Japan, New World, New Life.

Hi Everyone!

It has been a real long while since I have posted anything but I have been busy with packing and traveling and stuff. 
So as most of you know that this year was my last year at UWC sadly, because my Dad has a new job at Yokohama International School, Y.I.S., as the new heap of school. 

I recently arrived in Japan a few days ago and it's interesting here. I don't really have a complete opinion on it yet but I will soon. Its different to home but I'll have to get used to it. We are going to move into our new house tomorrow and start unpacking and getting everything together. I'm kinda looking forward to unpacking my room and organising everything to make it look the way I want. It's gonna take a while, but I've got time cuz school doesn't start for 4 weeks (end of August)!  I've already been to see the school and it is very different to UWC. A lot smaller, different numbers and stuff like that. It'll be interesting. The house is nice too. But I still miss home. I'll get used to it eventually. It's summer at the moment so thats good considering I was in South Africa for 2 weeks, winter, and then New Zealand for 3 weeks, winter as well. So its nice to be in shorts and tank tops again. I miss everyone terribly and leaving is having a big impact on my life and a lot of things. 

This is something that I found that was suppose to be posted around July 5. Sorry.
I really want to blog more and hope to get time to do it <3

Genre vs. Theme

Common themes are found in nearly every movie. Most movies have an element of trust or love. In every story or movie there is always a theme and sometimes multiple themes. The reason that trust and love come into most movies is because trust and love are in everyday life and In the movies they want to show that to make them more realistic sometimes. Also, people are abel to relate to these themes as they are things that happen or are in everyday life.

An example of this is the movie Finding Nemo. When Nemo get taken away by a diver, his father love for him drives him to travel across the ocean to find him and bring him back home. Nemo trusts that is father will come looking for him.

Lying Mirror, Truthful Eyes (Original Poem)

Eyes are a
Blueberries kiss,
An oceans touch,
A sky's rays.

Lips are a
Strawberries sweetness,
A clouds whisper,
A gentle lullaby.

Some people tell me things
That's others dare not to.
Tellings of truth, belief,
And beauty.

What they know
to be true,
Is what I think to be
A lie, a fairytale.

My mirror reflects a
Different image
Than their magnificent
Crystal eyes

What they tell me
Is nothing less
Than what I already
Think to be true.

My belief of what they says about me 
will never be 100%
But over time,
I will learn acceptance.

I will learn to accept
The present,
Forget and move on from my past,
And looking into my bright future

For I cannot change who I am,
And the only way
To truly keep going, is to 
Forgive, forget, learn, and move on.

I do not really wish to write anymore about this poem or explain it, I think that there is no reason for that. I hope you enjoyed this poem!

Sammie <3

Shower (Original Poem)

The fiery dragon weeps 
the hot tears 
that are the warmth to my 
isolated body. 

They disintegrated at the 
touch of my skin and 
fall off my fingertips 
leaving a trail of their past. 

My mind and my body are in 
two different worlds. 
My body experiencing the 
warmth of the waterfall, 
and my mind connecting the 
memory of pain to the 
heat on my body that is 
welcoming yet 
unforgivable.

This is another original poem I wrote a while ago. I wasn't sure whether I should post it or not because I'm not to sure if it's good enough but nevertheless, I have decided to. The inspiration behind it is actually a shower. I have used some metaphors and connections in the poem. I literally did think of this as I was showering and from there I added more on about the feeling and what it was like. Hope you guys enjoy it! Leave a comment on what you think of it and what I could to to make it better, or if you just liked it. 

Sammie <3

I'm Fine (Original Poem)

There is always a lie,
a silent cry,
a call for help,
behind every
I'm fine.

The definition of fine
means everything ok.
It means that your cup is
full,
A little more than
Just ok.

But the word 'fine' itself,
is used as a
mask.
A shadow that covers up
the cracks in our hearts
from the lies and pain.

The hurt remains within us
when we say "i'm fine" and
don't mean it.
We lie to and keep that feeling to ourself.
Afraid of the world outside of
our personal bubble.

People are able to pop our bubble,
but we remain unable to
escape.
Unable to leave that feeling
of loneliness and sorrow.

It takes one word
to unlock our dark thoughts.
The things we tell other people
to ignore but
we can't get away from ourselves.

But the thing is that
it can be fine.
Everything could be
ok.
If we just opened up.

By sharing our
thoughts and feelings
we are taking the
first step into being
ok.

The first step starts with 
talking.
So we are able to say,
truthfully,
"I'm fine."

I wrote this poem because a lot of people have been saying that they are fine, when really they are not. They trying to hide their true feelings because they are afraid of being hurt and of being judged. But school and life is not a talent show where there is a winner for the best act. We cannot be afraid of our own feelings. We must face them, head on. The people that love us and care for us can help us, but only if we let them. Pushing people away and lying about how you feel will not change anything. It would only make it worse. By opening up, we are tackling our negative thoughts and troubles and doing something about them. For anyone reading this who is saying "I'm fine" when your not, talk to someone. Maybe a friend you trust. Just be open and, this is very cliche but, everything will get better. Just trust yourself and the people around you. 

Sammie <3

(P.S. I am ok, I didn't write this because I'm not, I wrote this for the people that aren't ok! I promise (: )

The Lover, The Mood

- Some facts about Rudy Steiner -
'He was eight months older than Liesel and had bony legs, sharp teeth, gangly blue eyes, and hair the color of a lemon. One of the six Steiner children, he was permanently hungry. On Himmel Street, he was considered a little crazy. This was on account of an event that was rarely spoken about but widely regarded as "The Jesse Owens incident," in which he painted himself charcoal black and ran the 100 meters at the local playing field one night.' - pg 48

Rudy Steiner seems to be one if not the only friend Liesel has at the moment. He is very loyal and is always there for Liesel. He supports her and defends her from the other guys. but her likes Liesel more than just a friends. He really likes her but she in not interested in have s romantic relationship with him. 

*** THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN ***
             A BOY WHO HATES YOU
                  A boy who loves you.   
                            -pg 52

Rudy loves her, but she doesn't feel the same for him. She only likes him as a friend. He knows that but her isn't giving up on her. He has tried and asked for kiss a numerous amounts of time, but she refuse every single time. He knows what she wants and he will learn how to accept that. But nevertheless, they are still good friends and she doesn't want to loose her friendship with him. 

'Yes, it was white.
It felt as though the whole globe was dressed in snow. Like it had pulled it on, the way you pull on a sweater. Next to the train line, footprints were sunken to their shins. Trees wore blankets of ice. As you might expect, someone had died. - pg 6'
The mood is very dreary. Liesel has lost another part of her family, the same day that she is leaving her birth mother to go and live with her new foster parents. She was suppose to live with her foster parents with her brother, but that is no longer the case. Liesels birth mother is very upset by this and Liesel is devastated and heart-broken. She is having nightmares about her brother and her mother. The place where they buried her brother is the same place where Liesel stole her first book. The gravediggers handbook. It is the only connection with her bother she has. That'd why she keeps the book so close to her. It has a deeper meaning than just a book.

Poetry on the Way

Hey everyone!
I am just letting you know that I am starting to write poems in my free time. Some people (you know who you are) have already read one or two. I will be posting the one that I think are ok on my blog. I realized that expression through poetry can help us to figure things out and it's another way of thinking. Some of them might be a bit personal, but I am willing to share them. Poetry is creative and can be anything we want it to be. Anyone can write a great poem. I hope you like them :)

Sammie <3

Hard to Say Goodbye

One of the things I hate the most in life, is having to say goodbye. Having to say goodbye when you go away for holidays, saying goodbye to family after you visit them, having to say goodbye to the ones you love most. Thats something I have never had to do before. Never moved, always been in Singapore and UWC. As most of you know, I have been going to UWC since I was 4 years old, K1. I'm now 13, and in G7. I've had to say goodbye to people when they leave and I've watched people come and go from the school. But I have never been the one that has actually left everything they have ever know. UWC is the only school I have ever been to and I've lived in Singapore since I was 1 year of age. My home is here. And now being told that I am moving homes to a place where there is no uniforms, 4 seasons, only 2 or 3 classes in a grade and where everything is in Japanese, is a feeling I can't even put into words. 

Getting the news that I am moving to Japan, was one of the hardest things I have ever had to hear. Sure it in a way is exiting news, but i'm being told to leave everything I've ever know to go to a new place, a new school, and a new life. It's just something I have never had to do before. I don't want to have to leave my friends behind or my life. I love it here and it will take a long time to get used to the change. To be honest, it has been hard for me. I cried a couple of time because I just didn't know what else to do. I was upset and scared. But now I think it's just because i'm scared of adventuring in a new environment. I am scared of going to somewhere completely new and somewhere where I know nothing about. I know I will like Yokohama International School, but I will always love UWCSEA more. It is my home and the place I grew up, and where my education and knowledge has grown and developed. I love it here and I'm not ready to go yet. I always envisioned that I would stay at UWC until I was in G12, but that, however, is not the case at all. 

I love my life here and I'm happy. But now I have to try and find that same happiness again in a new school. I guess this post so far seems like a negative boo hoo type of post, but i'm speaking from my heart. But to be honest, I am slightly exited for it. It is a new place, new country, new people. I know I will enjoy it there no matter how much I miss life at UWC. I have decided that saying, acting, and just having a lightly better view of it helps in a way. The post is a step towards feeling better and getting over the fact that I am not staying here at UWC forever. There is soo much more I still want to say but I can't. Not yet anyways. 

Since this blog is registered with my school account, after I go I will no longer have access to it. So I will almost defiantly make a new blog and continue posting on that one.

I love my friends at UWC and I'm gonna miss you guys like crazy! I'm going to treasure all the moments and says I have left with you guys! There is only 4 months left before the end of the school year! 

Sammie <3

Demand A Plan to End Gun Violence

BBC:

When I was looking for a article to talk about I came across these ones. Gun violence in America. Gun violence has become a huge problem there and is one that can and needs to stop. All 3 of the articles were on the same subject, just different parts of the story and the action thats being put to use. The article from the BBC was about the shooting in america recently at a school, and what Obama is doing about it. Obama has decided to continue with his plans towards weapon ban and background checks in the U.S. This debate has been revived due to last months mass shooting at a school in Newtown, Connecticut. There, a gunman shot dead 27 people, including 20 children and his own mother.

This event was very traumatic and is one that shouldn't even be a problem, let alone exist! What I don't understand, is how someone can just go around and shoot people for no good reason! Anyway, back to the point. It is clear that Obama fells very strong about banning and stopping the gun violence, but the NRA (National Rifle Association) says they will fight any attempts to limit access to guns or ammunition. This is a possible threat as it is unpredictable what they might do in order to stop the laws from proceeding. After the Newtown shooting, the NRA proposed stationing armed guards in every school in America. The group says it has signed up more than 100,000 members since the massacre. This is the part im a bit confused on. Do they want to keep guns or stop them from harming any more people? I am on Obama's side because guns are nto suppose to be used in that type of way. I don't think that they should exist at all, other than MAYBE the police. But not everyone should be aloud a gun. I think that all of this is true and that non of this was exaggerated because this is a huge and serious problem and it should not be taken lightly. 

Irish Times:

President Obama is taking action towards stopping gun violence in the U.S. After the shooting that went down at Shandy Hook, Newtown, Connecticut; Obama has decided to move more quickly with the plans to stop gun violence.  Obama referred to the day of the shooting, as the worst day of his presidency. This article is similar to the one from the BBC, in the fact it talks about the shooting at Sandy Hook as well as the action Obama is taking. Something else to add: National Shooting Sports Foundation chief Steve Sanetti called weapons manufacturers, sellers and owners “misunderstood” in comments prepared for his speech on the state of the industry. I think that overall, that this should't even be a problem in the world. There should be no gun violence because it is no necessary.

Overall I am against gun violence and think that it should be illegal. I am soo happy that Obama decided to take a stand and try to end gun violence. Both of these articles gave good evidence and examples to support their ideas, but I proffer the one from the BBC a little more because they had different parts fo the story and I found it a little more enjoyable to read. 

Below is a video that I found ages and that has got me thinking for ages now. Once you have watched it, tell me what you think about this. 

If you want to help stop this, you can by signing a petition from the website for this organization:

http://www.demandaplan.org/

Websites:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2013/0115/breaking70.html
http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2013/01/president_obama_to_unveil_swee.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21032450

Christmas Holiday Round-up Day 20,21,22,23

Day 20, January 3rd 2013

Day 21, January 4th 2013

Day 22, January 5th 2013

Day 23, January 6th 2013

So I ran out of time to write and I'm sorry that this is late but here it is!

I made these Christmas Holiday Round-ups a a holiday project for myself because I stayed in Singapore.

Singing Inspiration

When I was in grade 4, I performed at the esplanade theater with Global Voice, the primary school choir. It was one of the best if not the best performances. I love singing and I loved singing in choir with Mrs. Hess, A former teacher at UWCSEA. Performing there was amazing and I got to perform there with my friends that were also in choir which made it even better. The crowd was full of people that were waiting to hear us sing. One of the songs we did that night was "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson. Myself and a couple of the other kids in choir had a small solo. We sang the first verse of the song. I was really nervous but I loved every single second of it. Ever since I joined choir in grade 4, I new that I wanted to sing. So from then I performed in assemblies a couple of times singing a Maori song and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I loved it. Singing in front of people. Although I was a little bit nervous I knew this was something I really wanted to do. But for some reason around before grade 6 started when we moved from Ang Mo Kio campus to Tampines campus along with everyone else I didn't really want to perform in public outside of choir anymore. I don't really know why but I have been really shy about singing in front of people. In a way I hated it but I wanted to so badly. I guess I was scared of what people might think. I don't know, I never figured out why I'm scared but I know it's something that I want so who knows, maybe I will perform in public again soon. But even now I'm still shy about it. I don't have stage fright. I love acting on stage and performing just not singing for some weird reason. I do hope to get over that soon and even maybe perform? I don't know what the future holds.

Anyway, Mrs. Hess started working at the school when it first opened at Ang Mo Kio in 2008. I started at the school after the easter break that same school year. Before that I went to UWCSEA dover campus. I was in choir there but for some reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I did then and as much as I do now. Mrs. Hess got me back into singing and in grade 4 I joined choir. She is one of my inspirations for singing. From then on I have been in choir every single season since grade 4 and I have been singing since then. Show tought me a lot about myself and was always encouraging to do my best and to go for what I wanted. She helped me when I wanted to perform and when I was nervous before performing. She always looked out for me. So I spent time in the classroom and in choir with her learning more about singing and how to become a better performer. 3 years I spent with her, getting to know her and learning from her. I am so glad I met her. Sadly she left at the end of my grade 6 year, the first year UWCSEA tampines campus was opened. It was hard to say goodbye, but I knew it wouldn't be forever. Since then I have taken on vocal lessons with the wonderful Mrs. Stirrat who now does choir and I'm working on choir pieces, exam pieces, and a couple for fun with a friend of mine, Avni who also does vocal lessons. 

In a way, this is my story of the time I performed at the Esplanade theater and one of the amazing people that inspired and influenced my singing. I thank her for that and for everything she did for me. 

Word for the Future

My word for 2013 is passion. It is the one word that has been with me by my side in everything I do. There are different types of passion, but mine is the passion to do well in life, give back to the people that mean so much to me and that have made a huge impact on my life, and to do what I love. I only get involved in the things that I'm passionate about. 

The spider diagram above, the definiton there is not really the one I am talking about.

I'm passionate about helping the less fortunate and the service that I do. Without the passion that I have I wouldn't be able to go every year to stay and help in orphanages. The kids there inspire me to do my best and to love life. The kids mean so much to me. They have taught me soo much over the year and I have made deep connections that will stay with me for my entire life. Some of the kids there have been through so much that has made a huge impact on the rest of their life. But even after what they have been through, they are some of the most happiest and positive kids I have ever met in my life and that to me, is one of the best outlooks's and attitudes that someone can have on life. Seeing their faces and their expression when we arrive to come and see them, is what brings me back every single time and what makes me want to stay. Going and spending time with the kids and helping out in the orphanages is something that I have been doing since 4th grade and is something I am truly passionate about. 

Anything thing I'm passionate about is drama. I have been involved in drama since I was in grade 3 because it is something I truly enjoy. I feel so free when I am on stage, performing and entertaining people. I love the idea of pretending to be another character and to live another life for a little bit. And the best part about it is that I'm pretending to be someone else without  having to changing who I am as a person, I'm just acting. 

I believe that people should live with passion because with passion we can accomplish so much in life.  

Cloud 9

This is the video I made for the christmas holiday challenge! Hope you guys like it!

Christmas Holiday Round-Up, Day 18 & 19

Day 18, January 1st 2013

Yay! Happy New Year everyone! 2013 is finally here! Last time I stayed up until 1am and didn't ge tup in in the morning until 12:45. I love sleeping in during the holidays because during the school week that is not a possibility. So not much happened today. It was more of a stay at home type of day. So I didn't really do anything other than walk the dog and catch-up with some friends. My sister went out for a play-date I think. But thats pretty much it. Yes pretty boring day, but there is nothing else really to say. 

Hope you guys had a more interesting day than I did but there is nothing wrong with having a lazy day once in a while. 

Day 19, January 2nd 2013

So today was actually pretty exiting. I had a bit of a sleep in today, well until lunch actually, because I was still a bit tired from staying up on New Years. Anyway in the afternoon, My Dad, Hamish and I went mini golfing! I love mini golfing. It is a lot of fun and is soo much easier than bowling! The mini golfing place is called Lilli Put and is on the east coast at the big splash. 

Lil Put building at the big splash!

We played mini gold for about 45 minutes to 1 hour because there is only 18 holes and it doesn't take long to complete all the holes.

1st hole, Changi Airport

So all the holes are based on different landmarks in Singapore or things that make Singapore the country it is today. But to be honest, I didn't know quite a few of them.

2nd Hole, Singapore National Army

3rd Hole, Race Track (I don't know the name)

4th Holes, Esplanade - Theaters on the Bay

 5th hole, MRT Station

6th hole: I'm not quite sure what landmark this is
7th hole: I'm not quite sure what landmark this is
8th hole: Shipping bay near Sentosa and Vivo city
9th hole: Snow city
10th hole: Singapore zoo I think
11th hole: Hauka Centre
12th hole: I'm not quite sure what landmark this is
13th hole: The Big Splash, where Lil Put is located
14th hole: I'm not quite sure what landmark this is
15th hole: Mount Faber near Vivo City
16th hole: I'm not quite sure what landmark this is
17th hole: I'm not quite sure what landmark this is
18th hole: The beautiful Sentosa

After we had finished on the last hole, we tallied up the point.
Sam = 110, Hamish = 136

I won! The aim is to get the lowest score. I was actually pretty happy with myself consider Hamish beat me at bowling not to long ago but bear in mind he had bumper lanes. Anyway after we had finished there we went for some lunch, chicken rice, dumplings and satay! Then it was home.

Driving home

Once we got home it was homework time for me! I spent ages on math, 2 hours actually  but it had to be done. Then I took a break, had some dinner and got back to work. That was math out of the way and now onto englsih! we had to write 2 sonnets about the history of sonnets and sonnets themselves. That took me another couple of hours. By then it was getting late and my parents had guest over. So I went down to have a chat and say hi. After that bed time!

Hope you guys have all had a great holiday so far and Happy New Year!

Christmas Holiday Round-Up, Day 16 & 17

Day 16, December 30th 2012

Today was a pretty lay backed day. I got up late around 11 and mostly did house work for the next couple of hours. Stuff like dishes, polishing, cleaning bathrooms and more. And around 4pm a friend came over for a sleepover.  We spent nearly the all of the rest of the day on laptops or watching a movie on laptops. Yes I know, slightly sad but oh well it was fun. Somewhere inbetween all of that we took my dog Whiskey out for a walk for about 30 min. At around 11pm we had to go to bed because the next day we were going bowling and to see The Hobbit in Gold Class! 

Day 17, December 31st 2012

I had a lot of fun today. There was movies, bowling, sleeping, and froyo! We had to get up a 

little bit earlier in order to go to the movies for 10:50am, but we had to go to the movies to redeem the vouchers because we couldn't book them online with the vouchers. So on the way to the MRT we called up Golden Village to block the seats so that our seats were guaranteed. But just as we were about to hop on the MRT, they said that there were no more seats available for that time, or the next time. So we had to walk home and book tickets for the latest time. 6pm. We had nothing to do for the entire day. So we went home for about half and hour and then went for lunch and bowling! For lunch Tessa and Hamish had Mac Donalds and my friend had a hot dog and I had a salad wrap. It was toasted and really good. Then, to buy bean bag filing and then to bowling! Ok, so I thought that I was pretty good at bowling and It turns out that my 4 year old brother is better than me. For the record he used the bumper lanes. We played 2 games and I came 4th in the 1st one and 3rd in the 2nd one. My friend came 1st in both, Hamish came 2nd in both, Tessa can 3rd in the first and 4th in the 2nd game. Ya. Im not the best bowler, but im not the worst! Its just I havent played in ages! 

1st Game

This is the score for the first game

2nd Game

This is the results for the second game













Ya. Im not the best bowler. Anyway, after bowling we went for froyo! I had strawberry with granola topping. Yummy!

It looks delightful

Yoguru!

Then it was home and getting ready to go to the Hobbit! My friend and I had to catch the train from kovan all the way to Vivo. 11 stops and 25 min on the train. It's all on one line so its not that bad if you have a seat and music to listen to. Once we got to vivo we got our tickets and headed for the Gold Class lounge where we had to hang out before going into the cinema. We had about 20 minutes so we ordered food for the movie and drinks. 

snacks

Inside gold class with a blanket

The movie was amazing! It was action packed and a great film to watch. This was actually my second time seeing it, as I had seen it earlier in the holidays with Denyvi and Aayushi. So after the movie we went home on the MRT, again, to get home and then my friend had to go home. Bye bye! and as for the rest of the night I stayed up until 2013 and went to be at 1am! 

HAPPY 2013 EVERYONE!

Christmas Holiday Round-Up, Day 14 & 15

Day 14, December 28th 2012

Hey everyone! Today I got up a little earlier so that my family and I could go to the movies! My Mum, Tessa and I went to go and see 'Life of Pi' and my Dad and Hamish saw 'Wreck-it Ralph'. I saw 'Wreck-it Ralph' with my friend Caelan not to long ago. Anyway, 'Life of Pi' is a movie about:
A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor ... a fearsome Bengal tiger. - from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454876/. 

Life of Pi movie 

It is a longer movie, 2 hours long but it is a good movie. In some parts it's a bit slow but after that it's really good. After the movie we went for some food. We went to a Japanese bakery and I got a cheesy bun thing. Its a bread bun with some cheese in the middle. It is soo good! Then my Mum wanted to go shopping for some winter clothes. Whilst my Mum, Tessa and I were shopping, my Dad was looking for a suit. After about 30 min Dad met us up and we went home. For the rest of the day I was at home not really doing anything. For dinner I had char siu and rice. Yum!

Yum! char siu and rice

Leave a Comment on how your holiday is going! I'd love to hear what you've been up to. 
4 more days until 2013! <3

Day 15, December 29th 2012

Today was an action-pact day! I had to get up a little earlier because we were going to the new aquarium at resorts world Sentosa. But in the morning we went to the fruit market to get some fresh fruit and vegetables. After that we went to Vivo City for lunch and a little bit of shopping. We went to Marche for lunch! It is one of my favorite restaurants even though I have only been there a couple of times. After that my Dad, Tessa, Hamish and I went on the cable cars to get to Sentosa. Then to the museum and the aquarium. The aquarium is full of so many amazing bright colorful fish! We where there for about 1 hour and a half. I took a lot of photos during the day and they show a lot about it.

https://picasaweb.google.com/106964050659379030110/FruitMarket02#slideshow/5828180061694329266 
(Here are a few of the photos from the albums)

Pineapples 

Coconuts 

Bananas

https://picasaweb.google.com/106964050659379030110/ShoppingCableCarsAquarium#slideshow/5827755812649137218

Marche Cow

View from the cable car 

Lollipop tree at candyclicious!

Waiting to get into the museum, the aquarium is in the museum 

Next to the ship at the museum 

Que to get into the aquarium thats inside the museum

Hammerhead shark above us in the dome

Needle fish I think they're called 

Colorful tank full of beautiful fish

Whole lot of blue fish

Stunning Jellyfish

Rising up 

Floating by 

Giant tank

(I didn't put a effect on this picture. It's the real thing.) 

Giant tank full of beauty

Sorry but I can't put in the slideshow, only the links but I put in a couple of my favorite from the album as a little peek. Click on the links to view the photos!

2 more days until 2013!