Winter Has Arrived!

It's COLD here today! I believe we had our first frost of the season last night/this morning. Emma does NOT like going out when it's cold and windy. She will just have to learn to go out and quickly do her business so we can quickly return inside. She's already sitting on the sofa more often with me and will hopefully being using blankets in the near future!

Emmie and I are going to sit in our house with the space heater plugged in and maybe the electric blanket on as well. I've got to study Marketing some more and get ready for Audit tomorrow. I can't forget about my Audit and Tax tests next week either. I want to get ready for Marketing first though so I'm not cramming on Thursday night.

The heater is still running trying to knock the chill off my living room. The thermostat read 64 degrees this morning in there since I didn't have the unit on and only had the space heater on in my bedroom and bathroom. So, for the next few minutes, I'm going to get under a blanket and try to warm my hands up!

Request

Hey all of you readers! I would love to know who all is reading what I have to say. Please leave me a quick comment so I can know who all I'm talking to through this blog. Also, if there's something you want me to blog about, let me know and I'll see what I can do!

Thanks!!

Back in Auburn

Emma and I made it back safely to Auburn around lunchtime today. I was sad to leave Florence, but just got in the car and sucked it up. Since I was leaving at the same time my parents were going to early church, there wasn't much time for extended, teary goodbyes. I guess that's best. I'll see them again in either two or three weeks depending on if I go home after the GMAT or stay in Birmingham.

I have to write another WSJ opinion-type thingy tonight. This should be my last one as long as I earn full credit. It's only 200 words, so not a big deal, and I've already picked out my article. I just have to break down and write the thing. I don't know why this one seems so much harder than the past two, but I just can't seem to get something coherent going.

I don't think I have too much going on this week. I have a test on Friday that I need to start studying for along with the usual classwork. I do intend to go to bed at a reasonable time every night as long as I am productive during the day. Hopefully, this will be enough motivation to get my work done during the daylight hours!

Time to figure out what to eat for dinner! Yum!!

All Good Things...

All good things really do come to an end. I've had a good time at home this weekend, but tomorrow morning, Emma and I have to return to the Plains. I'm glad that I was able to come home on Thursday, so we were able to make the most of this trip home. We spent time with my Grandparents on both Friday and today, which was quite nice. Mom and Grams made a couple of little dresses for Emmie--one that's green gingham with green blanket fleece on the inside and another for Halloween that's orange gingham on one side and black gingham on the other. After Halloween, she can wear the black side facing out and still look cute as a button.

I have to go back fairly early tomorrow morning to clean up the highway for Beta Alpha Psi. As pledges, we are required to pick up trash twice during our pledgeship period and one of the proctored opportunities is Sunday @ 3. Unfortunately, I have to leave around 10 to get there with enough time to drop Emma off at home, otherwise she has to go with me. I don't know how that would work...

It will be good to get back early in the day so I can do some classwork before Monday. I have a little paper due for Audit that will only take a few minutes and need to start getting ready for tests on Friday, next Monday, and next Tuesday. I need to make sure next week is a productive one!

I'm going to get ready for bed now. We don't stay up late here in Florence! : )

An Unexpected Suggestion

I was talking to my Dad earlier while he was waiting for a flight home from Dulles (DC airport). I was telling him about how my Friday class was canceled and he asked me what I was going to do. I didn't really understand. He meant was I coming home this weekend. I hadn't even considered coming home and had really planned on sleeping all day Friday since it's supposed to rain. I think coming home is a much better idea. I'm leaving around noon tomorrow and will get home in time for dinner. I do have to leave early on Sunday to clean up trash on the side of the road for Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting honor society). But, since I'll be home all day Friday, it won't be too bad and I'll have all evening on Sunday to study for next week's tests and classes.

So, now I have a trip home to look forward to. I just need to get this Finance test over with tonight at 6:30, get back to my condo, pack for the trip home, and go to sleep!

Speaking of sleep, I think I'm going to go take a nap before doing my final studying for tonight's test! I might even force Emma to go nap with me since she's currently napping under my coffee table.

Stalling

I should really be studying right now. Instead, I am doing everything but studying right now. From how I have performed in class and answered the teacher's questions, I am prepared for the exam tomorrow, but I never feel completely prepared. I'd much rather be over-prepared than under-prepared!

I registered to take the GMAT today for my application for the Master's of Accountancy program here at Auburn. I was going to take it on Halloween, but will actually take it on November 7, which actually works out better around my school schedule, although I was really looking forward to going home in two weeks rather than three. Oh well, I'll go home in three weeks, Mom and Dad will come the next week for the Georgia game, and then I will go home the following week for Thanksgiving break, so I guess it won't be too bad!

Anyway, I really do need to study, if not for tomorrow's test, then for Wednesday night's test in Finance. And I want to go to bed soon...preferably to the sound of Will & Grace...haha, Mom!

Now, I'm really going to go study...maybe...

Studying on Sunday

This morning, Emma and I had some good cuddle time in the bed. Usually, I don't let her in the bed with me, due to "the incident" (ask if you don't already know), but it got quite cold in the house overnight and I felt sorry for her. She started around my feet, but ended up cuddled up around the level of my shoulder. That's pretty close for this independent little girl! It was so sweet and it was so hard to get up and moving with that little life so close to me!

I've been studying this afternoon for my Finance test. So far, I feel pretty good about what I know and what I have learned. I'm not going to slack off though. I made a 100 on the first test and would definitely like to repeat that!

I'm going to take a break from Finance now. Emma needs to go outside and I have some other classes that need my attention. We have Audit homework that is due tomorrow and our teacher told us specifically to do it neatly because she would call on several of us to come before the class and put our work on the Document Camera. I've got to make sure I do my very best on this assignment so I don't look like a fool in front of my teacher and classmates! I can't forget about my Managerial Accounting test on Tuesday either. Maybe I can study for that after the Audit homework.

I'm planning on quitting fairly early tonight so Emma and I can have some fun time together. During the week, especially test weeks, we don't get to play as much as I would like, so I try to do more with her on the weekends!

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Finally Friday

Today has been a great day to lounge around in PJs. It was cloudy all day, but this afternoon it started raining and it has continued on and off all evening. The only bad part about a rainy day is that Little Miss Emma hates to get her feet wet and especially hates to be rained on. After our last trip outside, she was soaking wet. I know I hate to get my pant legs wet, so I can't imagine getting my whole body wet every time the grass is slightly moist. I guess that's the life of a tiny little dog.

I spent some time at my Aunt's school this afternoon trying to help her out in preparing for next week's classes. I didn't really do much and wish I could have helped more.

Late this afternoon, I had a friend come over to study Finance with me. We have a test Wednesday night and it's definitely time to start studying. We're planning on getting together again tomorrow and probably Sunday, so I better make sure I'm on top of my game so I can be useful while we are studying.

I also have another test on Tuesday. I think I'm pretty prepared for that one. I actually joked with the teacher on Thursday as the class was being dismissed and asked if I could go on and take the test to get it over with!

I spoke with the partner who hired me at the accounting firm where I will intern next Spring. I confirmed that they still want me to work the Mid-April option from February to the middle of April. It will be busy, but at the end of it I can honestly claim I have completed my first Tax Season! As it gets closer, I'm getting more and more excited. We passed mid-semester last week, so this semester is on the downward turn. I'll be away most of next semester, and will finish my undergraduate work in August.

Now, I really have to decide if I want to pursue my Master's of Accountancy degree or if I just want to complete the minimum requirements to sit for my CPA Exam. In the back of my mind, I know I need to get my Master's, but it is so hard to commit to another twelve months of school. I'm just so ready to get out there and start my adult life. I know people say you don't know how good you have it in college, but I am excited to do "grown-up" things like buy a house! Maybe my internship will be a welcome break from school and make it bearable to be in school for another year.

Miss Emma is getting cuter every day. She's really starting to develop her own personality. She's also responding to her name with much more reliability. The potty training is going well...I guess I'm the one getting trained more than her though. I know how long she can go without being outside and make sure she goes out often. It seems like she really wants to do well and receive praise though. She really is a sweet and kind-hearted puppy. I just wish she liked to be held better and would let me cover her up with a blanket. In the coming months, I'm afraid she will be cold unless she allows me to cover her up!

I'm going to go and study a little more Finance in preparation for tomorrow's study marathon. I have so much to do this weekend that there isn't a moment to waste!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

Life is so precious

One of my very best friends—in fact my oldest friend that I'm still in touch with—just barely escaped a horrible fate last night. She was going to see her fiancé and on her way a tire blew out, she crossed into incoming traffic on the interstate, and hit another car. Miraculously, she escaped with few injuries and the other lady involved in the wreck was not seriously injured either.

Since I found out about the accident from her roommate last night, I've been thinking about how fragile our lives are. I knew a girl who wrecked in a very similar situation and was killed. I'm so thankful that that was not the case in this situation and I do not have to think about burying a friend now.

Apparently, there was an issue with the Firestone tires on her SUV which looks like the cause of the wreck. That makes me angry. Tires are so expensive and they should be reliable. So many people have already been killed by Firestone tires on Ford Explorers—didn't the automakers and tire makers learn their lesson already?? I'm glad my Dad took time to research the best tires for my car—not Firestone—and he is careful to check my tire pressure every time I come home. But if the tires are faulty in the first place, can you prevent something like this from happening?

Anyway, I've just been thinking about how we don't know who will be here with us from one day to the next. I really wish I could see my friend just to lay hands on her. We've talked, but I know I would feel better if I saw her in person. This has just been a wake-up call for me. I want to remember how this feels and make sure I don't take any of my friends for granted.

Tiffany—I'm thankful that you're safe and even more thankful that we're still friends after all these years! : - )

We're half way there - Livin' on a prayer

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Except it's more like one more day and counting for me since I only have one class on Fridays--it's really like the weekends start on Thursday!

I got up and went to class today, then came home, had lunch, and took a little nap I really shouldn't have. I'm planning on washing my car in a few minutes, but first Emma needs to go outside for some fresh air. She's getting to be such a sweet little girl. She's also really trying to be good and follow my commands. I think she really wants to do well.

I'm going to do a little more reading for Tax class tomorrow and work the homework problems that were assigned Tuesday. I also still need to wrap up my Finance homework from Tuesday that is due tomorrow. Neither are taken up, but we go over the Finance homework in class, so I need to have it finished before then.

I'm going in a couple of hours to work on my group tax return project. Hopefully, it won't take too long and I can get back and do some more work.

Of course, I want some time to play with Emma before bedtime. I really like holding her when she's getting good and sleepy too! : - )

I've got to get going if I'm going to accomplish anything on my list today!

Busy Tuesday

Today has been busy so far. Tuesday and Thursday are my busy days when I have class from 8 to 10:45 and then again from 12:30 to 1:45. I know this doesn't seem like much class, but in order to get an "approved" parking place, should I choose to drive, I need to be in the parking lot shortly after 7:15. I pretty much have to drive on these days because Emma can't go from about 6 to 2 without going outside. Then I'm home from about 11 to 12 before I have to get back to school and try to get another "approved" parking space. Today, I actually managed to get the same place from this morning back!

Now that I'm home, I need to take Emma back outside so she can spend some time outside of her "Tupperware". She's been so sweet lately and I hate to keep her locked up any more than absolutely necessary. She's asleep right now, so I don't feel so bad about leaving her in there for the moment.

I have to get ready soon for a meeting tonight about Internships and the MAc (Masters of Accountancy) program. I don't mind so much going to the meeting, but I do hate that we have to dress up. It's sometimes a hassle to quit what I'm doing to take the time to get dressed and looking appropriate for my new business casual wardrobe.

Between now and getting ready, I need to work a little on my Individual Income Tax class work. I found out today that I got another 90 on my exam from Thursday of last week. I was pretty nervous that I didn't perform as well this time, but was pleasantly surprised. The average was about a 74, so I guess I'm doing something right. We have a tax return due in a week that we are allowed to complete as a group project, but I want to work on it a little by myself to make sure I have an understanding of what we're doing and to make sure I'm not just letting the others take the lead. I also need to work some problems and read for my Audit class, but that might have to wait until after the meeting. I also have work for Finance that is due Thursday and I'm thinking about getting started on it soon, since it's still fresh on my mind. I guess I should also be preparing for my Managerial Accounting test next Tuesday. I have that test next week as well as a Finance test on Wednesday. I can't forget about my Marketing class either. We have a test on Halloween, so I have quite a while to prepare, but I don't want to be cramming at the last minute.

Whew…that's a lot of things to get done! I better get started! : - )

Monday, Monday

I haven't done too much today. I was able to wake up pretty easily, which is good (and unusual). I got ready and went to class and then came home. It's pretty overcast here today, so it's just been a blah day. Maybe the weather knows it's a National holiday, so it's determined to punish those of us not off today! *ha*

Emma has been wonderful today. Now that I have said that, I'm sure she'll be quite different for the rest of the evening. I think her vacation to Florence really wore her out since she has been sleeping much more than usual since we got back here last night. Also, I have left her out of her "Tupperware"—actually a really large clear plastic tub from Target—a lot more since we got back. Mom let her roam freely, but under supervision and she behaved, so I'm giving it a try! She really is a good little girl and melts my heart a little more each and every day!

I had planned to grill out tonight, but it's a bit icky for that. What I was going to make didn't require much prep time, so I will make a final decision when I get hungry. I might just make some pasta or something else quick like that.

I'm glad I don't have any tests this week, but I need to catch up some on reading and homework from last week that I neglected with my tests last week. I'll try to catch up on Tax and Audit reading tonight and catch up on the other classes tomorrow.

I'm going to go for now—Emma needs to be brushed out. She got wet this morning, so I want to make sure her fur doesn't get matted.

Grateful

As I was driving back to Auburn today (I made it back fine—Thanks to those of you whom I know were praying for my safe journey!), I was thinking about how grateful I am for all that I have and just how lucky I am.

I have parents and grandparents, an uncle, and an aunt that love me. I have extended family and friends who love me as well. I am a very loved person (not to sound conceited). I just love and am loved by a lot of people. I am grateful for those people in my life.

I have a home here in Auburn that more that suits my needs. I didn't even have to fight too hard with my parents to get it. *haha* I have electricity, heating and air conditioning, and hot water on demand. I have a dishwasher, washer and dryer, and just about every item needed to cook a gourmet meal at my immediate disposal. I am grateful for all of these things.

I have enough money to buy all of the things I need and most of the things I want. And if I need something that I cannot provide on my own, I know that my parents will take care of it. I am so lucky to not be like many college students who worry where their next meal is going to come from. I will graduate with no student loans or debt, and thanks to my summer jobs at TVA and my accounting internship, I should have a nice little nest egg set aside for a future down-payment on a home. I will be working in a profession that is in high demand, so I feel reasonably sure that I should always be able to find employment. There are so many financial aspects of my life to be grateful for.

I have a little puppy who loves me unconditionally. To her, I equal life. I provide her nourishment and try to see to her needs, and in return, she faithfully greets me when I arrive home and occasionally graces me with her presence beside me on the sofa. I had another little life, who I loved more than anyone in the world but my immediate family. She had to leave me because God and my family in Heaven needed her more, but she taught me how to love unconditionally and prepared me to take care of this new little life I have been charged to keep. I try to think of the passages from John 14 where Jesus says "Let not your hearts be troubled", "I go to prepare a place for you", and "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also". These passages remind me that not only Jesus left us to prepare Heaven and the place of eternal glory for us, but also our family members who went before us are preparing that place as well. We should not mourn their passing, though we do, because they sit at the feet of the Father and they are in their eternal glory. I take comfort in the fact that Jesus did die for our sins and, in his death, ensured our eternal salvation. I will be greeted one day by my precious Winnie as well as all the family that has gone before me, even the ones I never met, but long to know. I am so grateful for Emma, Winnie, and the promise of eternal salvation which will allow me to see all of the people that I love again as they greet me at the gates of Heaven. Oh, what a reunion that will be!

Enough of this—I started crying while writing the last paragraph. I was just thinking about how lucky I am and how wasteful I am. I want to live in a way where I remain grateful and also try to live in a less wasteful manner.

I've got to go unpack the car and try to get Emma to eat a little more food tonight.

Have a wonderful night!

Going Home

I'm so ready to go home tomorrow! It just won't come soon enough! I haven't been home since the end of August and I can't wait to sleep in my comfy bed. My bed here is good, but nothing is like your bed at home. My bedroom in Florence is always dark and quiet, unlike my very sunny bedroom here in Auburn.

I miss my family and Emma. I have seen my parents several times since I was last home, but I haven't seen my Grandparents at all. I talk to them frequently, but that's just not the same. I'm looking forward to some of my Grandmother's good home cooking and, of course, some of my Granddaddy's sweet tea! There's nothing like the food you grew up with and the world's best sweet tea!

I'm going to go get ready for bed. I have to pack in the morning as well as do some last-minute studying for my computer competency test.

I'm going to put my head on the pillow and think, in the words of Dorothy, "There's no place like home…"

Still Studying

I'm still studying. I finished my reading and am in the process of creating my completely legal "cheat sheet". I decided to type it since I figured that I could fit more on a page that way. So far, I have more than half of the material on it while only taking less than half a page. I haven't adjusted the margins yet either, so I should be able to fit the rest of this new material along with some from the previous exam that is really cumulative for this exam. I'm such an OCD person too because I'm making the first part of each new topic bold so I'll be able to spot it quickly during the exam. I'm quite pleased with how it's coming along if I do say so myself. *ha*

I hope I can get this done soon and get some random homework problems done so I can go to bed before midnight. I plan to get up early and study and my daily routine will be shorter in the morning since Emma is at home and I don't have to allot time for taking her outside and feeding her. I usually don't sleep well the night before a big test, so it'll probably be easy to get up in the morning as long as I get about 5 hours of sleep tonight. I have that other test on Friday, but that's all I have to do on Friday besides go home, so I can devote all afternoon tomorrow to preparing for that one! I really hope it's not any worse than the practice test or I might have problems. I don't have the luxury of taking the class in a future semester, so I better make the most of this chance.

I'm going to go wrap this up and hopefully get to bed within about two hours.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

Study Days and Rainy Days

It's been raining here off and on (more on) since last night. We really need this rain since it's only rained twice since I came back in August.

I really don't mind the rain unless I have to get out and go to class. At least today, it slacked off before I had to go into class and was just sprinkling when I got out. I was able to get back into the house and nice and cozy before it started to rain again. Right now, it's thundering and lightning, but it's actually kinda nice! I really don't mind a good, but safe, storm if I can stay inside all day.

Luckily (ha), I get to stay in for the rest of today because of my Tax test tomorrow. I've still got some reading to do, problems to work, and my "cheat sheet" (totally legal with the teacher) before I go to bed tonight. I have enough trouble studying already, but the nice tap, tap, tap on my roof and the dark clouds outside are making me sleepy too. I just have to try to remember that I want to get an A in this class and I'll be working in Tax for my internship, so it would look really bad if I didn't get a good grade. Hopefully, that will be enough motivation.

I'm going to go start a "quiet time" session with no tv or anything else distracting so I can try to be really productive until it's time to eat dinner.

So Not Studying Tonight

So today I went to classes. All three of them…I know, I know, poor me…three whole classes!

I went to my Aunt's house to help her out and let the furniture people in this afternoon. I tried to study Tax while she was sleeping and I read about a chapter of the five on my test Thursday. So, that makes two that I have read completely and I have only skimmed the other three. Luckily, my teacher tells us exactly what to read in the book and gives us a really good outline for our notes as well. And we can have one page of any notes we want for the test, so I can have a nice little "cheat sheet".

I went home for a little bit and studied my notes a little until I went to dinner with some friends from my Accounting classes. They decided they wanted some ice cream from Bruster's after that, so I rode along. We then came back to my house and tried to study, but watched some of the debate instead. They all decided to leave and try to study individually, since we all still need to read and have other midterms this week as well.

I watched the rest of the debate and then decided to write this post instead of reading some more.

I think I'm going to go on to bed and get up early to study before my 9:30 class. It'll be raining in the morning, so I don't need to worry too much about appearances—all I need is my North Face raincoat and rain boots, and I'll fit right in with 99% of the rest of the female student population. J

I want to get this week over…I hate test weeks. I just never seem to be caught up and then have to cram in the last few nights. Doesn't everyone do that though?

And I really want to go home…over a month is way too long to not see Florence. I never thought I would miss it so much!

Emma is Leaving Me

My sweet little bear is going on her first vacation without her Mommie. She doesn't seem to care yet, but I know I don't like it one bit!

She's going home with my Mom today to get the last of her puppy shots that she should have gotten last weekend, had we been able to go home. I will be going home this weekend, but I would rather her get it as few days late as possible. I can't wait to hear how much weight she has gained since her first visit on August 30. She was one pound nine ounces then and I'm betting she's around three pounds now!

She's sitting beside me on the sofa now, not realizing that she's about to get in the car and go as far as she has ever been away from me. I know I'll see her Friday night, but this little girl has helped heal my heart in so many ways and I am finally starting to accept her for who she is and not who I want her to be. She's not Winnie, but she's a pretty special girl and I love her. I know we'll talk on the phone (yes, I am one of those crazy dog people), but she hasn't learned to talk back, so I guess I won't be hearing her sweet little voice until Friday. I know she'll be in good hands with my Mom and I'll be able to get more studying done, but part (most) of me really doesn't want her to leave.

I've got plenty of studying to do over the next few days though, so maybe our time apart won't seem so bad.

Off to get some last minute cuddles in with my little bear!

Let’s Give This a Try!

So, it seems like everybody is blogging now, so I thought I would try this out!

My Mom has been here since last Thursday taking care of my Aunt who broke her leg. Mom is going home tomorrow afternoon and she's taking Emma with her. I'm going to miss Emma like crazy—she hasn't been away from me since I got her Labor Day weekend—but she needs to get some shots at home and I'll see her again on Friday when I get to Florence. I haven't been back since Labor Day weekend, so I'm quite anxious to get home. I had planned to go this past weekend, since Auburn was playing away (we'll not mention the game's outcome), but with my Aunt's injury, Mom was here which defeated the purpose of spending the weekend at home.

I have two tests this week—one in my Individual Income Tax class and the other in my Computer Competency class. I need to do a lot of reading for Tax and work some homework problems. We have class tomorrow, so hopefully our professor will give us an idea of what will be on this exam. The computer test is a pass/fail test where I'm trying to get out of taking the busywork computer class that the College of Business requires. I already took a computer class, but it wasn't the one the Business School wants. I hope I get the greater than 70% that is required to pass. I've done that on all of the practice tests I have taken, so hopefully this will be the case. One more hurdle towards Graduation in August! Woo Hoo!!

I guess I'm going to try to go to sleep. The alarm will come way too early in the morning so I can get ready for my 8AM class.

Goodnight! J