Yay It's Over!

      Thank goodness Christmas is over.  Next year I promise to FULLY enjoy it and not be Mr. Scrooge.  Plus baby will be here and will be about 4 months old, and I'll have more of a reason to enjoy it.  I have a feeling this kid is going to get totally spoiled  (fingers crossed).
      Tonight I totally indulged, and treated myself to Papa Joe's pizza.  It's a local favorite that I've enjoyed ever since I can remember.  I hope to pass on that tradition to the baby once he or she can eat.
     At the moment I really don't have much to say except that I am thankful to be so loved and that Im happy the holidays are over.  I am ready to ring in the new year and enjoy 2012.  I think 2012 will be the most life changing year I will experience.  I am nervous but at the same time looking forward to it.

Still Hard to Believe

      It's still hard to believe that my body is producing a human. It seems like time is going by so slow too. I do appreciate the slow passage of time school wise because I enjoy being on break for now. My medical is still pending, so Im still worried about that not going through. We cleaned out my former "office/getting ready room" and made lots of room for baby. We still have some moving around to do, and a lot of spring cleaning. Although I've been having tons of free time, none of it’s with Brett. I think his boss schedules him off on my only 8 hour shifts on purpose. Blah. We could get so much done together if we only had the same days off.
      Lately I have sort of been feeling alone. I have noticed who my true friends are, and those are the ones that can put my condition aside and accept me for who I am, and also accept me for the things that I can no longer do. Thank God I have an iPad, and my two cats, or else I don't even know what I would do. Part of the sadness I believe stems from my lack of energy and going to the gym. So this week I started going to the gym again. And let me tell you, IT'S NOT THE SAME!!!!! I have to take a few minutes in between each small work out so I don't faint, or throw up. I used to be able to work out for hours on end without taking any breaks. I was a work out machine. I went from 10lb free weights, to 5lb free weights, running miles to using an elliptical, spinning for 30-40min down to 15-25min. Which is all for a good cause. I can't do things like I used to, which has also put me a little down, it makes me feel like it's me failing but Im not. I am getting used to the fact that I CAN'T DO THINGS THE WAY I USED TO, which is hard. I am also learning that baby comes first, if something is too strenuous, I have to slow down. I have learned to altar my workouts, and take it slow. I can't jump into a body sculpt class like I used to (I learned that last week when I found myself hovering over the toilet at school). That's my update for the week, sorry it has taken me so long to post.

Hypnobirthing

      Not sure if anyone has heard of this method of birth, some people think it's a crock of you know what, or that only crazy people believe this stuff. However, I have been hypnotized before and it's not what many people think, you don't walk around and cluck like a chicken, or quack like a duck. Hypnotism is the most relaxed state of mind that a human can be in. The hypnotherapist brings you to a level of pure relaxation, uses a focal point, and let's your imagination do all of the work.  When I went I focus was getting an A in math, and guess what? I got an A.        I recently contacted my certified hypnotherapist and told her that I was expecting, she was more than happy for me and very congratulating. She was so excited that I had contacted her and told her because she is certified in hypnobirthing.  She recommended that I get a book that she referred to me called "Hypnobirthing", I purchased it last night on Amazon.  Brett and I are both on the same page when it comes to hospitals forcing induction, and pain meds, and wanted to take an alternate route with that regardless.  So he was thrilled when I told him the news.  I am going to start my hypno sessions in about the 7th month.  The therapist has had many "hypnobabies" and the mothers say that their baby's has been so calm, and haves even slept through the night when they were taken home from the hospital.  That's what I will have as well. 
     This is basically a method where you tell yourself positive things and positives things only.  (Pain) is no longer in my vocabulary; labor is work, and not the P word. Western culture immediately associates labor with P.  In almost every other country except ours, women pop squats when they think the baby is coming.  It's very interesting learning about birthing methods, and what people do in other countries.  It's amazing how different our culture treats birth. Hypnobirth Site.  Melinda is the only certified hypnobithing practicioner, and I am so thankful to know this lady and have her assist us with our baby.

12 Days till Christmas

  
      Yes folks, you heard it.  I’m sure by the time you read this it will be 11, 10, 9, or even 8.  I am not too into Christmas this year.  I wish I was though.  Reason being, I HAVE TO WORK CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY.  To me it's really sad.  So for the past few years I haven't been able to get fully into the holiday for that reason alone.  Next year, I am not missing my baby's first Christmas.  Even though the child will not have any idea what is going on, I will.  I want to be able to share the joy with family without having to worry about checking someone in so they can go see their family, it's not fair.  I’m really bitter about it.  It makes me not even want to do all of the things that I have planned for my "gifts" to give to family.  Who can blame me?  I might as well put the request to have Monday December 25th 2012 off now.  I hope being a first time mother the boss' will understand...sigh :(
      With that being said, Merry Christmas.  To all of those who have holidays off, be thankful, your life could be worse like mine.  I have dreams wishing I had my old job, where I had holidays off.  I am Rudolph, I can’t join in any reindeer games, unless someone wants something when I check them in.

Tis the season.

A Very Special Day

Today I got to see, and hear my baby’s heartbeat. It was one of the most surreal moments that I’ve yet to have in my life. I got teary eyed, and was full of excitement at the site of our little one’s heart rapidly beating away. This experience has both Brett and I really excited, we can’t wait to find out what we are going to have. What makes me the happiest is that Brett is so into it. Our little family is going to be so cute!!!!

Since work has been slower than molasses, I was browsing the web today (etsy.com) and found the absolute cutest infant items. I literally cannot wait to start piecing our baby’s outfits together, buy little hats, slippers, and nursery décor. I’ve even been brainstorming photo shoot ideas for the birth announcements. No, I am not going to tell anyone but Brett because I don’t want my ideas to be taken by anyone. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has thought of this idea, but I will say its chef related. I can’t wait, what I can wait for are the sleepless nights. I love my sleep, and I’ve been trying to get as much of it as I possibly can.

Ps: bleu cheese, I miss you buddy.

And last but not least, our little babe,

Tis' The Season

      For morning sickness, and pregnancy!  This better go away soon.  On the upside, I am no longer enjoying these moments alone.  One of my good friends is in the same boat with me.  I couldn't be more joyous for her and more excited that we get to experience this thing called pregnancy together.  Our due dates are within the same week, which means that we conceived during the same week.  I just think that's amazing.  I can't wait to do things together like go for walks, exchange stories and eat.  Eating has become a bit easier for me, it's just the urge to cook isn't there.  Cooking involves cleaning, and cleaning is the last thing I want to do at this point.  Today I had pancakes and surprisingly I'm still semi full.  I need to invest in some Bisquick.  That's fast and easy I guess.  Plus there are so many different variations.  It's like pizza, blueberry syrup, strawberries and whip cream, maple syrup, bananas peanut butter and Kayro syrup (childhood fav), chocolate syrup, with virtually any type of fruit.  MMMM I want to learn crepes.  That's what I'll do this week, get stuff pancakes.
      This semester is nearing the end, tear, yeah right.  My last final is 12/15 at 6pm.  I am happy to have another semester down, and just a few more to go.  This baby is only giving me more motivation to finish sooner than later.  My AS degree is so close I can almost taste it.  I imagine walking the stage receiving my degree, and advancing from lil' ol' NVC to a big boy UC, or CSU.  It amazes me that my child will be there to congratulate me after I walk the stage (even though he or she will never know the struggle I went through at this place).  I'll get to take pictures with my cap and gown and honor stoles with my little baby, documentation and proof that I have succeeded, and making a better life for our new family.  That image is what keeps me hanging on, and pushing harder for what I dream of.  It will be one of the happiest moments of my life when I can turn the page to a new chapter and further succeed.  I am almost halfway there to being done with everything.  Walking is my halfway point. 
      Anyway, there's my weekend update, my first doctor appointment is this Friday 12/9 at 9am.  I am officially seven weeks in, another million and a half to go. 

     

Dreams and Eating

I have been having the CRAZIEST dreams lately. Last night I dreamt my friend Jenna lived in this deserted desert cave, and to get to her cave house we had to ride some crazy bulls to get there. Their horns would scrap against the steep rock walls that lead to the cave house, along the way there were other bulls that we had to try to avoid that would attack us if we didn't go the right way.

Another thing, I know how important it is to eat, I have been trying my hardest to battle this morning sickness business, and so far I'm losing. I've lost almost 8 pounds, and everything I try to eat I feel like Im forcing myself. Everything tastes different, nothing apeals to me anymore, and I get grossed out by the smell of almost everything. Even Thanksgiving food wasn't the same for me. The other night I wanted disco fries (fries with gravy and cheese) OMG my mouth started watering but of course we didn't have the stuff to make them wahh wahhh. Today I got my self out of the house to Trader Joes and Whole Foods to get some snacks. I ended up leaving with a bag of fries, yogurt, beef borg soup, and mini baguettes. I ate, but I still feel starving. This baby is literally sucking the life out of me. Every morning when I am getting sick I say "why are you doing this to me?" Then I start thinking the worst, CAN I DO THIS???? I know this too shall pass, I'm just going through changes. Hopefully it gets better with time.

In the mean time, on the bright side Brett and I got to decorate our tree together, our last solo tree as a couple.

Complete 180

As you can tell my life has made a complete 180.  I went from posting about going to Las Vegas, working on my alcohol tolerance, and wine tasting, to posting about 3D ultra sounds, and due dates.  Don't judge me, in the event of those postings, I have completely changed as well.  I no longer am working on my alcohol tolerance for Vegas, or wine tasting, instead I am preparing to give birth in late July.  I stopped all of that behavior 11/15/11, the day I found out. 

      I'd also like to add that I absolutely HATE political science.  My teacher is arrogant, cocky, and doesn't care.  I don't feel like I'll be getting a good grade in his class either.  At this point in time I do not care.  He can take his PhD and shove it.  Right now I am supposed to be reading about Economic Policy, but got torn away to blog.  It's the last chapter that I have to read, and I don't have any urge to do it.  However, in the back of my mind I will end up reading it before 11pm tonight because this grade will stick with me when it comes to transferring and getting my degree, and I still have that dream.  I just want it to be winter break so I can get the nursery ready, find out the sex, and get my apt babied out.  I want to go into full time mommy mode, but unfortunately that's impossible at the moment.  I want to be happy, and not have to worry about grades, or if I qualify for Medi Cal or not because I made a little over $15k this year, own a vehicle, my race.  Its pathetic.  Wish me luck.........When and if I get approved that will ease the emotion I am facing at the moment.  Trying not to stress, but now its not about me, if the life inside I am worrying about and just want everything to be ok.

Christmas Tree Ideas?

      I would love to have a real tree, Brett's intrigued by the the pre-lit fake tree he saw at Target.  But recently I saw this totally cool tree make out wood scraps (how ironic).  It not your traditional tree but I love it. 


      What do you do for your Christmas tree?



Black Friday Mo Money Mo Problems

American's are insane. Why do we always want more? All I wanted to do was replace the camera that Brett threw away with a new Nikon L105 I couldn't miss not buying a camera that was only $99.99, because I am poor this was a good deal. We thought 'oh there won't be a line at Target’; we assumed that hungry gobbling consumers would go out of town to Best Buy, or the mall. HAHAH!!!! That was funny, the line for Target stretched almost one mile. They were letting thirty people in at the time, with a four second break in between each crowd of thirty. It was crazy, this was the first ever black Friday event that I have ever been a part of; we only waited a total of 15 minutes, which included finding the item, and purchasing it. So time wise everything was fine. What was pure insanity was the number of people wheeling out carts filled with TV's and other big ticket items. There was a child in front of me that kept jumping up and down, and hugging his mom. I thought to myself this kid's never loved his mom so much in his life, why? Because he was going to get an iPod touch...
In all, I think it’s utterly pathetic that most Americans revolve their lives around material items. Yes you might say well weren't you part of it? Yes I was, but my camera is my replacement camera, I need a camera to capture future moments of my baby once he or she is born. To justify my reasoning, here you go: I have family, and a lot of friends that are out of town and out of state, and would like to send photos once my baby is here. I have it for memories, not for the purpose of 'oh look what I have and you don't'. I am thankful that growing up I never had anything nice, so I never knew what it was like to have these types of items. I am even more thankful that I carry this value with me through life. I know, that I will try my hardest to instill in my child growing up that it's not important to have materialistic items like iphones, and 73' tv's, its just not necessary. One can have a few valuables that are appreciated, but once the mass comsumer kicks in, it's a material item. Remember the days when a tv was just a tv with out all of the bells and whistels? People may call me old school or just a plain whack job, but this is what I believe in. In the end, be thankful for what you have, and remember where you came from and why you are even here.

The Beatle's said it best:

"Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you canNo need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one"

The item bolded is on purpose.

Thar She Blows

I am starting to experience my bout with morning sickness. Not a great way to start out my day before I take a political science test.

Cravings

Today I woke up with my first craving, orange juice. I don't even remember the last time I had orange juice! I told my baby daddy I wanted some orange juice the second I woke up, without any questions or fight Brett went to the store and came back with the juice I was craving. So lucky to have a great man in my life that is willing to take care of us this early on. He even brought home our first pack of new born diapers. Aweee!!! That means he skimmed the baby isle in Target, alone. To me that's a real man, already making preparations for his baby and taking some of the first steps as a father. It shows me the initiative that he has, and the drive to be prepared which means a lot to me.

Thankful

Today I am thankful for:

Being alive.
Not faking the happiness in my relationship like a lot of people in this town.
Having a roof over my head supported by us, not parents.
Having emotionally supportive family.
Most of all I am thankful to have Brett in my life, I know he will be the most amazing father to our unborn child.

I love you Brett!!!!

What a day

New discoveries. Wine Wednesday will be no longer. At least until next year.

Blogging?

I need help, and have a few questions. I have noticed that a lot of the blogs I follow religiously have tons of followers. For a while I didn't have any followers, until recently I got one, which was a monumental blogging moment for me. Yay! Thanks Carly. I would love to be able to reach more than a one person audience. It's not that I'm out for the numbers, but it would be nice to read comments from other people and what not. In no way am I complaining, just something I have been observing since I've entered the blog world last year.
Anyway, my question to you bloggers is how long did it take to get a "fan base" or whatever we call it? Following? I honestly do NOT like the word follow. I am not a follower in a literal sense, but I love being a blog member and keeping up with my blogees. If anyone out there besides me reads this, please fill me in with your two cents.

ps: Wine Wednesday coming up 11/16. Should be a good time, the bf is going to come!

Kitties

My little babies cuddling together. I just got the iPad blogger app, now let's see if I can actually post from the pad now.

My Friday and Saturday Nights

     

      My Friday and Saturday nights now consist of blogging, instagram, and taking self portraits.  What has my life come to?  The evidence in purely shown below here. Sure there are many things that I could be putting my mind to, but I choose to blog, and play with my iPad.  Lately, my homework load hasn't been as heavy, so for once I've come across some leisure time.  On the plus side, my iPad is a new frontier for me, something that awaited me.  Every day I learn something new on this thing.  Friday night for instance, there’s a karaoke application.  The iPad amplifies your voice, and plays through the speakers on a stereo.  It's probably one of the most awesome things I discovered this weekend.  And, those who know me know I like putting on a show, and covering songs with my voice. 
       Speaking of karaoke, I'll never forget my first karaoke experience "oh Micky your so fine" by Toni Basil, Trancas Steakhouse in Napa.  I was so nervous, but once I got in front of the crowd every thing changed.  As the music came on I had a choice, sing, or punk out.  I sang, and as the words came out of my mouth, the crowd suddenly seemed to disappear.  Everything was black, and all I could see were the words on the screen (not that I needed them).  Suddenly I felt natural, I felt like I belonged in front of people.  The best part about my performance was at the end of the song the audience clapped their hands together in sync with the song "oh Micky you so fine you so fine you blow my mind hey Mickey (clap, clap, clap) hey Mickey (clap, clap, clap)".  For once in my life what I was doing felt right, because I enjoyed it.  In that moment of time I felt complete, nothing else mattered to me, and I realized where my heart is.
      The biggest lesson that I learned from my first karaoke experience is that, if I can get up in front of people I don't even know, sing, risk being made fun of, or booed off stage, I can do anything.  It takes a lot of courage, and guts to karaoke, I don't care what anyone says, the first time is invigorating, and refreshing.  Ever need a conquering confidence boost?  Enjoy cloud nine? Go karaoke, I highly recommend it.  

      Here I present what happens to me when I have free time.  All of this photos are taken with Instagram, another great application for Apple.

                                                            

                                                               Friday Night at my Dad's

In hopes of spotting stars during the Napa Valley Film Festival this weekend 

(freezing in Napa, hence the trench)

Porkchop Lovin 

Instagram Self Lovin 

                                                        Cab Stained Lip Last Weekend

ps: stay tuned for Wine Wednesday coming up 11/16/11.

Bye FB

      I deleted my Facebook a while back, I was sick of it.  I was tired of overestimating other people's happiness and underestimating their negativity, making me feel like my life wasn't enough.  According to people on FB, I needed to make more money, or have better cars, clothes, material items etc.  The FB world to me was a competition and I was trying to be on top.  I no longer feel that way anymore thanks to absence of FB, but recently after I got my new iPad, I thought I'd give it a go one more time.  That lasted a mere two weeks.  I would see posts, and certain postings would stick in my head, and the image would be there all night, and I could already see the old traits coming back.  Yet again, I had to deactivate.  I can't believe I even gave it another chance.      
      Now I am  FB free and I like it.  I will stick to Instagram, and Blogger.com, my two little babies that stimulate my creative side, and not my competitive side.  I am now free of the poison that FB administers with every log in.

      Here are some funny spots I just Googled about the poison of FB.

This is ridiculous, what it has come to

Last but not least

Article on FB

One Can Only Take so Much Josh Groban

      This post is dedicated to Josh Groban.  A guy from the mid west, with a thing for italian opera.  I would have never known who you are Josh if it were not for my boss adding all of your tracks to our work sound track.  Every day I am coerced to hear your voice.  Even on my days off you play within my mind.  Today I was welcomed with your track "Machine" as I walked into the lobby.  Josh, I feel like you and I have a tight bond that neither you nor I will ever put forth.  We will never know each other, and for all I know you will probably never read this.  I ask you, Josh, please make some new songs that attract my boss's interest, that way I can have new music, and won't get tired of you.  I am giving you a chance to do this before we come to hating terms.

Wine Wednesday: Part Sept

    Thanks for tuning into this week's Wine Wednesday.  Right now is literally the BEST time to be in Napa.  Whether your wine tasting or just soaking up the sun, Fall has it all in Napa.  The vines are transitioning colors from green to yellow, red, and orange, basically the whole fall color spectrum.  The other amazing part of Fall is the peak of tourist season is now contracting, and it's a lot more quiet around these parts (thank you God).  Don't get me wrong I love my job, and enjoy doing it, but the break from constant requests is nice. 
      Today I am featuring Sequoia Grove Vineyard.  One of my previous posts was dedicated to a private party held there, but I drank whatever they had, I didn’t necessarily taste, I was just drinking.  Today I actually tasted different wines and got to experience an array of flavor ranging from fruity whites, to spicy reds.  The facility has beautiful grounds, guests are welcome to bring picnic items and eat outside, as long as they taste, or purchase wine. 
     My favorite wine is Sequoia's 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Stagecoach Vineyard, so smooth, and just delicious.  I also got a copy of the "flavor wheel" now I can reference to it. And get to know my flavor pallet with words instead of saying 'oh it’s good'.  I'll be able to describe the wine according to my senses.  I would also like to add that today was the last day of harvest for Sequoia, so I was able to watch some of the wine making process.  Crush was in the air, and it smelled good. 

Peace and Wine,

2007 is the best year of wine

This Song Melts my Heart

This is going to be out first dance song. "Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart"

Realizations

      It wasn't until this week that I realized the love that I have for the Mr. aka Brett.  Amidst the daily chaos of work, school, and everything else one encounters on the daily, I had put my relationship aside.  When I did that I also put my feelings aside.  I didn't take his feelings into consideration.  I always put what I wanted, or what needed to be done first.  Something in my head clicked, and if I ever want this man to even want to marry me, I need to show him that I can take the time to not worry about the little things going on, that I need to slow down and focus on us with what little time we have together.
      With Brett being in the kitchen at the restaurant from 11am to midnight he is uncommunicable, and me being consumed with nine units of school strapped for time, we both lost communication with eachother.  So when we did have time for each other, it was basically just a re-cap of our day hi-how was your day-good-good-we have this bill due-need gas-groceries-can you please fold your laundry kind of conversation.  Our communication died, and our end of the night exhausted brains had little spark to put energy into conversations.
      The other day I was going through my closet and came across some old school work from my sociology class back from 2006.  I found an assignment I had written a response to titled "Marriage and Communication".  I had written about how important communication is in a marriage.  That couples should always be on the same page, that married couples are a union, but with individualistic traits.  Although Brett and I are not yet married, or even engaged, I still need to look at our relationship as a whole, and as a union.  And that's exactly what I have been doing lately.  I do love my independence when I have it, I enjoy that roll. but I also enjoy being someone's other half.  I can always rely on him being my other half. 
      With my effort of making a change in my life, and slowing down, we are able to enjoy each other's company with out the rush.  The past week has been amazing.  I know every couple wants the outside world to think their relationship is perfect, when behind the scenes it's not.  And those who make it seem like their relationship is above all, are the one's that have the most problems. 
      With that being said, I also came to the realization that I had out of the ball park expectations on wedding rings.  I believe that I was socialized to believe that wedding rings should be nothing less than two karots, or that it has to be a "rock".  Well, living on three figure checks, karot(s) are not possible.  Well it could be possible if the guy wants to make payments every month for the next twenty years, but I would rather have our money go toward something that we could indefinitly show for and have together, a house.  I realized that karots don't symbolize the level of love that one has for the other.  Brett from the beginning saw me as a high standard/maintenance kind of girl that expects top of the line, nothing less.  That is the case in some aspects, but when it comes to wedding rings, I've decided those things don't matter.  The only reason I can think of as to why people want karots is the awe factor.  They don't want other people to think they're poor, or too cheap to buy a good ring.  In my case, I really don't care what others think of a ring that I could possibly have in the future.  All that matters to me is the love inside.
      Now wedding dresses, thats a different story!

iPad

      Well I got my new iPad and so far I feel like I'm definitely catching up to 2011.  It's nice.  The only things I have found so far is that it doesn’t support flash, therefore I can’t do my homework on Aplia for my Business Law class.  The second problem is that I can’t post to Blogger!!! AHHH!!!  I can only view blogs, when I try posting it gives me an error code from Blogger.  Oh well I'm sure that may be worked out one day.  On the upside I am so enjoying my new well deserved toy :).
instagram: aosh86

words with friends: aosh86

find me lets be friends!

It's Official

VIVA LAS VEGAS

HOTEL BOOKED.

FLIGHT BOOKED.

EVENING WEAR: ON HUNT.

ALCOHOL TOLERANCE: IN PROGRESS.

2/21, 2/22, 2/23

WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.  EVER.



Pumpkins and Love

      Today I got to go to the pumpkin patch with Brett.  I find it funny that when we go places to get stuff for ourselves, we end up picking out each others items.  I picked his pumpkin, and he picked mine.  I always realize after the fact.  I guess it shows how in tune we are with what the other likes.  We do that with clothing too, even more wierd.  We got to spend the greater part of 3 hours together today.  We also were able to go to lunch too, where I saw the first I've ever seen touch screen soda machine!!!!  Every soda has like 4 additional flavors to add to the soda!  It was crazy, it's a freakin soda revolution.  Then 4 o'clock came around, and here I am at work.  Waiting for the clock to tick and tock by so I can go back to my love, and carve our pumpkins.  I love you Brett, even though one of my last posts were about you being lazy :).

Here are the pics from our day together.  My nose looks obnoxiously big, I swear it not.

The Men Running my Life

      Yes, I am controlled by two over protective, jealous, and needy men.  My two kitties!  Rocky, and Porkchop.  Rocky is three and Pork's only 6 months.  Rocky is used to being alone, Pork doesn't know what being alone is.  Sometimes I wonder what the lil guy would do if he were alone all day.  To me, I think that he could possibly have the first kitty panic/anxiety attack.  No joke.  The lil guy follows me everywhere.  He'll be sleeping, I'll get up for the bathroom and there he is right at my feet. 
      I love my kitties, and it's nice to know that they unconditionally love me back, without me they wouldn’t have the amazing life they live.  At times I’m totally jealous of how they get to sleep all day, no fair.


:)

Wine Wednesday Part: Six

     
      Well due to midterms I wasn't able to make it out to any wineries this week.  Although, I was able to make a trip to the grocery store and stumbled upon this little treasure.  Lately Meritage, and Cuvee blends have been attracting me.  It was the price and the varietal that suckered me in.

Napa Family Vineyards, Noble Blend Meritage (finest selection) Napa Valley, 2009

Ok, now that I’m out of breath typing that let me tell you how it really is...

      When I first opened it, it was a bit harsh.  After one day, it's much more smooth and easy to sip.  Lighter in alcohol pungency, and has a berry flavor to it.  A really nice casual wine for absolutely any occasion, and in my case celebrating the accomplishment of mid terms.  Yay for me..



Peace and Wine,

A solo glass is always more enjoyable unaccompanied

Midterms

 
  My last History midterm awaits me at 6pm.  Thank the Lord for this coming to an end.  Although I am bummed about a few other scholarly issues, midterms are current, and the other issues are futuristic.  Business Law was really easy, Political Science was not easy, History let's hope is a breeze.  Bring it on Panic of 1819! UHH! 
      Updates, I am $130 away from my iPad!!!!  So close, just waiting on a couple gift cards for Best Buy to arrive in the mail, and I'll be on my way to Fairfield to buy it.  I can't wait to get such an expensive product practically for free, goodbye 2007 pink Dell laptop, hello new baby iPad.  It feels good to get what I want.  "having it all is easy, if you're willing to work for it"  well I in no way have "it all" but, I do get what I want, if I set my self to it.
      This is a shot of my school Napa Valley College aka NVC, a current work in progress constantly being upgraded.  In real life this shot looked better before the busted cell phone pic.  The colors were amazing but can't tell through the pic.

Wine Wednesday Part: Cinq

            I wasn't going to do WW this week but randomly after spin class I thought, I can't waste this beautiful day studying, crush is in the air and it's time to taste.  The weather was absolutely perfect which is one of the many factors that make a day out wine tasting go smoothly.  Today I visited Hess Collection, a stone building offset in the hills off Redwood Road in Napa, nestled next to a monastery.  The environment on the hill is so much different than a winery off hwy 29.  Because the weather was warmer and it had rained the day before I could feel the swampy air driving through the hill with specs of humidity.  What I love about the Hess Collection is this winery has a full blown art gallery.  It's three floors, and at one point in time had Francis Bacon's work on display.  They also feature Franz Gertsch who's painting traditions stem from the "old masters".  When I first saw his work on the wall of the gallery I thought, "Why? What is it about this painting that is so special?".  The painting is completely done by hand, but yet looks just like a photograph.  No joke, I always recommend the Hess, and after being reminded of the beautiful art work I was blown away and will send a lot more people here.

      As I entered the tasting room I saw a friend who I hadn't seen in a long time, she is now a wine educator at the Hess, and I was fortunate enough to have my wine poured by her.  She is also really into wine, and only drinks wine when it comes to alcoholic beverages.  We both share that commonality.  Let me get to all of the great wines that I tried today, in total I sampled 7 different wines.

#1 Hess Small Block, Sauvignon Blanc, 2009
#2 Hess Small Block, Pinot Gris, 2010
#3 Hess Small Block, Albarnino, 2010 (sweeter)

Of the whites my favorite was #1, it was the most mild in flavor and crisp in temperature.

Onto the reds.  I am still on my "2007" theory, and so far it's sticking.

#4 Hess Collection, Mount Veder 19 Block, Cuvee, 2007
      -Delicious.  Very mild and easy to drink.  I would reccomend this wine to those who aren't typically red fans.

#5 Hess Collection, Mount Veder, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007
       -Very strong.

#6 Hess Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009
      -This wine was on the sweet side, I could taste clove, and afterward my mouth was dry.  The juice sucked the juice out of me.

#7 Hess Small Block Syrah, 2009
      -I'm glad I ended with this one, it had such a different flavor than any of the other wines, pretty unique and one of my reccomendations.

Cheese Weekly:  Melodie Goat Cheese (trader joes) same quiality and an affenois but 1/3 the price!!!!!!   Great with La Panzenella crackers.

      By the way, October and November are the best times to be in Napa.  I love seeing the vines change colors, and I love smelling crush in the air.  It's a smell you can't quite get anywhere else, it's an unforgettable scent.  Fortunately enough I live in Napa, and get to see the color change vines change colors yearly.  I couldn't imagine not living by vineyards, maybe that's why people always come back to Napa after the leave "for good".

Peace and Wine,

Running out of vintage, is like losing a good friend.

Current Obsessions

House music

Leggings

College/University station on itunes radio

Blogging:  I wish this could be my profession, I like to think I report well.  I can't wait to have time to do more blogging, and actually pursue my visions with my wine blog.  Advertising, lauching, designing, tasting, meeting people, handing off cards that the winery will be blogged, opening a tasting room, connecting, getting my name out there, traveling, vitaculture.  I have come to see what my passions are, and lately they're not school.  It's been a tough semester and I know with out it I won't have the degree I am seeking.  Stopping is not an option.

Apple

With Steve Jobs passing, does this mean I get a lower rate on the next iPad? Or are Apple products going to raise??  uhhhhgggg

RIP man.  BTW I am now starting my "saving hustle"  to buy the iPad 2.  NO not finance, buy outright.  Im halfway there so wish me luck!  I'll be purchasing this little number here, I just know it will look good in my hands.  I can't wait to buy you future ipad o' mine :)

Wine Saturday Special Edition:Sequoia Grove

         First let me tell you how hard it is driving up highway 29 at 7:45pm when it's pitch black looking for a winery off the highway goin 50 mph.  I know the valley very well, but put me on highway 29 or Silverado Trail at night and you'd swear I was a tourist.  The celebration of Francie's graduation from Berkely awaited me as I drove squinting down the highway hoping to see the "Sequoia Grove" sign, that used to be a cross section of a, well, sequoia tree, but the sinage has changed.  I found it, and trailed through a newly remodeled outdoor seating area, passing over slabs of rock and pebbles, and ventured my way into tasting room.  The best part of the night was seeing Francie.  It brought great joy to my heart to see someone I was so close with at one point that I havent seen in forever, but it was like opening the book to the last page we left off at.  It was amazing, I wish I had more time to hang out with her.  As the night went on, I continued to drink wine from bottles that were labeled with Avery stickers, and snacked on a few cupcakes, by the time I looked at myself I had full on PT.  A term I just coined "purple teeth".  It was pretty bad.   VPL and PT are things everyone should try to avoid. (see my "tips" seciton to avoid the two).  Thankfully I made it home safely, I owe credit to the McMann's for my arrival home.  On the way home we danced in the car to Sak Noel, and Foster the people.  It must have been the Avery labeled wine, blame it on the a a a a alcohol I guess. 
      Originally this was going to be a prelude the the actual tasting I was scheduled to do on Wednesday, unfortunately has been postponed because I need to devote all my spare time to studying.  :( sadness overcomes me.

Wine Wednesday Part: Quatre

  Hello hello to all my blog readers out there.  Tonight I have one winery and two tasting rooms to tell you all about.  On tonight's menu I am featuring:

Patz & Hall Tasting Salon, the physical winery is located in Sonoma, and their tasting room is located in the corporate region of Napa.  If I still worked in the area, I would frequent the Salon weekly.  What's unique about this particular tasting Salon and winery is they only bottle and grow Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.  As I mentioned in a pervious post, both Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are thin skinned grapes that grow best in a cooler climate setting, making Sonoma and the Carneros region perfect for these grapes.  I also got the pleasure of meeting one of the owners, Heather Patz.  One of my good friends, is also the tasting associate.  I tasted a total of eight wines here, below listed in order.

#1 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Carneros 2009
      -This is considered their "welcome" wine, it had sprits to it, very chilled, and generally good for a hot day, and oh my, was it HOT!

#2 Hudson Vineyard, Carneros 2009
      -Not too much to say.  We all know I am not a Chardonnay fan, me, I am more of a Sav Blanc kind of girl. 

#3 Lee & Larry's 50/50 Chardonnay, Carneros 2009
      -This was my FAVORITE of the whites.  So good, it's a cuvee of two different vineyards in Carneros.  The growers decided to blend the fruit of two ranches together to create this lovely blend that I really enjoyed. 

#4 Zio Tony Ranch, Chardonnay, Russian River 2008

Now for the Pinot Noir

#1 Burnside Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2008

#2 Jenkins Ranch, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2009

#3 Pisoni Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2009
      -This was considered a more full body Pinot, and Pinot's are usually lighter in flavor, but this one was outrageous.  I was not my favorite at all.  To be honest, worst of the day.

#4 Gap's Crown Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2009.  Unfortunately I didn't get the region.
      -This was my FAVORITE wine out of the Salon.  I really enjoyed this one, I even had an extra glass.  It made my mouth water, and I love a wine that makes my mouth water with every sip.

The second tasting was at an actual winery.  This particular winery has gone through a few name changes in the past year or so.  Formally known as Kirkland Ranch, Valley Gate Vineyards, and now known as Reata. Their name changed today, 9/29/11.  Yesterday when I was there, it was Valley Gate Vineyards.  Their last tasting is poured at 4:30, I arrived in the tasting room at 4:33pm and was limited to one wine.  Being me, I chose the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and really enjoyed it.  It was the best red of the day, even better than the glass of Gap's.  The tasting associate gave me a bottle and said "here, refer people".  I would have done the same if I wanted to get the hell out of work.  I really don't know what to say though, just because since they changed the name does that mean the wine will be different?

#1 Valley Gate Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2006
     -Love.

The third and final stop for the day was Back Door Cellar on First Street
in Napa.  I had to pay $10 to taste 5 wines which isn't too bad.  The theme at Back Door Cellar is "wines that don't have tasting rooms".  So all of the wines I tasted were smaller, family owned wineries.  I was also given some white cheddar crumbles, and pita chips which was good in between each wine, plus I was hungry.

#1 Two Old Dogs, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2010
      -I liked this one.

#2 Grow, "Ruhl Vineyard" , Chardonnay, Mt. Veeder, 2009
      -Too sweet for my taste.

#3 T-Vine, Napa Valley, Grenache 2008
      -I'd never had a Grenache before, but I found this to be a refreshing red.
#4 Banshee "Mordecai" California 2009.
      -This was a really good blend of Syrah, Sin, Cab, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Mouvedre.  I usually don't like California mixes but this was really good.

#5 Corsair, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2008
      -This was a first ever released case, and I am happy to be part of the first consumption.  It was tasty too, a bit on the sweet side but still good.

After tasting that many wines, I was relaxed, and really hungry.  I enjoyed a nice meal in the presence of a good friend and had dinner at Zinsvalley.  Everything was great, except for the over powering bleu cheese pizza we got...We had to send it back.  I came home and fell right to sleep, being in the heat, and tasting wine definitely got the best of me.  I highly recommend hydrating with every taste, especially when the weather is warm out.  I now conclude this post, I need to get to my glass of wine.

Peace & Wine,

The hotter the grape, the better the wine.