Gone to Carolina in My Mind...

I love so much about the east coast and the southern U.S. I love the heat, the culture (everyone is polite!), the food, the music, the history and the football. So last week was incredible - I flew back to North Carolina for 5 days of fabulous family time! It doesn't happen often that me, my brother, sister and parents are all under one roof.  My sister flew in from Chicago, my brother drove up from Greenville and he brought his wonderful fiance with him, Silvia. They are getting married in October and she is the perfect match for John - and I could not imagine welcoming a kinder, sweeter and such down-to-earth person into our family. We had a little McKenna shower for her, which was great, since I live so far away and can't make it to a lot of wedding activities.

I feel so lucky to have had even just a long weekend with everyone, it was fantastic!

I flew in to Greensboro and got one-on-one time with my my mom, which was awesome. My parents love the mountains and recently built a new cabin in West Jefferson, NC (in the Blue Ridge Mountains), and I hadn't seen it yet so I begged her to bring me up there. It was amazing!! They named it "Carolina GEM," the GEM stands for Gerard, Elizabeth and Meredith, all of the kids' middle names. It's no secret I'm not a nature girl, but the area is spectacular - great, breathtaking view, and such a quiet, peaceful area. Happy hour on the back  deck with my mom was the perfect way to kick off the long weekend :)

We made our way back to Chapel Hill, to meet my sister and Dad who both flew into town that next day. NOTHING is better than walking into our house and feeling HOME :) We of course found time for the pool...

And on Friday we hit downtown Chapel Hill for one of our favorite traditions, Fridays on the Front Porch at the Carolina Inn. The Carolina Inn is a historic, beautiful, southern hotel right in the cute, quaint little downtown area. To say I am obsessed with it would probably be an understatement! It was built in the early 1900's, and is just full of charm. Mark my words, I will be married there some day :) On Fridays during the summer, they bring in blue grass bands, set up tables on the front lawn, and have drinks for anyone who wants to come and listen to the music. It gets PACKED and is such a fun time, and our family loves to go whenever we get the chance.

Lucky for us, John and Silvia came up for the weekend and met us there - it was perfect!

October 22, 2011 :)

Lastly, this is my favorite place to be (besides the beach!) The screened porch at my parents house is the ultimate southern retreat - coffee, wine, family time - it's all perfect out on the porch!! That's where some of our best conversations happen, no doubt.

 Early morning coffee time on the porch = bliss!

Sarah Reinersten

My job is pretty neat...today, I got to walk across Nike's campus in the beautiful 70-degree weather and interview Sarah Reinersten - she is a Nike Athlete, motivational speaker and author, who's competed in the Paralympics, ran in 7 marathons and was the first female ever to complete the Hawaii Iron Man with a prosthetic leg. She was so friendly, and had such a great energy about her - and she is continuing to work toward goals and accomplish athletic achievements. Have to say - makes you think about the next time I say I'm "too tired" to go the gym - I have 2 legs - I have ZERO excuses not to go. Made me thankful today. Great way to end the week.

Timbers and beer pong

Went to my first Timbers game since they became an MLS team...it was cold, rainy and I still had my heels on...and I had a blast!!! The stadium was packed, and I am officially on board as a Timbers fan!

I also, after having multiple tables in my old house downtown from the old days of the Derby parties, had the chance to decorate my own beer pong table for the first time!!! Well, I decorated it for Dave, and it's his, but still...something, for some reason, I have always wanted to do!  Since it was Dave's table, I figured there was only one appropriate design...GO IRISH.

Houston, engagements and Pottery Barn

Spring has flown by...and thank goodness - I just don't know if I can take much more of this rain!! For the first time since I moved here almost 5 years ago, the weather in Portland is finally starting to get to me...cannot wait until it's sunny and warm, the tables come out on the sidewalks downtown for fun happy hours, weather is good for long walks and hiking and it's pool season!! Not much makes me happier.

Just got home from a quick happy hour with a bunch of girlfriends to celebrate Jackie's engagement to Sadbhuja!!! We all knew it was coming for awhile, but no one knew when he would get down on one knee...he is such a great planner - and he pulled it off and surprised her at the Oregon Coast - a great story that I just love hearing :) She is one of my best friends here in Oregon, and absolutely one of the funniest people I know - they make a great couple, and I love the 2 of them together. Our friend Brad also got engaged last week in Minnesota - he was one of the first people I met in Oregon, and we've all remained friends since he moved back to the midwest to take a Nike Golf sales rep job about 4 years ago. I will be making my first trip to MN next summer for his wedding, and I can't wait for a great Wedding Crasher quotes marathon.

In early April I had to take a break from the rain and I went to Houston for a much-needed trip to visit my best friend from high school, Jen. It had been  a couple years since I was last there, and it was the perfect long weekend - we just hung out, and caught up, plain and simple. We even went through the old high school year book. I got my BBQ and sweet tea fix (and Chik-fil-a too!) FAB.

Lastly - have to comment on Pottery Barn. Ever since I moved last fall, I have been in love with this store (and that's an understatement). Looking around my room now (which I just completed with over-priced fake but beautiful hydrangeas) I realize it looks a little like a Pottery Barn catalog...and I LOVE IT!!  What I probably spent on just pillows would cuase most people to faint. Too bad. They just do everything perfectly in that store, and I am the perfect example of someone who has fallen under the spell. This all reminds me of the "Friends" episode where Ross and Rachel start buying a ton of things from PB and are astounded at how many amazing home goods you can by there...I never understood the episode at the time...now, my appreciation is limitless. As my fantastic roomie said to me this week, "You never have to justify your overpriced Pottery Barn purchases to me. Never." Love that she gets it too. Probably because she decorated our whole living room in Pottery Barn too. Just saying.

Ciao!
Kristen

My goal...

Is to keep up with my blog :) This is a thank you to all of my wonderful friends who bug me about it...because I know that means you are checking it!!! Thank you!! I started this as a way to be able to write on my free time...now I spend my days writing about Nike product and events and various sports...need to get back to writing about things that have nothing to do with athletics again (unless it's 8-5, Monday through Friday, of course). Updates to come...

Whidbey Island and other good things

Just got back from Whidbey Island...one of the greatest places in the world, in my opinion!!  Was a beautiful weekend, sunny but cold.  Had great family time, and it was MUCH needed!  My aunt lives just across the street from the water, so taking a walk down to the beach is a breeze...the Pacific Northwest has some of the most unique views and landscapes I have ever seen.  You walk down to the beach, and while you're looking at the water, in the distance you can see the peaks of the Cascade Mountains, covered in snow.  Beautiful!!

I was also lucky enough to come home tonight to a bouquet of flowers, that arrived here while I was gone :) I couldn't tell you when the last time I had flowers delivered to my door was, and it was just the BEST surprise!!!

Exciting news - my brother is getting married!!  He proposed to Silvia a couple fo weeks ago, and we all could not be more thrilled.  They are thinking about an October wedding in South Carolina, and that is a great time of year in the south!

ALSO very exciting is that our friend Ainsley is getting married!!  She and her fiance Tim have the most wonderful story, and this is such an exciting time.  Ainsley asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next January in just the cutest way - she mailed me a note, with a picture of Britney Spears' wedding party on it, and said I would NOT have to wear one of the pink jumpsuits if I said yes - obviously, I was in.  Was so honored to be asked!!!  Excited to take on this bridesmaid role with Jackie Bies :)

I also am one month into my new job - and I love it!!  I am so lucky to have joined my new team, and I am getting the chance to take on new challenges and pretty much have a go at my dream job - I am so thankful :) I love Nike!!

Lastly - Jackie Bies, this post was for you.

KM

A new job!!!

A couple of hours before I flew home to North Carolina for Christmas, I the got greatest phone call - it was my new manager, offering me a job!  I am going to be the new internal communications specialist for Global Coporate Communications within Nike! This is pretty much my dream job, working for Nike in a role that will have me writing, editing and helping with events.  I will be working with so many different fuctions within the company (around the world!), from product creation to HR, and I feel so lucky to be moving into this role. I will be moving into the Jerry Rice building on campus, but I will miss the Nike Golf group terribly.  I am officially starting my new job on January 18th!

Christmas 2010!

Christmas is by far, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. I love the music, the movies, the decorations, Starbuck's Christmas cups - it just makes me happy!  I went home to North Carolina for Christmas for the 5th time since moving out to Oregon, but for the first time, my sister wasn't there with us on Christmas day, she had to work at the hospital in Chicago and so we missed her very much!!  However, the weekend before Xmas, my sister did manage to fly home and surprise my parents! And, my brother drove home and surprised them, and then I flew home, so at least all 5 McKenna's were under one roof for 24 hours, which was GREAT!

My brother John also brought home his girlfriend Silvia for the holiday, since her family lives in Switzerland. She is FABULOUS!  She fit right in with the family and I loved having her there.  

While I am at home it's so great because I am so relaxed, and I get to spend time with my favorite people in my favorite place, Chapel Hill.  We went to the Carolina Inn, an old historic hotel downtown that I am in love with, it's beautiful, especially when it's decorated during Christmas time.  I also went to the food shelter with my mom to help out, which is something she does every week, and it was a great experience.  

During our down time, we watched Christmas movies (The Santa Clause and The Family Stone are our favorites!), wrapped gifts...every year on December 23rd, my brother, sister and I go shopping with my Dad to help him pick out gifts for my mom...but this year it was just me since John and Kate couldn't be there.  Even though I missed having my brother and sister there the whole time, I have to admit, it was great having 1-on-1 time with my parents, in a family of 5 that doesn't happen too often.

Another wonderful Christmas, and a great start to 2011!!