Saturday, January 7, 2012

Blog Flashbacks - Lauren's Birthday

First of all, it's Lauren's 4th birthday today. She was awake and ready to open her presents before any of us!

Her party bag


My parents sent her this card, which arrived from England yesterday, just in time!


My parents also sent these colouring books


Hairband and bag from mummy and daddy


"Bunny"


Her new umbrella


Later tonight we'll be doing a birthday dinner at our home for Lauren, featuring roast chicken and potatoes, pizza and birthday cake. We have invited our neighbours to join us, as usual.


Today's flashbacks will focus on Lauren's previous birthdays. This is what we did in January 2011 for Lauren's 3rd birthday:









And here is Lauren on her 2nd birthday in January 2010:








Happy birthday Lauren! Have a lovely day!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fidelia's Friday - Leah bling bling

Fidelia's Friday is back after a long break! Here is a post about our second daughter, Leah. Please click the link below which will take you to our family blog. Thank you!





Have a fantastic Friday everyone!




Thursday, January 5, 2012

I'm gonna get you, thief!

We went out for lunch at Vistana Hotel today, and followed it up with a trip to the clinic for Leah's injection.

All went well. When we arrived home we found that our house had been broken into. We were quite shocked to see that someone had used a sharp type of knife to cut through the grille, which we had padlocked.




We nervously began exploring the house. We noticed a few files with our papers, certificates and passports spread all over the bedroom floor, but nothing had been taken. The thief was obviously after some jewellery, but fortunately we are not into buying (real) jewellery! Ha!


Here you can see how the thief had cut off part of the grille where the padlock hangs




Our neighbours said they had heard some loud banging but thought nothing of it. How I wish they did think something of it!

Apparently the thief tried to get in the neighbour's house but someone was home. Our other neighbours in the block opposite have been broken into a few times in the recent past, with jewellery gone missing.


Now we have to repair the grille


Three of our neighbours have seen the thief face-to-face and their descriptions of him match up. Then I suddenly remembered earlier this morning when we were leaving for the hotel, there was a thin Malay man smoking cigarettes at the bottom of the stairs, in his mid-40's. He saw us go down and leave our home. He also had prime viewing of my neighbour's house opposite us. I am extremely sure he is the thief.

He's stupid enough to keep coming back to these apartments, so I'm sure he'll be back before long.

I'm gonna get you thief!


Monday, January 2, 2012

Top Ten Photos of 2011

Hello and welcome to Kuantan for my top ten photos of the year review. You may remember some of them from earlier posts. I had around 30 pictures, all of which could have featured in the top ten, but after much consideration, these are the best of the best.

10. At number ten is a hanging bridge over Lembing River, in the quiet town of Sungai Lembing. My wife, Lauren, and a friend stand midway down the bridge.






9. In at nine is this hot photo from Bukit Sekilau. Children stand in front of the raging fire as the fire crew make their way to the scene.





8. In eighth position is this lovely perspective picture of a road bridge in Singapore overlooking Marina Bay.





7. At seven is this picture of Lauren and her aunty Urai surrounded by sun, sea and sand at Damai beach, near Kuching.





6. This abstract image makes sixth spot. A torchlight shines down on a diamond to create this light show on the wall.





5. From the 18th floor of Park Seven condo, I captured the raindrops on the window, with the iconic Twin Towers in the background.





4. In fourth slot is this lovely yellow flower. It wasn't until I reviewed the image later that I noticed one bug homing in on another sitting on the flower.





3. In third place is this fascinating image of 'the smiling gecko'. After spending half an hour getting him out of the kitchen, we got him to the balcony on a Cornflakes box, where he smiled for a photo!





2. Second prize goes to these two flies on an orchid branch, copulating fully oblivious to my lens. I held a piece of white paper behind them for focusing purposes, whilst snapping the picture with the other hand.







1. My best picture of 2011 is undoubtedly this night scene of Marina Bay, Singapore, from the wobbly Helix bridge. It was dark, I was tired, the suspension bridge was bobbing up and down, but the picture came out crystal clear.








Which photo did you like the best? Would you have chosen a different number one?!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Top Posts of 2011 - Part 3

Part 3 of my Top Posts of 2011 go through the months of January - April. Here are some of our best moments . . .

1. Right at the start of the year I compiled my top ten photographs of 2010 which I enjoy doing at the end of every year.





2. In January we had a most lovely stay at The Zenith Hotel courtesy of the General Manager. It had only just opened it's doors so we were among the first to see around the hotel and a short while later, stay there for a night.





3. I am a sufferer of headaches and migraines, and it is not at all pleasant, in fact it can be highly debilitating. So my blog post about headaches and migraines was long overdo and it was responded by some very positive comments.

4. In March there was a large fire just down the road which we first smelt, then viewed from the window, then I had to go down there and get some closer pictures. This image was the most enduring, with the young children looking excited in front of the huge flames:





5. During the month of April I took part in the April A-Z blogging challenge, which was one big highlight for me. I gained a wealth of new followers and comments, and good things happened during that month. I particularly enjoyed blogging about the letter 'X' for "xenodocheionology" which was a popular and unique 'X' post.


So that's the highlights of the blogging year done and dusted. The next thing will be my top ten photos of 2011 which will be coming soon.

Have a very happy new year wherever you are!