fbpx

Jen A. Miller Consulting

Tag: Catherine Abalos

  • What I Love About My City | San Francisco

    What I Love About My City | San Francisco

    San Francisco-born Nini Gueco tells us why she never tires of her City by the Bay

    PHOTO: Quoc Ngo.

     

    Welcome back to What I Love About My City—a series in which our favorite single girls dish on everything from the best places for a single girls weekend to the secret spots only the locals know about. If you’re thinking about moving or just planning your next trip, we’ll fill you in with all the essential details on the cities our crew knows best.

    Over 30 years in San Francisco, and Avant-Barre‘s founder Char “Nini” Gueco has a palpable love for this fair city. Born in the City and raised in the Peninsula, Nini stayed in the Bay Area to attend Santa Clara University where she graduated with a degree in Accounting. Travel opportunities happened domestically through work (her first career move was as an accountant with a big 4 firm) and internationally through dance (she was a premier soloist with Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble), but she always made her way back home to the Bay. I had the privilege of meeting Nini 27 years ago when I was born her second sister, and she’s one reason I cannot wait to make the move back this summer. After hearing what she had to say about San Francisco, I found a few more reasons to add to my list (one of them is Avant-Barre’s brand new SoMa studio that opens today).

    (more…)

  • To the Men Who Matter Most | Happy Father’s Day

    To the Men Who Matter Most | Happy Father’s Day

    A Look at the Greatest Lessons We’ve Learned from Our Dads

    happy-father's-day

     

    There are many men who will come in and out of our lives but there is one who rises above the rest– our dads. When I look back on my childhood and what it took to raise me into the young woman I am today, I can truly see how difficult the role of “dad” is to fill. It’s takes a brave man to step into those shoes. Speaking from my experience, I know that girls, especially in our teenage years, are not always the easiest bunch to deal with. We want our freedom but also our dad’s protection. We want to learn but also to discover things on our own. We want to be told we’re beautiful but to be valued for more than our looks.

    This Sunday June 15th we will celebrate the men who have raised us to become the fierce, fearless, and aspiring women we are today. In preparation for Father’s Day, we’ve asked several of our Single Girl contributors to tell us the most important lessons they’ve learned from their dads.  Read on for the lessons we’ve learned and then let us know– What is the best lesson you’ve learned from your dad?

    (more…)

  • The Art of REAL Conversation

    The Art of REAL Conversation

    7 Do’s and Don’ts of Conversing with Strangers via The Real Housewives of New York

    PHOTO: Bravo TV.
    PHOTO: Bravo TV.

    I consider myself a fairly good conversationalist, but in the last couple months I’ve met girls who are extremely chat savvy. What struck me was their ability to be natural and to put a complete stranger at ease… it’s that charisma that also makes someone a great interviewee (or interviewer)—both on camera and off. Superb conversationalists don’t try too hard to leave you with a certain impression. They open up enough that you want to find out more. They speak to you in the same voice they use with their close friends. They charm you. I am fascinated by the magnetism, so I turned to The Real Housewives of New York for tips on the art of conversation when meeting someone new.

    (more…)

  • Twenty-Seven | What I’ve Learned Thus Far

    Catherine sums up a month of reflection in turning twenty-seven

    turning twenty-seven
    Just a month after my 27th birthday, I already feel like a changed woman. Okay, it helps a lot that I left my job just two weeks prior to my birthday and essentially am living like a college kid on summer vacation… so after five years of a regular 9 to 6 job without a lot of free time to travel and breathe, feeling different was inevitable. Nevertheless, the change of pace prompted a lot of reflection and self-discovery. Here’s what I’ve learned since turning 27.

    (more…)

  • Single Girl Reads | Summer Reading List

    The Single Diaries Summer Reading List 2014

    summer reading list
    Last week I visited two historic public libraries for the first time in Boston and New York City. Aside from the beautiful architecture and the wonder I felt at being in such awesome buildings meant solely for reading and educating, these visits reminded me that I am behind on my reading goal for the year. With a little more free time on my hands, a number of cities enticing with scenic areas ideal for a quiet moment, and more than a few plane rides, I put together a list of books I plan to tackle during the summer. Whether you’re hitting the beach, jetting off on a plane, or claiming a sidewalk table in your hometown or a foreign city, here is your summer reading list. 

    (more…)