Why Hello There!

Hi everyone! Yes, I know. In my last post (in December 2009) I said that I would be better about updating my blog. And that didn't happen. I'm sorry! Let's just say that the first year as a staff auditor is rough. Here is an update of what I have been up to:

January-March 2010

I spent 9 weeks in Spokane, WA for work! I can't complain too much - The Davenport was my home away from home. It was rough, though. You don't know what busy season is going to be like until you live it. I survived, though! What got me through it? One special little girl turned 1, the Olympics kept me company at 1 in the morning, and Angela came to visit Seattle in March, so that was wonderful! A little vino with good friends didn't hurt, either :)

April 2010

One more audit, but the sun was out in Seattle! Made it to a Mariners game with my girlfriends (M's won!) and headed to WSU for the BAP banquet.

May 2010

Esterline Q2, Training...nothing too exciting. I was able to go home and see my family for Memorial Day!

June-July 2010

Spent some time in Los Angeles (DON'T DRIVE THERE!) and Eugene for work. Woohoo! It rained on the 4th of July - what can you expect in Seattle? By this point I was getting pretty depressed. Where was summer?!

August 2010

Time to celebrate! I turned 24 and Amy got hitched!! Oh, and I officially marked my first anniversary at EY. Can't believe it!

Coming Up:

The Big Move! That's right: I'm moving to the Eastside! Redmond, that is. With tempertures in the 60s, I'm thinking about tanning. I need some UV rays. And, in one month I'm a staff 2! Esterline Year End starts the week before Thanksgiving. Wish me luck!

Here are some pics:

Happy Birthday, Louisa!

Pacific Place with Angela

Congratulations Amy and Ian Sharman!

and we're back!

Hello to all of you on the blogosphere. I know, I know. I've been a terrible blogger. I am going to change that. Starting now! I'll get you all up to speed on what has been going on lately.

September:
- spent some quality time in Spokane working at Itron. They are a really interesting client that manufactures energy meters.
-made The Davenport my home away from home.
- recruiting trip to Pullman for Meet the Frims
- went to the Cougar football game in Seattle
- didn't get swine flu!

October:
- worked on an IPO! Symetra Financial went public- very neat experience.
- learned that unassigned time is actually more exhasting than client work.
- went to my first Sounders game
-experienced the fabulousness that is Kells

November:
- Full Time and Intern recruiting! Have I told you how much I love EY?
- more work on the IPO
- Began work at Esterline Corporate. ESL has about 30 subsidiaries that are manufacturers in the aerospace and defense industry. They close their books on October 30th, which means busy season came early this year.
- Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncle's place in Sammamish.
- Amy and Ian came up for Apple Cup and the Seattle marathon. Amy's a Husky, but I still love her. Ian took 6th in the marathon. He also recapatured the world record for fastest Elvis to run a marathon.

December:
-went to the Pacific Northwest Ballet's production of The Nutcraker
- Just a few holiday parties.. :)

Now we are at the final countdown at ESL It is really neat to see the finished product. Just a few more days and I will have made it through my first year end audit! I am off to Tri-Cities Wednesday evening to celebrate Christmas with my family and to recharge before I head out to Itron for their year end audit. Oh the life of an auditor.

Finally, in case some of you want an updated picture to see what busy season has done to me, take a look:



And yes, it is a proven fact that busy season will make you grow a stache.

New Home!

birthdays and new jobs

I am officially a contributing member of society! Local Orientation began at 9 AM on Wednesday (which just happened to be my birthday-more on that later) and then we headed off to San Jose for Firm Wide Orientation. I met a ton of new people and I am super excited about my clients! My feet, however, were not so excited. They were really torn up from wearing heels for the first time in awhile. Peep toe shoes are adorable, but not for my feet. Tomorrow I am flying back to San Jose for a week of assurance training. Yay for GAMx!

As for my b-day, it was fabulous! First, Mike,Kayleen, and Lou took me out to wonderful dinner and made cupcakes for me on Monday. I am so lucky to have them as my future neighbors! Then I was taken to Tutta Bella and Cupcake Royal (best pizza ever!) on Tuesday by my aunt and uncle. Finally, on Wednesday night I went out with the Seattle and SLC boys for dinner was and treated to a fantastic version of the birthday song. I am truly blessed to have all of these wonderful people in my life and can't wait to see what the next year has in store.

EY Seattle- Wells Fargo Building, 35th Floor

Lou Lou helping me celebrate my birthday =)

summer in the city

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger lately! Here are some updates:

• I took Regulation on the 17th of July (I think I did alright..we'll see in a month!) I didn't know what to do with myself when I was done. Such a weird feeling.
• I've met up with a number of my friends in the area. I'm not friendless anymore!
• Great conversations with friends that are away.
• Volleyball at Lake Sammamish
• Finally, a Bachelorette season finale i am happy about!
• Seattle is more like the Tri-Cities theses days. Only there is no air conditioning. And there is humidity. I don't know how i feel about this. I have spent the whole day in the basement.
• I start work in eight days. Yikes!
• Went on a date to Golden Gardens.
• Enjoyed Golden Gardens much more than Grey Gardens.

Chicken Parmigiana

Last night I made Bobby Flay's Chicken Parmigiana. It was FANTASTIC! Super easy, quick, and tastes delicious.

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
4 large eggs, beaten with 2 tablespoons water and seasoned with salt and pepper
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 cup vegetable oil or pure olive oil
Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Fresh basil or parsley leaves, for garnish

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each breast in the flour and tap off excess, then dip in the egg and let excess drip off, then dredge on both sides in the bread crumbs.
Divide the oil between 2 large saute pans and heat over high heat until almost smoking. Add 2 chicken breasts to each pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet and top each breast with some tomato sauce, a few slices of the mozzarella, salt and pepper, and a tablespoon of Parmesan. Bake in the oven until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with basil or parsley leaves.

Tomato Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed with some kosher salt to make a paste
2 (28-ounce) cans plum tomatoes and their juices, pureed in a blender
1 (16-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 small bunch Italian parsley
1 Cubano chile pepper, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add pureed tomatoes with their juices, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup water, bay leaf, parsley, Cubano pepper, and bring to a boil. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.

Hello Seattle!

I am officially a resident of Seattle! My parents helped me move everything over from the Tri-Cities on Friday and we spent the rest of the weekend with family. I'll be staying with my fabulous aunt and uncle until my apartment is ready in early August. The fact that I LIVE here is still sinking in! I can't wait to see what happens next. What I do know is that I take REG on Friday and I start work on August 5th. The rest is still unwritten.If you are in the area and want to be my friend, let me know!!