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.