I am roughly halfway through my MPA career. I started on July 14, 2014 with Financial Accounting and Introduction to Taxation and will finish August 17, 2015 with Social/Ethical Responsibility of Business and Financial Accounting Standards and Analysis II (Advanced).  At this midpoint, I would like to reflect back on some highlights and look forward to some plans.

Highlights:

1. I have met numerous incredible people through this program including professors, the MPA staff, and my classmates. I am constantly learning from and inspired by these individuals and believe that I have formed connections and friendships that will far outlast this year. I am thankful to each and every one of you. This experience is life changing because of you.

2. A few weeks ago, I went to Houston for the day to see Maria Bamford at the Come and Take It Comedy Festival. This was my first time visiting the city and I had a great time eating at Mala Sichuan Bistro, exploring District 1 of the Houston Museum District, and of course seeing Maria Bamford perform–one of my favorite comedians. I look forward to going back to visit my Houston-bound classmates (see highlight #1) and exploring the city further.

3. Back in November I went to the East Austin Studio Tour (which I had mentioned looking forward to in a previous post). I only saw a small portion of the studios participating and enjoyed seeing the vast array of artistic talent in Austin. This is definitely an annual event not to be missed.

4. When a friend from college came to visit, we treated ourselves to a meal at Qui. Qui is the brainchild of Paul Qui, an ubiquitous Austin restauranteur known for the food truck chain East Side King. Qui studied at Le Cordon Bleu, trained at Uchi and Uchiko, and won Top Chef season 9. This was the most fantastic meal I have experienced in Austin hands down due to the atmosphere, service, and of course food. The taste of yellowtail seared table side on binchotan with midorizu and flowers still lingers.

5. I kept hearing about Franklin Barbecue and the hours long line required to get in most days. As soon as finals were over, I decided to check it out for myself. Most people encouraged me to get the fatty brisket and I kept refusing, “No, I don’t really like brisket. And I certainly don’t like fatty meat.” When I got up to the counter after about four hours of waiting and a staff member offered me a sample of fatty brisket unprompted, I bit the bullet. And then I ordered a sandwich with fatty brisket and never looked back.

Now that you’ve heard some of my highlights, check back on the blog next week to see what I’m looking forward to this year.

In my previous post, I highlighted some perks about being an MPA wherein I focused on tangible goodies like laptop rentals, nameplates, and the lounge. However, there are many more reasons that I am proud to be an MPA, namely the constant and varied opportunities to learn new things outside of the classroom. Specifically, I have enjoyed the opportunity to interact with accounting professors during cookie breaks and faculty lunches hosted by the MPA Office in their conference room. At cookie breaks the office provides a delicious variety from Tiff’s Treats, established in 1999 by two UT sophomores from their dorm room oven. For lunches, an assortment of sandwiches from Jason’s Deli is provided. Though yummy, the focus here is not on the food, but rather the interaction with the faculty.

Most recently, I joined Professor Michael Granof for lunch, wherein he discussed his background (he has been at UT since the 1970s!) and current projects including his position on the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Dr. Granof relayed stories of sitting in deliberation for hours on end with his fellow board members, discussing a new standard. At the beginning of his tenure in 2010, he initially found the proceedings quite tedious. With some time, however, he found the gradual and detailed conversations to be not only useful but necessary. Standards setting is a high-stakes and complex process with nuances and implications that should be given fair and thorough thought. Each board member brings a unique viewpoint to be considered and in the end, a unified compromise must be made. Dr. Granof remarked that at first it was difficult to let go of objectives he held dear to his heart and make such compromises but in the end, one “cannot let the perfect stand in the way of the good.” This sentiment struck a cord with me as its application certainly extends beyond the GASB board room and into our every day lives. Dr. Granof certainly got me thinking and I look forward to attending another cookie break or lunch at the office soon.

On a completely unrelated note, one of my most recent Austin adventures was to Allen’s on South Congress. I was considering making my Texan-hood official with a pair of cowboy boots but didn’t bite the bullet this time. I will definitely be back if not to seal the deal, to ensconce myself once again in that velvety leather smell. I suggest you check out this Austin staple and their 4,000+ boots on display.