Updates and plans for the future

So....I imagine most are not checking this blog for updates at this point because, well, I haven't been on or writing as much as I used to in the past.








A little about what is going on: I am finishing my Masters Degree! Per my usual during academic pursuits, I am less creative in the fun way because all creativity is going into writing for academic reasons. It has also been a roller coaster of a year, lots of ups and downs, mostly downs, but I'm still standing and I'm here to write another day giving me something to be grateful for out of all of it.






My child is getting to be bigger and bigger, and by that I mean taller. He's catching up.


In other news, after completion of my masters I want to rededicate my time to this blog, my art, and now, wine and viticulture.








I haven't talked about it on here before but ever since March 2014, I caught the bug of desire to work in viticulture. I was out celebrating my anniversary with my man in Virginia wine country near Leesburg. As I sat enjoying my food and cool crisp glass of wine sitting in that rustic barn tasting room, I knew there was something there that intrigued me. A couple weeks later we decided to venture out again, this time staying in a bed and breakfast out that way, we visited another wonderful place and began talking to the owned and winemaker. From then I was HOOKED! I started thinking wouldn't it be fun to get into this, work as a volunteer or something and help out, I wouldn't care if I was paid in wine.








Later, I also had a necessity to make some extra income for personal reasons so I started searching for ways to satisfy my desire to work in the industry and my need for extra income to care for my family.






As fate would have it, I searched on craigslist and found a great winery gig as a tasting room associate. What a great experience and I am forever grateful to them for giving me a chance sans previous experience in the industry and sans experience in hospitality or food and beverage. I worked events both on and off the vineyard, I made new friends and connections, I learned the importance of aromas, notes, and pairings. I wanted to make it full time, but practicality and the needs of family came first. Unfortunately, the commute out started to take its toll and I needed to find something that worked better for my current living location and....my new budget. I bid farewell, and I miss them terribly but life goes on and so must I.








After that I worked and volunteered with two new wineries. One hasn't even built their tasting room yet so I am gaining experience working in farmers markets in addition to my previous experience from the first winery.








I plan on going for my MSET certification next and seeing about options for travel to Europe to learn more over the summer of next year. Here's hoping that all works out! I want to be there learning about the grapes, and the differences between there and Virginia. I also figure I'll get some great inspiration out of what I see and experience and be able to channel that into art and writing.






Other than that, not too much else is new. I am just looking forward to closing my school chapter for a while and opening a new chapter in wine, writing, family, art and so much more.