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I call the attitude of this whole piece “seriously toying” with a possibility. You know it likely won’t come to the specific outcome but you honour your longing by trying.

I started to apply for Antarctica around 19 and in those far off says you answered a short prequalifying phone questionnaire. Things were warming up nicely until I answered ‘yes’ to ‘do you have a heart murmur’. Despite it being minor and stable, that nixxed me. “If something goes wrong we might not be able airlift you out” I was told. But that was in another country - and another century - so I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Maybe now you just have to sign a waiver?

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Seriously toying - brilliant... I think the medical requirements are still pretty stringent, understandably, but maybe there will be a way. Gosh that's harsh about your heart murmur - my daughter has a minor and stable heart murmur, it had never occurred to me that it might preclude things... I think you're so right though 'honouring the longing'...that's definitely it x

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Abso-tootin-lutely you need to go for this! Get your application in P.D.B.Q!!!! Can’t wait to read your next #antarctica update ❤️

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Haha love this, thank you so much!!! xx

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Mar 21Liked by Emma Simpson

OMG Emmaaaaaa!!! You mad thing! Best of luck!!! I hope you get it and we can all share in your adventure!!! Big kisses from the Alps! If not, you can always come here, as a consolation prize!! xxx

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Oh it's totally fecking nuts, I know...!! There is nothing second rate about the alps - we will make it happen one day!! Much love xx

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I didn't say this the first time around but clearly you are feeling compelled to take the leap and at least try. Bon Chance!

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I think so...thank you!! xx

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Mar 28Liked by Emma Simpson

Swoah what a job, health, kids, I get it but so glad you went for it anyway... Goooooooood Luck

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Thank you!!! I mean it's kinda an impossibility right?!?!? But who knows.... xx

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Mar 28Liked by Emma Simpson

Exactly & you've got to be in it, not getting it is better than never knowing! X

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Yes!!!

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I love this! I operate with big things like this a bit differently than weighting up pros and cons and so on. Because of my faith... I surrender the decision to God- some might say to their higher power- and I pray a very simple prayer which is so powerful

If this is right and Your will for me... please open up the door. If it isn't... please close the door.

Never fails!

It's actually easier to remember to do it with the big decisions but my challenge is always to remember to do it with the smaller ones too.

Best of luck with your Antarctic quest, whether it is for now or another time... Such an exciting possibility ❤️

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Hello!! Lovely to see you here! And yes, I totally agree. Whatever that 'higher power' is - fate, destiny, God, the Universe...I definitely feel that the big things are often out of our hands. I love the idea of doing that with the smaller things too. Watch this space re Antarctica...I don't think my health will pass the requirements regardless of anything else, but something else may arise...!! Much love x

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https://alakelandsummer.blogspot.com/?m=1 Follow Kirsten Shaw on twitter.

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Oh Jean I love this!! Thanks so much. My research begins here!!! xx

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She's a beautiful photographer and line draw artist. So good to hear you on Heartleap this morning.

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So lovely to see you there!! Xx

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Go

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Trying 🤣

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What a wonderful piece, Emma. I am reminded of the lovely Annie’s words in one of HeartLeap’s Artist’s Way sessions last year: “I polish here and over there shines.”

Maybe it’s just the connection with someone working in the Antarctic. Maybe it will be 6 months away from home in job, a location that has your name all over it. Who knows. Whatever it is, it will shine, you will shine.

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Aah I love that quote...that's given me goosebumps!! And that's exactly it - perhaps it's just a connection with someone I'm supposed to meet, or maybe one day I will actually get there. Who knows indeed. I'm just opening a door and let's see where it goes. Thank you for your lovely and encouraging words xx

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Darn, I missed that Heartleap Club session! Do it!

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Thank you lovely, I'm on it!! ❤️

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Mar 23Liked by Emma Simpson

Do it. Love you 😘

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❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Mar 23Liked by Emma Simpson

This is wonderful, Emma! Keep us posted 🫶🏼👏🏼👊🏻

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Will do!! 😍

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This is so exciting! And I say go now if they offer it, because waiting 3 years is too much. But then I have ADHD, so perhaps take that into account. I mean, when things line up the way this is doing, the Universe must be trying to tell you something!

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Yes I think so!!! 😍

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As the universe would have it, I was just writing about what happens when you act on the signs given to you....even when they make no logical sense. In fact, especially when they make no logical sense!

So glad you're exploring this opportunity and handing over the outcome to the universe - exciting!

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Well these especially make no logical sense at all!!! Well in one way they make perfect sense, and in another way feel impossible... watch this space lovely! xx

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Mar 22Liked by Emma Simpson

“When doors open, you should walk through” is my lifelong mantra - but I am also an ADHDer. I am 65 and it’s worked so far. I don’t expect that its always going to work out but you never know where a journey takes you in your “one wild life”.

My son has just come back from 2 months doing research work in Antarctica - missed having Christmas with his 18mo and 3yr old, he did 5 months on Macquarie Island doing his PhD when his wife was pregnant. They talk things through and work it out.

Also - surely if your husband can have time away working, so can you?

You may find (depending on your health problems) you get filtered out but you have to try, I reckon. My son’s last stint down there was because he was doing the work for another guy who couldn’t go due to health problems. But who knows where the trying may lead you?

Like I always say to my students and younger coworkers - always apply, even if in doubt, because you can at any stage say “no” to an offer. It’s the journey that matters, not the destination.

My thoughts anyway 😌 - good luck! 🌱❄️

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Thanks Sarah, love this. And what a fabulous opportunity for your son!! Yep my hubby and I are the same, we talk things through and work them out. It's never straightforward but there are always possibilities. I suspect I will get filtered out, but maybe there are other ways to get there, it is definitely all part of the journey! xx

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Mar 22Liked by Emma Simpson

❤️. Enjoy the ride 🥰

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Gotta follow those goosebumps ❤️ There’s something in this whole experience for you for sure.... And noone would bat an eyelid if a man thought of leaving his family for an extended period for work.... just saying....

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I know, that's so true. I was going to write a whole piece around the fact that Himself goes away frequently at the drop of a hat...but that's something I have agreed to accommodate. If this becomes a reality for me, he has agreed to do the same but societally no-one would question him doing it for a second...whereas the mother? It's a very differently perceived scenario x

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Absolutely. One of our many double-standards! And sad that women are expected to be endlessly self-sacrificing. I'm so intrigued to hear what happens.... Living vicariously as I am such a homebody at the moment 😃

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😍😍

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