Going home to four feet of snow and -26 degree weather was not exactly optimum conditions, but I would not have it any other way. This past Christmas break in Nebraska was the last time I would return home for an extended period of time. There will always be the occasional weekend trip or a few days here and there for the holidays, but no more “month long” vacations to a place that I have found to be so peaceful. I thought that leaving home would get easier as I got older…that I would be more prepared because I have had four and a half years of practice; I was so wrong. Dorothy had it right…there is no place like home.

And now 2010 is upon us, and 75 degrees with sunshine is not a bad way to start off the new year! Graduation is near, with only Non-Profit/Government Accounting and Strategic Control Systems standing in my way from finishing this 160-academic-hour trip. I am also beginning my CPA Exam studies; I would have liked to have started two weeks ago but an unfortunate mistake by Becker has set me back. I still believe I will have enough time to finish before work begins.

*Cough Cough* Speaking of work…I have a job…a career! WOOHOOOO! A year ago, in the middle of a terrible recession, I was sick to my stomach for turning down my full-time offer in hopes of finding something better. Friday, January 8, made it all worth it. I will be working for Ernst & Young in Dallas. Even more exciting is that I am doing a new joint program between Audit and Transaction Advisory Services (TAS), where I get to do a little of both for the first three years.

This year has started out great and I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given; I hope we can all finish out this year in the best of spirits (even those of us who are not graduating). Best of luck during the semester everyone.