make sure it was getting better.  There were all sorts of pretty colors and designs.  I even took some photos to commemorate the event. 

The bruise is still here today (two weeks later, September 30) and decreasing by the day.  It’s been quite a site to see everyday, but I am happy now to say that it’s just the size of my palm and I am feeling it less and less each day. 

These are the events that will help me remember my times here!

Chin-e Day (prounced chai-knee day) or the Day of Redemption

So I woke up refreshed and willing to go to work and show my face.  I was prepared for as much sarcasim and flack due to my memorable day the day before.  I really just wanted to move on and get over the whole potato day. 

It was chinese day today, aka chin-e day.  This is usually a popular day and the community likes this meal.  I was able to redeem my culinary skills and have an outstanding day.  I made an awesome beef stirfry and even received a few compliments!  I was back!  I have officially gotten over my potato day (But I will never willingly make au gratin potatoes again, here or elsewhere.  I may even never eat them again as well!)  If you would like to support my ban of these horrid things, please feel free the shar the details!

I had another breakthrough here.  I figured out how to maneuver the TV channels.  After some research and questioning the veterans, I have concluded that there are two movie channels (programmed by someone here on base), an AFN channel (armed forces network), two for McMurdo, posting pertinent info about what’s going on in the community (they also list the weather and traveling conditions, the BBC channel, and a few other channels that show random NZ or USA shows.  It was another accomplishment that I really needed after yesterday. 

I feel that I am starting to become adjusted to life here.  I have slowly fallen into my routine and am finding that this life away from the world is not so bad, temporarily.  It’s a good thing I have five more months to enjoy the easy street!  I feel like I am on a working vacation.  I will need to, at some point, prepare for my re-entry into society and and become acquainted with the real world again.  That won’t be until atleast January!