So... then the pictures with the new lens begin!!! I got it on the 25th and I didn't stop taking pictures... it was an addiction I tell you! So here are some of the highlights of my time with my new lens :o)

Taken with: Nikon D5000 35mm 1.8

Every year my family makes these really intense gingerbread houses... I'm not talking lets glue some graham crackers to a milk carton. These are cast-iron baked and assembled houses. It gets intense. We usually have enough candy to use it would make a diabetic go into shock just looking at the table, but my Uncle Ted always takes a different approach. He loves to use peanut butter instead of icing and bird seed instead of candy and leave the house outside for the birds and squirrels to have. Needless to say this provided a lot of entertainment...

Taken with: Nikon 55-200mm

So for some reason I have become really excited about this goal. I have even dreamt about the things that I could give away. Purses, shoes, clothes, books...etc. I think the idea of having less stuff is kind of liberating. I'm not going to go all "Up in the Air" on you, (if you haven't seen it, buy it, rent it, watch it), after all, I did just buy a new sweater from Banana. My problem is I tend to accumulate new things without looking through what I have to get rid of. Not like hoarding, but more that I just don't think to get rid of anything. So this morning as I unpacked my suitcase from Christmas traveling, I did an initial purge. 22 items!! All with just a quick sweep of my closet and one of my drawers. Mostly dresses and tops, and this is only the winter stuff! I am literally so excited! I know I will definitely reach 100 and plan to see how far I can get! Maybe 200? Lets not get too carried away...

I have also decided that "donate" can be used loosely. I mean, if I hand it down to someone, that is considered a donation... right?

Here are a few of the highlights from the items I found to donate:

Fox Host: Michael Vick 'should have been executed: Ok, I agree with everyone else in the country that what Michael Vick did was awful, terrible and even boarder-line unforgivable to me. But execute him? I mean when a person kills another person, there is a lot of consideration that goes into deciding for the death penalty. Might be a little extreme Fox News.


Man Hit by SUV may have been Playing Real-Life Game of Frogger: I really don't have anything to say but really?

So this is what my computer screen has looked liked the past few days. In my attempt to relearn geography I have been using this website. It is actually very helpful!! First it has you learn the location of each country, then have you click on it when it is named, and so on until you are able to click on where the country is with out having any outlines. I am starting with Africa, the continent I probably will struggle the most with. I have actually done pretty well though, and after taking a break for a day or two, have been able to still remember where they are all located! I thought it might also be interesting to learn a little bit about a few of these countries while I do this so here is a little something on: Mauritania (Did you know that was a country?)

Mauritania was a colony of France until 1960 when it gained its independence. Since then its government has been ruled and overrun by a series of military coups. However unstable the presidency has been, there is a prime minister in charge of government, a legislative and judicial branch. They use a combination of Islamic and French civil law.


3.1 million people live in a country that is predominantly desert. Education is compulsory for 6 years, but there is only a 59% literacy rate among adults. Most people who live there are farmers, but the major industry is mining and commercial fishing.

The US contributes 11.1 million dollars in aid every year.
And now you know all about Mauritania!

Here are some of the stories that I found interesting today, and you might too!

 Texas Population reaches 25.1 million:TX population grew by almost 4.3 million people in 10 years. Why should you care? Well in the world of politics, this means that TX will earn 4 more electoral points. A state that normally votes Republican.

Christmas Sweater Club Punished at Local High School: Students who wore crazy Christmas sweaters and passed out candy canes to students as they entered the building were given detention and forced to clean for 2 hours for "maliciously maiming students with the intent to injure", since candy canes can be sharpened in a person's mouth and made into a weapon. A school administrator said, "not everyone wants Christmas cheer. Suicide rates are up over Christmas, and they should keep their cheer to themselves, perhaps." Grinch...

Tension as Italian Students Protest Education Law: Italian students have been protesting radical changes to the university system that they claim will reduce funding for schools and hurt the students who are already facing a 25% youth unemployment rate. they have taken to the streets in clashes with police, set fire to and broken into shops. Why care? Because now you know it could always be worse somewhere else...Can you imagine that happening in the US?

Obama Signs 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal: It is done! The ink is still drying on the bill that will repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Whatever your position is on this issue, it is important to read about because this is a major event that is taking place in our lifetime, and will be written in history books when our kids are in school. Here are some insightful political cartoons I found to go along with it:

IT'S HERE IT'S HERE!!!!! I CAN FINALLY START MY LIST!!! I AM SOOO EXCITED! already read the newspaper for 20 min this morning...more like 40 min since I have nothing to do for work :o).

Oh, and it's my birthday :o)

Jeez could my birthday hurry up and get here already?!? Not because I want presents but because I am DYING to start this list!!! I don't feel like it is right to start it before I turn 23, like its cheating or something.... but I can start planning!!!! :o) so here is what I have for you so far...


1. Relearn Geography: I found this AMAZING website that I think if I try and do a few countries once a day will help me learn! 


3. Apply (and get into) grad school: Well seeing how I got my GRE scores back this should be easier!


4. Volunteer at least once a month: So I have been thinking a lot about what I would like to do and one of the things is volunteering at the local animal shelter. I love animals.. dogs, cats, gerbils.. everything. I think it would be a great way to give back to the community without having to adopt one. I will just have to come home and immediately shower so I don't kill my roommate :o)


6. Read at least 10 books: I need suggestions from people!!!!!


11. Dedicate one day a month to photography: One of my friends from work has created a young photographers group with different photo assignments! 


13. Travel to a new country: Ok, I can't get into specifics right now, but there are two place that may be possible... I will say that one is in the Caribbean and one is in Europe.. and that's all I can say about that!


14. Travel to two states I have never been to: As of right now, I may have something in the works.... just like the foreign travel... I am going to stay tight-lipped until I know for sure


19. Go on a sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay: Lets just say its looking good...I may even go above and beyond the call of duty


21. Do 5 new kinds of workout classes: So I may or may not have bought a Groupon today that would help me with this... and it may or may not involve poles...


23. Donate 100 things I own: The past couple of days I have been thinking about my past and things from it and have realized there are a lot of things I am holding on to for sentimental value that I don't need to hold on to anymore. I think it might be pretty liberating and close a chapter in my life for good.


So that is it so far, if you have any suggestions for these or anything else on my list let me know!!!