"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all
our exploring will be to arrive where we started...
and know the place for the first time."
T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) American-English poet and playwright.

As the sun rose over the Martian landscape this morning everyone woke up to the smell of breakfast. Today, like all days on Mars, was adventurous.

The children practiced their music on their instruments, worked on their math homework, and studied biology. One of the students planted their seeds in the GreenHab for a school experiment. I am amazed on how well the children are working and playing together and how our Educator, Jared, takes on extra roles. Tucking the children in bed, waking them up in time for breakfast before their classes start, even disciplining them by taking away games and/or personal laptops when they are suppose to be doing their reports when instead they were e-mailing friends.

After the morning school session, everyone prepped for their first EVA. Unfortunately, the EVA was cut short due to some technical difficulties with one of our modes of transportation which now leaves us with only one operational ATV for the remainder of our rotation unless something can be worked out before then. Even with the problems, it was a good EVA in which everyone was able to get out of the Hab and go exploring and collect some samples.

Throughout the day we have been having issues with our water pump in which we now have to conserve our water, more so than before. Luckily the Crew took their showers last night. Such is life on Mars...

As for Human Factors, everyone is capable in handling the situations with the ATVs and the shortage of water but it still causes some to be vexed by the current situation at hand. The children seem not to mind too much, for as I type this report the children are watching their DVD movie and waiting for dinner to be served. After dinner, we will clean up the galley, "camp out", have popcorn, watch a movie, and play games together. We will need as much rest as possible for tomorrow we will have to make up for time lost from today's EVA which was cut in half. I am sure everyone will hit the rack early tonight.

Veronica Ann Zabala-Aliberto
Commander, MDRS Crew 59