Mess with the bull, you'll get the horns

I am now a few weeks into my new job and it is amazing what a difference it makes when you do something every day that you enjoy.  I come home every night excited to tell Philip all of the stories about my day, what I have done and all of the new things I am learning. 

My very first day on the job had me on a plane to Houston to attend a convention called Convergence.  The funny thing is that because of the late booking, I was the only one who got a first class ticket!  I have now seen how the other half lives!  Before we took off I already had a glass of wine in hand.  That's how it should be.

just hanging out in first class!

The first full day in Houston we were able to get some retail therapy in (you all know how important that is to us!)  Once that was set we had to get registered for the convention that kicked off the next day.

Anna, Chantelle and myself letting our inner geek out

 The first night we went to the Minute Maid baseball field for reception.  It was awesome!  They had all kinds of local foods and beers for us to try.

My new co-workers are fun.  We had a great time together and they all made me feel like part of the family from day 1.  So I should have seen this coming....it was decided that as my hazing I would need to last at least 7 seconds on the mechanical bull.  As you can see below, I lasted 20 seconds!!

WARNING: this video is not for the faint of heart!

After some more successful bull rides we went down on the field to watch a live Daughtry performance.  I always felt like I could take him or leave him, but to see him perform live was great.  I really enjoyed the show.  I should say that after this we went home for the night to make sure we were well rested for a long day of sessions and so on.  But.....you know me better than that!  We found a local bar across the street from the baseball stadium and continued with a few libations.  Needless to say, day 1 of the convention was very very long! But I can also say that I learned a ton.

Chantelle, myself and Elias at Papa Brothers

Chantelle, Myself and Ann at Hard Rock Cafe

The 2nd the last night we went to a great steakhouse called Papa Brother's.  We had an amazing meal and a lot of fun that night as well.  We went to a sponsored event at the Hard Rock Cafe in Houston.

The last day we went to the closing key note address which was given my Gen. Colin Powell.  I really had no idea what to expect but it was defiantly not what we got.  He was funny, down-to-earth and charismatic.  I left feeling proud and inspired.  It was actually very moving.  

We were back to Bermuda on Thursday afternoon and I had my first day in the office on Friday.  I was finally able to meet the rest of the team and where we actually work.  Once again everyone was very welcoming and friendly.  It is crazy that this was a surprise to me.  You know you have been in the wrong job for too long when this is a surprise!

So now for the big question everyone keeps asking, what am I doing?  I am the newest Business Relationship Manager for Emergence.  That clears it up, right?? 

Life is a series of hellos and goobyes....

In the infamous words of Billy Joel "I'm afraid it time for a goodbye again".  Except I am not afraid, I am over the moon! 

I realized this morning on my very long ride to work that I have spent over half my life in one version or another of the hospitality industry!  Starting at the Dutchess County Country Club as a cocktail server when I was 16, to waitress at many different establishments in NY and Boston, to Cater Waiter, to Wedding Planner (god save us all!) to Hotel Sales Manager.  And at long last I am finally getting out of the industry.  It is like a legalized verison of the mafia with way more people than I can count coming up to me in a whisper saying "how did you do it? how are you getting out?"

I do understand the grass is always green, but here are some of the things I will not miss (some of this is my own list and some I had help with!):

• you open doors for other people everywhere
• you answer your phone with "Good morning this is Katie speaking, how may I help you?" no matter what phone it is and where you are
• when visiting another hotel, a hotel customer has trouble getting his electronic key to work and as a  passerby you offered your services to go down to the reception to reactivate the key for him
• You sat at the same desk for 4 years and worked for 8 different Managers
• Food left over from a banquet or meeting is your main staple diet
• You get a strange twitch in your right eye when people say the word wedding (I feel like it will be years before this one leaves me!)
• You smile and say 'good morning' to total strangers in the street
• It's dark on your drive to and from work
• Communication is something your 'group' is having problems with
• You forget what you look like in anything but a suit
• All the work you were hired to do gets done before 9 and after 5
• You're already late on an assignment you just received
• Your boss's favorite lines are: "When you get a minute...", "In your spare time...", "I have an opportunity for you..."
• 50% of the people in your company don't know what you do
• The other 50% of the people in your company don't care what you do
• Vacation is something you roll over to next year, if you are allowed
• You have never paid more than $99 for a hotel room thanks to employee and Friends and Family rates
• Six months is considered to be substantial longevity
• You dial '9' before the number no matter where you are calling from
• When you are walking in public, you have to fight the urge to pick up scraps of paper and rubbish on the floor
• Your toilet paper at home is folded in a triangle on the first sheet
• You inspect your hotel room when traveling
• You call your spouse or partner your "added value"
• You correct people when they use the word free, saying it's complimentary
• When friends visit you at home, they wonder why you always take them on a "site-tour"
• you refer to the wi-fi in your own house as complimentary (I really did this!)
  
  Most of all, you read this entire list and understand it.

So what will I be doing you ask?  I am the newest Business Development Manager for Emergence.  Once I figure out what that means, I will be sure to let you all know ;) In the meantime, my last day at Tuckers Point is tomorrow and then on Saturday I will be flying to Houston to attend a conference for my new job.  Talk about baptism by fire! 

Before I say my final farewells to the hospitality industry, I should mention that had my life not taken this path I would never have met some of the amazing people who I now call my closet friends (including my husband!), I would have never moved to Boston nor Bermuda, and I would not still have the amazing Friends & Family Rate hook ups that I will hold near and dear to me for years to come  (Or at least until the next trip I plan)

big, BIG news!!!!

First let me apologize for not updating in a very long time, not much has been going on here and I do not want to write about nothing and experience the mean backlash I received last time someone thought my content was not interesting enough (Lorna!).

For those of you who are holding out hope and wishing that my BIG news is that I am going to say that we are expecting a lil But-banie baby to make its way into the world in 9 months...sorry to disappoint, its still not gonna happen!  But....this is even better....I finally got myself a new job!

After many months, about 9 to be accurate, of looking and sending resumes I actually got myself into the running for 2 different position for 2 different companies both based here in Bermuda.  In one week I went on 6 interviews!  It was crazy.  And on top of that I had a head cold.  The fact I could even remember my name, let alone get out a coherent thought, was impressive to me.

I ended up being offered a position as a Business Development Manager for a consulting firm and after meeting with many of the people in the company felt it was the best fit for me.  I do not know if I was going to be offered a position with the other company as I let them down easy this morning but promised we could still be friends!

I gave my 2 weeks notice last Friday (which is going over so well my boss is not even speaking to me.  Is it any wonder I didn't want to stay here?) and am so excited to be starting my new job the following week.  Even better is that it is located in Hamilton which cuts my commute in half!  That means a whole extra 30 mins of sleep!! Plus, no more weddings!!  I have known for a while that I wanted to get out of the hospitality business, I just had no idea what I wanted to do.  I think this job is going to be an awesome fit and hope that I am going to love it for a long time.

Xmas in VA

Merry Christmas!

A few years ago Philip and I decided that we would try to spend Xmas with my side of the family in VA every year and so far we have not missed a single year.  This may be due in part to Ryan making us promise every year before we leave that we will be back for the next Christmas.  After all, who wants to break  a promise Ryan?

So with a lot of anticipation and excitement we packed our many bags and headed to the airport.  I am happy to report that for the first year ever we have traveled to and from VA for Xmas without any sort of complications (ie- being stranded in Charlotte for 4 days last year!)

The 23rd is the Reid Family Open House so we spent the day shopping and prepping for that.  It seems that every year it gets bigger and bigger but is always a lot of fun.  As is our family tradition we open gifts with dad that night because he leaves to head back to NY in the early hours on Christmas Eve.


Ryan with his 2 besties...Johnny Mike and Sugarfoot

 Christmas Eve was a fun day filled with 2 very excited boys!

Krys and the boys tracking Santa on her new iPad...how very hip she is!

Krystyn and I started the day with Manis/Pedis and since I had not had one in 7 months! (since leaving Boston) I was much in need!  That evening we went to their friends the Duggans house who always have a wonderful spread!  Then it was back home to get spread the Raindeer food on the front yard and say good bye to Elfie for another year (for those of you not in the know, Elfie is their elf on a shelf.  He sits and watches over them and then each night goes to the North Pole to report to Santa how they have been.)



the first ever pic of Jim and Philip standing side by side!

 Christmas Eve ending with all of our stocking hung by the chimney with care....

as you can see we each have one...Johnny Mike, Jim, Krys and Katie!
Contrary to the agreement that was made with the boys in the days prior that they could wake us up at 7:55 to go open gifts we had a very excited Ryan jumping on top of us at about 7:03.  When we asked him what happened to waiting until 7:55 he explained that he just couldn't do it....Enough said! We had a wonderful day of staying in our PJs until early afternoon and then yummy dinner of Beef Wellington!

Once again this trip went by so fast.  We are already looking forward to next year...we have to, we promised Ryan already!

Its been a Bermuda-ful December!

Once again I know I have fallen behind on the blog updates, but as I am sure it is for everyone reading this, December is a crazy month!  In order not to bore you to tears I will break up the updates.  This one is going to be from where the previous update left off at Philips Birthday through until we leave the Rock to head home for Christmas. 

On Saturday, December 9th we took the ice cream truck and went to the Boat Parade.  The boat Parade is a Bermudian tradition that I have never been able to attend due to the fact that it is held on a Saturday night in December and I have always had to work.  I was once again working, but this time it was on the truck and I had a front row seat!  This year there were about 40 boats in the Harbor all decked out with lights and music.  Some even had Santa waving to us!   



Prime location to watch the boats go by



The sun was just setting as the boats started circling



this boat was simple, but I really liked it



its hard to tell, but that is the Bacardi boat





The night ended with fireworks which I am still convinced Philip arranged as a kick off to my birthday the next day ;)

Speaking of which!.... Philip had to go to work at Cafe Cairo after the parade but he waited until midnight to go so I could open my birthday presents and he could sing to me! He did a wonderful job on my gifts....



me wearing my jersey....



 

The only problem is the jersey is big enough to fit Philip!  So it looks like he now has his own Brady jersey to wear for when we go watch the games in town!

Philip making a pouty face wearing MY jersey

The next day.....my actual birthday!!!!!! was so amazing!  It started with bunch at the lighthouse.  We sipped Mimosa and I got to have Eggs Benedict, one of my all time favs (btw Kel...still not as good as Warren tavern!)



Philip and I at Gibbs Lighthouse on my Birthday



After brunch we went home to install my other gift, a box for my bike (that's the red thing on the back) so that I have somewhere safe to put my bag and stuff while I am riding.  Knowing that red is my favorite color...I got a fun red one!

This was the first year in a long time that I did not have to work on my  birthday because even though it is MY birthday, people still insist upon having Holiday parties on December 11th! I made a list of all the things I wanted to do and it kept us very busy.  The next thing on the agenda was baking Christmas cookies.  My intention was to make a whole bunch and give them to friends and family...good in theory.  They only lasted until Monday and then we were all out!  I did make more dough, again with good intentions of making more, but that is now in the freezer waiting for Valentines Day cookies I guess. 

As if my day was not already over the top, Philip planned a dinner with our friends to Harbourfront! So for the second time in 2 weeks we got all gussied up and went out to a lovely dinner!  Everyone had fun and it was the prefect way to end my day!

Things slowed down a bit that week giving us time to get our stuff together to go to to Va. for Xmas with the family.  We flew off island on the 22nd.  Prior to that we were able to have Xmas dinner with friends.  On Monday the 21st we went over to our friends Kim and Chis who are both chefs....always a wonderful evening when we get to go over there!  Their place was all decked out for Xmas, complete with fireplace and Santa hats!

 Wednesday night we went over to Lynn and Davids and had another amazing dinner!  Lynn lived in Japan for a few years and learned the art of hand rolling sushi.  Philip and I are both huge sushi lovers so this was such a great opportunity.  Lynn and David taught me how to make my own tuna roll and for a first time I think I did a pretty good job!




table set for hand rolled sushi dinner



So there you have it.....December 9-22....we are almost up-to-date!



Another thankful, merry, happy, special, successful week and a half!

Consider this your warning, this is going to be a long one!  If you do not have time or do not really care all that much about what we have going in, look away now!

Now that we have that out of the way....the title of this blog does hold some significance and as you read through it you will see why.  It has been another busy busy week or so here on the Rock and I have been slacking on the blog updates so I am cramming it all into one.  The first major event was Thanksgiving!  I love this holiday (as I do most) because I have so many fond memories growing up spending this day with my family and eating some amazing food.  Plus the excitement of Black Friday was always an added bonus!  This year was not different! I decided that just because I am living somewhere that does not celebrate Thanksgiving does not mean I can't!  I was able to watch the parade on my computer at work, although it was not the same as watching it on my couch in my jammies, it was still worth while.  We made a reservation at the Fairmont Southampton who were doing a Thanksgiving Dinner Dance.  I know, Thanksgiving isn't really known to be a dancing holiday, but we went with it.  We also asked our friends the Petty's to join us.  Daivd is a born and raised Onion just like Philip.  They have been friends for well over 20 years and after being gone for about 10 years David has recently moved back with his wife Lynn who is British.  We have been spending a lot of time together and it only seemed right to spend Thanksgiving with them as well as they are now a part of my "Bermuda Family"

Philip and I at
Thanksgiving Dinner

David and Lynn at
Thanksgiving Dinner

That Sunday was the Santa parade in Hamilton.  It was a fun day but somewhat surreal to me.  We were on the ice cream truck for it which was great since it was 75 and sunny out all day! It was a lot of fun to watch it from the truck. This is a picture of my view from the front seat.  It was a beautiful night!

Santa Parade in Hamilton, Bermuda

We took a few days off to relax and rest up for our next major event...Philip's Birthday!!!  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love birthdays (especially my own!)  Philip has never been a big fan of celebrating his birthday but I think I may be rubbing off on him.  For the first time since I have known him he decided that he wanted to go out to dinner with some friends to celebrate!  Once he said that I was all over the planning!  I booked us a table at his favourite restaurant Waterlot Inn and sent out an invite to friends.  November 30th turned out to be a very happy night!  We had so much fun!  David & Lynn and Kim & Chris Chafe all joined us for dinner and drinks.  

Philip cleaned up in the gifts department!  He is now ready for his next round of golf with new shirt, hat, towel and glove!  His comment was if only someone could gift him with a better swing he would be all set!  He is also now sporting a custom made (because they only make them in the size the player actually wears)   Man U jersey with Roony's name and number on it (I know, for the Americans reading this it means nothing, just smile and nod like I do!) 

Moving right along to this past weekend, as we know from the previous post I have already started to decorate for Christmas, well we are now all set with our tree and everything! 

 
Philip and I have gone through some tough times and have always come out on the better end of things...who knew agreeing on how to properly decorate a Christmas tree was going to be our hardest battle to overcome!  I like an elegant tree with solid white lights and ornaments.  Philip prefers a "dancing" tree with blinking coloured lights and tinsel! We were forced to compromise and agreed on solid white lights, blinking yellow lights at NO tinsel!

 

And what better way to finish this post then with a success....I got my license!!!  It took 2 attempts at the written test (who cares what international standard is used for helmets here?!?!?! turns out it is Snell...google it!) and 1 try at the actual riding, I am now legal.  Philip was helpful this weekend by setting up "cones" in our driveway so I could practice.  He thought it would be funny to video me doing it.  So being that it is the holiday season and I am a giving person I am including the link to the video...you can thank him!

So just to recap (in case you didn't figuer this out while reading):

• Thankful...Thanksgiving
• Merry... Santa Parade
• Happy...Philips Birthday 
• Special...our tree
• Successful...me getting my license

Stay tuned for the next update as we have a lot more stuff going on the next week or so (including someone's birthday!)

A weekend of firsts....(repeat!)

So I was silly and thought I would try a new blogging site that looked pretty cool...turns out it was lame!  So i am reposting my blog from last week that was posted there because I don't think anyone get a chance to see it and would not want to upset any of my loyal followers but causing them to miss one of my updates! So here it is.....

Since Friday was a holiday, we will start with Thursday.  Philip had to work at 4pm which means I had to take the bus home (an hour and a half later I had only made it half way there!).  Friday brought us Tropical Storm Sean which was not a big deal at all.  But on my way to the bus stop I was able to snap this pic of the calm before the storm hit….

Being that I am not in the Sates I feel that I am not longer restricted by the “Can’t-Put-Up-Christmas-Decorations-Until-After-Thanksgiving” rule most people (except for the retail stores, of course!) abide by.  So I spent the day on Saturday decorating with things that I have had in storage for about 4 years.  It was so much fun to open the boxes and see everything again.  It was a bit odd because it was 75 degrees and sunny out.  I am not used to listening to “White Christmas” while wearing shorts and a tank top! So here is the fruits of my labor…..

What Christmas village is not complete without Fenway Park in it?  That would be a wonderful gift from my sister, the Yankees fan!

Sunday was a very big day for me, I did 2 things I have never ever done before.  The first was to ride my bike all by myself!  Philip was out working the ice cream truck and I had places to be!  I put my big girl pants (and my helmet!) on and kicked started the bike.  The second thing I did was where I rode my bike to…Gibbs Lighthouse!  

I am embarrassed to admit in the 5 years that I have been on and off the island, I have never made my way to the lighthouse.  As you can see from the pic below, it has amazing views!

So that was my big weekend of firsts and of fun!  It was a good weekend, but as they always do, it has ended and we are back to Monday :(