Blog: December 2015
December 13, 2015
71 degrees in mid-December. That's a first. This weekend's weather was amazing and we took full advantage of it. Grilled in shorts and tshirts, played football at the park, and then went back to grilling again after we've worked off only some of the food. Although the warm weather is great, I do want a cold December. An actual winter. Womp. Global warming.
71 degrees in mid-December. That's a first. This weekend's weather was amazing and we took full advantage of it. Grilled in shorts and tshirts, played football at the park, and then went back to grilling again after we've worked off only some of the food. Although the warm weather is great, I do want a cold December. An actual winter. Womp. Global warming.
December 16, 2015
Christmas time is my favorite time of the year! All the festivities and the mood just makes everyone so much happier and more joyful. I haven't done much festive things in DC yet and I'm leaving in a few days, so gotta squeeze as much in as possible. Went to the Holiday Market by the Verizon Center today, mainly for the photos. But there were also a few booths that sold pretty crafty things that I want to try make myself. I'm not a fan of buying arts and crafts if I can make it myself.
Christmas time is my favorite time of the year! All the festivities and the mood just makes everyone so much happier and more joyful. I haven't done much festive things in DC yet and I'm leaving in a few days, so gotta squeeze as much in as possible. Went to the Holiday Market by the Verizon Center today, mainly for the photos. But there were also a few booths that sold pretty crafty things that I want to try make myself. I'm not a fan of buying arts and crafts if I can make it myself.
December 18, 2015
Finally went to see the National Tree. It's really not that impressive of a tree but I feel like I should go at least once during the holiday season. The area was closed off for a brief period while Obama boarded Marine One and flew off right over our heads. My first time seeing Marine One and it flew a lot lower than I expected. From the Ellipse we also got a pretty good direct view of the White House.
Finally went to see the National Tree. It's really not that impressive of a tree but I feel like I should go at least once during the holiday season. The area was closed off for a brief period while Obama boarded Marine One and flew off right over our heads. My first time seeing Marine One and it flew a lot lower than I expected. From the Ellipse we also got a pretty good direct view of the White House.
December 18, 2015
Since I was already in DC with my camera and tripod, I went to the base of the Washington Monument to get photos of the Lincoln Memorial with my zoom lens. It was super cold and windy and I was definitely not dressed warm enough. I also did not realize I was on manual focus mode, so most of the photo came out blurry. I thought it was the wind the whole time, until I saw my auto focus being of when I got home. :/
Since I was already in DC with my camera and tripod, I went to the base of the Washington Monument to get photos of the Lincoln Memorial with my zoom lens. It was super cold and windy and I was definitely not dressed warm enough. I also did not realize I was on manual focus mode, so most of the photo came out blurry. I thought it was the wind the whole time, until I saw my auto focus being of when I got home. :/
December 19, 2015
I woke up at 6am to catch the sunrise this morning. The original plan was to go to the Lincoln Memorial, but at this time of the year the sun rises slightly south of east and it wouldn't have been pretty from the Lincoln. So last minute decided to go to the Tidal Basin by the MLK Memorial instead and it was definitely the right choice. Below freezing this morning, and I was all set up by 6:45 waiting for the sun to rise at 7:23. Took a bunch of photos while waiting and was so frustrated by the cranes right next to the Jefferson. I didn't actually see the sun till about 7:30 when it rose over the Jefferson. Glad the weather cooperated with clear skies, although a few clouds would've been nice.
I woke up at 6am to catch the sunrise this morning. The original plan was to go to the Lincoln Memorial, but at this time of the year the sun rises slightly south of east and it wouldn't have been pretty from the Lincoln. So last minute decided to go to the Tidal Basin by the MLK Memorial instead and it was definitely the right choice. Below freezing this morning, and I was all set up by 6:45 waiting for the sun to rise at 7:23. Took a bunch of photos while waiting and was so frustrated by the cranes right next to the Jefferson. I didn't actually see the sun till about 7:30 when it rose over the Jefferson. Glad the weather cooperated with clear skies, although a few clouds would've been nice.
December 19, 2015
Two shots I took just for iPhone and laptop backgrounds. :)
Two shots I took just for iPhone and laptop backgrounds. :)
December 19, 2015
The sun was directly facing the Washington Monument so it had a nice glow to it.
The sun was directly facing the Washington Monument so it had a nice glow to it.
December 19, 2015
Random fences make pretty foregrounds.
Random fences make pretty foregrounds.
December 19, 2015
Taken at random intervals from the same positions. It was probably right before sunrise, but about fifteen minutes before I actually saw the sun.
Taken at random intervals from the same positions. It was probably right before sunrise, but about fifteen minutes before I actually saw the sun.
December 19, 2015
Post-sunrise panorama.
Post-sunrise panorama.
December 20, 2015
I came back to NY this morning to make it to Evelyn's ballet recital. There were so many little kids, majority 6 years old or younger, and they were all so adorable! Her face was so serious when on stage and she said it's because she was concentrating really hard haha. I tried making her cheer the loudest when she came on for her solo to the Nutcracker. I think I did it. :)
I came back to NY this morning to make it to Evelyn's ballet recital. There were so many little kids, majority 6 years old or younger, and they were all so adorable! Her face was so serious when on stage and she said it's because she was concentrating really hard haha. I tried making her cheer the loudest when she came on for her solo to the Nutcracker. I think I did it. :)
December 20, 2015
So many of her classmates and their siblings. Ridiculous. She has so many friends at such a young age and they all brought her flowers hehe.
So many of her classmates and their siblings. Ridiculous. She has so many friends at such a young age and they all brought her flowers hehe.
December 21, 2015
Working from NYC Capital One Labs!
Working from NYC Capital One Labs!
December 21, 2015
I left work early and met up with Kevin to hang out around the city. Went to Rockefeller to see the tree and it's always underwhelming. Maybe because I went during the day and the lights weren't as pretty. Also stopped by Washington Square Park to get some photos and timelapses before meeting Bryan in LES. I tried Kat'z for the first time and it's pretty damn delicious. So much meat but also pricey, but worth it every once in a while.
I left work early and met up with Kevin to hang out around the city. Went to Rockefeller to see the tree and it's always underwhelming. Maybe because I went during the day and the lights weren't as pretty. Also stopped by Washington Square Park to get some photos and timelapses before meeting Bryan in LES. I tried Kat'z for the first time and it's pretty damn delicious. So much meat but also pricey, but worth it every once in a while.
December 24, 2015
I went to LIC this afternoon to film the intro for my 1 second video. Got all that I needed and then took some random photos. So crazy how it's Christmas Eve and it's 70 degrees and I'm wearing a t-shirt.
I went to LIC this afternoon to film the intro for my 1 second video. Got all that I needed and then took some random photos. So crazy how it's Christmas Eve and it's 70 degrees and I'm wearing a t-shirt.
December 24, 2015
Played with these minions and their new toy. They got this Mario Kart racing thing with Mario and Donkey Kong. Not as impressive as it sounds.
Played with these minions and their new toy. They got this Mario Kart racing thing with Mario and Donkey Kong. Not as impressive as it sounds.
December 24, 2015
Merry Christmas Eve! Prime Rib noms.
Merry Christmas Eve! Prime Rib noms.
December 25, 2015
The minions went to sleep early last night just in case Santa comes early and they're still awake. And they woke up early this morning super excited and barged into my room to wake me up so they can start opening presents. The gift-opening was the usual - like a million gifts, all for Evelyn and Chloe. So funny watching how they unwrap it and meticulous Chloe is while Evelyn just rips it open. Fun times.
The minions went to sleep early last night just in case Santa comes early and they're still awake. And they woke up early this morning super excited and barged into my room to wake me up so they can start opening presents. The gift-opening was the usual - like a million gifts, all for Evelyn and Chloe. So funny watching how they unwrap it and meticulous Chloe is while Evelyn just rips it open. Fun times.
December 25, 2015
After playing with the minions for a long time, I went out with Toshi to Brooklyn Bridge for some photos. It was super foggy, but it made for pretty cool photos. There was also an accident in the middle of Brooklyn Bridge and the entire Manhattan-bound side was at a standstill. We stayed there for a while getting the bridge and uptown, and then also saw the Empire State Building do a light show. There were a lot of other people there as well, surprisingly for Christmas Day.
After playing with the minions for a long time, I went out with Toshi to Brooklyn Bridge for some photos. It was super foggy, but it made for pretty cool photos. There was also an accident in the middle of Brooklyn Bridge and the entire Manhattan-bound side was at a standstill. We stayed there for a while getting the bridge and uptown, and then also saw the Empire State Building do a light show. There were a lot of other people there as well, surprisingly for Christmas Day.
December 28, 2015
Road trip to Newport! It was a 3.5 hour drive and the entire way was pretty smooth. I've been before, but always wanted to go back for all the photos. We stopped at Forty Steps first, right by the Cliff Walk, and there were barely anyone there because it was pretty nippy. Newport is definitely a summer spot and not so much for the winter. Walked about a mile of the Cliff Walk along the mansions before turning back for lunch.
Road trip to Newport! It was a 3.5 hour drive and the entire way was pretty smooth. I've been before, but always wanted to go back for all the photos. We stopped at Forty Steps first, right by the Cliff Walk, and there were barely anyone there because it was pretty nippy. Newport is definitely a summer spot and not so much for the winter. Walked about a mile of the Cliff Walk along the mansions before turning back for lunch.
December 28, 2015
Lunch was along Thames St at Brick Alley Pub. I got the Lobster Mac & Cheese and it was pretty good at first, but then the cream and cheese became too overwhelming. We walked by the wharf afterwards and stopped by a few of the shops there. Still, the entire place was pretty empty.
Lunch was along Thames St at Brick Alley Pub. I got the Lobster Mac & Cheese and it was pretty good at first, but then the cream and cheese became too overwhelming. We walked by the wharf afterwards and stopped by a few of the shops there. Still, the entire place was pretty empty.
December 28, 2015
Next stop, Ocean Drive! It's a ~10 mile drive along the shore where we passed by giant mansions (some for sale for like $19 million). There was a bridge area we stopped at and the view of the water was amazing. It was prettier in real life than in the photos and we spent a good amount of time there, most of it skipping rocks... Also stopped by Brenton Point State Park, which is just like a tiny grassy area that's the southern tip of the peninsula.
Next stop, Ocean Drive! It's a ~10 mile drive along the shore where we passed by giant mansions (some for sale for like $19 million). There was a bridge area we stopped at and the view of the water was amazing. It was prettier in real life than in the photos and we spent a good amount of time there, most of it skipping rocks... Also stopped by Brenton Point State Park, which is just like a tiny grassy area that's the southern tip of the peninsula.
December 28, 2015
At the end of Ocean Drive was Castle Hill Inn. Essentially a small expensive inn with fancy dining, but we went for the picture and the lighthouse. A little anticlimatic, but nice nonetheless.
At the end of Ocean Drive was Castle Hill Inn. Essentially a small expensive inn with fancy dining, but we went for the picture and the lighthouse. A little anticlimatic, but nice nonetheless.
December 28, 2015
Last stop before dinner was Rough Point along Cliff Walk. Internet said this section is for serious hiker who aren't afraid of heights, but these rocks were barely cliffs and I did not feel any fear of heights at all. It was just cold.
Last stop before dinner was Rough Point along Cliff Walk. Internet said this section is for serious hiker who aren't afraid of heights, but these rocks were barely cliffs and I did not feel any fear of heights at all. It was just cold.
December 28, 2015
Newport at night is like a ghost town. All the shops closed by 5/6pm and nobody on the streets. We just wanted some postcards but everything was closed except restaurants. So we gave up and just grabbed dinner at Pour Judgement Bar & Grill (pretty good actually) and called it a night.
Newport at night is like a ghost town. All the shops closed by 5/6pm and nobody on the streets. We just wanted some postcards but everything was closed except restaurants. So we gave up and just grabbed dinner at Pour Judgement Bar & Grill (pretty good actually) and called it a night.
December 29, 2015
Overall, Newport was a quick and fun trip. It would be really nice to come during the summer, but even then I don't think there would be a lot of things to do. Possibly walk more of the Cliff Walk and do more water activities, but that I'm not super excited about anyway so I don't mind missing out on that.
Overall, Newport was a quick and fun trip. It would be really nice to come during the summer, but even then I don't think there would be a lot of things to do. Possibly walk more of the Cliff Walk and do more water activities, but that I'm not super excited about anyway so I don't mind missing out on that.