Anyone up for a personality quiz? :)

I was going through my "archives" yesterday and revisited my old "Which Teen From My Book Are You" quiz, and, upon reading through it, saw how much my characters have all changed since then{Sept.}. Well,  that won't do. So I rewrote it! I'll post the results in a few days. I'm going to make little avatars of each character, so you can stick yours on your sidebar if you'd like.
I hope you'll participate and enjoy!! :D
  One thing...

•   PLEASE use the number of the question with your answer{ex. 1. a, 2. c, etc.}! Last time I forgot to mention this and had a tough time going back over each question to mach the answers.

(: Thank you :)

1. You're caught stealing a honey cake from the baker's stall! You...

  a. Run for it!

  b. Bravely take your punishment

  c. Run away laughing with your friends; you only did it for the rush

  d. Mortified, you pay for it even though you're dirt poor

2.  How often do you get caught doing mischief?

  a. Everyday! You would not believe it! I think they have eyes on the backs of there heads...

  b. Fairly often. But I wouldn't be in trouble if it weren't for a certain friend dragging me along...*glares at friend*

  c. Never. Everyone knows I'm innocent.

  d. Nobody catches me!

3. What is your dream future?

  a. Explore the world and go on adventures.

  b. Have a family and live happily and simply

  c. You don't have any preferences. You'll take any opportunity.

  d. Become captain of a ship and be free as the waves themselves!  

4. When choosing a horse at an action, what would you buy?

  a. A graceful, elegant, exotic one. {[Like] an Arabian}

  b. Strong and flashy animal. {An Andalusian or Friesian}

  c. One built for endurance and versatility. {A Quarter Horse}

  d. I don't need one, so... maybe a pony?

5. For a small pet?

  a. A good dog.

  b. A cat for a useful companion.

  c. A mink you can train to hunt and do tricks

  d. A bird or monkey

6. Which of these best describes you?

  a. Calm, sweet: Good natured

  b. Risky and daring: On the wild side

  c. Adventurous and mischievous: A regular instigator 

  d. Reserved but brave: Full of common sense 

7.  What's a habit you{might} have when you're stressed?

  a. Chewing: pens, your fingers, etc.

  b. Continually run your fingers through your hair

  c. Tapping your fingers incessantly 

  d. Smoothing: your clothes, hair, any fabric

8. While walking in a dark part of the forest you are ambushed by a Wild Man. It happens so fast that before you know where you are, you've parted its head from its shoulders. Your reaction?

  a. You look on in mixed shock and disgust. You shake yourself and move on, trying to convince yourself it was necessary.

  b. You're horrified. What have you done??

  c. It doesn't faze you for long. You had to defend yourself.

  d. Swallow, feeling queazy, but go on your way, careful of more attempts on your life.

9. Where are you from/closest to?

 a. The North

 b. The South

 c. The East

 d. The West

10. What do you think of  rules?

  a. Too strict. You need boundless freedom.

  b. They're there for a reason, you know.

  c. They can be bended...

  d. They should be upheld.

11. Your choice weapon?

  a. Er... I don't really fight. But I know how to use a sling shot!

  b. A hand-and-a-half sword

  c. A cavalry bow and arrows

  d. Long knives

12. Your job requires you to...

  a. be athletic and disciplined 

  b. be responsible and quick witted

  c. have a good ear or words and music; a good voice and able to play a variety of musical instruments

13. You suddenly appear in the midst of a raging battle. What do you do?

 a. Totally confused, you fend off any who attack you.

 b. Get out as fast as you can.

 c. Join the fray with a whoop!

 d. Try and find out what's going on and decide wether or not the cause is worth risking your life for.

14. What is your favorite color?

  a. Greens

  b. Sea blues

  c. Purples, like lavender

  d. Browns

15. You are at a banquet ball and a bejeweled and extremely fat foreigner looks as though they might ask  you to dance. You:

  a. Avoid them at all costs!

  b. Reluctantly dance with them for a few songs before complaining of a headache  

  c. Dance with them and have a great time - becoming the highlight of the evening with your high stepping and fast dancing. You're there to have fun!

  d. Go up to them and tell them that your best friend wants to dance with them but is too shy to ask. Then sit back the rest of the evening with a semi-evil evil smile on your face as your friend is helplessly dragged around the dance floor one dance after another.

La Goat

Saaaaadness

*sigh* Yesterday my cousins took off for home taking my older brother with them. :( I had sooo much fun while they were here - I don't know what I'm going to do with myself now!
  I really wanted to go down with them but #1 I don't have enough money for a plane ticket back and #2 I really don't want to go on my first plane ride alone.
 Drat.
I miss them a lot already. But next year, my whole{extended} family is thinking about going down and we all rent a beach house. How wondrous would that be?? ohpleaseohpleaseohplease..!

Here are some pictures of the things we did:

Campfires!

Uh, yeah. This is what happens when you throw a bunch of Christmas tree on at once.

It blackened my brothers face. Genius. :P

Flower pounding for window art at a historical school house

I like the way my blue flower one turned out :D

Moved our Grandpa into an assisted living.

Went to the Tri-State Museum

{I'll post all my pictures on W.S. in a few day's when my computer isn't so slow}

Got stormed on many times. Practically every night.

Stood on the geographical center of the nation!

The picture's bad because it was really sunny and bright that day. But we were there!

{pic taken by Mum}

Celebrated Mummy's bifdog{inside joke} :D with a Sacurtort{sp?}: a really rich German chocolat{I like spelling it the French way :)} cake with strawberry filling. Yum.

Other things we did:

 Riding

 Driving on back roads{one of my favorite things to do while eating ice cream}

 Ate lots and lots of ice cream

 Family reunions

 Played soccer

 Watched the soccer World Cup

 "Stole" and painted rocks 8D

 Went on donut runs for Grandpa at nine at night. We had to go to three different stores before we found *one* glazed donut.

  Yes, great memories were made :)

~Gwyn

p.s. Check back later today for more posts

Gana

Gana is the filly afore mentioned in my little "talk" with Cilla. I really, really, really want her to be in the story, but I'm afraid she might take the spotlight and Cilla away from Skyrian{post on him coming later}. :/ That's a battle I'll have to work out soon. Hmph. But anyway, here she is...

In my story Gana's breed is unique to the Annoadcappal, or the Annoad, a league of secret specially trained horsemen who keep to themselves but yet have changed the course of Ithreal's{the country} history, perhaps even the world's at one point.

 Jealously guarded bloodlines and decades of perfecting the breed have produced a fast, loyal, intelligent, strong horse with incredible endurance. In this world, they are known as Quarter Horses.

Gana's coloring is smoky dun - a brownish to grey dun.

This is what she may look like in a few years

The horses in my books

Because horses have such a huge part in my books, I've decided to do posts on each one of them - the ones that I've named so far anyway :)

At Long Last

I just realized how extremely lax I've been on posting about The Legend of Skyrian and other writing bits! My goodness, it's been months since you've all heard from Cilla herself{though back then she was still known as Gwyn}! So I shall introduce you again. :)

Gwyn{me}: Cilla, say hello to all my readers out there!

Cilla: *smirks* Seriously?

Gwyn: Yes, "seriously"

Cilla: Hello? .... See. I knew no one would answer.

Gwyn: *rolls eyes heavily* Whatever. Let's tell them a bit about our story,

Cilla: Right! I've been meaning to pick with you about that!

Gwyn: About what?

Cilla: About the time line...

Gwyn: Oh, don't bring that up now..!

Cilla: Yes, now! I know you've been putting it off for ages, and that might be alright for you but What about me?? I'm so confused! I don't know if I'm 15 or 13! How am I supposed to act? And what about poor Tovah? He's having the same problem!

Gwyn: Where is Tovah anyway?

Cilla: Probably crying into his pillow, he's so confused and messed up. But don't change the subject. Why won't you just sit your rear down and fix it?

Gwyn: Would you just hear me out?? I'll tell you why we're in this muddle in the first place --

Cilla: A muddle you bunged up pretty well, if I may say so.

Gwyn: No, you may not. Now please, just -- shut up and let me finish. Right. I need you to be at least 15 for the War part, you understand? At least then its plausible if you survive.

Cilla: You don't mean you're considering bumping me off?

Gwyn: Not yet. But if you go on talking your chances will dwindle.

Cilla: Are you threatening me?

Gwyn: So I need you to be 15 for the War. But{and its a but the size of Bentfield}, I want you to train and grow with a filly. You'd love that wouldn't you?

Cilla: Well... yes. But I don't see the problem. Why can't I do that when I'm 15?

Gwyn: Because horses don't grow up in six months, that's why. She would have to be at the very least 2 before she went charging off on missions, and that's if you don't want her fully trained.

Cilla: ...*thinking hard* ... Couldn't you move the War? Make it a few years later?

Gwyn: *sighs* No. I've thought of that too. Because of the events and circumstances it would have to be at the very latest, a year from the "Bentfield Incident".

Cilla: The what?

Gwyn: You know...

Cilla: I don't. You must not have written it yet. I wish you would, though, it sounds exciting and I'm dying of boredom in this horrid castle filled with horrid people.

Gwyn: You'll be singing a different tune when the time comes.

Cilla: Singing? Oh! I'd nearly forgotten! The Bards are coming!! My people are coming for the fair! And Emy! Dear, wonderful, sweet, irreplaceable Emy!*starts singing a happy jingle*

Gwyn: Now, Cilla, I wouldn't get to excited about seeing her...

Cilla: You don't know what you're talking about! Emy and I -- we're like sisters! Only better! Oh it's been so long since I've seen her! We shall have to adventuring like we used to. And I wonder if Covner would let us do a duet?...*continues enthusiastically*

Gwyn: *bursts into tears* I-- I'm-m ss-orr-reeee!

Cilla: *stares blankly* What are you on about?

Gwyn: *slowly regains control* N-n-nothing. Nothing at all.*sniffs* I'm okay now.

Cilla: *gives weird look*

Gwyn: *sniffs a second time* Okay. What were we talking about before? Ah, yes. The time line.

Cilla: *undertone* If you say so...

Gwyn: I'm really leaning toward you raising the filly.

Cilla: Yes. It would be nice...

Gwyn: So I think I will start you younger.

Cilla: Wait a minute. If I get a filly,

Gwyn: Yes..?

Cilla: Where is Skyrian in all this?

Gwyn: *stares unbelievingly into space before banging head on desk, wishing the world would eat her and have done with it* *moans forlornly* I don't know!

Cilla: Well that's no good! Naming a book after him, making him a huge part, and then just dismissing him off? No indeed. It won't do at all.

Gwyn: Well, why don't you fix it then?? You're the smart one.

Cilla: I'm only as smart as you are.

Gwyn: *darkly* Smnigagradssdhfindig!

Cilla: What on earth was that?

Gwyn: I said, "That's all for now folks"

Cilla: ...... You are one sad little person.

Ooh my aching back....

Yesterday, from 9:00am to 9:30pm, we moved my Grandpa into an Assisted Living place -not to be confused with a nursing home, an assisted living pretty much gives you a mini house attached to an expensive hotel lobby, fancy and healthy meals prepared by chefs, and a nurse on stand-by round the clock in case of needed assistance.  The "lobby"/living room is complete with over-struffed couches and armchairs, a ginormous fireplace, a concert grande piano{!} that anyone is aloud to play{Me. :D}, and a patio/garden out back.
  All-in-all, pampered living :)

I know it was really hard for Grandpa to leave the old house; the one where he and Grandmum had lived for 16 years together until a month ago. Many, many memories surround that house on the edge of town.
 My Grandmum was an amazing painter, she taught me oils for several years, her art used to decorate the walls back at the old house, and now hangs in Grandpa's new abode along with around twenty other pictures of grandchildren, his parents, and old family portraits taken before grandchildren ever came along, and of course the Crucifix on the wall above one of the windows.

Then we moved in the furniture. I said this many times yesterday but I'll say it again, old furniture is heavy furniture! His favorite chair is an old electric massage chair, and let me tell you that thing must be close to 200+ pounds. Oi. Thank heavens their weren't any stairs.

Grandpa didn't really want to move at all because of the house, but he needed more care than we can give. I was praying all that he would love his new place and have yet to hear either yea or nay.

 I'm setting up a deal with the head ladies at the AL to maybe come in once a week or so and play violin and piano for the residents and staff. It would mean digging up more old songs and learning new ones, but I should anyway. Maybe it will also make Grandpa want to stay a little more. I guess I'll just keep praying :)


Tomorrow is Mummy's birthday! And as a treat I think we're taking her to a resort in the Hills. And hopefully we girls{my cousins, aunt, sister, Mum, and I} can go to the place where they take professional 1870's photo shoots! They have all the old fashioned clothes and hats and fans and what-not, as well as a variety of different sets{ a parlor w/ piano and tea things, an old bar :P, etc} Should be completely awesome! I'm very excited! But I need to go...

~Gwyn

Books I love

Here are some of the books I find inspiring and/or exceptional in many ways. I highly recommend them.

The Arthur Trilogy beginning with The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Historical Fiction

A wonderful series on life before, during, and after the last Crusade. Full of adventure, humor, knights, castles, and a tad of romance{"What is chivalry without a lady's love?" - King Arthur}

{By the way, the Arthur of these books is not the King Arthur}

Very educational in the historical sense.

Ages 14+

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

Non-fiction

Follows the beloved author and vet James Herriot as he travels the English countryside curing and helping "all creatures great and small"

Heart-warming and even educational; a must for all animals lovers

Ages 12+

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

Fiction

 The tale of two siblings and a crafty young filly and all their many adventures.

A Classic with a capital C! Lovely read for all ages.

All ages

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

Fantasy

A tale of epic proportions.

You must read them at least once in your lifetime!

Ages 12+

 

Farmer Giles of Ham by J.R.R. Tolkien

Fantasy

A favorite of mine.

Ages 5+

The Ink-Trilogy by Cornelia Funke

Fantasy

Ages 12+{brief language}

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Fantasy

Ages 7+

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Historical non-fiction

A gripping novel about the Holocaust and incredible faith Corrie and her sister.

Ages 14+{violence}

 

From Baghdad, With Love by Lieutenant Col. Jay Kopelman with Melinda Roth

Non-fiction

A Marine, the War, and a dog named Lava

A striking look at the war in Iraq through a soldier's eyes and how a puppy can change everything.

Ages 15+{strong violence, language}

The De Granville Trilogy beginning with Blood Red Horse by K.M. Grant

Historical fiction

The story of two boys and a special horse during King Richard's crusade to the Holy Land.

Ages 10+

Jeeves and Wooster books by P.G. Wodehouse

Comedy fiction

Hilarious British wit at it's finest! Set in the roaring 1920's you soon can't help but love the entire series!

Ages 13+{younger ones may not understand its wit}

The Ranger's Apprentice Series beginning with The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Fantasy

Full of action and adventure.

Ages 10+{brief language}

The Books of Pellinor beginning with The Naming by Alison Croggon

Fantasy

Original and extremely well written{some critic's say she's a female Tolkien!} 

Ages 13+

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

Historical fiction

A boy in the land and time of Jesus' teachings. Beautifully written and it opens your mind more to the way things were back then.

Ages 10+

Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Historical fiction

Really anything by Sutcliff is simply amazing.

Ages 14+

Photos!

I edited some photos over at Wandering Stills !
I might be going to the Parrot Sanctuary again today, and if I do I will bring my camera this time and get lots of pictures of all the lovely birds :)

 More to come in the next few days...

~Gwyn

Due to some trouble, I had to change...

Take a look? What do you think? I really like the picture of Rhiannon I found on the Web :)

Still really busy!
~Gwyn

Finishing what I began Sunday

Alright. Last post I dashed off quite abruptly and so I shall now continue - perhaps with more depth than would have been covered that day - the rest of the update.

  I spoke of Ez and how I'm going to begin working with him - starting tonight! And then was interrupted by a rather large toad. Well, I'm afraid I didn't get any pictures like I promised, we had to let him go and I couldn't find the camera. Drat.On

 Ah, yes! The reason I dashed off: I went to "The Prince of Persia" with two of my friends - one I had seen every day the previous week, and one I had not seen in three years.
 The movie itself wasn't bad, for being based on a video game. It had a story line. The palaces were lovely eye candy, though, Persia wasn't very Persian. And for an empire that existed before the Egyptian rule, they were very advanced, I mean, I had thought that cross-bow weren't invented until around 1070's -1100 A.D. And I had no idea Persia had access to Freisian horses - I breed, might I add, that wasn't developed until{speculated} the 6th century{and that was in Freisland}. Hm.
 However, if you are willing to over look the historical, geographical, and physical errors, and the fact that the Persian prince is played by a British{or American - I can't exactly recall} actor, this movie is quite enjoyable. Chock-full of action and stunts{some rather ridiculous}, ostrich racing{my favorite part btw :D}, impossible weapons, and, in my opinion, a helpless princess; if nothing else, this movie is a great one you can watch with all your history geek friends and ridicule all the inaccuracies :)





My rating: *** three stars
What that means for you: If you see it at the rental store on 99cent Monday go ahead and grab it. If you're wondering whether or not to pay $10 to see it at the cinema - save your money.

On with the rest...

My two cousins just flew in last night and will be here for a month or so{should be awesome!!} So I will not be posting frequently if at all.  My 2nd sister went down to visit them at home and see my 1st sister and help her get situated in her "new surroundings"; She flew up with my cousins and is going to help me start with Ez tonight.

I am also coming up on my 200th post in the very near future and I was thinking of doing a giveaway to celebrate. The only problem is what to giveaway? I don't know how many of you would be interested in a custom horsehair necklace. Anyone? Please comment.



And other than a few trivial things, I think that brings you up to speed on what's been going on and what might:) That's all for now. I must ring my cousins and see about meeting up soon.
   ~Gwyn

Great news! I have great news!

 Some of you may remember this guy from over @WanderingStills -->
And for those of you that don't, this is E-z, and he belongs to some rather{*thinks of how to put it nicely} "thoughtless" people: They never take him out of his pen, the just got his feet trimmed after going without for a year and a half, they give him hay barely fit for cows, and his pen is so gross, he actually stands in almost a foot of manure! It's disgusting how they keep him! Such a sweetheart, too.
Well, you're asking, is this the good news??
No.
This is:
    This weekend I got permission to exercise and work with him! Whoohoo!
 Yep, things are starting to brighten up for him. Yesterday my friend and I were trying to get to know him better and fed him handfuls of fresh grass; that got him excited :)

And.... Holy cow!!!!!!!!!!!!! My little brother has just charged in with a gigantic toad!!!!!!!! Man, he's a fat one!! I'd say he's nearly 3 and a quarter inches tall sitting! His belly alone is nearly three sideways!
 There, I've put him in my trashcan{empty of course}. He's proceeding to climb out -- I've pushed him back. Op, now he's glaring at me. I think we'll name him George. :) Brother has gone to fetch his old newt tank. Hurry! He's making a spring for it!

Okay I've got to leave now -- I'll take pictures!! But I've got to catch a movie with a couple friends -- I'll have to update you some other time, I guess!
~GWyn

In our Faith are we "me-monsters"?

 This is something I feel very strongly about. I have also seen it increasing just about everywhere. Too often we try to take credit for God's work; and with the rapidly mutating "society"{I often wonder what Jane Austen would think of today's definition} with its me-centred attitude, it's getting harder not to follow the flow.

Many people make the mistake of saying they can fix themselves - whether it saying "I chose Jesus"{see the Me-Monster creeping in that statement?} or "I accepted Jesus" Wait. You "accepted" Jesus? Wouldn't that make you higher than He?
 The fact of that matter is we "cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, or come near to Him;"*
 Many may be shocked at this; I was when I first learned.
   Then are we all doomed? is the next natural, maybe even sarcastic question. Well, no actually. It goes on:
"But{and it's a but the size of New York} the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel, enlightened us with His gifts, sanctified and kept us in the True Faith."*

How often do we even remember the Holy Spirit? Mention Him? We talk about God the Creator and Jesus Christ, but scarcely ever acknowledge the work of the Holy Ghost. Yet it is to Him that we owe everything! Without Him we wouldn't even know God.
  {Don't think that because I separated God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit into different parts that I believe that there are three Gods - no, there is only one God and He is Triune, and neither parts of the Trinity are set higher than the other}

Why does the Holy Ghost call us at all? Read these verses:

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from
 their ways and live." Ezek. 33:11

"{God} wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:4

"The Lord... is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

So, why isn't everyone saved? Many people reject the Holy Spirit and His Word, so they continue to be stubborn and unbelieving. They are under God's judgment by their own fault.

"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" Acts 7:51

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." Matt. 23:37

But God richly rewards those who believe in Him:

"God so loved the  world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

This is eternal life" that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." John 17:3

"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Rom. 10:9

I have to finish now, but I will leave you one last verse :){thought you could get away, huh?}

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will -- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freeliy given us in the One he loves." Eph. 1:3-6