long time no post

it's been over a month since i've updated, and a lot has happened. i just got back from a trip to vegas with la familia. this time's experience was a vast departure from my trip there in february. of course, with a family that doesn't go out, gamble, or drink, i was not expecting it to be at all similar anyway. while our trip was headquartered in vegas, we actually spent most of our time outside the city. in fact, we went to arizona, california, and utah. day 1 consisted of driving to the grand canyon in arizona, getting lost, and spending the night in a tiny town called williams. the next day, we found our way to the cavernous hollows of the grand canyon and drove 4 hours back to vegas. day 3, we drove to utah to visit zion national park. day 4, we visited death valley in california. what started as a cruise to the caribbean (hurricane gustav ruined that plan) turned into the most nature-tastic trip i've ever taken. it is no longer surprising to me that my dad's greatest wish in retirement is to buy an RV and travel the continent.

now that my review courses have recommenced, it's time to buckle down and take the CPA seriously. i have a bad track record when it comes to actually taking big, scary, standardized exams, despite the fact that i nearly always do well (when i do take them). i hope this time will be no different, but i dunno.... the CPA is in 4 parts... which gives me 4 chances to flake out. :P

i made one of the most stressful decisions of my life a few weeks ago. i turned down a great job offer that would have afforded me travel, good pay, and corporate insight. literally the night before i was to declare my final decision, i had planned on accepting. it wasn't until a couple of hours before the deadline that i finally decided what i should do. i am now back at square one, but i don't regret it. i know what i want.

i was disappointed watching the VMAs last night - britney spears' opening was neither "fun" nor "interesting." i don't even think she deserved her 3 awards, as much as i will guiltily admit to liking her. miley cyrus is f'ing annoying. russell brand was not funny. why were the jonas brothers nominated at all? and who the hell is tokio hotel?

currently reading: "new moon," by stephenie meyer. this is book #2 in the "twilight" series, which is coming to theaters in november. not since the harry potter series have i been so enraptured by a book.... i foresee this being a barrier to studying for the CPA (or any meaningful task, at that). the annoyingly weak female character and sometimes subpar writing notwithstanding, it is my new obsession.

my new favorite snack. these are really good at curbing hunger: