Adventures in London: Issue 186

A pretty slow week this week.

The week started with a "speed session" at the gym. It was no Speedy Gonzolas, but I did push the pace to 6.06 min per km. Only went for 20 min, but managed 3.3km. Still have ways to go, but pleased that I was able to run "fast" again.

Post run, I spent the rest of the evening playing with my new laptop. Over the last 6 months I have been hitting the edge of my old mac book. I was at 100% memory and had absolutely no ability to use the internet and upload photos. Rather frustrating to say the least so after 6 years, I finally caved and bought a new MacBook Pro. Was going to go air, but given I still buy CDs that would have done me no good.

Setting up a new laptop is straightforward, but the process of transferring data from an old computer to a new one is just a pain in the bum. I attempted the transfer over WiFi which made me feel super cool and technical. Glad it took over 4 hours and none of my music or photos transferred. Such a wiz kid I am ;-)

Keeping up with the tone of being a geek or nerd, don't know which I qualify for. On Wednesday I started Book 4 of the Song of Fire and Ice book (aka The Games of Thrones series). These books are amazing and I recommend everyone getting sucked in. The story line is intense, the characters are complex and it is the first time that I have read a book in ages and gasped! No one is safe in these books! In the game of thrones, you either win or you die....

Thursday was wicked. What seems like ages ago a bunch of us bought tickets for a sushi making class from Groupon. It is rather sad that it took us over 6 months o get a date that all of could make. Unfortunately on sushi night...everyone bailed and it was just Hubbz and I for the sushi event.

It was pure raw entertainment.... we were rolling in fun....

Okay I will stop with the sushi jokes. The evening was actually really cool. We learnt how to make 3 types of rolls. A cucumber roll with sushi on the outside, salmon nigiri and then the US born inside out roll. There is a lot more technique that goes into sushi making -- even more impressed by the NYC dragon rolls now. I did win best sushi roll (the salmon avocado in the middle) and won me a bottle of sushi rice vinegar. Guess that means I need to start rollin' - - Sorry I said I would stop.

Saturday night I got the chance for one-on-one catch up with Pat. A night with Pat is guaranteed to be an enjoyable one. We went to a new place called the Eagle in Clerkenwell. I have driven by the place hundreds of times, but never noticed it. Glad we went there as it is super cute and the food is delicious. We caught up on an arrange of topics; work, NYC, books, traveling, our futures. There is never a silent moment when we are together.

Life gets so busy some times. We used to be glued at the hips at work, but when we stopped working on the same account our time together got smaller and smaller. Add the fact that we both had significant others only meant that we had fewer and fewer "date nights". Glad though that we are able to find time every now and then for a catch up. That is what is important at the end of the day. No one will find time for you, but you!

On Sunday, I bought a new bike. You must be wondering, "Didn't Tini just buy a bike in Dec?" The answer is yes I did, but after riding it around and struggling to put the bike on the bike rack it was time to buy a proper bike. Plus the idea of riding an 80K road race on a mountain bike did not sound like my idea of fun. I cannot wait to go on my new bike! It is going to be wicked.

The adventure was not buying the bike, but what happened once it was purchased. Insane story. I paid full price for the bike in-store. Went home, only to notice that the bike could have been £130 cheaper if I reserved it online and picked it up in-store. Not pleased with this finding. I went to the store and they confirmed the price discrepancy. Crazy!!! How can they penalize people for coming into the shop. Was going to pay full price so I returned the bike. It doesn't stop there, we had 45 minutes before the store closed. My challenge, to go home re-purchase the bike & fittings (really did not make sense for them to have to un-assemble my bike and fittings only to re-assemble everything) and get back to the store. GAME ON! While racing the streets, it dawned on me...we just need an internet cafe. Luckily we found one, so once I reserved the bike it was back to the store to pick it up. Don't know how we managed it, but we some how did. :-)

Now to start training!!!

Hope you all are well! Miss you dearly and truly!

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 185

This week was great! I went to see my first Cirque du Soleil show at the Royal Albert Hall. There are absolutely no words for this show. Seriously! The stuff they did it just mind-blowing. There is no other word for it. It is incredible what they did. The creativity and talent was just amazing. How do you even discover that you can not only ride a unicycle, but you can throw and catch a bowl on the top of your head. What makes you even attempt that.

My favourite "act" of the night was the couple on the right. That was just beautiful and incredible to watch. There was such strength, fluidity, and passion within their performance. I would say my next favourite would have to be the girls on the unicycle followed by the roller-skating couple. I remember my uncle telling us to watch it on TLC years back. TLC does not capture the show. Having ground floor seats just 5 rows back...now that is the way to watch the show! WOW! Question now is do you watch the Michael Jackson version? That is to be determined...

On Wednesday I hung out with my big brother at the Hospital Club, a private members club for those in the creative industry. Such a wicked place from the inside...need to justify the membership now.

I love catching up with my brother from another mother. I miss him so much and gutted that he decided to leave MS (jealous is more like it). We have gone through a lot together, but I am honored and pleased that we are still a dynamic duo.

It was a great evening catching up on gossip and talking about life. It is amazing how much we both have evolved over the last 8+ years...just pleased that the bond that we share has not changed...just grown stronger and cemented with family love!

This week I signed up for my first race since breaking my ankle. It is a 6 mile race (simply cause the 3 mile did not seem like a challenge) around the streets of Harringey. There are various runs over the the 23-25 March weekend. Sports Relief is the UK's biggest fundraising event bringing the entire nation together for fitness, fundraising and to make a difference. The money raised is used to help people living tough lives both in the UK and across the world. I am excited for the event. If you would like to help support me and/or the cause please visit my fundraising page:

https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/teaknee

Would mean the world to me if you could help me reach my goal. Not asking for much, any spare change is welcome :-)

After that bit of exciting news, how can it get any better? Well it can!

There is a new Sevak in town!!! Parker N Sevak was born. I am gutted that I was not there in person, but that is the price I pay for living in London whilst my family is in NYC.

The official birth announcement is as follows:

"Parker N Sevak arrived Feb 16th, 2012 at 9:34 am. He was 5 lbs 2 ounces and 19 inches long. Parker and Mom are both well and home. Big Brother Kadin and Dad are still smiling ear to ear."

On Thursday, I celebrated 8 years of being purple. A lot of time, blood, sweat and tears have been invested in being purple. In return I have a jedi family, cherished friends and treasured clients. I have learnt so much from those around me; from the silly moments, from the stress, the opportunities and from the challenges.

Its been a good 8 years...come what may for the next 8 years!

Over the weekend I had another "Super Saturday Session" at the gym. This time I achieved 6k in 37min30sec. Even better is that I am only 2.5kg from my weight goal! Need to keep it up...

That evening, we went to Rebecca and Michael's for a flat warming games night. We started at a divine Italian restaurant and then followed to their flat for board games, chatter and laughs. It was a wicked night to say the least. Learnt a new game called Apples-to-Apples which is hilarious and good fun. Determined to win more cards next time. I demand a rematch!! Haha

Hope you all are well! Please join me in congratulating Bhai, Jamila and Kadin on their new addition!

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 184

On Tuesday I seized the moment with a spontaneous purchase of a new toy. There is a new kid in town and its name it Diem! The new Nikon d5100 was "born" 07-Feb-12 at 1532. Weighing only 560g and 128x97x79 mm in dimension, Diem joins the family that includes Nikki (7yrs) and Xavier (4yrs)... and of course Junior, Mini and Gana. It is a tight squeeze, but Mom and kids are excited and doing well.

Some may be questioning why on earth I need a new camera for if I have all those others and the only thing I can say in response is because it is so lovely! You'd buy a new TV even if your old was working well because it came with new features. You upgrade your phones...so why not cameras?! This is the year that I am determined to do something with my photography too...so stay tuned!

Diem was purchased just in time for a private photography event at Kennedy's law firm. I was so excited for this event. The event involved:

• A lecture from the photographer on his various projects
• Q&A session
• Hands on experience using lighting

The evening was amazing. I learnt a lot about using some of the manual features on my camera and how to take portraits. I am still a landscape, flowers, food person but it was a highly educational evening and I am so thankful to Geoff and Caroline for inviting me as a client to the event. Now that I have a snazzy new camera and after some tips...I think it is time to finally go for it and take a course to have a show or something! Here's to 2012 and #MakeItCount!

You are probably wondering who that little one is. Everyone, please meet Gideon. He is 2 months old and lives upstairs. He is a handsome little one and I am looking forward to the day of babysitting him. Miss my nephews and spending time with them, so Gideon offers me a way to vircariously spend time with my nephews. Its not the same...never will be.

Finally the weekend came and with it a "Super Saturday Running Session" of 35 minutes of running (5 minutes longer than last week), 5.46 km (finally broke the 5k marker) and lost 0.5 kg :-) Still have some ways to go to get back to my ideal shape, but every little step counts.

Following the gym session and an IKEA run, it was off to Nat & Adam's for a wine and cheese party (aka Nat's 30th Birthday party)!! Cannot believe our little girl is growing up! It was a low key adult evening of glorious cheese, luscious wines, devilish artichoke dip, and heavenly dessert of homemade chocolate covered strawberries and amaretto cake. Food aside, it was just a lovely evening with good friends. I really love these guys and look forward to seeing them. Nat & Adam hosted a top night, but that is to be expected when Nat is in charge. What an elegant and sophisticated evening. We certainly are in the 30+ club. Blimey!! Happy Birthday Nat!!!

The following day (coupled with a loving wine hangover) it was off to Hampstead Heath for a 2 1/2 hour walk in the snow. Yup it snowed this week. Sadly it wasn't enough for a snow day, but it was nice to see London covered in white powder. I don't know what it is about snow, but there is something magical about it. I know I am a weirdo!

Hampstead Heath is a beautiful park. It is nice cause you feel like you've escaped the city, but blimey it is hilly. The hills in the snow were a wee bit intense for my ankle. Did not like that much, but I know I will get there.

Hope you all are well. Miss you dearly and truly!!

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 183

This week did not see a Monday gym session, but it was a lovely week. The week kicked off with a Jedi Council meeting with my favorite Jedi, Robin Wong. I miss Robin! We used to see each other at least once a year when I was in New York, but since moving to London I am pleased that we are still able to catch up as London is the new New York :-)

To keep up with tradition, we had our Tini/Robin time to chat. Robin has always been a great sounding board and excellent for putting things into perspective. It is always good to see family and we are definitely family. We have gone through a lot together and apart, but we have always been there for each other. Gutted I couldn't spend more time with him whilst he was here, but glad we had time for our dinner.

On Thursday, I went to see The Iron Lady staring Meryl Streep. It is an interesting movie looking into the life of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom and the prices she paid. I remember studying Margaret Thatcher in Leadership class at BU, but we never went into all the detail of her reign. Blimey, I had no idea what the UK went through in the 1980s. It is unbelievable when you watch it. Makes the London Summer Riots look like amateurs at play. The movie was the most entertaining, but the performances were definitely something worth seeing. I love going to the movies! Miss it, but good thing 2012 has some good movies in store.

On Friday, a few of us got together for port, cheese and Wii games for a girls night in! I love nights in! After a work week, it is nice to just chill out and not have to deal with the crowded packed loud bars of Central London :-)

After way too much cheese, olives and dried meats we spent the rest of the evening playing London 2012 on the Wii. I absolutely love this game. It is crazy fun especially when you have a group of people playing. Gets very competitive, but that is the beauty of the game!! Cannot wait for the next game night - - will need to put something in the diary very soon!

On Saturday, I did a very daring thing and biked from North London to Borough Market. Overall it wasn't too scary...well until we hit the Old Street roundabout...that was SCARY!

I am continually in awe of the number of Londoners that have not been to Borough Market. A couple of years ago, I took Naomi and this time around it was Hubbs! How can you live in London and not go to Borough Market. It was so good to be back there. Truly love this place. It was freezing cold by the time we got there, so a warm up flight of beer was required before heading into the market for food. It was so hard to decide what to pick, but I went for my new usual - - cheese sandwich. Was going to do oysters, but they did not look tasty this time. The bike back in the dark was a little nerve wrecking, but seemed so much easier after a pint of beer and some mulled wine :-)

Finally it was Sunday night...but this wasn't just any Sunday night...it was Superbowl Sunday. And not just any Superbowl...it was a rematch between the Giants and the Patriots. Four years ago I threw my last Superbowl party in NYC and I was the only Pats fan when the Giants one. It was a party of 1 this year (given the lovely kick-off at 11:30pm GMT) and I was feel really optimistic about the outcome. Sadly despite staying up until 3:30am cheering (quietly of course as not to wake up the neighbors), the Giants won with an unintentional touchdown. I was absolutely gutted, but nothing can deny the fact that Eli was a wizard in the 4th quarter. Well there is always next time. I miss the years of the Buffalo Bills! Well at least it Baseball season :)

Hope you all had a lovely Superbowl Sunday.

Miss you all dearly

xxx

T