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 Café 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.

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…

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