Last Sunday I touched down at London Heathrow with my life changed forever. The previous Friday I had successfully retaken my Vinitaly International Academy exam and could now call myself an Italian Wine Ambassador. Not only that, but I'd secured my dream job...in Italy. Leaving in four weeks. So far I've booked a one way … Continue reading The moment your life changes forever.
The problem with salad.
I had a salad for lunch today. It's summer, I'm trying to eat lighter meals to counteract the carb-fest of revision. Plus I really like wine (this much I hope is obvious by now) and so I can't cut calories that way because we all know it's never going to happen. Oh, and I really … Continue reading The problem with salad.
What’s next?
Last Wednesday at 4.40pm I put down my pen and sealed my WSET Diploma theory papers in their envelope, handed them in for marking and with around 300 other people left the room where I'd spent five hours being examined on my wine knowledge. It's hard to articulate what my feeling was stepping out of … Continue reading What’s next?
My own worst enemy
I'm lying awake in the middle of the night having woken myself up (again) worrying about how I'm going to tackle everything I know about Bordeaux - and more significantly everything I don't - in one day. According to my schedule that's what I had. 8-10 hours to hit the books and come out knowing … Continue reading My own worst enemy
When your WhatsApp group saves the day.
My taught classes for the WSET diploma are rapidly coming to an end. At 5.30pm on Wednesday March 7th I will be released into the world of private study and left to fend for myself until the finals on June 13th. I'm not going to lie, I am somewhat dreading that moment. That point when … Continue reading When your WhatsApp group saves the day.
Anyone got an aspirin?
A trait that my husband and I share is our approach to achieving the "big things". Our strategy has always been to break it down into the smallest steps. Each foot forward is therefore attainable, gives a morale boost, and inches you closer to the amazing thing you want. At least that's the theory anyway. … Continue reading Anyone got an aspirin?
Just 134 more things….
At the end of last year I did something rather whimsical. Or at least I thought it was. I've had my eye on the Vinitaly International Academy certification course. It's basically the most intensive, complex and thus prestigious course you can take if you want to specialise in Italian wines. It's five days of lectures … Continue reading Just 134 more things….
Because, Wednesday.
A cocktail before bed. Because it's Wednesday and my husband worked from home and we had a long evening together playing board games and enjoying each other's company. Because celebrating the little things, like being able to start our evening at 6pm not eight thirty, is one of my favourite things about how we do … Continue reading Because, Wednesday.
It comes in threes
So on Saturday morning I made quite the impression on my work colleagues. I fell hook, line and sinker for the traditional company April fool, and advertised the fact with an email to the entire team. Worse? I didn't even realise until a customer pointed out the joke to me whilst a manager looked on snickering. … Continue reading It comes in threes
It’s not zen, it’s bootcamp [2]
I did something this week that I never expected to. I bought a yoga mat. Yup, I purchased a six foot long strip of foam in order to find my zen. Well, okay, not quite. I bought it because part of trying to fix my back is about strengthening other bits of me, and this … Continue reading It’s not zen, it’s bootcamp [2]
