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?

Taco Bell at 12:30 AM

I have come to this conclusion: there is nothing more delicious than Taco Bell at obscene hours of the night. It just hits the spot! When forced to pick a fast food restaurant I usually pick something like Wendy's, Arby's, or Cougar Country- something that at least appears more fresh. But, when it is 12:30 at night and you NEED food, Taco Bell is the ticket.Who might you ask kept me out that late? MY MOM! We went to Mass at The Parish of the Holy Spirit and then went to our friends house. We visited for hours while they enjoyed some vino. I, however, was unable to participate due to the fact that I was serving as DD. Let me tell you- the day that you DD for your mom and make a Taco Bell run with her at 12:30 is one to remember.

Today I had plans to go visit my Confirmation sponsor and her family (9 adorable kids!) at 9 this morning. Now, 9 doesn't seem so early, but when you don't get to bed until 2 it is a little early. I brought Spudnuts over, had a wonderful visit, and then returned home for a nap. My original thought was to take a quick little cat nap. 30 minutes, 45 tops. How long was my nap? Two and a half hours! After I nap that long I can never seem to wake back up. I always feel a little off. So, I've had a pretty unproductive day. Isn't that what Thanksgiving break is all about? I am hoping that tomorrow is more productive (I am sure that my 532 group would like that!). No bets, though!

In other news, I believe that I am becoming quite the cake baker. I baked one for Kayleen's baby shower last weekend and for my grandma's 79th birthday this Saturday. Kayleen's was funfetti with vanilla frosting and pink writing while my grandma's was devil's food with chocolate frosting and purple sprinkles. The greatest part? I made my own chocolate frosting!! I am working my way up to a home made cake. I think I am close. Next up on the baking front: toffee bars!

Days Go By

I have to say that I am starting to feel the daily grind of being a grad student. Shari, Marin, Calley, and I have been working on this in depth assignment for our Accounting 532 class. We were given the tasks of analysing a company's financial statement and business strategy and forecasting their future performance. This entails strategy, accounting, and financial analysis, forecasting, valuation, and credit rating review.Kind of overwheming.Our company is Deckers, who owns Teva and Ugg Australia. They actually are a pretty cool company. What is frustrating is that we finished what were were supposed to only to find out that more requirements were added. AND: this stuff is not on the CPA exam! Also, the rest of my classes all have final projects due the same week. Ugh. It is a good thing that I love my other three classes! The only thing that is keeping me motivated is that Thanksgiving break is two days away for me. (sorry for the rant!)


Friday night after dinner we all gathered at Mike and Kayleen's and watched Little Shop of Horrors! It is the most random movie I have ever seen! It stars Rick Moranis and features a cameo from Steve Martin. Crazy plant from outer space, dorky florist, evil dentist: what more could you ask for! Then on Saturday we held a baby shower for Kayleen. It was a great weekend and the first part of this week has been really productive.

Have you ever found yourself at a place in your life when you are waiting for something exciting to happen? I have to admit that I am at one of those places right now. For the past few months it has seemed like I am just going through the motions. Every week is the same. I keep telling myself that I need to appreciate this time in my life, but that is easier said than done. God knows what He is doing. Sometimes I just wish I knew where this is all leading...

I DID IT!

That's right: I finally learned how to knit! This weekend Andie helped me patiently and I was able to get past the first row =) We'll see if I have something resembling a scarf in the next few days. On top of learning how to knit I watched LOTR: Two Towers without falling asleep, had my first Washington Apple, and went to an orphan party! Yeah, I know-I party like a rock star.

November is here!

I cannot believe that it is already November! It just seems like yesterday that I arrived in Pullman to start my year of grad school. I would have to say that it hasn't been what I expected, but that is ok. I am learning and can't wait to put it to use.

The past few weeks have been pretty busy. I have four big research projects that I am working on right now and that has pretty much consumed my life. While some are interesting, others are not! And by that I mean my financial analysis project.The exciting thing is that we now officially have our schedule for Becker. We'll start studying in January to take the business section in February! Then we'll have two weeks off before we start studying for the financial section. I have to say that I think the regulation section will be my enemy. It is weird: there are moments when I am totally overwhelmed by the idea of taking the CPA exam, and then moments when it doesn't seem so daunting. I don't know if I am worried/stressed enough about it! I just pray that I'll be able to study sufficiently and pass all four sections the first time. The best strategy is to just tell myself that there is no other option: I will pass the first time.

So, last Friday was Halloween! I, of course, dressed up at Gov. Sarah Palin. I even wore my Barbie heels! (Cool fact- Sarah Palin was baptized at the same church I was!) We had a great time at dinner and then went to Pat, David, and Erik's to help celebrate Ines' birthday. On Saturday I worked on homework with Anthony and Angela before going to Kayleen's knitting party. While the party was fun and it was great to hang out with all the girls I did not pick up knitting right away:( I spent FOUR hours just trying to get past the first row. Can anyone provide me with a private knitting lesson?! I'll do your taxes this spring! Hopefully I can get some more practice in this weekend while I am an orphan. (My dad figures he's been to enough Dad's Weekends!)

As you all can guess, I am not too thrilled about the election results. I won't subject you to a rant, however. I am trying to move on in the grief process. I think I am at the bargaining stage now! And to those McCain staffers: I highly doubt that Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country.