Senior Photos: Take 1

Isn't my sister beautiful?!

Old Photos

So for all of you who don't know this... I'm home. I've had mixed feelings about it. It's been nice to be back, and it has been nice to see people, but it's been a little lonely. Although I expected to feel lonely, I didn't want to.

I know the loneliness won't last for long. Loneliness usually appears when I don't have much to do, so once I get busy again, things will be good.

I start work tomorrow, and school on Wednesday. I'm actually really excited for this semester. I think it will be a good one. :)

Continuing on,

my grandma sent me some Christmas presents, and I got them today.... my grandma will sometimes choose some interesting presents for us... For example, she's given us toothbrushes, an English textbook, underwear, lipstick in strange colors... etc.... There have been other times when we (I say we as in my siblings) have received some great presents! Ex: Really pretty jewelry, good books, fun games... etc... This year I received a game, some old pictures, and some.... hangers. 50 of them to be exact. I'm sure they will be useful... eventually.

Anyway, she sent me some old pictures, and the family picture is pretty hilarious, if not embarrassing.

Enjoy:

7 out of the 8 Shedd children

Oh, and interesting little fact: While I was in Ecuador I did a family photo shoot on the stairs above.

Me at a few months old

I would have scanned these pictures into my computer, but since I have a new hard drive I need to find the cd to connect my computer to my scanner.

Day 361

Today was a busy day. I told you in this post, that my sister had some friends coming in on Monday night, and because my sister Katelyn's friend who is staying for six months, had her parent with her for three days, we tried to cram in as much as possible.

First, we went and took a tour at HCJB, the mission that my parents work with. I grew up with HCJB, and I thought it would be somewhat dull, but it was really very interesting. 

Those are shadows on my face. 

Next, we went to the middle of the world. There is one spot, just outside of Quito where they have a bunch of stores, and a huge monument which is where the middle of the world is. BUT, when they figured out the middle of the world they couldn't do it exactly. Once a good gps system developed, a little ways down the road they have another place where the 'real' middle of the world is. The one with the big monument is the one that all the tourists go to. I've been there many times. This time my family went to the other one, where I had never been, and it was really cool. 

This is a real shrunken head. 

My family on the equator. 

We were able to balance an egg on a nail because it was right on the equator. 

Day 360

I took my family out to dinner at my favorite restaurant growing up: Crepes and Waffles. Yum!

Day 359

Merry Christmas, everyone!

We had a good, mostly uneventful, day.

Traditionally we wake up early... okay 7:30 is early to me... maybe not to other people, to open stockings. 

Our stockings this year were supermaxi bags (or walmart bags) 

We had yummy home made donuts for breakfast

And homemade guacamole for lunch. So yummy. 

After lunch we decided to spontaneously go downtown to take a few of my sister's senior pictures. We decided that there would be a lot fewer crowds on Christmas day than any other day of the year.

I wish I had gotten closer to the lady sitting at the door. 

This lady had a pigeon land on her head, and she didn't even doing anything about it. She just kept walking. And then it pooped on her. 

While we were downtown, this little girl comes up asking to see the picture I took of Julianna. I showed her the picture, and she asks if it turned out nicely. I tell her it did, and then I ask if she wants a picture taken of herself. She said yes, and then posed for it. I showed her the picture, and she was so excited.

While I was taking my sister's pictures, we begin to walk down the street to find another location to do some pictures, and this lady starts yelling at us in Spanish. My dad tells us to keep walking, and while we walk away quickly my dad says, "I think she's yelling at us because you didn't take her picture." This made me laugh because it just shows how different the U.S. is from Ecaudor. In the U.S. I could get in big trouble for taking pictures of some stranger. 

While we were driving home that evening, we were stopped behind a few cars waiting for a car in front of us to do a u-turn. Out of no where we all fly forward and then back into our seats. All I see is my dad unbuckling and getting out of the car. I finally realized that someone had hit us from behind. The guy who hit us pulls to the side, and then my dad also pulls to the side. Not too much harm was done. The car is banged up, but will hopefully be covered by the guy who ran into us. My two sisters, dad, and I are fine other than a little bit of whiplash that first night. 

So, that was our eventful - or maybe non eventful Christmas day. It was nice to be here to spend it with family. 

I head back to Colorado Springs two weeks from tomorrow, and although it seems like a long time, I'm sure it will go very quickly. 

Oh, and news about my computer? They managed to retrieve a 100% of my hard drive! And my computer should be completely fixed, with a new hard drive in a little less than two weeks. 

For awhile I felt very overwhelmed about not knowing what to do with my photos without my computer. I decided to just upload my photos without editing them. A few of them may be edited, but most of them are not. 

Day 357

This is my family's Ecuadorian "smile" picture. A lot of Ecuadorians tend not to smile for pictures. We like to mimic.

Day 356

I got some cute pictures of Katelyn and Micah today. Super cute. :)

264

My family left on this day.
I actually felt very much at peace. I was totally and completely calm.
I didn't feel much of the heart wrenching feeling that I felt last year.
Part of me is waiting for it to hit.
Maybe it hasn't hit yet because I've been so busy.
Or maybe it won't hit.
I know that I will see my family again... and soon.
I know that I can talk to them every day.
My family is very much missed by me, but I can live with that.
I also know that I have a family to live with for the next year.
Maybe that's what is making the difference.
Speaking of which, I moved in yesterday.
Everything has gone so smoothly.
I have my own bathroom for the first time ever. Crazy.
Also, I think this is the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on (Thanks, Deb!)
I know that this has been a lot of change in the past few months, and I know I've been very vague. So if anyone of my *cough* many readers has any questions about all of this, ask and I will tell :) I just have no idea what I should talk about.

Well here are my pictures for the day.

Just had to show you the Shedd fam at 4 A.M.... yes, you may be shocked, but I actually did wake up at 3:50 A.M. and I LIVED! 

(f/ 4.5; 1/60s; ISO 3200; 32 mm)

That was the sunrise on the way home from the airport.... morning skies are SO pretty.

(f/5.6; 1/2000s; ISO 3200; 55 mm)

As I pulled on to my street I saw the light streaming through this tree. I quickly pulled to the side of the road, hopped out, and took this picture.

263

(f/ 5.0; 1/100s; ISO 3200; 41 mm)

I love these girls... a lot. sadly, they're both not in my life as much as I'd like. Now that I'm moved, I'll be seeing Lindsay (my neighbor) a lot less. And that makes me sad... so Lindsay, we HAVE to try to hang out.

And It's pretty self explanatory that I won't be seeing Julianna very much since she's now in Ecuador.

We had to get one last picture before we went off in somewhat separate directions. Although Lindsay will hopefully come to Ecuador with me this December!

262

Ever since my family got back from Michigan a couple weeks ago (where Micah lost a tooth), I've wanted to capture his new smile. I FINALLY got around to it. 

(f/ 1.8; 1/2000s; ISO 100; 50mm lens) 

Stereotypical 7 year old boy smile? I think yes.  

Day 261

It was the last Sunday that my family was at church :(

(f/5.0; 1/125; ISO 3200; 27mm)

David took this picture for me.

Day 245

My  sister is so pretty.

(f/1.8; 1/1250s; ISO 400; 50mm lens)

(f/1.8; 1/2000s; ISO 400; 50 mm lens) 

(f/1.8; 1/1250s; ISO 400; 50mm lens)

Day 239

today we went to denver. after 12 weeks of working hard, my brother finally had his local bible bee competition. over the past twelve weeks my brother has memorized 500 verses. he also studied at least one book of the bible in depth. when he went to denver today he had to take a 200 question test (i think it was 200 questions) and he also had to say 25 random passages (usually about 3-10 verses in each passage, i believe)  to a couple of judges. after all of this (which the family and friends were all quarantined in another room so that they couldn't try to help, or cheat for someone etc...) there was a public contest (one that we could watch). it was like a spelling bee except for it was verses... aka the bible bee. There were three groups... younger kids, middle aged kids (12- 15 or so, which is the one Jonathan was in) and seniors (15- 18 or so?) There were about 30 kids in each group... for the bible bee part only the top five scorers on the written and oral test (which was earlier today) in each group would compete in the bible bee. to my family's amazement, Jonathan made the top 5. this was amazing, especially considering that he made it even while he was competing with other kids who had family who would sit with them and help them 3 hours a day.... while Jonathan did it all completely on his own. since my dad was gone for 2 months over the summer, and my mom has been busy packing and getting ready to move, they had no time to help him. overall he got fifth place in his group, and we are so proud of him! he is such a brilliant child! he may or may not make it to the national competition. if he does make it he has to learn 200 more verses and he has to remember the 500 that he learned this summer. if he does make it my parents will be making a trip with him to tennessee in november if he wants to compete.

this picture isn't the best. but i'll blame it on the lighting, and me still getting used to a new camera :) 

on another note, i found this kid here last night. 

anything is a toy to him :)

Day 236

I got my camera today. it's beautiful. :) I love how the screen flips out!

(f/3.5; 1/10s; ISO 1600; 18mm)
*wow, the shutter speed was SLOW.*

my pretty sister... taken with my pretty camera. She's my bffl.

and concerning the camera, i have stuff to learn :)

Oh, and I do apologize if I'm not around much. With school started and mono still making me tired, I may have a hard time keeping up with everything. Also, with the move everything is slightly crazy. Micah used my toothbrush tonight because he didn't know where his was... if only it was a good reason. But I think you may get the gist ;)

Day 224

I did a photo shoot of my little nephew today. He didn't last long... actually the weather didn't last long. It started raining. But I got some cute ones :)

(f/2.0; 1/200s; ISO 200; 50mm lens)

(f/2.0; 1/250s; ISO 200; 50mm lens)

(f/2.0; 1/200s; ISO 200; 50mm lens)

Embrace the Camera

Today I am joining Embrace the Camera.
So pretty much, my nephew is really cute. And I want to show him off.

Someday I'll show this to him, and he'll know I'm his favorite aunt for sure! :)

Day 222

So, first... I'm done with math! and I got a good grade too :) This definitely feels good.

Second, it's been great, albeit a bit crowded, having my sister and nephew here. This week I'm sleeping in the garage, because there's not really any room anywhere else. I could have slept in the living room, but I sleep in longer with a door that separates me from the noise of my house. I almost just feel like I'm having a sleep over with myself.

(f/ 4.5; 1/320s; ISO 800; 50 mm lens)

(f/3.5; 1/500s; ISO 800; 50mm lens)

Now that I am done with math, I feel like I have more time to focus on my new lightroom program. I feel as though I'm pretty decent at it so far, but my biggest issue is that I don't know how to duplicate my photos. For example, I'd like to have these two in B&W AND color, but I don't know how to have both at the same time. Any tips?

Also, does lightroom make collages? Cause that would be neat.

Day 221

(f/10; 1/80s; ISO 1600; 18-55mm lens; 30 mm)

This is our entire immediate family. All together. No in-laws, or nephews. This is probably the last family picture that we'll have with all the kids together.

Day 204

We went to the batting cages today. 

(f/ 1.8; 1/1000s; ISO 800; 50 mm lens) 

Day 202

Today I was supposed to do a photo shoot of the boys I nanny, but since it had been 2 weeks since I had last talked to them, she forgot I was coming. So I didn't do it tonight... hopefully next week? And no, it didn't even rain!

Today I remembered everything when I went to my brother's baseball game :) So, I got some good pictures there.

(f; 5.6; 1/500s; ISO 100; 18-55mm lens; fisheye attachment) 

(f/2.2; 1/500s; ISO 100; 50mm lens)

Isn't Andrew just adorable? I think so.

Also, tonight someone told us we look a lot alike... I've never gotten that one before.