2013. It’s here.

Just looking at the date makes me shake my head with disbelief. I can’t believe it is already 2013.

I remember watching television shows and science fiction movies that showed the 21st Century as futuristic. Yet here were are and we still aren’t driving around in cars that resemble small spaceships that hover off the ground.

That’s not to say we don’t have some futuristic gadgets.

We do, however, have robots. They aren’t like Rosie from “The Jetsons” cartoon, but I imagine scientists are closing in on that prospect.

There is a mini robot that cleans floors.

Many of you have probably seen the commercial that asks “iRobot, Do You?” There are several robots on that commercial that look pretty interesting. It all starts with the tiny iRobot that vacuums the floor. Now that’s something I could use.

The commercial goes on to show robots used in a laboratory and bomb disposal.

Technology has always caught my attention and I’m usually one of the first in my family to try something that’s new on the market in the way of gadgets.

I can only imagine what types of gadgets will be unveiled five years from now. Futuristic items are being invented daily.

Twenty years ago, I would have never thought I’d have a device like the iPod that could store literally thousands of songs in a device smaller than most decks of cards. Or a smartphone that could surf the Internet, or even the Internet where a person can look up any subject they choose at any given moment.

I’m sure there were tons of items invented in 2012 that we’ll begin to see this year that will assist us in our everyday lives.

My husband and I had a conversation the other day about technology. If all of sudden the world’s electricity stopped working, kind of like on the television show “Revolution,” how would we all survive?

The most used item in my kitchen, aside from the refrigerator, is probably my microwave.

We’ve even gone to using tablets and e-readers for our books. Before you know it, hardbound books will be antiques and a thing of the past.

I’ve even started receiving some magazines on my iPad.

It’s certainly convenient, but a little hard to tear out an article for use at a later date. Plus I’m still old school when it comes to recipes. I still like pulling out my binder or old cookbook to browse through options for food recipes.

A discussion in Sunday school class about technology opened my eyes to something that I hadn’t thought of before then.

One mother was explaining how she took her two small children to see the dancing Christmas lights at the Williamsons’ home in Tanglewood subdivision. When she looked in the back seat to see if they were watching and to see their reaction, they were both playing their handheld video game devices.

I thought about her comments for several days after that and I started noticing those around me. It seems as if everyone has their noses in their cellphones nowadays.

Have you ever watched people pass when you’re waiting at the red light at Brookway Boulevard and Highway 51? More people than not are on their cellphones as they pass by.

I have always thought of smartphones, iPads, computers, the Internet, etc., as better, faster ways to communicate. But now that I’ve actually stood back and looked at the world through different eyes, I think it has actually worsened the way we communicate.

Instead of talking face to face, we text. Instead of writing letters or calling people on the telephone, we email.

The world we live in is a fast, complicated place and time seems to be traveling along at an even faster than normal pace.

In 2013, I plan to slow down a bit, and like the saying goes, “smell the roses.”

I hope your new year is off to a great start.

And how was your week?

Lifestyles Editor Tammie Brewer can be reached at The DAILY LEADER at 601-833-6961 ext. 134, by email at tbrewer@dailyleader.com or you can write to her at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602.