A woman places her fingers into the crucifix-shaped holes in one of the ancient columns in the Church of the Nativity on December 22, 2011 in Bethlehem, West Bank. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

A competitor dressed up as Santa Claus jumps into the sea during the 102nd Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup at the Old Harbour of Barcelona on December 25, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Crowds Gather For New Year's Ball Drop In Times Square on December 31, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. Also known as the Millennium Wheel, its official name was originally the British Airways London Eye, then the Merlin Entertainments London Eye, and since January 2011, the EDF Energy London Eye.

A leopard seal feeds Paul Nicklen a penguin. (Photo by Paul Nicklen/National Geographic). Antarctic Peninsula, 2011

“When We're Gone... Memories Of Us Are All That Remain”, 2011. (Photo by: Trini61; Source: Flickr)

“Valentine Shmalentine”, 2011. (Photo by GillyFace)

Zoee Heath of New South Wales competes in the womens U18 discus throw during day two of the Australian Junior Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre on March 11, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.