How Valerie Got Her Zen Back

Although 2013 has been a terrific year, am ready to kick it out the back door and get on with it - a revised focus.  Grateful for a business that has literally doubled every year, it's time to take a step back and gather back some of the wits zen that has been lost with all that's happened these last few years.  That's right, I'm making a movie in 2014 called How Valerie got her Zen back. 

How crazy that 2014 will be the year that I once thought would have been my retirement year - whoa, 30 years.  Looking back at how quickly the last five years flew, I wouldn't trade retiring at 25 years from my beloved Air Force for even a fraction of the million lives I've lived since hanging up the uniform. 

This will also be the year Val goes back to school!  No, it's not a resolution, as I really don't "do" those anymore.  Val takes action.  I've already paid for, received, and dug into my new Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) books and cannot wait to get started (drinking my homework) in less than two weeks.

I've also been waiting for Denver's contingent of the International Somm Guild to get their act together for TWO YEARS, so if all goes according to (my) plan, my Sommelier Diploma Program will begin in exactly 31 days.  Bam.  How happy does a 200 question multiple choice exam, 10 essays, and a 24-glass blind tasting make me?  Um, very! 

This year I have a contingency plan in the event the ISG doesn't do me a solid yet again ...
moving right into the Society of Wine Educators' Certified Wine Educator Program.  I heart the Society of Wine Educators!  This is one organization (along with the WSET) that has so far been above reproach in terms of professionalism and efficiency.  I'm not easily impressed, so these two tracks are winning my cork dork allegiance by far.  That's what this all boils down to - my continual thirst for learning (and drinking) and goal of teaching formal classes to people who want to learn about wine. 

My final achievement for the year, the coup de grace on 2013, is actually getting my hands on a bottle of Camille Saves (trust me, Grower Champagne acquisition is no easy feat in Colorado Springs without going online).  That said, I have no issue driving to a fabulous purveyor of small producer-wines in Monument, Colorado - so technically, the bottle wasn't scored here in Colorado Springs either.  But this guy knows his wines and has eclectic goodies for me that blow my mind (and original agreed-upon budget before my man & I ever step foot in the place.)  Some would say it's sad that I got so squeal-ly and huggy (apologies to all who witnessed that display in the tiny wine store) over a bottle of bubbly - but isn't appreciating the little things part of that whole Zen thing?  I think so.

So I'd say that's a wrap.  A successful ending to an exciting year, and a plan in place to grab back some of my schedule, my zen, and my creativity.  And I'm ready to sip away and let the last of 2013 slip away as well. 

I hope you all are surrounded by whatever - and/or whomever - warms you (or makes you all huggy and squeal-ly, if you are so inclined), and wish you a 2014 that absolutely sings with your version of success, prosperity, and happiness. 

Peace, love, and getting Zen in 2014 ~  Cheers!