This is my life...

So, I'll admit, I've had a blogger account for some time and couldn't break down to be "one of those people" who blog. But, I've finally done it. Here is the update on the goings on of my life.

I graduated from BYU with a master and bachelor degree in Accounting (Tax) in April 2007. I moved out to Seattle in July 2007 to work for Ernst & Young (a large public accounting firm). I recently completed my first year with the firm and my first year in Seattle. It has been an interesting and good year.

For those of you who have seen the movie "Stranger than Fiction" you will appreciate my blog title. And if you know me well you would probably know that I have some commonalities with the main character in the movie. I am a tax accountant...and I do count my steps. I am a nerd...this I know.

From October 2007 through May 2008 I studied and passed all four parts of the CPA exam. It was a long few months. I have recently been lazy and haven't actually filled out the paperwork to apply for my CPA license, but you could say I am one fee payment from being an actual, for real CPA. What an accomplishment and relief to have that 99.9% behind me.

I had a less than ideal roommate situation for my first six months in Seattle. It was a difficult and trying time. I relied upon the Lord and grew so much as a person. Although difficult roommates are generally preferable to avoid, I really learned so much from the experience. As horrible as it was, I probably wouldn't trade the experience because I really grew spiritually and as a person. I put my trust in the Lord and everything has worked out and I am so much better for the experience.

I live in a new place now and have a great roommate. Janelle gets married in two weeks though, so I will lose her. I am sad to lose her but am excited for her. So, I am on the hunt for a new roommate. I love my apartment and the area I live. My new couch and love seat arrive at the end of the month and I am excited to re-decorate. Now that the CPA exam are behind me and busy season is wrapping up, I will have some time to enjoy it.

I have discovered that I enjoy cooking and that I am decent at it. I realized that I learned a lot from my mom and that I paid attention a little bit while growing up. For a while, my roommate and I were experimenting with new recipes every Sunday. It was a great way to try new things and have fun as roommates.

I really love Seattle and love the weather. It really isn't as bad as people lead you to believe. The summers in Seattle are perfect...and I do mean perfect. If you have lived through a Seattle summer, you know what I mean. There are many fun things to do and I have enjoyed exploring them in my spare time. I love being a city girl.

The ward is good...very different from being in Utah and the BYU ward experience. For about 8 months I was a relief society teacher and have subsequently been the compassionate service leader for the past few months. I have been blessed with a couple of great friends from the ward that live just a few blocks from me. Stephanie and Linsday keep me laughing and I enjoy their random bursts into song.

I've learned a lot during the year at work. The hours during busy season can be rough... but I enjoy the work and am learning all the time. I don't know how long I will be cut out for public accounting, but I am enjoying the journey. Yes...I still want to go to beauty school and I still want to be a part-time professor at some point in my life. I just don't know when that point will be.

Anyways...this is my life. Yep...I'm still single, but I am doing the working professional thing and I'm finding joy in the journey!