Photoshoot with Lauren

Lauren is a great model for photographing. So on a recent free day I decided to take her out for a photoshoot to get some practice with my Canon EOS 650D.

Christmas 2012 and my 800th post

Apart from the slashing rain and an all-day headache, I had a lovely Christmas at home. Thankfully at the time of writing, the rain has ceased and we have sunshine again. Heaven.

Family photo on Christmas Day 2012

The children had great fun opening their presents, we were really happy for them, and we have plenty of chocolate, cookies, sweets and a cake and gingerbread house to finish off!

We also skyped with my parents in England for a while. The girls enjoyed showing all their presents to grandma and grandad!

We bought a DIY doll house for Lauren and boy is it a demanding job. Fidelia has been doing most of it and is steadily getting through it. Fixing walls together with glue, and constructing all types of tiny furniture is so tough, but it's looking great!

The front garden of Lauren's DIY doll house

Front porch of Lauren's DIY doll house

Cute post box in Lauren's DIY doll house

Lauren is waiting very patiently for us to finish it, but she does have plenty of other toys keeping her occupied in the meantime!

Incidentally, this is my 800th blog post on *Our home called Kuantan*! This time next year I may have reached 1,000!

Thunderstorm video from Kuantan

The monsoon season has really kicked into gear with rain all through the night and now into the morning. It's been pouring 14 hours non-stop and poor little Kuantan is experiencing some bad flooding.

Here's the view from my window in a short video I made for you:

(Well it seems that the video doesn't want to embed here, so here's the link to watch it on youtube):

Thunderstorm in Kuantan

Our Christmas Tree

There is something beautiful and magical about a Christmas tree all lit up at night. I took some photos last night of our Christmas tree as we move closer to 'the' day:

The star atop Christmas trees represents the new star that appeared at Jesus Christ's birth

The three wise men travelled far to give gifts to Jesus Christ

Can you see the photographer?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

to all my blog readers!

The Zenith Hotel decorations

The Zenith Hotel has some lovely hanging flower decorations in the huge lobby area. I think it looks great!

One of the things that hasn't changed in the last 2 years is the glorious blue glow of the stairs at night

And here are the hanging flower decorations at The Zenith Hotel by daytime . . .

There are 4 days until Christmas, and I haven't even mentioned the end of the world today!

Ferrero Rocher for Christmas

Ferrero Rocher is the perfect Christmas gift. These tantalizing chocolates come in delightful boxes and are wrapped beautifully in gold paper with brown seats.

We've received two boxes of Ferrero Rocher from two good friends. Devouring them is very easy! Here's Lauren with the chocolates:

Why don't you treat yourself to a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates this Christmas?

Aerial views of Kuantan at night

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of taking some aerial photos of Kuantan at night from our friend's hotel room on the 17th floor of The Zenith Hotel.

It was difficult as I was shooting through glass windows and trying to eliminate as many reflections as I could, but the results are not too bad!

Looking out towards Berjaya Megamall, Vistana Hotel and Teluk Chempedak, from the 17th floor corridor of The Zenith Hotel

View of East Coast Mall and Stadium Makmur from the 17th floor of The Zenith Hotel

Stadium Makmur in Kuantan. The floodlights are on, but no-one appears to be home!

Traffic on Jalan Dato' Lim Hoe Lek, Kuantan

A night view of East Coast Mall from the 17th floor of The Zenith Hotel

Roads in Kuantan. Jalan Dato Lim Hoe Lek crosses with Jalan Bukit Sekilau

Birds eye view from the 17th floor of The Zenith Hotel. The street lamps illuminate a row of parked cars

The same photograph, but with emphasis placed on the bright blue lighting of The Zenith Hotel

Street lamps light up the roads of Kuantan at night

I will have to take some more night photos around Kuantan at some point in the future. I'm quite happy with how these ones turned out :)

Advent Calendars

There are only 7 days left on the advent calendars. Christmas Day will soon be here.

I've not seen any advent calendars here in Kuantan. My students are fascinated with our advent calendars which my mum sent from England. That's the fortunate part about having family in England. We can get the best of both worlds!

Who else is looking forward to Christmas this year?