Early morning we planned for Sim. Late morning we prepared for Sim. And after a lunch of cheese and grapes and crackers, we entered Sim.

Although inside the Hab, our actions don't change that much, the atmosphere and our attitudes have shifted. Right from the get-go, as Shannon briefed us on what Sim can or cannot mean, depending on how rigorous the group wants to be, a sense of purpose settled in. Before, the scientists in the group had their research goals, their science goals. But it was their research, their science. Almost immediately upon arising from the breakfast/meeting table with everyone in motion for Sim, there was a sense of group purpose even though everyone's very first job was cleaning – either the EVA room or the back airlock "bubble." Is this always the case, I wonder? How do personal goals mesh with group goals? Questions to be answered.

It is interesting how much cleaning this crew has been doing. Is it because we are women? I think all of us would like to banish the sterotypes usually bestowed on women, but in this case I see our interest in getting the Hab in order as a sign of great strength. With order around us, we can see where we want to be going. There is space for the new to arise.

This all women crew is also planning on having some fun tonight – an official all girl party complete with nail polish . One member noted that she wasn't a girly girl, but personally I don't believe nail polish has anything to do with girly girlness but should be seen as "Art." Ketone art which just so happens to use nails as the canvas.

So what do the women here have to say about being on an all female crew?

• The atmosphere is easy, relaxed, no competition.
• No one is trying to prove anything to anyone; there's not so much pressure; no one trying to talk down to us.
• As a woman in science you usually have to prove that you are equal or better so that you can be credible, not here. Here you don't have to hurry up and fix the ATV before a guy comes out and proves to me that I am inferior.
• When men talk about their skills and knowledge base, it is Big and Important. Here you get the sense that skills and knowledge are to be shared. If I can know this or do this, so can you.

None of this, of course, should be seen as a putdown of men. Not at all. But rather as a self-congratulatory cheer by the First All-Female Crew on analog Mars.