Look Around

Tonight I took a look around my new apartment. It's interesting to think back of where and when I acquired certain things. I have some of the most random knick knacks and decorations. But the great thing is, that each one of them represent special memories, special people and special times in my life.

Here's the top five most random items in my house:
1. A homemade sock monkey: My mother made this for me for Christmas one year and it has traveled with me ever since. It reminds me of family and home.
2. A Rubik's cube: Somebody special gave this to me and opened my eyes to believe that someday I could and would fall in love again.
3. A three legged pig: It is supposed to bring good luck and was sent to me by a friend while she was living in Japan. This friend was a major part of my college life.
4. Big Sur Half Marathon Bib and framed picture: This was my first half marathon that I ran. I am even smiling in the picture. I cannot say the same for Jon, my ex who was a real trooper to even take the initiative to run it with me. This was how I got addicted to running races. The best feeling in the world is crossing the finish line.
5. A pair of pink high heeled shoes that are actually a wine bottle opener and a beer opener: A recent gift from my Aunt Lisa, but one that shows people really are reading my blog. One of my posts "I Traded my High Heels for Rubber Boots" talks about how I gave up my office attire and high heels for rubber boots and less appealing work clothes. I appreciate that people are supportive of my dreams.

So take a look around. What special memories are surrounding you?

Memorial Day Weekend

Over Memorial Day weekend my friend, Lisa, flew in for a visit from California. It had been a year and a half since we last saw each other so we had a lot of catching up to do (conversation and wine that is). Like always, she was glad to help me do some research in the industry. Friday and Saturday we became local tourists in Willamette Valley. We tasted a wide assortment of wines from Oregon and even Washington! But most of the wines we tasted were Pinot Noir. We spoke with owners and winemakers and tasting room staff to learn more about the vintages and vineyard sites.

Wineries we visited included Archery Summit, Erath Winery, Canas Feast, Tyrus Evan, Cleo's Hill Wines and two smaller producers whose name I cannot recall.

We also visited the new and still under construction Press Wine Bar during its Memorial Day Weekend open house. I interviewed here for a part-time job last week and hope to get hired. Four boutique wineries: de Lancellotti Family Vineyards, Arterberry Maresh, Crowley Wines and Merriman Wines were pouring their wines. All of these wines were amazing and I highly recommend them all. There will also be a restaurant Farm to Fork and luxury boutique hotel on site.

This is a picture of Lisa at Archery Summit Winery in Dundee Hills. We were the first ones to arrive at 10:00 AM.

How Long Before I Can Call Myself A Local?

Greetings friends! You will be happy to hear that I finally have a permanent residence in the USA. My new home is in Sherwood, Oregon. 15 miles from Portland and in the Willamette Valley Wine Region (Pinot Noir country). My mother and I left Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon and arrived here on Saturday. I am living in a brand new 2 bedroom apartment and loving it.

Today is Thursday, May 21st and I am all unpacked and waiting anxiously for a job offer. This week I had four interviews! Yes. Four. All of them went well and I even had a second interview for one winery. The biggest weakness that they find with my resume is that I am not a local. The thing is that I already interviewed for a job here a few weeks ago and was one of the two final candidates. The only reason I didn't get the job was because the other woman was a local. Since that was the only thing stopping me from getting the job, I quickly found a place to live, packed up my stuff and drove cross country so I could begin my journey of becoming a local.

So how long does it actually take to become a local? I have started going to Starbucks every morning and ordering a carmel latte with an extra shot. Am I a local the day they remember my name without me telling them? Or maybe it is the day when I walk into my favorite wine bar and the bartender asks me if I want, "The usual?"

I am not sure what it will take for me to become a local. Don't you know, I am from Wisconsin and always will be. I can live here and become accustomed to the wines and the culture but deep down I will always be a Midwest girl.

What I Have Learned

Here's what I have learned the past year and a half:

1. Think with your head and not your heart. It is your heart that gets you in trouble and sometimes even makes you fly to Tasmania and back twice!

2. Some jobs seem more glamorous then they appear.

3. Having a college degree doesn't mean anything. It's the people you know and the choices you make that matter.

4. No matter where you go and for how long, it is always nice to be back home.

5. If you think you have it bad, remember there are people out there who have it much worse.

6. Family and friends are the most important things on this earth. Call them, email them and hug them every chance you get.

7. Life is short. Make sure you do the things you dream of doing. Travel, take a day off of work just because, laugh, eat ice cream, have a glass of wine.

8. I am not perfect and never want to be. Life would be boring that way.

9. With each door that closes a new one opens. You just have to be patient. (Something I am working on.)

10. That I don't know what life has in store for me next. But if it is anything like the past 28 years, then bring it on. Life is an adventure. Jump on board.