my new bff

I am here to announce that I have a new bff. His name is Becker. If any of you can't find me I am probably hanging out with him. He'll be with me until August. And then I hope he leaves for good! (I'm talking about the Becker CPA Review...haha!)

Things have been pretty good in Pullman lately. I am excited because I was able to take MIS 600 instead of that American Studies seminar. What is really interesting is that the MIS class is actually about entrepreneurship in the biotech industry! You may be asking why I would get excited about this. The reason is that I actually want to audit the biotech industry! How perfect is that?! Plus, I have had major experience with drugs developed by biotech.We have a mix of science and business people, so it is a pretty interesting class. All of my other classes have been fantastic. They don't look like they will be to hard, and my oral case does not look too difficult. It deals with extinguishment of debt with the issuance of stock as well as the issuance of a convertible debenture with detachable warrants. YAY!

The snow is back in Pullman, which does not really make my happy. I have decided I need to move to Arizona. EY has an office there. I could easily tell Seattle I'm transferring! Then I won't have to deal with driving in the snow! I am off to get ready to brave the cold and the roads for Mass. Until then, I will visualize am here:


(beautiful Vanuatu)

last semester!

There were days when I didn't think I would make it. It seemed to elusive. Especially when I knew I didn't technically have to still be in school. Why did I decide to go for a CPA, therefore needing the extra year of school? That's right- because I am an overacheiver and love accounting. BUT- it is finally here! The last semester of school- EVER.

Let's just say this was the most drama filled first day of the semester I've experienced. I needed a minimum of two accounting courses and two other 500 level electives to complete my degree. There were three accounting courses offered, so I needed one other 500 level class. Pacific Northwest history didn't sound so bad. That was until this morning. I went to the class at 9 AM to realize I was in way over my head. I didn't have near the time or background required for this class. Plus- it didn't really interest me. If it were a 16th century European history class, maybe. But this? No. I talked to the professor after class and he didn't really think I would do well without an extensive history background (and history writing experience) and tons of extra time. And time is one thing I'll be lacking this semester. So, I went and spent the next hour in Dr. Sue Gill's office strategizing. I think the game plan is to check out a seminar in American studies on Wednesday. I hope it works!

On a lighter note, Jason is back on The Bachelor. Makes me smile =)

My First Year

The past few days I have found myself looking back on the past year and all of the changes it has brought for me. (A new year always makes me do this!) While there were a number of them , none matches my decision to come back to the Catholic church and receive the sacraments of initiation. I am amazed that it has been a year since by decision to become Catholic.

For all my life I have seen God's hand working in this world. My mom had be baptized in the church and raised me to believe in the creed. God had an interesting path for me, however. This would include me being raised in the Lutheran church from the time I was 5. I became very active in youth group and confirmation classes and even served on a regional youth board. The youth group had a huge impact on my faith development and there are a number of people who have left permanent foot prints on my heart. There is no doubt that God had a reason for this journey. My mom eventually went back to the Catholic church and encouraged me to think about joining her. Five years ago I vowed NEVER to convert. God must have had a great laugh at that, because He knew that in time that would change!

After a few years in college I started to question WHY I was Lutheran. There was never a question as to whether I believed in God, but why was I worshiping Him the way I was? Was I Lutheran because my dad simply wouldn't convert to Catholicism when I was a child? I felt like I needed to take ownership of my faith in a strange way. After reading about Catholicism and talking with a priest, I quickly realized that the way I viewed God was very Catholic. I knew what I needed to do, and last Christmas I told my family. I returned to Pullman and started RCIA classes and received my first communion and was confirmed on Easter Vigil.

The whole experience has been life changing. I feel closer to Him than ever before. Experiencing Him through the sacraments has been pretty awesome. Seeing how He is working through others and in the world is even better. I am constantly amazed at His faithfulness. He has given me all that I have, and has given me all that I need. There were times when I questioned why things were happening the way there were. For instance, was WSU the place for me?After I had questioned I would just say, "Father, I really hope this is all going to work out." Now I look back and see that everything has happened perfectly according to His plan. I would not want to be anywhere but where I am today. I have been blessed with my dream job at Ernst & Young, I will graduate in May, and I have doctors who have been able to help me. Not only that, but I have a loving family and amazing friends. It is His faithfulness and love that sustain me.

Really, though, I am just an unworthy servant who has been blessed with much more that I could ever imagine. Everyday I am constantly trying to serve Him to the best of my abilities, and I am humbled when I fail. With the Spirit as my strength I keep trying, though. Because to experience the grace of God is...fabulous =)

Hello 2009!

Hello all! Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. I've been so busy with Christmas and New Years, but now I have time!

Christmas was wonderful this year. My aunt and uncle came in from Seattle to spend it with us, which is always special. We had dinner Christmas Eve, went to Midnight Mass, and then followed up with opening presents the next morning and a big Christmas dinner. One of our traditions is that my mom always gets up really early to make cinnimon rolls Christmas morning. I can't tell you how nice it is to wake up Christmas morning and smell fresh cinnimon rolls! I am also lucky because both sets of my grandparents are here, so we were able to spend the day will all of them as well. Midnight Mass always feels special because everyone is dressed up and you really feel the true meaning of Christmas. Also, it is the only time that we have the whole family together at Mass. I just love that time together.

The day after Christmas we all took part in another tradition: shopping! While I was limited to window shopping I was able to help my mom, sister, and aunt find some great deals! We all then went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was fantastic! Brad Pitt was great, and I have always loved Cate Blanchett. The next few days for me were filled with catching up with my friend Kristina, spending time with family, and watching Sex and the City. You would be amazed: I finished the whole series! On New Years Eve I first went with my parents to our friend Darla's house. We've known Darla and her family for ages and she served as my confirmation sponsor. I visited with them for a little while and then went to my friend Kristina's sister's place to ring in the New Year. The eight of us drank Cosmos and watched Project Runway until it was time for the ball to drop. It was the perfect New Years.

2009 is going to bring a lot of changes for me. I will graduate in May, move to Seattle, take the CPA exam, and start work full time at Ernst & Young. I pray that God will guide me and give me strength as I move on to the next chapter of my life. I also pray that 2009 will be a wonderful year for all of you as well!

Holiday!

Well, it is here! Christmas break. It has never been so needed. Weirdest thing: there is snow in the Tri-Cities. We rarely get snow. I am just glad that it is nowhere near the levels that Pullman experienced.

Here is an update on what has been going on:

- All my presentations went well during Dead Week. Go Fab Five!
- Dinner Thursday of Dead Week with Women's Group
- I came down with an itty bitty cold. It wasn't too bad, though. I'm feeling better =)
- Fab Five wine party on Sunday before finals. We are going to miss you , Marin!
- NO FINALS! (Well, I just had to turn in my take home audit final on Monday and my ethics memo for Sue's class on Wednesday, but those weren't too bad)

I am going to relax over break because I know that my final semester at WSU will be busy. I am taking advanced tax, a seminar on cost accounting, accounting theory, and PNW history. Blerg. I am hoping to get a head start by getting my Becker materials and my Master's oral case over break. We'll see how much I get done. Wish me luck!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

dance parties and gingerbread houses

I had such a great weekend! Friday was the accounting pub crawl. Now, I'm not one to go crazy, but I wanted to hang out with all of the MAcc kiddos. Therefore, I drove the Fab Five! We joined up with the group at Denny's and then went to Zeppoz, My Office, and Ranch Viejo. Then the Fab Five finished the night at Mallory's with a dance party to B. Spears! (Her new album is amazing!) After the dance party Mallory, Calley, and Marin headed to Mike's, while Shari and I called it a night. It was amazing just to let loose and have fun with the girls.

The Fab Five!

On Saturday a group of us from St. Tommy's went to Bishop Place to visit with some of the residents. We made gingerbread houses and decorated Christmas cookies with them! It was really neat to see God working throughout the project. I hope that I am able to go visit more often next semester.

17 days till Christmas!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I LOVE the Christmas season. There is something about it that makes me smile. Here is my Top 10 List of why I LOVE Christmas and the season of Advent.

Dani's Christmas Top 10 List

10. School's out ( and nothing to work on!)
9. Christmas sweaters!(OK- not the ugly ones, but pretty,sparkly ones!)
8. The Nutcracker ( yeah, I was in it. I was the best mouse you've ever seen)
7. Holiday Specials (Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch, etc.)
6. Christmas movies (Home Alone anyone?)
5. Christmas cookies (yay for sugar cookies!)
4. Christmas music ( I only allow myself to listen to it after Thanksgiving)
3. All of the smells (weird, but I love the smell of pine, cranberry, and sugar cookies)
2. Dinner with family

And......(drum roll please)

1. The birth of Christ- pretty cool that God would send His only Son down to earth to save us, huh?