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20 things you might not know about me

In the spirit of authenticity, Robyn Young (Brandheart Personal Branding) inspired me to share a few things that you might not know about me:

  1. My full name is Nicolette Jeanne Abdinor.
  2. I have two older sisters (one in London and the other one in East London, South Africa) and a younger brother in California.
  3. I only started drinking coffee at the age of 33. It all started with a Starbuck’s frappuccino.
  4. In my first school play, I was the worm’s tail (we were cast tallest to shortest!). I had one line that I will never forget: “We will stay in our garden to protect it from any invading creatures.” I remember not knowing what “invading” meant (I was 8).
  5. I don’t eat cheese. I say that I’m lactose intolerant to make it more socially acceptable. I do eat ice cream.
  6. In high school, I wanted to take over Barney Simon’s show on 5FM.
  7. Some of my best friends I’ve known most of my life.
  8. I love Spring. Sunny days with a chill in the air.
  9. eBooks changed my life. I used to try to keep a book open by balancing a TV remote and cellphone on each page.Technology has helped people with disabilities by default.
  10. I find it difficult to delegate work.
  11. A talk by Alison Botha in 1998 confirmed that I wanted to be a Psychologist and indirectly inspired me to become a professional speaker.
  12. I love to laugh so hard that I cry and my chest hurts.
  13. My favourite movie is “Life is Beautiful.”
  14. I have been for a drive in the Google self-driving car. I hope to own one one day.
  15. I have failed one test in my life, a first year English paper on Chaucer. The lecturer’s feedback was, “You didn’t quite grasp Chaucer’s work.” For the record, I never read Chaucer.
  16. The greatest challenge of my life was moving from an all girls English school in the Eastern Cape to a co-ed Afrikaans school on the West Coast in Grade 9. No one spoke to me on my first day. It taught me that I needed to be outspoken for people to understand that my disability is part of who I am, but not who I am.
  17. My first paid job was taking telephonic bookings for The Strandloper restaurant in Langebaan. I was a student and used the money I earned for a trip to the UK.
  18. I never take notes during my therapy sessions. It’s just too distracting having me write with my foot!
  19. Two of my favourite authors are South Africans: Deon Meyer and Margie Orford.
  20. For every achievement in my life, there are specific people who helped me get there by believing in me. I am grateful for that.

Nicky Abdinor

13 thoughts on “20 things you might not know about me

  1. Thank you for sharing this with us Nicky. It’s so great getting to know you better.

  2. I’m having a giggle at the Chaucer bit…you and I were in the same Tut class with Mr. Hendersen. Although I did not know you personally, I have a vivid memory of Hendersen asking that we raise our hands if…and you chirped: well, I would if I could 🙂 You have a great uplifting sense of humour, and reading your aside to failing the Chaucer test – reminded me of that day. Love you blog!

  3. Quite inspiring Nicky! Thanks for sharing

  4. Barney Simon Show was the bomb!! if its too loud, you’re too old! haha. Thanks for sharing Nicky!!

  5. Yes, Jeani – brings back memories of staying up late on a school night 🙂

  6. Thanks, Shoni!

  7. Thanks, Cindi! I was hesitant to mention Mr Henderson’s name.. I think he is a Prof now. Little did we know that sitting in an English Tut would be some of our best years ever! So nice for you to connect 🙂

  8. Thanks for inspiring the post, Robyn!

  9. Thanks for sharing this, Nicky! It’s nice to know you were a slacker in varsity too. 😉 I read Alison’s book when I was about 18. It was such an eye-opener, and hearing her give a talk was equally as eye-opening. She is a real human inspiration. And the Google self-driving car… Wow!! That must have been quite an experience. You have lived an interesting life. It’s nice to get to know you better outside the lecture room. 🙂

  10. Thanks, Faine!

  11. Wow! I too remember that primary school play! (I was cast as a “leaf” in the enchanted garden- lol). Fantastic school, and although I was only there for 2 years, some of my fondest memories! Thank you for sharing

  12. Hi Joanne! Yes, the enchanted garden – all the lucky girls got to be butterflies or bunnies! Clarendon was the best foundation I could ever have asked for.

  13. Hey you guys know each other! Small world 🙂

    (And wonderful post Nicky!)

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