The View Has Changed

It's been a long time since I've hiked a mountain; the ascend was steep, uneven, narrow, and triggered a few memories. The trail ahead looked familiar, but when I turned around to see where I came from, the view has changed.

Instead of bare earth and rock, I saw cement walls and rooftops. Replacing creeks and lakes were swimming pools, large and small. Scattered trees in place of dense greenery. Nitrogen oxides in the ozone limited my view, and could no longer see as far as my eyes could see. The amount of people present also prevented the feeling of complete solitude. For a time, I felt like I was at an outdoor gym.

The view has changed, indeed. Yet, there was a certain charm to the fact that within a couple of turns out of the parking lot, I was on the main road, minutes away from a hot shower and a good breakfast.

But there is no replacing the raw nakedness and innocence of nature. For now I will be happy with whatever amount of nature am blessed with. Shrubs, dirt, smog. The view has changed, indeed. But only for now.

FIGS!!!

It's fig season!!! YAY! I LOVE figs! They are like mini guavas :D So refreshing. I look forward every year for fig season, and it's here!!!

Accounting and Snow Sports

I attended an accounting event last night where CPA firms have tables set up for students to introduce themselves, ask questions, and network. A representative from Singer Lewak put something in a different perspective for me when I claimed to be undecided between tax and audit. She said that tax has a shorter achievement curve compared to audit, meaning you'd feel a sense of accomplishment sooner compared to audit. It makes sense. You can work in audit for 3 years and have only done pieces of reports; but, in tax, you can finish full returns in a year. On the other side, once you know tax, that's it. In audit, you learn new things for years; it has variety. That's where I got the analogy between accounting and snow sports.

Tax is like snowboarding, and audit is like skiing. Tax/Snowboarding is frustrating to learn at first, but then it all clicks and you master it in 5 years. Audit/Skiing is a gradual process, you learn one technique, and then another that builds from the one before. It's an ongoing progression that can span a lifetime.

The question is, am I skier? Or a snowboarder?

Only In California

I would not normally endorse California; but, recently appreciating the variety in my activities (last week snowboarding, this week outdoor tennis), maybe it's not so bad.

Heaven In A Cup

It's that time of year when my absolute favorite drink is being served - Peppermint White Mocha.

My coffee pallate has extensively changed this past year to be more of a connoiseurs. With that said, Starbucks Coffee, with their burnt beans and pitiful, or should I say, non-existent frothing skills, is never on my list of stores to stop by anymore. What has replaced Starbucks on that list is their former trainer: Peet's Coffee - the best coffee distributor/service out there. I was more than ecstatic to find that they too have a Peppermint White Mocha on their menu, so of course, I did not hesitate to indulge myself. The result? Absolute heaven! Seriously. Instead of burnt coffee covered with peppermint syrup, Peets' version is great tasting coffee, with only a hint of peppermint. You get your espresso with a nice minty aftertaste - oh so wonderful. I don't even know how I survived without the heavenly cup; but, I do know I cannot survive any future winter seasons without it.

Peet's is the best!

To Cut of Not to Cut

My hair has gotten to that point where I cut it off, or I put up with it and grow it long. This is where I have not decided on what to do and my co-worker Char suggested that I take a poll. So, what do you think friends and family, should I cut my hair (shoulder length)? Or grow it long?

Poll is on the right column of this blog.





































I can't get photos of me b/c my computer crashed last month. Here are some I think I may be interested in: The short haircut I got last time was based out of Catherine Zeta Jones' hair less the bangs in Oceans Twelve, also like Charlize Theron. Then it grew out to be like Ashley Judd's hair. Now, it's slightly longer than Jessica Alba's hair.

So, I can get any of these haircuts. I can get it real short above my shoulders, or basically keep it medium length like Ms. Alba's with the purpose of letting it grow.

Are You a College Student?

You know you are a college student when:

• You lose track of what day it is. It does not matter, each day is the same - the day that you do homework.
  
• The concept of the "weekend break" is completely lost to you. "Saturday? Oh, you mean homework day?"
• You keep telling yourself: "Sleep is for the weak! Real students take naps!" - that should motivate you to stay up another hour.
  
• When you finally do get to take that nap, the birds outside your window are chirping loudly, welcoming the sun.
  
• Alcohol is the new water.
• Your main food groups are coffee and take-out.
• Your e-mail's inbox is full of correspondence from professors and classmates.
  
• Your day planner is the only thing keeping you from being insane.
• Looking at your day planner makes you want to become insane.

The best years of our lives? It better not be!

Coffee-driven Life

A friend of mine has been coffee-free for weeks now - Go Pepper! I just wanted to show how opposite my relationship is to coffee in comparison. Here is a glimpse of a week's intake:

Monday: White Mocha (Starbucks)
Tuesday: Sugar-free Vanilla Latte (Aloha Java)
Wednesday: White Mocha (Starbucks)
Thursday: Unintended Skinny Latte (CSUF Cafe)
Friday: Peppermint White Mocha (Starbucks)
Saturday: AM - Sugar-free Vanilla Latte (Peet's Coffee and Tea), PM - Honey Latte (Starbucks)
Sunday: Caramel Fredo - like an ice blended caramel (Peet's Coffee and Tea)
Monday: Caramel Macchiato (Starbucks)

This is where my money goes and where I get my calories from. Well, that and beer. My two greatest weaknesses of late: coffee and alcohol.

Isn't college fun?!

Two Birds, One Stone

Have you ever really thought about this phrase? It's awful! Knocking birds down with rocks! How primitive! And cruel!

I propose eliminating this phrase from your vocabulary. It's just an outdated, unapplicable, and mean thing to say.

Present-filled Moment

Who honored me with Christmas presents? What did they give me? Most of the gifts can be accounted for at this very moment...

Right now, I am admiring the newest addition to my art collection (from T. Buds), while listening to Alvin, Simon, and Theodore sing Here Comes Santa Clause (from A. Ben), and uploading pictures to my jump drive (from A. Ben). I am being kept warm by a portable heater (from T. Buds) and a University of Utah sweater (from Klasina). Planning my outfit for tomorrow, I am desperately trying to fit in my alfalfa weave bag (from T. Buds); but, realize my other bag (from Yoshika) would be a more suitable pairing with my headband (from Linda).

During this late hour, as I contemplate where to place my 2008 Utah Life Calendar (From T. Kroesche), I suddenly crave a Peppermint White Mocha. Is it worth it to brave the strong Santa Ana winds and use my Starbucks gift cards (from Char and R. Buck)? That means I'd have to change out of my pajamas! Hmm, lazy vs addiction - this is the rarest of occasions - being thankful to be lazy; laziness actually being the better characteristic.

New plan: get ready for bed and unwind - by means of my Ipod Nano (from T. Buds).

Thank you family and friends. I cannot wait for another year with you all!

Love,
ME

Stage Name

Did you guys know that Michael Keaton's real name is Michael Douglas? Since there was already a Michael Douglas in the business, he changed his name. I thought that was an interesting tid bit.

The Ups and Downs of the Game

I have had a long relationship with tennis for years. For the most part, it gives me hope and brings me joy. Then, there are times when it becomes the source of my frustration. Just a few days ago, I played some really good tennis - my hard work and practice really showed! Then, today - I BOMBED! My serves were not going in, my slices were coming up too short, my balls kept going out! All in all, it seemed as if I did not even know how to play! Anyone would've guessed it was my first time out on the tennis court!

I read this quote a long time ago and took it to heart: You play only as good as you practice. But what happens on off days? I refuse to accept that after all my practicing, the result and reward was that of today. Embarrassing! Unacceptable! What do we tell ourselves at times like these? What if this imbalance lasts longer than one day? Do we keep practicing? Are we just hanging on to false hope if we keep playing? Pretend the off day never happened?

Why can't there just be ups and no downs? Downs really bring me down! I hate downs! Then again, if this is down, then I have no where else to go but up.

Guess ups would not feel as rewarding until you realize you worked yourself up from a down. Question is, when is my up going to happen?

A Breath of Fresh Air

Reaching the lobby floor, I got out of the elevator. There was a young man eager to board, as well as a woman fiddling with the contents of her purse, unaware that her ride up has arrived.

Instead of rushing in and hogging the elevator for himself, the young man held the door open and got the attention of the woman by asking, "Ma'am, are you going up?"

It warmed my heart watching such a chivalrous gesture. It was the kindest thing I've witnessed in days.

OMG! I think I'm going to cry!

I cannot find my Icy Hot patches!

Where are you pain relieving, chemically loaded, soothing patches?

Ahhh! I need my ICY HOT!!!

Somebody stole my stapler!

I am not particularly attached to my stapler at work; I actually despise it. It can only handle a max of 5 pages at a time and can hardly count on it to staple nicely the first time. So, it was quite a surprise to find myself sad when it did not turn up. I felt a rush of panic, I had lost the stapler that has given me so much grief.

Hmmm... "I had lost, the sta-pler, that has given me so much grief..."

I suddenly made a complete 360. Now I was thinking of visiting the stock room in search of a new stapler. Oh! And if I was unable to find one, I could ask the office manager to get me a NEW one! I was ecstatic. I instantly went for the door...

Then, something familiar caught my eye. MY STAPLER! It was on my co-workers desk! I felt relieved, then sad. I have to put up with my unreliable stapler once more, no more dreaming of a new stapler :(

See how failing to return someone's stapler causes so much dilemma? Grief, loss, relief, loss of relief, argh!

Next time someone takes my stapler, please, save me the trouble and keep it!

Not Again!

After suffering through two exams and finishing my unbelievably long, tedious, insane, painstaking case study, I believe I am entitled to a night off. I was looking forward to releasing some energy against some tennis balls when I checked my voicemail only to find that tennis has been cancelled! :(

As a result of the fires, the air quality is poor and the tennis courts are covered in ash. I was disappointed when Monday's tennis was cancelled; but now, I am beyond bummed! I have been cooped up indoors studying since Friday! I proclaimed tonight as my night off and get out of the house; but, now I have nothing to do.

Cruel, cruel world.

Nap Time

Holy Cow! Guess I really was tired! I took a FOUR hour nap today! FOUR HOURS!!! Does that even count as a nap? Or a short sleep?

I AM A SANDWICH GURU

WOW!

This is such a good sandwich! Guess I owe this skill to 5 years of working at Einstein Bagels.

YUUUMMMMMM!

A Dying Breed

It was my turn to bring water for my league's tennis tournament today. At the grocery store, I bought a 24-pack of bottled water and a 2 gallon jug of more water. When I arrived at the courts, I did not want to leave my car unattended while I carry one water pack and then go back for the other. So, boldly and somewhat foolishly, I decided to carry both in at once.

Tennis racket on my right shoulder, purse on my left, the 2 gallon jug on top of the box encasing 24 12-oz water bottles. This is when I start to realize my decision may have been more on the foolish side rather than bold. Nevertheless, I continued with the task.

I struggled across the parking lot and a man passes by. I was obviously having a difficult time. I stumbled over cracked and uneven concrete; yet, somehow, I regained my balance without dropping anything.

This man says to me, "You alright? You got that?"

Before I could even muster a response, this man kept on walking.

Why ask a question when you don't intend to wait for an answer? Did he even have to ask? I clearly needed assistance!

What happened to "gentlemen"? Is chivalry such an ancient practice now?

As I carefully place the water items on a table, I look back at the man who made me realize that the time of gentlemen have elapsed; they are a rare and dying breed.

If any of you happen to come across one of these specimens, consider yourself blessed; cherish that moment, for it may be your last.

The Right Has Ran Out Of Bullets

Walked in my law class, sat down.

The first thing that came out of my law professor's mouth was not about law, not about how crappy he's feeling, nor was it about his weekend activities. It was ridicule. Ridicule not for his students, although that would not be surprising, but ridicule towards Al Gore winning a Nobel Peace Prize.

The first thing out of my mouth? "Republican."

He was endlessly ranting about how he has lost all respect for the Nobel Prize for awarding someone like Al Gore. What does he mean, "like Al Gore"? If it wasn't due to the fact that this professor controls my grade, I would've started another debate with him. Yes, another debate, more like an argument really - its a long story.

What is it about Al Gore that irks republicans so much? Is it because the public finds Gore more credible and trustworthy than any one on the right wing? They cheated him out of the presidency in 2000, publicly mocked him for his outrageous environmental theories, accused him of siding with terrorists, and yet, the public still loves him!

Guess I would be frustrated too. After all the efforts put in to discredit and humiliate the man, he stands even more strongly now than he did when he won the popular vote in 7 years ago (he he he).

Global Warming IS a serious issue and it needs serious attention. Al Gore has made tremendous effort in getting that through the population and he was only justifiably commended.