Archives for Student Life

The Last Spring Break

Posted by  on Monday, March 22nd 2010     

 
 

From Big Bend Nat’l Park, March 2010

I remember when I was a senior in college, my friends and I would talk about the last spring break and how we should make it count by doing something exceptional. However, I do not remember doing anything special that spring break three years ago. Before I knew it, I was back in school, and my friends and I were, again, talking about where to go during our last spring break. This time around, I am determined to make this break memorable. After all, it will be almost impossible to get a week off in the middle of March once I enter the workforce. Subsequent to some discussions and research on destinations and limitations, we explored the possibilities of Colorado, Cancun, and finally decided to take a road trip to Big Bend National Park.

I have never taken a road trip with my friends before, and I think the last time I was at a national park was at least seven years ago when my family went to Yosemite. My excitement was thus mixed with some anxiety of not knowing what to expect out of the trip. But, I did know for certain that the trip would be awesome because of the people I was going with. The participants of the trip consisted of my dear friend and classmate Ming-Chan, her boyfriend Tung-Yeh, our mutual friend Jack, and me. Four people, one Toyota Camry (fixed just in time for the trip!), and a lot of snacks and instant noodles.

The drive began mid-morning on the Friday before spring break officially started. We had a German wurst and schnitzel lunch in Fredericksburg then drove for seven hours almost non-stop to Big Bend (thanks, Jack!)

From Big Bend Nat’l Park, March 2010

For all three nights of our vacation, we stayed at the Chisos Mountains Lodge, the park’s only lodging. For the next couple of days, we hiked into the desert seeking Balanced Rock, down into the Santa Elena Canyon, up onto the canyon overlooking the Rio Grande Village, and played on the sandy beach of the Rio Grande.

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category: Grace, Student Life
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Getting Around In Austin

Posted by  on Monday, February 8th 2010     

ut_transportation

Normally I am quiet on the subject of public transportation since I own a car that I unapologetically drive around town. However, the car that I (now sadly) own is a Toyota Camry and, in light of the recent accelerator sticking problem with many Toyota cars, I decided to stay off the road for a bit. I must add, though I own a car now, I have been happily relying on public transportation during the years that I lived in Taipei and Boston. Even now, if I am in a city where I have the options of driving or riding some kind of convenient public transit, I would gladly choose the latter.

 

Although many people would say that it is next to impossible to live in the great state of Texas without four wheels, I have observed a few modes of transportation that the people of Austin use to get around town.

 

1.     UT Shuttles

Since I live right next to a UT shuttle stop in West Campus, I must praise the convenience of the shuttles. They are operated by the same company as the MetroBuses, and mostly UT students utilize these shuttles. I just counted on the MetroBuses Web site that there are fourteen shuttle routes that serve to as far as Far West and Lake Austin. The shuttles run fairly frequently during school hours, and I have never waited for more than a few minutes for a shuttle during the day. The only downside is that the shuttles do not operate on Saturdays and with only limited service on Sundays, which makes going to places along the shuttle routes difficult on weekends.

 

2.    MetroBuses

UT shuttle does not take you to where you want to go when you want to go? Fear not! There are still the city buses that have significantly more extensive routes and services. I have only utilized a few lines near campus and downtown when riding the buses was more convenient than driving, but I have seen many commuters taking full advantage of this public good. The best part of the city buses is that anyone with a UT ID (student, faculty and staff) rides for free! There are also the night owl shuttles that run from numerous campus locations to downtown Austin from Thursday to Saturday for the people who are going out on weekend nights. It is definitely a cheap/free alternative to taxis or paying the high parking fees downtown.

 

3.     MetroRail

The MetroRail is something of a novelty in Austin considering that it has not officially started servicing the general public yet. I am on the hopeful lookout to try it once it is in operation, however! The line that will be unveiled first will run north from Downtown to Leander. Another line in the works will run east from downtown Austin. For more information, please visit the MetroRail Web site.

 

4.    Bicycles

I am ashamed to say that I am a terrible biker. I can ride it, but I lack the confidence to ride it anywhere near a busy street when I have to share the road with other wheels (my friend who has ridden with me can vouch for that statement! I am pretty sure she will never ride with me again). But, there are many savvy cyclists in the streets of Austin who safely get from point A to point B without fearful screaming because many streets, especially near and on campus, have bike lanes that make biking so much easier and safer. The City of Austin Web site has a useful resources page on biking in the city.

 

5.    Mopeds/Motorcycles

I own neither of these, but they are pretty awesome! Their ease to park would be, to me, the biggest advantage. There are also parking spots on campus for mopeds and motorcycles if they are your choice modes of transportation.

 

6.    Your own two feet!

Personally, I like nothing more than to walk around town on a nice day, and Austin is known for its nice days! Although your own two feet can only walk so far, they are powerful tools when combined with any above mode of transportation. Most pedestrian paths are paved and comfortable to walk on. You might be surprised with how far you can walk in Austin!

 

Although nothing beats the convenience of driving your own car, sometimes it is simply easier/cheaper to use one of these alternatives. Plus, you would be reducing your carbon footprint if you decide to use public transportation! I truly believe that the City of Austin is trying its best to become a green and accessible city where people can get around easily without owning a car. I look forward to the arrival of that day!

category: Austin, Grace, Student Life

Back on track

Posted by  on Thursday, February 4th 2010     

When I first realized we were having one month of winter break, I was amazed at all the time I would have to rest. To my surprise, it went by like lightning. During the holidays I went back home (to Monterrey), to my parent’s hometown (Durango, another State in Mexico), and to my boyfriend’s hometown (Puebla, Mexico). So it was kind of busy with all the travel, but at the same time I really enjoyed being back at home with my family.

Anyway, I’m back in Austin and even though it is hard getting used to the routine, I’m really enjoying the classes I’m taking (Advanced Accounting, Strategic Control, ITAC, and Management Auditing and Control). I even started auditing Oil and Gas Accounting (since I’ll be working in Houston and have no experience with Oil and Gas, I thought it might be helpful to audit that class). The class is very interesting and it is very nice to have a class where I don’t have to worry about being graded.

I’m starting to think that whoever said that you don’t realize how fast time passes when you are having a good time was right. I just can’t believe I’m almost done with my year in Austin and everything is coming to an end. I just wish I had more time to enjoy all of this, but at the same time, I’m really excited about what is to come.

category: Belem, Student Life

2010

Posted by  on Friday, January 29th 2010     

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.

category: Academics, Career, Darrin, Student Life

The Big Picture

Posted by  on Monday, November 30th 2009     

Many students come to UT knowing which major they wish to enroll in and which career field they hope to enter upon graduation.  A lot of these students change their minds, some multiple times.  At the same time, there are students who have no idea what they want until graduation is staring them in the face.  Each path is a product of choices and preferences and no one way is a best fit for all.

I entered UT knowing full well that I wished to be a MPA student.  My mind was set because of an experience I had in seventh grade and I even took two years of accounting in high school to confirm that I knew what I wanted.  I chose my school, my major, my career field and a lifestyle so long ago that I sometimes wonder…why was I so sure?

After a decade of striving after a childhood dream I look back and wonder; Did I do the right thing?  Is this really what I want?  Spring 2010 will be my final semester here at Texas and with only two classes standing between me and graduation…I search within myself for reassurance; reassurance that I have made the right choices and I will not leave with any regrets.

Five years of homework, group projects, pop quizzes, midterms, and late night three-hour finals…it has all become such a blur.  The only way I can justify years of hard work is by stepping back and looking at the big picture.  Sure, if I think of each day as just another day to learn GAAP, Porter’s Five Forces, Supply-Chain optimization formulas, and put-call strategies, only to be later regurgitated on an exam that can never fully test what I have learned…then yeah, I may walk out of here thinking that I wasted five years of my life and “$150,000 on a tuition that I could have got for $1.50 in late charges from the public library.”  This is a very bleak outlook on life and I refuse to be this way.  I refuse to think that I went a thousand miles from everything I ever knew just for a piece of paper with a fancy seal on it.

Looking at the big picture, I see that each remarkable professor that I have had the pleasure of learning from has shaped me in a way that a book never could.  I see that every group project and student organization I have been a part of has helped to develop team-building and leadership skills that are a necessity for successf in my career.  I see that this school’s reputation gives me an advantage over all others across this country.  I see that each day at this school was a puzzle piece to the most complex case study I have had to tackle yet, with the final corner piece to be placed on May 20, 2010.

The big picture is what has motivated me each day since I came to Austin.  Knowing that the MPA program is the best stepping stone towards my future goals, I am able to stay focused and driven to perform in class. Quoting Professor Lil Mills, a Tax Guru here at UT…”To all of you who are questioning your time here, I encourage you to step back and look at the forest, don’t get tangled up in the trees!”

category: Academics, Austin, Career, Darrin, Student Life
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