Lamentations of a Ticking Clock

Okay.
Its October.

Someone, it would appear, is playing a cruel joke in which 12 months have gone so fast they have in fact, disappeared.

It is my last month in California. And though it really is horrid to think about leaving..

I have lived. I mean really, truly l i v e d. Like only a twenty three year old can (and should).

I have partied, and traveled, and danced, and learned, and road tripped, and laughed and snorkeled and surfed and loved and camped and hiked and snowboarded and felt and cried and lived.

This year has taught me how life can be, how I want life to be.

It has not been a year without trial or difficulty, I've faced some of my hardest here in CA. And inevitably, there will be more where that came from. But I think I've grown more this year than any other point in my life. And turns out, San Francisco bay is a pretty fantastic place to deal with hard times. How long can one really dwell on sadness when living a drive away from some of the most beautiful places America (if not the world) has to offer.

I have learned that Californians are some of the warmest, genuine, loving people, who actually care about each other. They really do! Each other as family, friends, but also each other as strangers on a bus, or fellow cyclists, or shoppers in Trader Joe's (love you long time TJ's).
I'm not sure I'll ever live in another place where strangers congratulate me on my form as I run, and encourage me to get to the next mile. Is this heaven?

But of course the people are real, there are real problems, issues, and this place isn't perfect. But I wouldn't love it as much if it were. I like the homeless men that initially unnerved me, with whom I now freely converse, I like the gritty neighborhoods and the hipsters and the hole in the wall restaurants where customer service is nonexistent but the fare is other-worldly. I like that people are constantly arguing about politics, neverendingly questioning the government and congress and those running the country. I like the vested interest. I like that people bond over discussing yoga (bikram, acroyoga, Ashtanga, Kundalini to name but a few) and that healthy living is eternally on trend. I like that at school I've never seen a Coke on the table, but a mason jar with dandelion floating around is quite normal. I like that I can look out the window and spot 3 Priuses (Prii?) on my side of the street alone.

I have learned that to be surrounded by people that love me, bickering and laughing about card games, in a cabin, in the middle of the rainy woods is pretty close to my personal heaven. I have learned that I need people, I feed off their energy and I really think that to belly laugh with a group of 4+ people is gorgeous and should be a form of practiced therapy (ooh incidentally, it is.. Therapeutic-Laughter).

I have also learned that I can be happy anywhere, and despite being in a place which has made that ridiculously easy, I know that wherever I end up next, for whichever length of time, I'll always have my memories!

So, roll on the next adventure.. Blighty, here I come

All you need is love

Gay pride SF weekend. 

Emotion, Love, good food, Love, people, colour, positive energy, excitement, Love. 

This weekend was inspiring and incredible on many levels. I'm so blessed to live in the bay where people are so compassionate, open minded and generally fantastic. Amazing!! 

Remember that time I lost my mind?

This weekend, ladies and gentlemen, I will be running 10.5 miles.

Usually when I run its 4 miles max, for funsies. 

But apparently I felt I was lacking excitement in life.

Last month I signed up with friends for a relay race total 70 miles. 

7 team members. I'll be doing 10m around Lake Tahoe - ie. 6200 ft ABOVE SEA LEVEL. 

When I train, in Berkeley.. At. Sea. Level.
1 word. Altitude. 

My first week training I did 6.9 miles and literally spent the rest of the week recovering. 

Last week I managed 7 miles, this week I'm hoping for 8. 

Oh yea, that's right I've only been training for 3 weeks, argh!? 

On the awesome side, around 20 people from Berkeley are coming too, awesome awesomeness.

So, providing I don't tragically die mid race, and actually complete the 10 miles, (which I WILL) I'll get the satisfaction of knowing my team and I are badass, plus being able to party it up with the rest of the Berkeleyans in a beautiful cabin for the weekend. 

Win win. 

Unless I lose, obviously.  

It's about that time..

I'm back, by popular demand (/nagging from certain people, you know who you are)

Up today..

-Beautiful Native American Dad (BNAD) has.. a BROTHER?! Whatttt?
-Public transport girl crush
-A 'homeless' lady conned me into buying her food
-A woman collapses in front of me mid-run


That's all up next, after the short break sponsored by.. Dominican Ventures (oooo.. ahhhh...)

If you love white beaches.. 

..caving adventures..

.. beautiful brown people.. 

..dune buggies.. 

..paragliding..

.. daily marriage proposals from resort staff named Julio..

..geeky snorklers.. 

.. and crystal clear water.. 

Then the DR is the place for YOU - Book Now.

(Proposals sold separately) 

Glad to have you back!

Okay, first up, BNAD has a younger more beautiful brother. Who, we assume, is not a dad. 

He was at pick up today, and though unaccompanied by BNAD himself, through sufficient analytics (read: stalking) of BNAD, I have the expertise to immediately identify those genes of perfection.
Exciting times.

Girl crush - I spied a girl I liked the look of so much I almost initiated 4 year old befriending methods 'What's your name? Mine's Nicole, lets be friends?' 

Why doesn't it work like that anymore..

No, instead, I sat and covertly stared.
And covertly photographed.
Like a creepy creeper creeping.

In the name of blogging guys, all for you. (80% chance that defence would flop in court) 

Hair au naturale, clothes funky and baggy.. like looking in a mirror.
Instead of bars where you pick up members of the opposite sex, there should totally be a bar..  for friends.
'I've seen you around.. And I just feel like we could be besties. For real. Don't be freaked out.. Oh ..okay..'

Ok, on to the 'homeless' lady. Went something like this..

'Excuse me, could you help me get some food?'
'Sure, I just went to the bakery, would you like this?'
'Uh, does that have sugar in it.. because I'm a diabetic.'
'Oh, um yea..'
'There's actually a place down the street that does a really great croissant. Bacon, cheese, sausage, but NO EGG. Could you get that for me?'
'Uh, um yea, okay'

Ten mins after I give her the food, she pulls out a decent looking mobile and starts having a chat.
Conned. And I missed my bus. No good deed goes unpunished, ey eyyy?
But no worries, good story!

Lastly..
I was running to the chapel tonight, dum de dum, puffing up the hill, crossing the road..
A Woman, Mid Fourties, COLLAPSES INTO THE PAVEMENT, right before my eyes. Reaches for the man with her, TAKES HIM DOWN TOO, crumpled heap.
It was all very dramatic, I ran over, she was on her back, looked dizzy.. I asked if she was okay, debated whether to call an ambulance (which apparently no one does in America, bc you have to pay 600 ridiculous dollars for it - good one private healthcare, good one.)
She declined an ambulance, said she was fine.
Was more concerned about where I was from 'You have an ACCENT!' and the state of her appearance 'I'm wearing a wig you see'.
I helped them both up and they went on their merry way.

So there we have it, my internet contribution for the next foreseeable months.

I'm Nicole, and you've been wonderful, Thanks for stopping by.

a wonderful thing

Impromptu Skype calls with both my loves Casey & Moline. (They're in India for a month, fighting illiteracy like the superheroes they truly are)*

One good night.

I am a very happy lady.

*http://effectinternational.org/

Impressed

Just got asked out, by a complete stranger, whilst looking after 4 children (running in 4 different directions).

Impressed. With his class, first impression and how smooth he was.

But mostly with my amaaaazing ability to multitask.

Nice man go away, Come again another day

So my 6 year old (K) has baseball practice today. Both parents were away, they told me this morning that their friend Matt, would pick up K at 5pm, take him to baseball and drop him home after.

Assumed Matt would be 'dad-aged' and 'dad-looking'. I thought nothing of it. 

5 rolls around, Matt knocks on the door and... Holy.. Sweet Mother of Pearl this man is attractive. 

Disgustingly hot. 

As in .. His genes got together specifically to achieve aesthetic superiority.
And achieve they did.

He's asian, maybe chinese, around 24 years old, body of a jock, face of.. something with a beautiful face.
Oo, face of an Abercrombie model (despite my loathing of that brand, you just can't knock a good model) 

I looked. like. CRAP. Crap on a stick. Crap warmed up.  

Not only have I been looking after 3 children all day, but I'm also sick. SICK!

Meaning I look like a germ-harbouring, red-nosed, mumsy, housewifey, gross mother of 3 (not, that being a mother is gross, obvs. Love you mama.)

He's all..  'Is K ready?' 

I'm all 'You wanna make out?' 

Jk. 

For some absurd reason, I go into efficiency overdrive, introducing myself in the most formal manner possible. Gosh, I SHOOK HIS HAND. The mind boggles. 

'Are you sure you know where you're going? Will you be alright taking our car and everything? He has everything he needs, he's all ready'

Shut Up Nicole, this isn't a job interview, STAND DOWN OFFICER!

Anyway, he left, and I sighed in the comfort that I would most likely never see him again. 

I've just been informed, (after admitting my interest to the kids mum) that he's coming for dinner tonight. 

Wahh why don't I have 'game'. What is this 'game' the cool kids talk about anyway? 

Why am I sick? Why couldn't this have been the one day I didn't have kleenex stuck to my arm, and goodness knows what smeared on my glasses? 

No doubt dinner will go just swimmingly.. 

Boarding, Beaches and Paradisical Whims..

Past couple months have been pretty hectic.
Hectic with amazingness that is.

Highlights..

- Grand total of a bajillion hours spent on the beach. We might have ditched the last hour of church for Stinson beach. Completely worth it. Playing frisbee, in a bikini, in the sun is nothing short of bliss, (especially for london girl).

- Snowboarding. Snow. Ski resort, for the first time. I literally cannot describe how much I love boarding. My family and I drove up to Tahoe this Friday just gone. Everyone was somewhat surprised I wanted to try boarding, considering my obvious lack of bodily coordination. (Yesterday I tripped up the stairs, twice. In the same 30 minutes)
But, I hate ice skating possibly more than anything on the planet. (Hence my aversion to skiing. Two huge sticks moving independently of themselves? Hello disaster.)
But snowboarding.. I've always thought girls who snowboard are so.. badass.
All the other women of the world are like.. Traalala, I'm busy putting on make up and getting my nails done.. FORGET THAT, IMA STRAP WOOD TO MY FEET AND BOMB IT DOWN A MOUNTAIN.
Like a boss.

Got slightly carried away there.

Friday, I had 3 hours private tuition with my teacher, Tim. He was cool (must have called me 'dude' around 30 times. By the end I actually questioned if he thought I was a guy..) and a good teacher. At first, it was kind of scary, super slippery (shocker) and there was the small matter of stopping.
But 10 hours, a bruised bum, and some more pointers later, I managed a green slope without falling over! Success!
New addiction in life, just like that. When I started cheer and got thrown in the air for the first time, I would fall asleep thinking about stunts and how to be better. Same thing now with boarding. Yea, I'm just that cool.

Just before I went out onto the snow for the first time!

Beautiful Tahoe

End of the day. Chairlift closed. Walked up the hill. Sat on my bum . 

Boarded for 5 hours the first day and 5 the 2nd.. My body is STILL aching 3 days later!

- 2 tickets to paradise!!! My friend N and I booked tickets to the Dominican freaking Republic. Excited doesn't even cover it.
7 nights at a 4 star beach resort, deluxe room, watersports and daily meals included.. all for $450 - INSANE. We leave 3rd April, she's flying from utah, I'm flying from cal, we booked our flights at different times and somehow managed to get on the same connecting flight into the DR.
Meant. To. Be.

- At the start of the month, M & I partied like only we can. She's just moved to SF, so I went and hung out in her new pad. We got ready for the night in legitimate chick flick style, singing to booming Alicia Keys, pouting about in outfit after outfit.
(Unfortunately we didn't have time to squeeze in the obligatory pillow fight in underwear.)
We went to Eve, on Howard st. It was a quiet spot, but the music was soo good. Having space to move is a good thing, but too much space is.. not.
We debated whether to ditch, but it got busier, and the place certainly filled up with some interesting characters.

Quote time..
'What are you drinking to have so much energy?'

'Where have you been all night, you dance better than every girl in this place' (how we do in the uk baby!)

'You're English? ME TOO! Well, my dad is..'

'Do you girls work out? You look like you work out..'

'Wait you just want redbull? By itsself? That's it?!'

'You have a great body, I'm a photographer, I'd love to photograph it' (REALLY creeper, really?)

Line of the night: 'You have a great accent, its so.. Global.'

Hardly. Its English. English is what it is.


I love Californiaaaaa <3

M & N

Today

I liked my clothes. Because I did not look like a scruffy mother of 3, as per usual.
That is all.

Question of the Week

'You have an English accent. Are you from England?'

I tell you, nothing short of genius in San Francisco..

Legal Alien

P (host mum) 'Thanks for cooking Nicole'
Me 'Its okayy! (walks out of the room)'
A (4 yr old I look after) 'Did she say 'its okay'?!'
P 'Yea, she did'
A 'But why?!'
P 'I don't know, must be a British thing..'

Definitely thought 'its okay' was a world wide thing.
Every day I learn something else that makes me a weirdo in this place. Just as well I find it hilarious!!

Monday, Monday

This is what my weekend looked like..

Yummy hot chocolate with C at the adorable Café Leila.

Making good use of my Psychology degree, playdoh with Amaya..

Super Bowl Sunday with the boys.
I survived. It was actually a great game (I might have taken a mid-game nap)

Best part of being 'just' a nanny..

I'm not forced to be part of the Mummy Crew whilst waiting for my kid at ballet.

Being 'just' a nanny at times doesn't feel wonderful, but today means I'm exempt from the world of 'so how are you getting him into X school?' ... 'are you doing yoga? I've lost ten pounds'.. 'our next vacation will be Europe.. *gloat brag gloat*

Another stressful weekend..

BNAD watch

BNAD was at school pick up. Again.

I announce it every time and sound shocked.
That he reappears on a daily basis to collect his child from school.
Nothing radical Nicole, nothing at all. 

He was just there, smiling away at his kid. Geez, so pretty.. Anyway, there was a point to this post..

Things are getting a tad ridiculous. 

I glance at his ring finger, his hand is in his pocket. 

Ten minutes later I look again. An unfortunately located bush is blocking my view. ONLY of his HAND. 

Come on now.. 

New day, New dawn

It's 2013. (How did that happen?)

I haven't written in an age, yes, I'm aware.
But for those of you know me well, lets be honest, goldfish attention span here, its a wonder I kept it up as long as I did.
However, I am back.

Here We Go.

U P D A T E S - pay attention people, we are not stopping for breaks..

- I went to Hawaii for Christmas with the family I work for. It. Was. Lush.
- It was kind of hard, first Christmas away from home and all, but guess what, I got over it. I. was. in. Hawaii.
- I got stung by a jellyfish. In. Hawaii.
- Flew home new years eve. Partied the night away in San Francisco with my main girl, M
- Mormon hangover new years day - dragged my pounding head to a joyous brunch with friends (Why is brunch so early, WHY)
- Normal life resumed, which I still adore.
- California is actually capable of getting cold (real, proper cold) and I got sick. Boooo
- I haven't been running since before Hawaii. Disgust. Shock. Horror. (in all seriousness I feel these things, and normal schedule will be resuming tomorrow)
- I went on a Night Hike. What is that, you ask? It is a situation that every city girl has always avoided in life, ever. It went against all natural given instinct to voluntarily walk into the pitch black woods at night. For a casual stroll. Obviously I wasn't alone, I have no death wish. My company was well versed in the Great Outdoors (knows where North is and everything) big, terribly American, handy with a gun. (Precautions must be taken, after all.*) The hike was great, so quiet and chill. City girl likes.
- City girl also went rock climbing. Well 'bouldering'. Had I ever heard this term before the day I did it? Of course not. You want me to walk up to an actual, real boulder. And climb it? I mean, you want to get from East Ham to Bond Street on the tube, in rush hour, in under 30 minutes, I'm your girl.
But a boulder?
Anyway, I did it. And it was pretty dam cool.
- Furthermore, in March, city girl is going on a Tahoe trip for my first SNOWBOARDING lesson, hells yea.
- Realised that Londoners have something in our DNA which makes us feel like utter failures when we miss a train. This occurred the other day, and I had to wait 26 minutes for the next one. TWENTY SIX MINUTES. Couldn't face my reflection in the mirror for days.
- I visited Tom & Tasha (friends from Reading, who now live 30 mins away - surreal doesn't cover it). Such a great time!!
- I continue to stalk beautiful men, unashamedly, on the regular. I saw Beautiful Native American Dad at school pick up, again. I almost dribbled. I then spent a good portion of time ogling his ring finger. Irritatingly, he was carrying things, thus concealing said finger. RING OR NO RING beautiful man?! (BNAD's marital status will be provided as discovered). On the train yesterday, was a second wonder to behold. Caramel skin, DREADLOCKS, GREEN EYES, and, he was reading. An actual book. I hope that you, reader, understand the beauty, value and rarity of the above combination. The mind boggles.

Ultimately, behind all the guff I spout, I'm still having an incredible time, and above all, staying British.
Until next time my loves..
Roll on 2013!



*He did not actually have a gun on him.