My Fiscal Year (FYE 6/3/08)

The title of this blog is pretty geeky and accountant-y, I'll be the first to admit. But hey, it's fitting.

I've decided that it's more appropriate for me, at this time in my life, to mark my year end not at December 31, but now.

Last Monday marked the one year anniversary of my time at Almich & Associates (I'm one of the associates...for now). It also marks the little over a year anniversary of me moving to California. It's no surprise the last year is pretty much a blur. I guess that's how life is once you finish school. Kinda sad now that I think about it.

A lot has happened to me in the last 12-13 months. It really started when I graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio last May. After that my Dad accompanied me out West pulling a U-Haul (Go Mable!) through the desert to my sisters place in Las Vegas. I stopped there for a couple of weeks while I did my apartment search in Orange County. It was the first time I'd lived by myself. And I had no furniture to furnish my apartment (still don't!). I really look fondly upon that time, and it seems like just yesterday -- still so vivid in my mind. But anyways...

Looking back, I know I made the right decision in taking this job, and making this move. I accomplished more in the last fiscal year than I could have even imagined. I've traveled to places I've wanted to go my entire life (for free!), multiple times, with more to come. I've learned a ton. I've talked to CFOs, CEOs, and Controllers and been in the position of power. Weird. They probably think I'm some young punk or something, but I get the respect, baby! It's still kind of hard to be assertive with these types, though. I need to keep working on that.

Come to think of it, I could have probably met more goals this past year, but I think to have made it as far as I did is quite an accomplishment.

I moved across the country for the second time in two years, again, not knowing a soul. I'm very proud of myself for doing that and making a living and not getting homesick and scared. It's not always easy, but my family is a wonderful support, and I guess I'm just wired for it. It just confirms to me that I'm following the right path.

I survived the 2007 California Wildfires in my fiscal year.

Now, on to the fiscal year ending in June 2009.

I have even higher expectations for the next 12 months. It blows my mind thinking about where I could be this time next year. The biggest change will be the end of this month when I move to Orange, Calif. with my buddy Don. It's kind of weird; when I started at the firm I had an inclination that we would hit it off. At first I sort of joked that he needs to get rid of his roommate so I could move in. Well, I gave up on that notion after awhile, then after several months, Don brings it up, and now it's happening. I'm looking forward to it. I've never moved in with a friend before. I feel like I've been missing out.

Next up, I have all four parts of the CPA exam scheduled. I take the first part on July 12th and the final part before the end of 2008. I fully intend on having my CPA license before the end of the year. I can't believe that.

Some other things that I plan on doing are:

-put together a rough draft for a book (non-fiction)
-visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. (!!!)
-visit the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, Calif. (!!! too!)
-learn to really cook ('Top Chef' inspired me)
-visit Boston again
-make some friends outside of work

Well, now that doesn't seem like as much as I had in my head. All I know is that the next year is shaping up to be better than the last. I'm very much looking forward to it. It'd be nice, too, if I can make some time to meet one of those "California Girls" the Beach Boys hyped so much all of these years.

Thank you to everyone who supports my writing by reading this blog. It keeps me motivated to keep writing. Please keep visiting and feel free to comment or e-mail me. I will definitely appreciate it.