Saturday, August 11, 2012

The Big Free-Yo (#29)

I landed in London on a cold, rainy Friday morning.  I embraced the wooziness of the red eye with a gin and tonic and a delicious lunch my Dad at the Gilbert Scott in the formidable St. Pancreas hotel, built out of the former train station.  A highlight of the lunch was asking Dad what he was doing the next day and him responding “Well we are going to the bastille day celebrations, then we are meeting back here at 6pm for your surprise birthday cocktails [pause] aaah I suppose you didn’t know that did you?  Oh no, everyone is going to shout at me.  Just act surprised”. 

The next day I met up with Dave and Sarah who surprised me with a day at the spa.  We all had body scrubs and facials, and then spent the afternoon lounging around by the pool and catching up – it was perfect.
After the spa, we met in the bar at the St. Pancreas Hotel for cocktails.  I probably did a questionable job of looking surprised.  Inexplicably a group of twelve of us managed to spend over £500 on liquor in less than an hour.  We then cabbed over to a tapas restaurant where we had the basement and a big round table to ourselves.  I t was the perfect collection of my favourite family members and friends.  A few of us didn’t know when to quit and continued on until the sun came up. 



On Sunday we headed back to Tenbury Wells where I spent the rest of the week.  The night before my actual birthday I honestly found it hard to get to sleep I was so excited and woke up at 5am hoping it was time for presents only to realize I had to sleep for a few more hours, just like when I was little!  Mum, Rosie and I had a lazy morning and did coffee and presents in bed.  We took a little jaunt to Ludlow for afternoon tea and then I went to Dad's for some more presents and the first drink of the day.  Of all the amazing gifts I recieved this has to be one of my favourites:


Mum cooked an amazing dinner at home, Dad brought up great wine and there were even fireworks!  I was exactly where I wanted to be as I welcomed in a new decade.






The week was finished off with Dad and I going to see the British Open at Lytham St Anns.  The weather cooperated, mostly I suspect because Dad bought a new umbrella, and we had a fantastic day watching the greats go around a course with the deepest, scariest bunkers I have ever seen.  After the Masters the British Open felt a little crowded, but Dad and I were mostly basking in the joy of being able to make the comparison.


As ever, time at home went by way too fast.  As I said goodbye to Mum at the airport I felt the usual urge to have a little cry.  I normally exercise mind over matter and kill the urge, but for some reason I decided to go for it and as we hugged goodbye the tears flowed.   I’m so glad I did because Mum and I shared a really sweet little moment. 

By Nicki (aged 30)

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Birthday Month Begins (#29)

The birthday festivities officially kicked off this weekend.  Brian asked that I keep Saturday free as he had a day of birthday treats planned.  I resisted my natural inclination to go into detective mode and figure out exactly what he had planned, and instead just relaxed and enjoyed the surprise of it all.  We spent the day at the Ritz-Carlton Spa.  I started with an 80 minute massage and it was one of the best I’ve ever had.  Fully relaxed I stumbled upstairs to the pool which is on the 17th floor and has amazing 360 views of the city.  I juiced up on mimosas and spent the next several hours mincing around in my robe moving from the sun lounger to the pool to the hot tub to the sauna.  Then in the evening we went for a fantastic dinner at Custom Shop which is one of my favourite Charlotte Restaurants.  We shared a charcuterie plate, an heirloom tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad, spicy tuna meatballs, and duck confit and finished it off with brioche bread pudding and caramel ice cream.  Food and company were pretty close to perfect and we probably should have called it a night, but instead we cabbed over to meet some friends at a bar.




Fast forward to Tuesday, I was returning to my office after a daily meeting and I noticed the lights were all out.  The next thing I knew everyone was shouting, confetti was flying everywhere, and tiaras and badges were being pinned on me from every direction.  The whole department had banded together to decorate my office and throw me a birthday party.  I always make sure we have cards and cakes on people’s birthdays but they really took the celebration to another level.  It made me feel really loved and really special.



I head to London tomorrow to kick off the UK leg of my birthday tour – expect Birthday post #2 later this week if I survive whatever my two debauched high school friends have planned on Saturday...

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Parrot Head (#10)

My sweet friend Jenny bought me a ticket to the Jimmy Buffet concert in Charlotte to help me knock another pre-thirty experience off my list.  It was super fun and truly like no other concert I’ve ever experienced.  The fans are beyond diehard; they take the tailgating and the costumes extremely seriously and know every word to every song.  Buffet isn’t a great singer – but the hedonistic lyrics and upbeat melodies make you feel like you are on vacation at the beach.  When it comes to the Jimmy Buffet Concert experience I believe a picture counts for a thousand words – enjoy:



Friday, June 15, 2012

Pinchy (#2)

We had an amazing weekend in Maine over Memorial day weekend to check another item off my list!  We flew from Charlotte to Boston on Saturday, picked up a car and headed North.  The first stop was Ogunquit, which was recommended by one of my friends who goes to Maine every year with her family.  It was a cute coastal town and our first stop was Barnacle Billy’s for a delicious lobster roll.

After that we walked along the Marginal Way trail to a sandy the beach where we paddled in  icy cold water and enjoyed lying in the sun for a few hours.  Then we drove on up to Portland and arrived at the Portland Harbor Hotel by late afternoon.  I took a peaceful nap and then we headed out for some beers and a cheese and meat plate at Novare Res CafĂ© to kick off the night.

 
That was followed by an amazing meal at Fore Street.  We had fresh sardines, then mussels, then a pork chop.  On the way back to the hotel there was a live band in one of the bars that caught my attention and a few Jack Daniels later it was time to dance.
Sunday started with a yummy brunch at Becky’s Diner.  After that we took a drive out to the breathtaking Portland Head Lighthouse (as seen in one of my favourite Edward Hopper’s paintings).


Around lunchtime we drove further up the coast with stops at Orr’s Island for the views and Wiscasset for homemade wild blackberry ice cream. 

We arrived at the Hawthorn Inn B&B in Camden in the afternoon and then headed out to explore the town.  Our landlady aka “Nosey Nancy” wanted to be very involved in the planning of the stroll and dinner (this became a theme) but we managed to quickly escape her.  We sat on the deck of the Waterfront Restaurant watching the boats and had enjoyed some oysters in anticipation of Maine lobster in Maine. 

Pinchy the 3lb lobster was freshly steamed and dipped in hot butter. I was impressed with how much better the lobster was in Maine than I’ve had elsewhere.

On Monday we had our first (and last) breakfast prepared by Nosey Nancy.  The food she made was out of this world but the overly formal dining room and awkward forced interaction with the other guests was a pain.  After that we picked up some sandwiches and headed on a hike up Mt. Battie.  It was a hot, rocky scramble but absolutely worth it for the views at the top.

Tired but happy from the hike we read and relaxed in the serene Camden Harbor Park (which was designed by Frederick Olmsted who also designed Central Park in New York). The day ended with a pizza and a movie.
Feeling indulgent that it was my last day of vacation (and eager to avoid breakfast) I went and had a massage.  Around lunchtime we started heading back down to Boston, with a stop at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset for ONE final lobster roll.  It was an amazing long weekend and I will definitely be returning to Maine.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Exercising My Right to Vote (#11)

Politics used to be my passion.  It was what I studied at University, what I used to read about in my spare time and where I thought I’d spend my career.  Then I came to America and I was exposed to the world of business; it was faster paced, more competitive, more innovative and there was room to assume much more responsibility early on compared to a career in the public sector.  My path gradually changed and I picked up an MBA and a career in General Management at a fortune 500 company. 

Since I’ve been in the US my interest in politics has certainly waned. I feel disconnected from the goings on in the UK and EU and have never made a real connection to US politics. That is partly because I can’t vote here and partly because the political conversation too often seems to be about personal and religious matters rather than policy.  In addition, I can’t identify with the values of either major political party here.  There have been some moments I’ve felt re=inspired – for example I will never forget the excitement of the night I watched the first black President being elected and I will never forget the disgust and anger when the North Carolina’s Amendment 1 passed limiting domestic partnerships and defining marriage as something strictly between a man and a woman.

Turning 30 to me symbolizes no longer being a child.  With that in mind – I feel it is my civic responsibility to be an active participant in our democracy so I have registered to vote by proxy in UK elections.  Not to mention the fact that women like Emmeline Pankhurst dedicated their lives fighting for me, as a woman, to even have the right to vote.

The only wrinkle is that my proxy, Miss Rosie Louise Allen, is rather mischievous and has already threatened to use my vote to help the Monster Raving Looney Party rise to power…





Monday, June 4, 2012

Glamour Article: 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30

By 30, you should have:

  1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
  2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
  3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
  4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
  5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
  6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
  7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
  8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
  9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
  10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
  11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
  12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
  13. The belief that you deserve it.
  14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
  15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

  1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
  2. How you feel about having kids.
  3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
  4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
  5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
  6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
  7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
  8. How to take control of your own birthday.
  9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
  10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
  11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
  12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
  13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
  14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
  15. Why they say life begins at 30.

Read More http://www.glamour.com/magazine/2007/02/things-women-should-have-and-know-by-30?printable=true#ixzz1ws0mSQ3c

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The countdown begins...

I have 3 months of my twenties left and couldn’t be more excited about the big 30!

Complete (41%)
·         Start a blog (1,253 hits from 10 different countries)
·         Run the Savannah, GA half marathon (have since run another in Nashville, TN and planning my full marathon!)
·         Take my Dad to the US Masters (best day ever)
·         Register to vote by mail
·         Be elected to the board of a non-profit organization (Dean’s Diversity Advisory Council)
·         Complete a mountaineering course (need to get up a big mountain again soon)
·         Have laser hair removal (bald as an eagle)
·         Big Brothers Big Sisters - 2 fun activities a month
·         Tour the White House
·         Move into a two bedroom apartment (Best housing decision ever: deciding to live alone.  Second best housing decision ever: spare room for visitors!)
·         Spend the day at the US Whitewater Center
·         Buy and successfully operate an i-phone (changed my life)

In process (34%)
·         Eat lobster in Maine (May with Brian)
·         Be debt free by 30 (on track-ish)
·         Get my green card (paperwork submitted and pending)
·         Go to Disneyland (June with Emily)
·         Attend a Jimmy Buffet concert (June with Jenny and Britt)
·         Climb Mount Mitchell (July)
·         Go to every museum in Charlotte (seriously behind)
·         Streak the lawn at UVA (graduation weekend – so inappropriate)
·         Attend every class at the YMCA gym once (50% complete – will step it up)
·         Plan a 30th birthday party (got the people and ideas – just need to lock down bookings)

Serious risk of not happening (24%)
·         Visit Barcelona (no time!  Will do trip at Christmas)
·         Watch a Nascar race (conflict with Darden graduation)
·         Go to Bonnaroo (conflict with Disney)
·         Read every Man Booker Prize winner since 1982 (have really embraced TV in my 29th year.  Grey’s Vampire Diaries, Mad Men, West Wing, The Office, Modern Family)
·         Visit Joshua Tree National Park (will combine with hiking Mt. Whitney by year end)
·         Try online dating
·         See Niagara Falls (will go from Toronto in fall)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thank-you TIME Magazine

Love this article...getting super excited for my flirty thirties!


Survey: People Aren’t Happiest Until They Reach Age 33


"It’s true: 30 really is the new 20. A study by Friends Reunited, a British social-networking site, found that 70% of respondents over the age of 40 claimed they were not truly happy until they reached 33.
“The age of 33 is enough time to have shaken off childhood naivetĂ© and the wild scheming of teenaged years without losing the energy and enthusiasm of youth,” psychologist Donna Dawson said in the survey’s findings. “By this age innocence has been lost, but our sense of reality is mixed with a strong sense of hope, a ‘can do’ spirit, and a healthy belief in our own talents and abilities.”
Conversely, only 16% of the survey’s respondents pined for their childhood, while 6% said they were happiest while in college.
Many respondents claimed that their happiness at 33 came from fulfillment in their professional lives, as well as having a support system of family and friends. Not surprisingly, 36% said they were happiest when they had children.
Additionally, more than half of survey takers who chose 33 as the magic number said they did so because life at that age was more fun — probably because they had more money to enjoy it."

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Masters. Epic. (#9)

I’m not sure if it was the perfectly manicured grass, the feel of exclusivity, the sheer natural beauty, the history or the sum of those parts – but the experience was on different level to anything I’ve previously experienced. The course was hillier, the greens a lot smaller and the 18th much more daunting than we had expected. Dad also noted uncluttered the course was with only golfers and caddies versus the UK where there is an entourage of officiators and press.


The day started out cold, overcast and windy. We settled down with a fantastic view of the green on the 2nd and watched the first ten pairings come through including Sandy Lyle (Scotland), Ian Woosnam (Wales), Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland), Ian Poulter (England), Paul Casey (England), Jason Dufner, Vijay Singh (Fiji), Jim Furyk and Lee Westwood (England). After we saw Westwood’s group come through we decided it was a respectable time (10am) to go and find a beer so we made our way up the hill towards the clubhouse.

We walked up the 18th and lingered on the bend to take in the view of the famous and formidable hole. Then we parked at the tee on the 1st in time to see, among others, Angel Cabrerra (Argentina), Rory McIilory (Northern Ireland), Bubba Watson, three time Masters winner Phil Mickelson , Peter Hansen (Sweden)and Paul Lawrie (Scotland) drive. I was really cold at this point so we went via the main scoreboard to the shop to get me an extra layer and some souvenirs. The shopping expedition was promptly followed by a bbq pork sandwich and a cold beer. As we were eating, the clouds started to break; it got considerably warmer and by the time we walked back over to the 1st layers were coming off.



We walked the full length of the 1st and 2nd and decided to sit in the stands at the 4th. The 4th is a par 3 - from the stands at the 4thh we could see them drive down, putt and then tee off on the 5th. It was relaxing and warm sitting in the stand as we watched the back ten pairings come through including Ricky Fowler, Trevor Immelman (South Africa), Justin Rose (England), two time Masters winner Tom Watson, Jeff Ogilvy (Australia), Matt Kuchar, Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Alvaro Quiros (Spain), reigning Champion Charl Schwartzel (South Africa), Luke Donald (England), Miguel Angel Jiminez (Spain) and “the” Tiger Woods. The circus that follows Woods around the course is quite a sight. We followed Luke Donald’s or the length of the 5th and then stopped to get another beverage en route to Amen Corner.

We drank our beer basking in perfect sunshine on the stands overlooking the green of the 13th and tee of the 14th and then proceeded to settle in a great spot on a hill behind the tee of the12th with views to the green of the 11th and tee of the 13th. We watched the back ten pairings drive over Raes Creek on the par 3 12th. With the sun setting and shadows appearing we walked back up the 11th and 10th to a nice spot behind the bunker to the left of green on the 18th to watch everyone finish.

We were moved back twice as Ricky Fowler and Sang-Moon Bae sent their second shots to the left of the green and into the crowd so close to us I could have picked up the ball. We saw a few birdie finishes and Tom Watson got a standing ovation as he walked in for the day. Tired but happy, we walked back towards the car and saw the course being lovingly primped by hundreds of groundsmen and teams of synchronized mowers – it is quite the production to keep it looking so pristine.

Overall the experience was unreal. I had to pinch myself throughout the day and now watching on TV I’m finding it hard to believe we were actually there. As Oosthuizen pulls ahead after an albatross on the 2nd and Westwood continues to see the chance of victory slipping away I can’t help but feel that watching the final round on TV is such a better experience when you have been several feet away from the players and walked all of the holes. Going to the Maters was on my bucket list but now it’s over, rather than checking it off and moving onto the next adventure, ALL I can think about is finding a way to get back next year.  Judging by the look on Dad's face, I think it is safe to say he had quite a good day too!
 

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Obama’s House (#19)

U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt (VA-05) was kind enough to overlook the fact that the British burnt the White House to the ground in 1814 and grant me a tour this past weekend.  It was just phenomenal to be in a place so steeped in history.  I stood in the East Room where the bodies of Lincoln and Kennedy lay after their assassination, peeked into the Rose Garden where Thatcher and Regan conversed, strolled through the entrance hall where John Travolta danced with Princess Diana at a gala dinner in 1985 and was looked down on by life size portraits of the 43 former Presidents of the United States.  Oh, and Obama lives there.








Sunday, March 18, 2012

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Mommy,

Thank-you for all that you do for Rosie and I.  We love you and appreciate you.  Thinking about you today.

Hugs,

Nicki xxx





Saturday, March 17, 2012

Paaaaaaaaaaarty (#29)


Aside from presents, I don’t really enjoy the things you would associate with a milestone birthday – a big party, lots of people and being center of attention.   I’ve also lived half my adult life in the UK and half in the US – so pulling everyone together is challenging.  Taking all of this into consideration I’m declaring July “Birthday Month” and throwing three small parties rather than one big one.
I’m planning Tapas and then a night out in London with my English friends.  I’m going to spend my actual birthday at home with my family – we are having a party in the garden - fingers crossed it’s a beautiful summer evening.  Then I’ll finish it all off with a weekend of fun in Charlotte with my America friends.  I’ve rented a house on Lake Norman so we can swim, grill and play.  I’m really excited for birthday month!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Little Miss Ranty Pants

I’ve taken a little break from the blog, and communication in general.  Christmas holidays are very important family time for me.  My time back home in England was wonderful as ever – lots of eating, drinking, reading, tv, sleeping, football and time with those who matter most. 








I expected to come back to work all rested and recharged but instead I’ve felt behind and disengaged.   A particularly troublesome direct report and an overbearing manager seem to have crushed my desire to get out of bed and drive to work with equal blows.   I will have resolution on the direct report on Monday at 8:30am but the micromanager is a tougher one to work through.  I don’t want to be seen as weak, unable to manage up, or someone who runs from a challenge.  On the flip side I don’t want to become so disengaged that I ruin my own reputation or get so frustrated that I quit. 
Aside from the micromanaging I am most frustrated by the lack of respect he shows me as person.  It is a job, not a vacation, so it should be tough at times.  I will have delicious food and copious amounts of wine tonight, catch up on work at the weekend (while watching play-offs), and begin 2012 over again on Monday with a clean slate.
When I get my work situation under control I can get back to knocking fun items off my list.  Up next Disney/Nascar and a party planning post – it’s looking like a month of birthday events in July.  Also, item #25 is on hold - I’m not sure what it is or where it’s going but I know I like it - that's all you are getting for now...