ISB News

ISB in Antarctica: Research Cruise Life

By Allison Lee

I just want to illustrate the work life out here. I have worked 20 straight days in a row. No weekends. No evenings off. Few breaks. Each day varies in time schedule but it usually consists of waking up at 7 a.m., taking at least two shots of espresso before working until lunch at 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., working until dinner 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and working until 11 p.m., sometimes even until 2 a.m. It’s a good day when you can throw an hour in for an INSANITY work-out or a sauna break and get more than 7 hours of sleep. “Downtime” consists of uploading my Facebook photos, writing up blog drafts, organizing data, and reading textbooks on the Southern Ocean (all still work related). We all are starting to feel the strong desire for a weekend. And a beer. Just. One. Beer. On that note: Week three and we are out of fresh vegetables and fruits. It’s time for the canned goods, meat, carbs and cheese. I’m not complaining at all! I’m just sharing the reality of research life at sea. Only 38 more days to go! MISS YOU ALL XOXO

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