The Big 5-0!

Today was my 50th birthday. So how does it feel being 50? Just a day older than yesterday :-) thank goodness! I did get kinda depressed when Celia said I got my AARP card in though. I took a picture of myself today so I can remember what I am supposed to look like when I forget. Thank goodness for tripods and remotes. I sure don't think I should be a half of a century old!

How do I feel about it?

* Where did the time go?

* Is it really true? When my mom was 50, I thought it was OLD! Now I don't think so.

* Honestly, this is a wonderful time in my life. Steve and I have enjoyed getting to know each other again, and have gotten to explore some wonderful places. I am looking forward to continuing to do so.

* I wish I could have been with my family - even if they would have planned a plot.

* I am thankful to have lived 50 years. When I was a teen I never thought I would see 18 - much less 50. I am proud of who I became despite what has happened in my life, the mistakes I have made and look forward to however long I am blessed to continue to enjoy life.

Enough about feelings... Steve gave me an awesome Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 Aspherical Lens for my camera this morning - complete with a UV filter :-) I LOVE it! I was able to take pictures I would have never been able to take with my other lenses. The clarity of the lens is wonderful. I think I am hooked :-)

You will see some distortion, but the huge range of field it makes up for it. This picture shows the distortion in the top part - but look how much you can see - all the way from our guard shack to the city! If I move the lens up, you don't see distortion across the center of the lens. I just took these from our balcony so you can really get a feel on what our area looks like - with a wide angle lense.

There are some things that the distortion is cool on - like temples:

I have no idea what was going on at the temple, but it was a wonderful service. They had dozens of tables set out with the same food on every table. Watching the ritual was very moving. If I am not mistaken, this is a Buddhist Temple. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Do you know what was going on?


I have seen this fence behind the Hindu Temple over and over, but today I noticed what was really on it. Do you see the elephants and peacocks?


I am saddened by all that has taken place in Mumbai India in the last 3 days - some of our guards are from India and we have had a running conversation about the happenings. One assured me I could go to the Taj Mahal now - I said I thought I would just wait. Life is getting more and more terrifying. Today (Black Friday) in the states, two people were killed at a Toys R Us and one at a Wal-Mart. Is it really THAT important to get a gift? No, and certainly not worth taking lives. What a senseless tragedy.

We finished most of our Christmas shopping and ate outdoors at the indoor stadium. Thankfully we had a nice stroll to and from, we needed to walk off some of the yummies we ate. We had a wonderful day. Thank you my dear hubby for my gifts - I am certainly not worth it. You will have to stop more often for me to take pictures - you may be sorry ;-)

I think being 50 is over rated. I don't feel it and I think it is just another number. I am only one day older :-)