Newness.

I don't even know where this new year came from because it really just snuck up on me. I still am in denial that Christmas whizzed by this year. It's crazy how time seems to speed up each year...but maybe that's just me. I have made absolutely no resolutions yet, and I'm okay with that. Maybe this year my resolution should be not to make any. :P In all seriousness, I think that my two main goals of the year will be to improve my time and finance management skills. Oh, and to have as much fun as possible with all of the landmark steps coming up for my friends, mainly graduations and weddings.

Vegas was a pretty great trip. I absolutely love getting to travel and see new things! We did a lot of walking around and exploring, and I got some decent pictures. I hope to get go back someday and get a lot more, though. (Random note: this year I also want to figure out the more technical things on my camera. I've started to, but I really need more practice). I loved getting to see mountains all the time while we were there. It made me realize that I want to hike up one someday (hopefully when I go to Alaska in June!). My favorite day was Tuesday, our only full day there, because we did the most walking around that day. I got my wallet stolen in the morning and was without my ID for 12 hours (thankfully I didn't bring any credit cards with, the ID was the only important thing in there), so I couldn't gamble, but that was okay...I'm not big on gambling at all. I played some slots, but my money mostly went to food, cab rides, and souvenirs. It took forever to find actual postcards because all I kept seeing were digital ones! Seriously, digital postcards. Think about that one for a minute.

One thing that surprised me about Vegas was how nice everyone was there. Every single person that I talked to, especially of the people working there, were so sweet and friendly. I guess it makes sense that you'd really have to be a "people person" to work and live around there with so many tourists, but I guess I didn't think about that beforehand. I'm so used to it in my little Concordia bubble, but it blows me away that a place called Sin City is actually full of fun, friendly people. That's a big part of why I wouldn't mind going back.

Here's one of over 200 pictures I took while I was there...and probably one of my favorites.



Alright, time to stop being a slacker and force myself to get some stuff done so I can head to my other home tomorrow! I miss the people there terribly...can't wait to see my "family" again. Even though two dear members will be missing, it should still be a great semester. Maybe I won't be sick for half of this one! :)

~"While a camera does not express the soul, perhaps a photograph can." [-Ansel Adams]~