Reposted: lessons from life with comments

Originally posted, May 1, 2009:

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!
Obviously I didn't learn from the whole Tasmania experience. I continued to let this man cheat on me and treat me like crap, then have him miss his flight from South Africa, have him rebook his flight and then have him change his mind about moving here altogether and dump me via SKYPE. What have I learned? I deserve better and to walk away no matter how hard it is.

2. Some jobs seem more glamorous then they appear.
Winemaking is fun, but it is hard work. The last thing I ever wanted to do during harvest was to drink wine. It was beer, beer, beer.

3. Having a college degree doesn't mean anything. It's the people you know and the choices you make that matter.
Simply put: It is who you know, not what you know.

4. No matter where you go and for how long, it is always nice to be back home.
Yes. Wisconsin will always be home. No matter where I live, I love going home.

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

6. Family and friends are the most important things on this earth. Call them, email them and hug them every chance you get.
Without my family and friends (even though you all are scattered around the world) I would not be the person I am today. Thank you for making me stick with it and all the HUGS!

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.
I try to enjoy each day for what it is. Indulge in life. Because today could be your last day.

8. I am not perfect and never want to be. Life would be boring that way.
I am not afraid to take a chance, and with chances comes failures and successes and sometimes really good stories and laughter.

9. With each door that closes a new one opens. You just have to be patient. (Something I am working on.)
Wisconsin to Philadelphia. Philadelphia to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to California. California to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to Chicago. Chicago to New Zealand. New Zealand to Australia. Australia to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to California. California to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to South Africa. South Africa to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to Tasmania. Tasmania to Chicago. Chicago to Tasmania. Tasmania to California to Oregon to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to Oregon. PHEW!

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.
Well, now I am 29 and it life keeps getting more and more interesting. I cannot wait to see what 2010 has to offer. Bring it on!

Christmas Portland Style

Dear Santa,

I think you accidentally skipped my house this year. You don't need to apologize, because I am sure that my letter got lost in the mail and you weren't sure which continent, country or even state I am even living in now. I have mailed a change of address form to the North Pole so there won't be any confusion next year.

Last night, Christmas Eve, I got to experience Peacock Lane in Portland. Sine the 1920s each house in this quaint neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas. It is a very popular Portland tradition. They even have their own website: Peacock Lane. I will post a slide show of the lights after this post.

Today I am enjoying a nice, quiet day off at home. Lots of love to all my friends and family all over the world. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Becky

P.S. I am enjoying the triple chocolate chip cookies and Pinot Noir I left out for you.

Portland Wine Examiner...Becky Rochester

I am the newest Portland Wine Examiner. View my bio and first article online at CLICK HERE. Become a subscriber and you will be notified when I post new articles. I will be writing about wine in general, wine events in the Portland area and overall wine industry topics which effect the Oregon wine industry.

Cheers,

Becky Rochester

Wisconsin Bound

Get the bratwurst and beers ready. I am coming home! I arrive in Minneapolis on Wednesday, January 6th and fly out on Monday, January 11th.

Are you a true Cheddarhead? Take the Wisconsin trivia quiz below. Answers will be posted next blog post.

1. What is the Wisconsin state motto?
2. What is the Wisconsin state animal?
3. What is the largest city in Wisconsin?
4. Green Bay is known as the "____ ____ Capital" of the world?
5. The world's largest six pack of beer is located in which Wisconsin city?
6. People from Wisconsin are called ____?
7. What is the Wisconsin state symbol of peace?
8. What is the Wisconsin state dance?
9. Name two states that border Wisconsin.
10. Wisconsin was the ___ state in the USA.

Welcome to the Family Baby Ian

Here's a picture from my family Christmas via Skype. Baby Ian's first Christmas with the Rochester's. Pictured above: Robby, Shannon, Kiki and Ian Rochester.

Corks and Caftans Wine Review: 2008 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Check out the Corks + Caftans article featuring 2008 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir.

Link to Corks + Caftans website and article

Willamette Valley Vineyards PDXposed Video

Pictured above left: World Championship Grape Stomp Trophy

Here's a cool video of Willamette Valley Vineyards Grape Stomp by PDXposed. Plan your vacation next year and compete in the Oregon Grape Stomp championship. If you win, you get an all expense paid trip to compete in the California World Championship Grape Stomp in Santa Rosa, California and your chance to win the trophy pictured above.

Willamette Valley Vineyards Grape Stomp You Tube Video Click here

Last Weekend in Bend, Oregon

Last weekend I was lucky enough to sneak away for a snow filled weekend in Bend, Oregon. Snow tubing on Mt. Bachelor, ice skating at Seventh Mountain Resort and a brewery tour at Deschutes Brewery. Check out the pictures below.

Upper Mississippi Valley AVA

Back in Wisconsin winemaking education starts at a very young age. The best and the brightest tots are selected to represent the Midwest wine growing regions including this tot, named Jamison, from the Upper Mississippi Valley AVA. He is my nephew and a future winemaker of R Little Vineyard in Stoddard, WI.

R Little Vineyard is a small, family owned vineyard and soon to be bonded winery located in beautiful Stoddard, WI just off the Mississippi River. What is the Upper Mississippi Valley AVA? Just the world's largest wine appellation!

According to Wikepedia, "The Upper Mississippi Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area covering 29,914 square miles (77 477 square kilometers) located along the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries in northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois, southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin. Upon its approval on June 22nd, 2009[1], with the effective date of July 22nd, 2009, it will becomes the world's largest designated appellation.[2] The boundaries of the AVA share the unique geographical connection of all being part of the 'driftless' Paleozoic Plateau and therefore do not have the same type of vineyard soils as wine regions that were in areas that have experienced glaciation in their history.[3]"

Check out the links for more information on this AVA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Mississippi_Valley_AVA

http://www.bigrivermagazine.com/wineries.html

http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=65891&htitle=TTB+Approves+Largest+American+Viticultural+Area

http://www.rlittlevineyard.com/

Cheers.

My New Couch!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a smart, funny, attractive, non-cheating, wine drinking, athletic, non-smoking, cuddly, not afraid of commitment, adventure seeking, good-hearted man. Is that too much to ask? Apparently these days it is. It seems like the biggest challenge in my life is dating. I have a good career, great family, awesome friends but am lacking on the relationship side.

Santa...out of all my friends, I didn't think I would be one of the last to get married. But there are just a few of us left. Maybe it is because I never catch the bouquet at the wedding? Or maybe I am too picky? Nah! Or maybe I just spend too much time with the wrong men? Ding. Ding. Ding.

Who knows. For now I am going to enjoy some me time. The winter weather has magically appeared. It is the perfect excuse to bunker down and do some reading and writing. Oh...and maybe some arithmetic, since I am going to start my enology class at DMACC in January. Right Paul? I am still waiting to hear from you.

I am pretty sure I am on the nice list, but if I am on the naughty list...I didn't do it! I can still hope that when I wake up Christmas morning, you will have delivered my present. Oh...and can you please wrap him with a bow?

Sincerely,

Becky Rochester

P.S. There will be cookies and Pinot Noir!