I've managed to take a few pictures with my new camera. For those of you who are camera-junkies, it's a Nikon D-3000. I have the lens it came with and a second lens purchased in a bundle. I haven't played much with the second lens, but here are some pictures taken with the first lens: 
The first is a picture of a drying rose on my dining room table. I didn't do anything special - just took the picture by focusing it myself without special settings. The second and third pictures are of my dog, Charley. He's "special" as many say - just look at his eyes.
Any photography suggestions? Places to visit? Settings to try?
I've read a few photography magazines while standing in the bookstores, but they all seem so technical and for me being camera challenged, I need lamens terms to understand and use the equipment. Maybe a trip to the local zoo is in order...