A slow start to 2009, building to momentum

It is cold outside tonight, a "wintry mix" as described by 1010 wins, my source for NY weather; I opted to stay inside rather than go to the gym. I felt the need to write. I'm back from the hiatus!

I spent the bulk of the day at the hospital today. I was diagnosed today with nasal polyps, tumors of the nasal cavity. Symptoms included:

• A runny nose
• Persistent stuffiness
• Chronic sinus infections
• Loss or diminishment of sense of smell
• Dull headaches
• Inability to breathe through my nose

Included, past tense, as prednisone, the corticosteroid prescribed to me, calmed the inflammation entirely. I was supposed to have a cat scan today since the three courses of antibiotics over the past four months did not work for me. Yes, the first course of amoxicillin, started in Piedmont, Italy in September 2008, did not work. Neither did the second course in Napa, California. Interestingly, I found myself sensitive to sulfur hydroxide, a very common wine additive, during this period. The physician, however, could not assess my nasal cavity since it was so inflamed. She commented that it was one of the worse cases that she had seen to date!! So no cat scan. I've been tired, unable to breathe and focus, unlike myself -- it all makes sense!! I was also given nasal steroids and a decongestant. I'm scheduled for a cat scan next week and will likely have surgery later this month. Now that the meds have kicked in, I'm feeling so so much better!

I need my nose!! I love my nose!! I need it to smell food and wine -- two of my favorite things in the entire world!! My diminished sense of smell has highlighted what I can sense from my palate: sweet, sour, bitter, tannins, acid, mouthfeel, body, salt, and umami. My last two Master of Wine tastings have been compromised as I could not smell a thing at either tasting. I started tasting with two other students. One woman is the somm at the hip Waverly Inn and the other is a lawyer/collector. We started the first tasting with chardonnay including Chablis, grand Cru Chablis, Puligny Montrachet, Meursault, Carneros Chardonnay and New Zealand Chardonnay. This week week we compared and contrasted Red Bordeaux looking at the communes from a recent classic vintage such as 2004 of St Estephe(with a classed growth at the highest level and its second wine -- Cos), a third growth Margaux, a good quality Pomerol, a good quality Aussie Cabernet and a good quality California Cabernet. Assessment on origin, quality, ability to age, quality in contact of target market, state of maturity and potential for future development, varietal, method of vinification, and aging on the wines. The examiners can give many different spins. Studying is going well but I am sometimes overwhelmed by the depth of knowledge.

I came back from Italy in early November and spent the month of November in Napa and Seattle. December was all about family, friends, and organizing my life back in NY. I feel so lucky that I was able to work for some wineries in New Zealand, Australia, and Italy last year. Yet, I do love NYC and have missed it so very much here. Nothing makes me appreciate NY more than leaving it and returning. I'm still in love with the city.

2008 was good for professional and personal growth and I'm excited about 2009.

Love,
E