Thoughts

This is going to be different than my usual posts (not sure if I can qualify anything as "usual" though, seeing how little I've been writing these past couple of years).
Will be something of a meandering of thoughts that have been coming at me for the past 10 days.

Milestone birthdays

Why is it that we seem to mark some birthdays as more special than others? Place more significance on them? Dunno really, not even sure every culture around the world does this... And those that do, don't necessarily have the same milestones!

I guess my own mixed cultural background comes in to play here... 

The first big milestone I remember - yet didn't celebrate - was 15. I was living in Mexico then and the "Quinceañera" was a big deal! But I mostly saw that through a friend's birthday two years after mine, as my family was on holiday in the US Southwest (fabulous summer camping in the "4 Corners" area!), and I was actually in Vegas for my birthday! Perhaps if we'd been in Mexico instead of out of the country there might have been a "Quinceañera" flavoring to the celebrations? Your guess is as good as mine! And it's not like many of my friends would have been in town, they were all off on their own summer holiday (international school).

First Lady Michelle Obama Carpool Karaoke

Have you seen this??? Can I just say... how fabulous is Michelle Obama?!?!?! LOVE this!!! :o)

Life is good

Isn't it? ;)

Wearing Blue for World Oceans Day!

HAPPY WORLD OCEANS DAY!!!

Did you remember to "wear blue and share two" today? Two facts about the oceans that is!

I miss the Oceanic Blog-A-Thon very much! One day when I have time for more serious blogging again I'll relaunch it (and hope there are still enough people left reading me who want to join in). But for today, a quick simple post to remember the day.

Considering this year's topic is "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet", I thought I'd point you towards a HUGE problem for the ocean: PLASTIC. :o(

Here's a really good video from NOAA on Marine Debris and its impact on marine life (link in case the embed stops working in the future)...

Alicante is SWINGING!

So apparently there's a festival going on in Alicante this week called "Eat My Soul" (8th edition, a week dedicated to "Black Music"), starting this weekend, and going all out next weekend with a series of concerts, showings of movies/documentaries, a New Orleans food market and much more (which I'll miss out, out of town!)

I headed into town this morning to catch some of the action, and boy was it a blast!!! Swinging their way through the streets of the old part of town to the tune of "El Refugio Swing Band" (I didn't even know you could play a bass while moving it around!) and watching the people from "Alicante Lindy Hop" swing dancing (wish I could do that! Might sign up for classes in the Fall!). Check out these photos and videos! 

Here are the musicians:

Swinging their way through Alicante!

And here are the dancers!

Alicante Lindy Hop takes to the streets of Alicante!

That last video got cut a bit abruptly as I ran out of space of the phone... Unfortunate 'cause I LOVE that song! 

I've been moving to the rhythm all day... even once back at home! ;o)

PS: And yes this means I'm hopefully back on the Blog(s)! (fingers crossed!)

Day 14 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 14 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

LAST DAY in the Nature Photography Challenge! I thought I'd go out with a triple bang, and share some shots from the safari I went on in Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania last October (stayed for a couple of days after a work trip in Dar es Salaam). Was amazing!!! (click them bigger)

Giraffes are funny! :)

While zebras are crazy. ;)

And lions are lazy! :p

Well this was a fun experience! Plus it gave me an excuse to dust off some photos... I hope you enjoyed it too.

Day 13 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 13 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

For my penultimate Nature Challenge post, I figured it would be nice to head home: Alicante! And where do I feel most at home? Under the water!!! So here are a couple of photos taken while snorkeling or scuba diving: medusa Cothylorhiza tuberculata, photo from September 2009 while snorkeling at the base of the Peñón d'Ifach in Calpe; and mussles growing on an rope (they'll grow on any hard surface!), photo taken during a deco stop in Cabo de Palos, Murcia. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 12 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 12 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Continuing the photos taken on Fall hikes in Belgium, this post is dedicated to mushrooms! No idea what species they are (well, someone told me the name of the red one way back when, but don't remember). :p Photos taken in September & October 2010. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 11 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 11 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Still in Belgium, photos taken while hiking near Robertville in October 2010. The forests of Wallonie are gorgeous in the Fall! I miss those colors, nothing like that here in Alicante. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 10 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 10 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Back to the Northern Hemisphere. We're heading to Belgium! While most people think of Brussels or Bruges, chocolate or beer, there are some amazing natural sights in this small country! Here are two very different views of the country: mist rising off a lake near Coo, November 2010; and the coastal Nature Reserve of the Zwinn, October 2010. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 9 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 9 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Time to move north, but not too far! In my mind Antarctica is always associated with Tasmania since I always stayed on for a couple of weeks once I got back from the ice. Two trips, ten days exploring, and I barely got to visit a third of the place. Tasmania is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! And the photos don't do it justice, but here are a couple anyways! The beautiful sandstone Painted Cliffs on Maria Island and a cute little wallaby hanging out on Freycinet Peninsula. Photos taken in Tasmania in February 2005. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 8 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 8 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Another day in the frozen lands: icebergs!!! And larval antarctic fish (Antarctic silverfish and an ice fish) seen through a stereoscopic lens. Photos taken in Terre Adélie, Antarctica, in January 2005. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 7 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 7 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Time to move even further south, the frozen south!  Three Emperor penguins and Adelie penguins feeding their chicks at Dumont d'Urville base in Terre Adélie, Antarctica. Photos taken in January 2004. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 6 - Challenge on Nature Photography

Happy Three Kings Day / Epiphany!!!

It's the 12th day of Christmas, and a holiday here in Spain (which I've written about before in 2010 and 2012). Children woke up this morning looking to see what the Three Kings had left in their shoes overnight. For the rest of us it's a nice way to break up the first week at work of 2016. ;o)

And today is DAY 6 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Let's continue with more animals from New Zealand! Sperm whale and dusky dolphins from Kaikoura (South Island, NZ). Photos taken in January 2011. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 5 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 5 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

I think you'll agree with me that the New Zealand summer scenery has been beautiful, but how about we liven it up a bit with some animals? ;o) 
New Zealand Fur seal (Otago Peninsula, South Island, NZ) and Fiordland Crest penguin (Milford Sound, South Island, NZ). Photos taken in January 2011. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them... 

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 4 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 4 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Continuing with New Zealand summer sights: waterfalls! First one at the end of the Tongariro Crossing (North Island), second one in Milford Sound, Fjordland (South Island) - that's water falling from the top of the cliffs into the fjord! Photos taken in January 2011. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them...

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 3 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 3 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

After for the wintry scenes from yesterday's post, how about warming up with some Kiwi summer sights? Pohutukawa (New Zealand's Christmas tree) in bloom in Raglan (North Island, NZ) and unfurling ferns around Lake Te Anau (South Island, NZ). Photos taken in January 2011. (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them...

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 2 - Challenge on Nature Photography

DAY 2 in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook.

Winter has skipped over Alicante so far, so for Day 2 of the Challenge I wanted to remind myself of what it can look like! A frozen landscape in the forest of Sart Tilman in Liège, Belgium (December 2010) (click them bigger)

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them...

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Day 1 - Challenge on Nature Photography

So my sister​ challenged me to participate in the #challengeonnaturephotography on Facebook. The idea is to occupy FB with nature photographs. Each nominated person will post a different nature photo for 7 days. With each photo they will nominate another person and give the name of the person who nominated them...  

It seemed to be that this would be a very nice way to start off 2016, and I wanted to share it with you as well! :o)

Unfortunately I'm terrible at following instructions, and after going through my photos I can't choose any more! So I'm going for DOUBLE! Two photos a day for 14 days... :p

DAY 1:

These photos show two very different sides of Alicante: the coast (Cabo Huertas, May 2013, but looks the same today, less waves), and the mountains in the interior on a rare snowy winter day (Sierra del Menejador, January 2010) (click them bigger)

I don't know about challenging anyone on the Blog... But if you feel like joining in please do! Don't worry, you can stick to the original challenge of 1 photo a day for 7 days! ;) (just leave me a comment with the link so I can be sure to go see yours)

Best wishes for a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope 2016 brings you much joy. :o)