It is Christmas!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Many years my sister and I have each got one large present, or one for us to share. This year, my "big present" was a video camera! I'm definitely looking forward to playing with it and using my new program to create some videos! Hopefully I will be able to upload them here sometime :)

It has been a wonderful day for all of us here; the day (technically) started when I was texting Calleigh at midnight because neither of us were sleeping for excitement. ;)

Well, goodnight to you all! And Merry Christmas!

Poetry

Here are two poems that I find somewhat related. Both in style and similar emotions that I wrote with.

What I Felt In But A Moment

Suffocating;

Thick

Heavy

Air.

I gasp

To breathe;

Such thick

Heavy

Tension

In the air.

Smothered;

Covered

Closed

Hidden.

Worry

Saps my breath.

Energy

Fails.

Surrounded;

Snagged

Caught

Consumed,

Enclosed by screaming silence.

Delirious

Furious

Withdrawn.

Alas,

I am afraid

Amidst a whirling cyclone

Of Confusion

Tension of Deafness

Tension

Of chaos

Drowned from lack of air

Breath is lacking

Silence wanting

The quiet only comes

From deafness

When the screaming overtakes

Sound exploding

Every breath is drawn

As a gasp

Rushed

Attempt to swallow air

Failed

The storm of noise and chaos

A twist snatching peace

Taking all serene

Stealing hope.

Tension

Binds like thorny rope

Caught by snags of noise

So loud

Silence wishful thinking

Until all hearing lost

Deafness

Welcome.

Skyeler

Photoshop for Fun!

I enjoy editing pictures on photoshop either for practical purposes (rarely) or for my own amusement. They do not always turn out how I like them to, or even make sense have of the time, but it's still enjoyable!

This first one is how I would imagine the ovulum from the Oracles of Fire series (by Bryan Davis. Scroll down a few posts for more information!) I can not take credit for this picture, as it came with a photoshop book that taught me how to make the stone glow. So really, this is just following instructions for the most part, but I was pleased with the outcome! And I added the rays of light and the eye in the center, to finish of the touches and make it the ovulum, not just a rock that glows (theirs was purple!)
This is a picture my mother took of me early this year. I decided to transform myself into a chaaracter (not the first time this has been tried) but this time I used a character from my own story. This...didn't turn out quite how I wanted, but it was fun nonetheless. This character is a fairy, so she has wings. I tried to add them. Not horrendous, but not...great. I added the little star things all around of course. I also had some fun with editing myself ;) I darkened my eye color, changing it to a light brown (hypothetically.) I lightened my hair with the dodge tool, and then gave it a very slight yellow/blonde color. I did the same to my eyebrows. I whitened my teeth (wow, that was an interesting thing to do!) and took out a brown spot from moms camera from my shirt. And I also fixed up my skin a bit to make my complexion a bit more clear, and added "digital" makeup to my eyes. So below is my rendition of a book character!
This photo was taken by Calleigh (thank you Calleigh!) and it was so cool! Unfortunately, it was a pink mirror I was holding (not too dramatic) so I needed to change that. I suppose I got carried away ;) I added contrast and darkened the photo a tad. I took out the dark circles under my eye and touched up my complexion again. I lightened around my earring to see if I could make it sparkle more. I darkened my lashes a tad, colored my lips a little bit, and fixed my eyebrows. My hair was left mostly the same, though it was darkened by the change of contrast. The title was just for fun. I also considered Inner Beauty as a title. I thought it sounded like an intriguing book cover! But...alas...I have not wrote it. (So Calleigh, Sarah, and Emily...I have opened a new opportunity for you with a book cover already created! *bows*)

Skyeler

Could One Love?

This is a poem I wrote a few months ago. Unknowingly, it became one of my best works yet, and others have complimented and given me more praise than I deserve! In any case, I have decided to post this poem. It has become one of my favorites.

Could One Love?

My face was hardened,

Stained by tears

Their salty tracks

Betrayed my fears

Throughout my life

I pushed away

So why these scars

Haunt me today

A child grasps

Her daddy’s hand

Were she to fall

He’d help her stand

A place inside

With envy filled

Where once my long

For love was stilled

Would ever I

Belong to one

But now I stay

Observed by none

My heart of stone

Forged long ago

Remaineth cold

Like icy snow

Longing fills

Emotion’s place

I once ignored

But now beg grace

Could someone love

One stained as I

Afraid to feel

Afraid to cry

I once was hurt

Once cast aside

Though promised love

To me they lied

My frozen tears

Now melt like ice

I trusted love

And paid the price

I caged myself

In stoic mask

Why doth my heart

Forsake its task

To never care

To only beat

Though wander I

Lost through the street

I hid myself

Behind my lies

I scoffed at other

Orphans cries

Such terrors haunt

A place within

I once ignored

Despite the din

Of screams of pain

That clutch and grab

Refuse release

Persist and stab

My appearance cold

A mirror of life

That’s all I’ve known

These years of strife

Could someone love

One stained as I

Afraid to feel

Afraid to cry

Yet now I sob

Now I ache

My heart is ice

But soon will break

I long for love

To be aware

And show just once

This lost one care

Though many pass

Not one will see

This fallen waif

That cries “Help me!”

I lie forgotten

Forsaken here

Is it my call

To drown in tear

A man lifts up

My shaken form

Around him dims

Surrounding storm

Who is this man

Who saw my hurt

Who knelt beside me

In the dirt

“My daughter” he says

“My child dear

“Forsake your pain

“Forsake your fear

“I’ll wash it in

“My crimson blood

“Release them now

“Into this flood”

Alas I tremble

But I obey

I want to know

This man today

This man who saw

One stained as I

He took my hurt

And let me cry

He gave me life

He washed me white

He turned my dark

Into His light.

Skyeler

Birds

About a week ago hundreds of birds were flying about our neighborhood. There were in trees in our front yard, backyard, and in our neighbors' yards. Flying past the windows and making a lot of noise, I eventually looked outside to see just how many there were. They were like leaves on the trees there were so many of them! Hardly an hour later, all of them were gone. It was a small, short-lived experience, but it was still amazing! The next week on our way to church I saw an Eagle in the snowstorm. It was beautiful, and I wish we would start bringing the camera with us always. But alas, that has yet to happen. So instead I have written a poem about the many birds in our yard that day :) As of yet, it has no title.

The screeching melody

Is heard

Out of my window.

Black against the blue

Lit

By this sunny afternoon.

The awkward pleasantness

Of chaos harmony

Thousands of voices

Rising

Reaching

In one and several chords

The beat

Of a hundred wings

The chime

Of wind

Stirring lack of leaves

Kissing tenderly

The branches they light upon

Before their winter flight.

Surrounded

Like a cyclone

By mindless chattering

Melodious

In another language

I do not speak.

The sound

The beauty

Confusion and discord

Becomes a wonder.

But they spread their wings

And not an hour later

They're gone.

December 8, 2010

Skyeler

Photography Assignment

This photography assignment was to take a picture of your favorite toy. I decided to use these stuffed cats, as I played with TY beanie baby cats for years when I was younger.

These were in the best shape, and still had the tags on.

(Silver; Scat)

These three were much harder to photograph. Though you might find it hard to believe, stuffed cats don't always looked at the camera, and I had many when only one was looking! I was one of those kids who thought her stuffed animals had personalities and feelings. I revisited that childish fantasy while trying to take pictures of my old toys!

(Snip; Precious; Nip)

Skyeler

Masters and Slayers

Last night I finished the the latest book by Bryan Davis, Masters and Slayers. I can honestly say I was not disappointed! It was a beautiful story, revealing many secrets from the book Starlighter that had me thinking and my mind spinning with the adventure! My entire review is below :)

Masters and Slayers

In Masters and Slayers, you join characters Marcelle and Adrian on a heart rending adventure. Traveling through two different planets, their story is constantly packed with excitement and exhilaration. At selective intervals, characters from the book Starlighter make their own appearance in the eyes of the new acquaintances the book has given us, as well as the mysterious starlighter, Cassabrie. Dragon slaying, sword fighting, damsels in distress, and children in need of rescue all make their common place story into Bryan Davis’s gifted imagination, becoming a new story ready to be well loved and received. This book is filled with beautiful quotes, inspiring characters, and the ever-present theme self sacrificing love. The adventure was gripping, and I was left ready to continue the journey.

For those of you interested in checking this book out for yourselves (*nudges readers slightly* seriously, you want to) here is the link to the Masters and Slayers website ~ http://www.mastersandslayers.com

Also, within the book, there is a beautiful song sung by the starlighter Cassabrie. This is a video of someone preforming the music (in the back of the book, all ye piano players!) so you can listen to it yourself :) It is a direct link to youtube, where you may also want to check out a few other people who have preformed this themselves! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA2DgBJ9PYs

That is all I have for now, but I encourage you to click on these links and consider purchasing this book and reading it!

Photography Assignment

This assignment was to take a photo of something throughout the day as the light changed. Of course I had the debate about what to photograph, for I declared there nothing interesting in our backyard! So I had Aly help me clean out the wagon and I set it up against the side of our house, thankfully offing the brick as a pleasing background. It rained in the evening, so the sun was only out for a short period of time in the afternoon. These below were the four best.

Below are book reviews I have written for books by my favorite author, Bryan Davis. Each review has made Five Stars in my opinion, as I thoroughly delighted in them all! I strongly encourage you to look into these books if you haven’t already! To persuade you a bit farther, here is the link to his book buying page! ~ http://www.daviscrossing.com/shopping.htm You can purchase all of his wonderful stories there.

Raising Dragons
Raising Dragons is the first book in the Dragons In Our Midst series. This book started a long journey for me. Three years ago a friend lent me this exciting book, and I have been part of its adventure ever since. Raising Dragons is filled with an exhilarating plot line, taking you through the struggles of two individuals as their dragon heritage keeps them on the run. Billy Bannister and Bonnie Silver display the ever important lesson of sacrifice. Billy's courage even through his doubts and Bonnie's faith even amidst her life's trials are inspiring! A beautiful masterpiece by Bryan Davis, this book opens a whole new world and has sent me on many quests of my own. I deeply encourage you to pick this book up, and begin the journey. You will not regret it!

Eye of the Oracle

Eye of the Oracle is the stunning prequel to the Dragons in Our Midst series by the talented author Bryan Davis. This book takes you through 609 pages of intense battles and the inner turmoil of those striving for faith. It begins in the days of old, incorporating dragons into the Biblical accounts of Noah's flood and the Tower of Babble. Whereas glimpses of the old and cherished characters are displayed in a few given chapters, new and delightful characters expertly open the doors for the Oracles of Fire series. You will find yourself coming to love these newly introduced characters, including the radiant Sapphira Adi and long lost Gabriel! The story was touching on so many levels, its author having woven his words deep into my heart. If you glance over this book, you will miss an adventure I am forever thankful I was part of.

The Bones of Makaidos

The Bones of Makaidos may be my favorite book of all time. It is full of epic battles, a touching romance, fiery trials, and the answer to the questions of many: What is an Oracle of Fire? The beautiful wedding reveals the benefits of purity, as the virgin bride and child of doubt come before the alter to join hands in marriage. Friends separated by time, distance, and even different dimensions are reunited. It offered a magnificent conclusion, with a "Happily Ever After" feel, yet emitted a bit of mystery, leaving room for a few more adventures. I was in tears by the end of the book, missing those characters who sacrificed their life along the journey of eight books, and so entirely happy for those characters who had kept the faith despite the trials and struggles they went through. Bryan Davis has created a wonderful, amazing, and all around beautiful story. He has helped me learn to become an Oracle of Fire. I highly recommend you continue the adventure of our beloved characters in this spectacular book.

Starlighter

Starlighter is the first book in the Dragons of Starlight series. Bryan Davis has composed another fantastic fantasy novel! I was held captive by the sway of the story from the beginning. This book holds a beautiful concept of love. Travel with Jason, Koren, and Elyssa as they are thrust into an adventure, caught between two worlds and the stories of the "lost ones." I remain excited to see what the next book has it store; this is an addition for all libraries, home or public, which will certainly be read many times over.

I have enjoyed all of these books tremendously! I certainly hope you shall find the same pleasure within their pages as I did.

Skyeler

Before I post any of my photography projects for school (I do not care to think of school too much at this time of night) I decided instead to post a few photos taken for my own amusement :)

This is a picture of my cat. Those of you who know my cat can probably tell he is annoyed with me (putting it kindly) for taking his photo. You see, taking his picture equals disturbing his sleep, interrupting his eating, or taking him from his perch in the windowsill squirrel hunting. How did I do it? The not pictured bag of "kitty treats." About the time I took this picture, he was quite done sitting on a square stool, on top of a piano bench, in front of a black backdrop that he couldn't rub against or knock over, and merely staring at the treats. Yes, quite photogenic isn't he?

This is a picture of a shed in our backyard. I found the way the leaves could create a frame for the lens intriguing, and hence the picture before you now.

And finally, this is a picture I took of my little sister making a turkey sandwich. I know, boring, right? But I thought the cat sitting there, looking up at her, was so entirely cute! This picture was edited it in photoshop. I changed it to black and white, and even took out a few things that appeared to clutter the picture. Why? 1) practice. 2) curiosity. 3) because I can :) Below this photo is the original.

That is all for now! I thought practicing with the blog format might be best before starting a school assignment. More pictures will become revealed later. So, if you have any interest in my work, I suggest you stay tuned!

Skyeler

Hello, and welcome to my blog! This is where I will be posting my photography, poetry, and other thoughts worthy of notice. I am very interested in photography, and seek to one day possibly continue this passion as a profession. Due to multiple photography assignments, this may result in multiple posts a day to keep up with my many photos (and to keep each assignment organized). As far as my poetry is concerned, I have been writing a vast degree more than ever before! I shall welcome comments regarding my written works with open arms, as I endeavor to improve yet further. Lastly, other notes I may record here will indefinitely prove to appear in no organized manner. These shall be my random, though hopefully commendable, notes of life. If you are reading this, I thank you for passing through and glancing at my life’s thoughts! I hope you enjoy what I have to say, whether the notes be in form of image, words, or music.