My Earth Day #1 Iceland

First post of my own little Earth day challenge! I went back and forth decided where to start! So many amazing places to highlight...where to start?

I decided to go with Iceland.

This was the first country I every did a report on in elementary school and I have been fascinated by the history, environment and culture ever since. My mother helped me sew a replica of the flag...my first sewing project (FYI I suck at sewing but that little flag is still intact) Iceland is in my Top 5 places I HAVE to visit. You see, I have different lists. I have my HAVE to visit, my WANT to visit and my I would LIVE there tomorrow if I could, and It would be COOL to visit. Now this covers most, if not all countries, but some lists are shorter than others.

According to National Geographic 

A volcanic island, Iceland is Europe's westernmost country and home to the world's northernmost capital city, Reykjavík. Although glaciers cover more than a tenth of the island, the Gulf Stream and warm southwesterly winds moderate the climate—most residents occupy the country's southwest. Established in 930, the national assembly, or Althingi, is the world's oldest continuous parliament. Under the Danish crown for more than 500 years, the country became a republic in 1944. Almost all of Iceland's electricity and heating come from hydroelectric power and geothermal water reserves. Explosive geysers, relaxing geothermal spas, glacier-fed waterfalls like Gullfoss (Golden Falls), and whale watching attract more than 270,000 visitors a year.

Here are some facts from  http://landlopers.com/2015/06/21/facts-about-iceland

1. A majority of Icelanders believe in elves.
2. At about 39,000 square miles, Iceland is small – close to the size of Ohio.
3. There is a volcanic eruption every 4 years on average.
4. There are no forests in Iceland.
5. Beer remained illegal in Iceland until 1989.
6. At 43.5 hours per week, they have the longest work week in Europe.
7. The Icelandic language remains unchanged from ancient Norse. That means 1,000-year-old texts are still easily read.
8. Babies in Iceland are routinely left outside to nap.
9. There are no surnames or family names in Iceland – Icelanders use the traditional Nordic naming system, which includes a last name that is comprised from their father’s (or mother’s) first name with the addition of -dóttir (-daughter) or -son.
10. 60% of the Icelandic population lives in Reykjavík.

In my second book, I have a character born and raised most of his life in Iceland. If you are reading this and are a native Icelander, I would love to run some questions by you! email me at loradouglasauthor@gmail.com
Estimated book release, Aug/Sept 2016.

If I ever get to visit I would love to stay  at the Ion Luxury

(affording this trip is another story entirely! But hey I can dream!)
http://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/Ion_Luxury_Adventure_Hotel.htm

Other sources

http://ontheworldmap.com/iceland/iceland-location-map.html

http://www.express.co.uk/travel/activity/637734/Best-things-to-do-in-Iceland

Earth Day

I love Earth Day, always have. I know I don't do everything well when it comes to being environmentally friendly. I mean, I drive a car, occasionally eat meat from non sustainable sources, don't recycle EVERYTHING, but I do try to be conscientious and grateful to this awesome planet.

For those out there that do not know, I am a geography/culture loving nerd. If I could visit every civilization, every environment in the world, stand on every mountain, in every valley or desert, hear every language, study every religion, every culturally significant thing, I would in a heart beat. I love hearing people's stories, legends, teachings, songs, struggles, history...everything. My heart breaks for people I have never seen and I love people I have never met and feel homesick for places I have never been.
So in honor of Earth Day I want to attempt my own little tribute to this planet. Over the next year, I will be posting the flag of a nation and some info about the country/people group it represents. I will do my best to give them all their own day. Every country is unique and amazing and deserves to be celebrated.
Thus begins my own little twist on Earth Day celebration.

The number of countries (by definition) can change over the course of time so for this I will using the Worldometers website, World Atlas website, as well as information for the UN. I will strive to be as accurate as possible.

According to worldometers in 2016
"There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine."

I will start with these then branch out into other people groups. This will not be the only thing this blog will cover so don't worry those that are not as excited about this endeavor as I am :) 


Thanks for visiting MoE today! Happy Earth Day! 
Go run in the rain, jump in the mud, lay in the grass, recycle something! 

Laters, 
Lora

Sources
http://www.worldatlas.com/nations.htm
http://www.worldometers.info/geography/how-many-countries-are-there-in-the-world/
http://www.un.org/en/index.html
http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/space/earth/

Welcome to MoE!

Greetings! I'm an author. Ages from Eternity is my first novel. (You can get it on Amazon). My novels can be rough, gritty and deal with hard things...like life. I don't strive for shock value or to make people uncomfortable...I am simply finding a balance between being true to the character and true to myself. My writing will evolve...just like every other author. For I am every growing and changing and for that, my characters will too.

I am an Indie Author. I am proud, self-conscious and insecure all rolled into an odd little ball. Most days I love writing and other days it scares the skittles out of me. Later I will post a cartoon strip I found that illustrates this perfectly.

I love watching people, hearing their stories and the greatest adrenaline rush (for me) is seeing that spark...that 'ah ha' moment of realization when something clicks. I love people but I am a massive, hardcore introvert. I am reserved and shy and sarcastic. I love trivia and exploring and learning. I have dyslexia, asthma and a list of other medical speed bumps. I enjoy strong coffee, good beer, loud music, goofy moments, strange facts, random adventures and long road trips. Sometimes I can be moody, distant, overly anxious, self conscious and terrified of silly things that may never happen. Sometimes I'm spontaneous, reckless and say the word fuck (and sometimes get this twinge of guilt after...depends on the day).

But at the end of the day, I'm just a lover of stories that wants everyone to see the beauty around them. To know they matter. To know they are loved. To know they are not alone. We all a mess of eclecticness (not a word...I know) and diversity and that mess is beautiful. Breathtaking chaos if we only take the time to look. Every race. Every color. Every gender. Every creed. Every type. Every little box we can check on who we are, what we are and what we want to be is beautiful. People matter. You matter. Everyone has a past and everyone has a future.

Welcome to my world. If you are a new reader? Welcome. If you have been here a while? Thank you so much for your support. If you just randomly found this, I hope you hang around. If you like my writing, thank you. If you don't...I hope you find some writing that you do like. Reading is sexy :) just ask my bumper sticker.