One Step Closer

I know for some of you who may (or may not) be reading this, it seems like nothing compared to the MCAT, GRE or even your BFE final project; but for me, the CPA exam has been one brutal nightmare.

Fortunately for me, today I'm one step closer to being done. For those of you lucky enough to not be familiar, the CPA exam actually consists of four separate exams, and today I took number 3 of 4. I found out last week that I passed the first two exams and should find out how I did on number 3 soon, but I feel pretty confident (hopefully I'm not eating those words later).

Now that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, the weight that's been on my shoulders is starting to lift and I feel like a normal person again. Who knows, maybe now I can stop dreaming about useless accounting facts and financial equations chasing me in my pajamas...at least until I start studying for number 4.

Anyway, I have to say a big thanks to Heathe. I couldn't have made it this far without her support, encouragement, and countless hours of quizzing me with flash cards. I think Heather should have a "CPA" after her name too when this is all said and done. Needless to say that I'm nothing without her--this test has been proof pudding of that.

5K

This May I will be participating in the Revlon Walk/Run 5K for women battling cancer. I am running in honor of my grandma Colleen who lost her battle to lung cancer. This is an ugly disease that affects too many people! 

I have set myself a small goal of $500. I really don't like asking for money, but I do like people to support a good cause. 

If you wish to donate, please let me know who you are honoring. 

Do it for those women in your life who are fighting. 

Click here to donate. 

Zip-a-dee-do-da

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. Jed and I celebrated with pizza, ice cream, and our apartment. We had a really nice time! It was good to be with Jed and remember all the reasons I love him.
Jed knows I have been itchin to get out of the city lately...I've really just wanted to get up and go and explore the surrounding areas, but, without a car it's a little difficult. So, he gave me...ZIPCAR! I am excited to see if I still know how to drive! This just means many more blog posts on our East Coast adventures .
Also, another fun Valentine's present...our wedding album is complete. So, after 7 months, we now get to see what our wedding looked like through someone else's eyes. You can check out the proofs by going to www.swensenphotography.com, Enter Site, Proofing (top right tab), Albums, H.Thompson wedding, and the password is heather. Enjoy!

I love February. I think that love is in the air, I have lots of friends/family members who celebrate their birthdays, February is closer to March which is closer to Spring which is closer to lunches in Central Park. I just love this month.

I have compiled a list of things I didn't know I loved until now...

#1. Jed. (Ok, I knew I loved him when I married him, but I am realizing it more each day) He is absolutely the best husband in the world and the more we are together the more I know that we are suppose to be together. Enough cheese for you? Well, then, that brings me to point 2...

#2. I really do love cheese. Well, let me put it this way, I love trying new cheese, I can't sit down and eat a block, but I do love trying new cheese. We went to this place last week and had some REALLY good samples...all names I could not pronounce.

#3. Exercise. I think this shocks even myself to write it, but it's true. Once I actually GET to the gym, I really enjoy my time. I love feeling sore the next day, I love knowing that I am getting healthier, and I love the way it makes me feel about myself. So, WHY is it so hard to get there? It's the million dollar question...any answers???

#4. I love candles. I think living in a small apartment with close neighbors who are all cooking different foods makes me realize that I LOVE when our house smells good. Is that a crazy new love or what??? My favorite candle...check them out here

#5. I love cooking. I have always been ok at cooking, but now I really feel like I am hitting my stride. Jed is my number one fan (ok, he's my only fan right now) and he appreciates everything I make. I am especially fond of her recipes. Jed is ALWAYS good to help with clean up too...there is no I in Eastman.

I hope you all have wonderful things to say about February...it truly is a LOVELY month.

PS. What do I want for Valentines day??? Well, if you are asking, I would LOVE this "bouquet" instead of roses! ;)

House (Ok, Apartment) Guests

We had a great week with Utah friends! Heidi and Pam and myself met at Utah State where we just so happened to be roommates. We knew we had a great bond the minute we met. We LOVED 15E and will never forget the memories there!

Pam is going to be serving a mission in March, so we wanted one last hoorah to say good-bye...luckily, they chose my neck of the woods.

We had a great time shopping, eating, and sightseeing. We saw Mary Poppins on Broadway. The special effects are AMAZING (I mean, I am 26 years old and I am still baffled at Mary pulling the lamp out of her bag!!!)

Jed's brother, Heber is visiting as well. All three of them are friends, so it made for a very fun weekend! And, to top it all off, our local football team won a little game called the SUPERBOWL!
Thanks for coming friends! We had a lot of fun.

Slump Busters

Holidays are over, Resolutions are on, It's freezing...we've got the January Slumps!!!
I don't know if any of you suffer from this epidemic, but after speaking with a lot of people, I get the feeling you just might. It's that time of year when there just is NOT a whole lot going on. So, I have created a list of things I am doing to help bide the time until the SLUMP is over
#1. Take up a new hobby. Thanks to my friend Natasha, I am trying my hand at knitting. So far so good, but for a perfectionist like me, I am not doing so well with the snags. But, it is a lot of fun trying!
#2. Crossing off the To Do's. I feel so much better when I have accomplished something. No matter if it's the laundry or mailing a thank you not. Currently, I am crossing a HUGE to do off my list...Thanks you cards from our wedding (Yes, it has been 6 months. Miss Manners suggests doing them up to TWO years after the marriage...I figure we are right on track!)
#3. Buy something you enjoy. Thanks to my friend Kristy, I have purchased TWO new glosses from MAC. They weren't anything I needed, just wanted. They are bright colors and I love them!
#4. Invite friends to come and visit. Heidi and Pam (old college roommates, current friends :)will be joining the Eastman's a week from today. Should have some good posts/pics when they are here.
#5. Read a new book. Jed and I were reunited with our long lost friend, AMAZON.com and purchased some (hopefully) good books. I would MUCH rather be reading a book on the subway than staring at people and wonder why they do the things they do. (I think I just revealed a guilty pleasure of mine.)

Well, let's hope we can all hang on for a few more weeks until this slump is over!

Yee-Haw!!!

You haven't lived in NYC until you stroll past the NAKED COWBOY in Times Square.

Jed and I found the NC while looking for an apartment, pre-marriage, over the summer. You would have thought it was Tim McGraw himself by my excited reaction!

I just thought it was a fun picture to share with you all. Luckily Jed was a good sport and snapped the photos. Oddly enough, he wouldn't let me take his picture with him...

And, all of you parents with small children and young boys, keep them away from the Naked Cowgirl. It's like the Naked Cowboy with less class....and less clothing! YIKES.

Can't wait for our friends to come and search for the NC in NYC in a few weeks! I sure hope with this cold weather he is donning more than his boots!

Giddy-Up!