Nimavenl - Nicole's Random Ramblings

As a child, I dreamed of being an astronaut. Of seeing our planet from space, walking on the moon, leaving behind everything down here on earth. I wanted to explore, to travel, to see sights few others had ever seen with their own eyes. I wanted to know what it would feel like to be out there, floating in the darkness of space, weightless, far away from everything I had ever known or would ever know. These days I only dream of being an astronaut when I'm asleep. Yet others turned their childhood dreams into reality. American astronaut Scott Kelly is one of those people. He doesn't live his dream alone but shares it with the world, giving all of us down here on earth a glimpse of what life in space is really like. I can say one thing for certain - the photos Scott Kelly shares amaze, awe and inspire me. Our planet truly is an amazing place! For an instant before sunrise, the space station glows orange. #GoodMorning from @Space_Station ! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/FEXx8...

I wake up earlier than planned and see a world that is shining brightly. Everything around me is bathed in shades of purple, orange, red and pink. High above, the clouds stand out in a sky that seems to be on fire. Far below my balcony the wet streets reflect the fire-like colours above. I wonder - Is the world celebrating? Is the Source of All showing off just a bit? Is the sky dressed up in anticipation of a celebration? Is today special somehow, unique or amazing? I ponder the possibilities as slowly reality sets in. Before going to bed I heard the news from Paris. Forty people dead. Perhaps a hundred held hostage. Panic and mayhem and men with guns on the streets. I stand on my balcony listening to the silence. The pit-pat of rain coming down on the near-empty streets. Birds soaring past greeting the dawn of another day. It is peaceful and quiet where I stand. And yet. Only hours away chaos and terror reign. Only hours ago, over a hundred people died. The news tells me the deat...

Some more photos from last month's outing-with-camera in the mist. Not quite a separate Challenge but hey... It's been challenging lately to find the time to take and edit photos so I say it counts. Right?! Either way: YAY! I managed to write and publish a Photo Challenge post on a Sunday! It's been a while. Enjoy!!!

Love this! Seriously squealed when I watched this!