"Show the Lay of the Land"

I am a BIG dictionary.com guru :)) and I was looking up a synonym for update haha. All I have is an update on my painting corner nothing too big, but "show the lay of the land" is awesome!
I started a piece I am so excited about and I actually whipped out my oils for it! (secret: it has a lot to do with Africa) I love texture so oils are awesome for that, but costs...well they are a different story especially for a college student at the local apartment "ghetto." But the piece is well on it's way!! I will have it posted in no time!