Farewell, Blogger

Today I am moving my blog from glimpsesofcreation.blogspot.com to glimpsesofcreation.tumblr.com. If you didn't catch the difference, the new blog is on tumblr.com instead of blogspot.com. Other than that, the URL is the same. Therefore, if you deem my blog worthy of following, please change your internet bookmarks to the aforementioned link :)

I am moving blogs for several reasons:

1. I have been learning some things about web design and, well, let's just say my blog isn't the most well-designed site. I learned SO much in developing this blog, but I needed to leave it behind.
2. I have been getting into another artistic branch that didn't particularly fit this blog: typography. This has been a strictly photography blog, but now I'm getting more into typography and would like to share that as well as my photography. The change seemed like a good opportunity to move.
3. As a developing web developer, I need more custamizeability. Tumblr provides that improvement.
4. Tumblr also provides a more modern blog editor. Blogger works, and I have been really impressed with their features (I think they will be updating this year, too). But Tumblr's done well with some things that matter to me, so I'm switching to them.
5. It provided an opportunity to learn new things and gain fresh experiences.
6. I LOVE designing new web sites!

What I will miss the most in the new blog is the archive. I have written 110 posts on this old and faithful blog, and it is not easy for me to leave that behind. That is the hardest thing. But I will by no means be deleting the blog, so it should be here anytime I (or you) want to see some of my previous work.

So adios, Blogger. You've served me well, but I'm moving on. May God grant me the strength to continue seeking His glory through my work and writing. The site is changing; the goal is not. Thank you for bearing with my transportation!

Once again, the new link is:

glimpsesofcreation.tumblr.com.

The Planarian

Meet the planarian.

This little fellow is approximately 3/16 of an inch (about 48mm) long. I have been taking Biology in this my senior year of high school, and so far this has been my absolute favorite animal. He is a member of kingdom Animalia (and is therefore technically an animal), and is in phylum Platyhelminthes (members of which are commonly known as "flat worms"). Here are a few fascinating facts about this tiny marvel:

• The planarian has no circulatory system (heart, blood, etc.) because of its branched intestine. This is the network of black things that can be seen throughout the planarian's body in the photograph above. This intestine carries food to every cell in the body, so there is no need for a circulatory system.
• The planarian has a brain!
• The planarian has the ability to sense light, by way of the two little eyespots visible on the right side of his body (his head) in the photograph.
• The planarian also has senses of taste, smell, and touch.

Isn't that incredible? Such a tiny little thing--with so much functionality! So much complicated "technology" weaved into this little body. But there is one more thing, and this is what makes this little creature so utterly astounding to me. I had never heard or imagined such a thing until I read about it, and I have not yet lost the impact of that first astonishment. Hold on to your seats and grab a bucket if you're squeamish or at all overly-imaginative, because this is pretty weird--but so INCREDIBLE:

The planarian willfully RIPS ITSELF IN HALF!

Is that not utterly astounding? I find that absolutely ridiculous! But it is true, and a means by which the planarian reproduces. It rips itself in half, and each half regenerates the other half, making two planarians where formerly there was only one. Stunning! Other worms have been known to regenerate if they are ripped in half by something (or someone) else, but this little guy rips himself in half! I find that absolutely amazing. What a testimony to God's boundless creative power. He thought up and implemented a creature that would rip itself in half in order to reproduce! I stand blown away. Imagine what that would be like!--or don't :)

 "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?'" (Romans 11:33-34).