In January, Make-A-Wish granted my wish to go to Antarctica. AMA!

Aww you're adorable!

Can't really think of a question that hasn't been asked already, but I still wanted to say congrats on being cancer free! My grandma died a few years back from lymphoma, so it's inspiring to see people who have fought it and succeeded.

Ahh, thank you so much!

My condolences to you and your family.

what's Make-A-Wish?

Make A Wish is an organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening diseases.

Wait Nilla you got to go?! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you! Were the penguins everything you had hoped and dreamed?

Yes, thank you so much! It was wonderful. (:

Great photos, you really captured the sense of awe and wonder. I felt like that once.

Where's your next adventure?

Thank you!

Other than heading back to Antarctica, I also want to see the North Pole. Particularly Norway.

That's really incredible. Thanks for sharing all those great photos and the great article. Really enjoyed the part about being "one" with nature. Not a lot get to do that these days! Congratulations on being cancer free, as well. :)

Anything you wanted to do but couldn't? Do you see yourself going back there in the future?

Thank you!

I really wish I could have gone camping on the actual ice, but due to weather conditions, it wasn't able to happen. I definitely see myself going back! I miss it so much, and aspire to work there one day.

Awesome!!!!

When I die, i'm splitting my money pretty much 33%/33%/33% roughly into make a wish for those already ill, to research for prevention and cures, and for education so people can study to gain knowledge to help :D

That's awesome! Thanks on behalf of everyone who that helps!

Did you get to pet a penguin? I hope you got to pet a penguin.

Also, congrats on being cancer-free! I hope it stays that way forever.

Unfortunately not! There were strict rules on petting penguins, and we essentially did not want to stress them out. Just being around them, and having them peck at my feet was enough. (:

Thank you kindly!

What's your favorite month?

Either October or December. I like the whole Christmasy, gingersnap feel to December, but I also am in love with the smell of freshly fallen leaves of Autumn.

Were the nights long/dark enough when you were there to see the stars without all the light pollution of living in civilization? I've been able to look up at the sky once when I was in Utah to see the stars like that. I could only image how beautiful someplace even more remote would be like.

Unfortunately not, but the sunsets and sunrises made up for it. (:

Did you take those pictures?!

Yes! My mother took some as well!

This is amazing! What an incredible experience. What was one thing that you didn't like about Antarctica, if at all? (Since the question of what surprised you the most has already been answered :))

Also, congratulations on beating that bitch of a disease. It's taken too many people away too soon, and I'm glad you (and the doctors/researchers!) slapped it into remission :)

Thank you! One thing I didn't like was the Russian base. They were not very nice, and there were many beer cans and oil in the water where they were set up. Broke my heart. :(

I also didn't like the fact that I had to leave!

Haha those are both definitely not great things! So after this experience, what do you see yourself doing in the future?

Going back and working in Antarctica as an ecologist, hopefully!

That's terrific, one of my life goals! Congrats on being cancer free, as well.

Did you see any sled dogs there? I've ran sled dogs my whole life and I always wondered if they were still in use in Antarctica.

Thanks! No, I didn't see any sled dogs, but I did also visit places that didn't have any people either, so that's probably why, haha.

Wow, fast answer! Thanks, I guess that skill won't be quite as relevant on my resume when I try to get a job down there.

Ooh, best of luck! I hope you get the job!

I went to Antarctica too! Did you travel with G-Adventures?

Rad! No, I went with Hurtigruten.

Incredible sunset shots my god. If you had a wide angle lens man id be frothing at the mouth

Ahh, I contemplated taking a good camera, but having never been out of the US before, I was too uneasy about it. These were all taken with either a GoPro or a couple small digital cameras.

did you take those pics yourself, btw? they're really good

Yep! Thank you!

After reading a bit of your ama, I really want to go to Antarctica. Looks like you had a lot of fun! Happy to hear you're cancer free

You definitely should. It is an amazing experience.

Are you died?

I'm actually writing this beyond the grave, yes.

OP delivered... From the grave...

3Sp00ky5Me.

So you arent dead? You scammed em?

Well that's not very kind of you, eh?

"Won’t accepting a wish mean we’ve given up hope for our child’s recovery? We have frequently been described in the media or by word of mouth as granting wishes for children with “terminal” illnesses. It is much more correct to say that we grant wishes to children with “life-threatening” illnesses. Many people believe (incorrectly) that we grant wishes only to children who are dying, when in fact, we see the process of making a wish as life-affirming and full of hope. Families tell us that a wish can encourage a child to imagine a positive future when courage and hope are flagging. Our wish children who are now adults would attest to this!"