Capitol Christmas Tree

As my last post on Holidays, I present the Capitol Christmas Tree. Though the background may be framed with scaffoldings due to restoration, the tree in front of it is still a sight to see for tourists and locals alike.

This may be the last Holidays post for this season of the 365-day challenge. As I am writing this, I thought of two resolutions for the coming 2015. These are:

1. I will try to search for ways to learn and explore new things; and
2. I will try to always be a blessing to others.

Cheers to 2015! Looking forward to new adventures of the new year!

Capitol Christmas Tree

Day 120

5 January 2014

Last weekend of tree

Last weekend of tree

Day 117

2 January 2015

Noche Buena

We had a feast of a Noche Buena on Christmas Eve, thanks to my aunt, uncle and cousins. This picture was taken from the Christmas Eve dinner in my cousin-in-law's parents' house.

Merry Christmas 2014 to All!

Noche Buena

365-day Challenge, Day 108

24 December 2014

©JReyes

Santa came in early

We needed to make the gift-opening in the house a bit earlier because we needed to travel to New Jersey to be with my aunt and cousins for Christmas. Then Juancho was happy. :)

Santa came in early

365-day challenge, Day 107

23 December 2014

©JReyes

Juancho with Tree

Another Holiday photograph with the little one. :) 

Juancho with Tree

365-day challenge, Day 106

22 December 2014

©JReyes

Candlelight dinner

My Manager invited my wife and I to a Holiday family at their home in Falls Church. It was a sumptuous meal complete from welcome drinks to desserts!

Photo was taken from the centerpiece of the buffet table, which features two lit candles.

Candlelight dinner

365-day challenge, Day 105

21 December 2014

©JReyes

Oh Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas Tree

365-day challenge, Day 104

20 December 2014

Streets of Shirlington

Happily lit streets of Shirlington

Streets of Shirlington

365-day challenge, Day 103

19 December 2014

©JReyes

Holiday Happy Hour

Happy Holidays, IFC!

HHH

365-day Challenge, Day 102

18 December 2014

©JReyes

Santa

For some stroke of luck, Santa Claus (?!) was able to make it to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC's Christmas Party. He gave the Christmas cheers to the Embassy kids and gave each one a surprise present. Looked like all the kids were "nice" this year.

Santa

365-day Challenge, Day 101

17 December 2014

Embassy Christmas Lanterns

For the 100th day of the self-imposed 365-day challenge, I present the beautiful Christmas lanterns in the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC.

Embassy Christmas Lanterns

365-day challenge, Day 100

16 December 2014

White House Christmas Tree

It's that time of the year again when the White House ellipse is illuminated with Holiday lights, and in the center of them all stands its traditional Christmas Tree.

I stopped by this afternoon to take a few shots of this lovely sights and sound display.

The White House Christmas Tree is open from 5-9pm daily until the Holiday Season is over.

White House Christmas Tree

365-day challenge, Day 99

15 December 2014

all pictures by ©JReyes

Macro-ball

Another Holiday special post. Just loving this season!!!

This time I used an extension tube to give our Christmas balls a "portrait shot." :)

I used a Xit XTETN Auto Focus Macro Extension Tube Set I got from Amazon. It's way cheaper to do macro than to purchase a macro lens. 

11 days till Christmas!

Macro-ball

365-day Challenge, Day 98

14 December 2014

White House Ornament

We were lucky to have been given at least a couple of these precious White House historical ornaments. These were given to us as gifts from friends. 

Here's something about the White House historical ornament program:

"In 1981, Bernard Meyer, the Executive Vice President of the White House Historical As- sociation, was exploring the feasibility of producing an ornament and even had a prototype made by a Colorado firm that wasn’t considered satisfactory. In that same year, Westport Marketing Group, a marketing firm from New England, proposed that they help us develop Christmas ornaments to generate funds to accomplish our mission. A high quality copper weather vane was proposed for the design of the first ornament. Weather vanes crown many of this country’s historic buildings, including Mount Vernon and Independence Hall. An interpretative brochure accompanied the ornament. The association’s Board of Directors reviewed and approved the design, and in 1981 the ornament program was born. It became an immediate success." 

--White House Historical Association, A Conversation with Michael Melton 2003

White House Ornament

365-day challenge, Day 97

13 December 2014

Balls of Shirlington

Shirlington area now dons the Holiday vibe. :)

Balls of Shirlington

365-day Challenge, Day 96

12 December 2014

©JReyes

Bokeh Tree

1. "In photography, bokeh (Originally /ˈboʊkɛ/, /ˈboʊkeɪ/ BOH-kay — also sometimes pronounced as /ˈboʊkə/ BOH-kə, Japanese: [boke]) is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a lens. Bokeh has been defined as "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light"." --www.wikipedia.org

   Happy Holidays!!!

   

   Bokeh Tree

   365-day Challenge, Day 95

   11 December 2014

   ©JReyes

   
   

   
   

Ornaments

More Christmas photos. This was taken from the Philippine Embassy's lobby Christmas Tree. :)

Only 15 days to go before Christmas 2014!

Ornaments

365-day challenge, Day 94

10 December 2014

Bad Santa

My friends Levi and Aja requested me to take their holiday picture. I quickly obliged. It was a fun experience. Shooting events and portraits give me some sort of practice. Although I have no immediate plans of making money with photography. I feel I am not yet worthy..

Bad Santa

365-day Challenge, Day 93

9 December 2014

©JReyes

Thanks for the opportunity! :)

Lampposts

The lampposts of downtown DC are now dressed and ready for the Holidays. :)

Lamppost

365-day challenge, Day 89

5 December 2014

©JReyes

Angel

Another Christmas photo.

This is particularly timely for my Filipino brothers and sisters. Another typhoon (International name "Hagupit") is about to make landfall in the Philippines... 

May the angels save and protect my kababayans from the damaging effects of the typhoons. Prayers for everyone...

Angel

365-day Challenge, Day 88

4 December 2014