So…the world is coming to an end. Ok not really, but the weather across the world is really strange this year. Not that I am following in the family trend of discussing the weather…but the weather is potentially having a huge impact on the 2014 harvests.

California, already facing record breaking lack of rainfall over the past few years, has had one of the hottest and driest winters in 119 years, or since records have been kept. Facing one of the largest droughts in recent history, the Governor has already declared a state of drought across the state and water saving measures are being implemented across the state. Some communities are facing with having to ship water from other states.

Farmers are concerned about the upcoming growing season. But the season isn’t over and there is the possibility for more rainfall or even more concerning – frost. Due to the heat many plants are already starting to bud and if a cold snap hits the vines are liable to be hit with frost. Normally water would be used to balance the effects but with so little water to be had there is a great concern for the viability of the vines. I personally am keeping my fingers crossed.

And then there is the frozen, snow covered tundra that is the rest of the United States. But … that doesn’t have much of an impact on the wine industry, except to make shipping hard.

On the other hand, Bordeaux, is under water. The river is flooding its banks and the growers/estates are concerned as many of the plots are under inches of standing water. (On a personal note – this has made getting to my internship impossible – as our office is right on the river and when the road floods the one bus line that stops near by doesn’t run.) But this is of concern as the excess water can cause rot and dilute the flavor of the grapes. 

This is also potentially harmful for the already challenged Bordeaux region. The 2013 harvest was so poor many of the estates are opting out of this year’s crucial en primeur campaign, which will be shortly.

For my part, I just keep trying to will the rain from Bordeaux to California. But it doesn’t seem to be working….

Since I marked the first days of the year with a post, it is only appropriate to mark the end of classes as well. Because let’s face it, by the time exams are the last thing I am going to want to do is write more. To be perfectly honest,  I will be focusing on getting to the closest bar.

This year has gone by a lot faster than I expected. It’s been a lot of fun, a little disappointing and a great learning experience all rolled into one. (Feeling a bit frustrated at the moment as once again the school has chosen to explain something critically important only in French.)

Again, to be honest, I am ready for this year to be over. I never thought I would hear my self say this – let alone think it – but I miss the consistent schedule of going to work everyday. But before I celebrate too much, I have to get through the next three weeks: exams, revisions and exams. (And yes that is in fact the order of my exam and study schedule – something doesn’t quite add up). At least the first week only 1 of my exams is in a traditional format.

I will be MIA for the next couple of weeks as I hide in my class notes. And on that note: Wish me luck!

This weekend marked another fabulous IKEA adventure as I try to get settled into my new apartment. What was supposed to be a solo/limited excursion turned into a grand adventure with 2 cars and 5 people.

After walking through the upstairs gallery (and of course goofing off a bit) we tackled the downstairs and the boxes. As far as dealing with the crowd on a Saturday, it wasn’t so bad. But then after we got everything back to my apartment, and up the two flights of stairs, we realized that one of the boxes we had picked was wrong.

So we all piled back into one car and returned. After processing the return and stopping to have hot dogs, lemonade and a macaroon, we grabbed the right box and got back in the car. Only to go no where …. for an hour. It was awful trying to get out of the parking lot. I owe a big thanks to M, C, M and J for putting up with everything.

Over the course of the weekend I put together – and in many cases deconstructed and put back together properly – the majority of the items I purchased. I have on more piece to put together – but the project is currently on hold until I finish tomorrow’s project and prepare for my exams next week.

I was feeling much more settled and was thinking that another trip wasn’t going to be necessary. Then I got home after my exam this afternoon to find my full-length mirror lying on the ground in pieces. I had left it leaning against the wall and in one piece. And no the bottom did not just slide out. It fell forward. What a mess.

So this weekend…I will be making the solo trek out to IKEA on the tram and will piss everyone else off as I carry a full size mirror back to my apartment. But this time I think I might invest in one with a base….