Sand Magnification

I never really thought about what sand would look like closeup. I assumed it was small chunks of smooth rock, shells and maybe glass. But, here are some exquisite closeups of what sand really looks like when magnified up to 250X. The shapes, colors and textures all vary. It's amazing and so beautiful to think this is what feels so good between our toes when we walk on the beach. I have a new respect for sand...I think I'm going to start collecting sand!

 

Source: Inspiration Green and My Amazing Earth

Happy 2 Year Blogiversary

Has it really been 2 years since I started this blog. Wow...it really has been. This past year has been crazy in so many ways big and small. I'm not going to list all of them here, but the last 2 weeks were the tip of the iceberg for me, more on that in this post. Sadly, I have not been as active on my blog as I had planned this year, and a lot of that has to do with my work load. A PhD program is not forgiving. I can't promise to be any more active this year, as my one and only new years resolution is to advance to candidacy and that means getting my head in the game and pushing forward. My blog, as much as I love it and love posting things on it, is a distraction, and well, distraction is my way of avoiding work.  I will keep posting here and there, but it won't be a post a day :(

The past 2 weeks have been crazy, not because it was the holiday season. No, that would have been lovely.  It was because 2 days after Christmas our landlord(s) decided our apartment had to be fumigated for termites and by fumigation I mean tenting. Against my wishes, better judgement and wisdom, we had no choice but to accept. I tried to fight it, sent email after email, but being just one person against a board of MORONS who make decisions based on their pocket books, we were forced out. Yes, I know, tenting is common practice for riding your house of termites, but it is the WORST option. I did a lot of research into the harms of Vikane Gas, and I was going to do a post about it, but every time I think about this topic or bring it up I get fuming mad and so, it is best that I just move past this episode. Suffice it to say, we moved all our food out (including freezer and fridge food), plants, fish tank, cleaning chemicals, lotions, shampoo...anything that could have a chemical reaction to the gas and anything that the gas could leach into (plastics!!!!). Don't bother with those nylofume bags...gas leeches into them.

Long story short, they released our apartment for re-entry last week and I got sick - vomiting, nausea, headaches...all the side effects of the gas. We stayed out of the apartment for 2 days after they allowed re-entry, but I was going back and forth moving things in, cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, airing things out...and well, lo and behold, I got sick.

I'm going to leave this post as PG as possible, but there are many a curse word and insults flying through my head that I wish I could spew forth, but being a proper lady (cough), I will keep them to myself.

My holiday was not a holiday and I have started this new year off exhausted and on a bad foot, but things can only get better, I hope.  With that, happy new year to all, happy 2 year blogiversary and wishing everyone a great year ahead :)