From the signboard of a church close to my house
"If you aren't scared or hurt, are you growing."
As an aside...I live on a street lined with places of worship and it makes me feel extra special to live in Canada -- It's a wonderful example of our tolerance and acceptance of those who have faiths different from our own. That people from so many different faiths can gather next to one another (in some cases literally) without fear. Something that many in other parts of the world cannot experience.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
It's election day on Monday.
If you haven't already, please vote. You get to have a say in the guy (why aren't there any women!!) who runs the country. If that's not cool, I don't know what is.
Need more information? Visit Elections Canada
If you haven't already, please vote. You get to have a say in the guy (why aren't there any women!!) who runs the country. If that's not cool, I don't know what is.
Need more information? Visit Elections Canada
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
3 months and a week later... give or take...
I passed probation.
I had my three month review today. And, they're going to keep me (for now, and hopefully for a while!). I was assigned a quarterly review earlier this week so I kind of figured that it might mean that they had decided to keep me around.
The three months has gone by really quickly. I can't believe how much I've learned in such a short amount of time... from tax issues to payroll to accounting and assurance. It has also tested what I have learned in school, whether or not I understand it enough to put into practice. And, as I am learning, what is learned in school, and what happens in practice is not always the same!
What has really struck me, is that before starting the job, I had an idea of what being an "accountant" is. Now that I have started work in the field, I have a greater respect for it. I do not think that I quite realized the depth of knowledge required. Not only do accountants have to have technical accounting, assurance and tax knowledge but need to be able to understand legal issues (yay to reading through articles of incorporation documents, re-structuring etc.), investments, finance, and also be good with people -- if you work in public practice.
I am enjoying it. The constant challenge pushes me, the constant learning and variety of clients and businesses keeps me motivated. I enjoy finding pieces to the puzzle and putting it all together. Working in a small firm gives me the opportunity to learn more sooner. It's also awesome to learn directly from the partners, and to be encouraged by them to become increasingly independent.
A few years ago, I had a dream. And then I kept seeing ads for accounting... and it was odd enough (accounting? huh?) that I had to at least look. I took a step away from "Katrina the future Secondary school teacher" to try something that I NEVER thought I would become (I've learned to never say never, except in certain instances). And well, after reading up lots, asking lots of questions, taking some accounting courses, and serving as youth parliament's Minister of Finance, here I am.
There are so many people who have helped me to get here. Thank you.
I had my three month review today. And, they're going to keep me (for now, and hopefully for a while!). I was assigned a quarterly review earlier this week so I kind of figured that it might mean that they had decided to keep me around.
The three months has gone by really quickly. I can't believe how much I've learned in such a short amount of time... from tax issues to payroll to accounting and assurance. It has also tested what I have learned in school, whether or not I understand it enough to put into practice. And, as I am learning, what is learned in school, and what happens in practice is not always the same!
What has really struck me, is that before starting the job, I had an idea of what being an "accountant" is. Now that I have started work in the field, I have a greater respect for it. I do not think that I quite realized the depth of knowledge required. Not only do accountants have to have technical accounting, assurance and tax knowledge but need to be able to understand legal issues (yay to reading through articles of incorporation documents, re-structuring etc.), investments, finance, and also be good with people -- if you work in public practice.
I am enjoying it. The constant challenge pushes me, the constant learning and variety of clients and businesses keeps me motivated. I enjoy finding pieces to the puzzle and putting it all together. Working in a small firm gives me the opportunity to learn more sooner. It's also awesome to learn directly from the partners, and to be encouraged by them to become increasingly independent.
A few years ago, I had a dream. And then I kept seeing ads for accounting... and it was odd enough (accounting? huh?) that I had to at least look. I took a step away from "Katrina the future Secondary school teacher" to try something that I NEVER thought I would become (I've learned to never say never, except in certain instances). And well, after reading up lots, asking lots of questions, taking some accounting courses, and serving as youth parliament's Minister of Finance, here I am.
There are so many people who have helped me to get here. Thank you.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Update on the resolution...
This is also in the comment box of original resolutions post, but I thought I would post it here. And ask those who pass by how they measure living life well. How do they live their lives well?
Father S. asked me today when I shared this "resolution", how it will it be measured, excellent question... I think measured in how I feel at the end of the day, and all parts in between. When I pray, do I give thanks or scowl and ask why, when I smile at those around me, is it genuine or for show, do I stand tall or hide behind fear of feeling inadequate? Do I stand for what I value.... so many ways to measure, yet perhaps all that needs to be done is to live a life filled with gratitude and acceptance.... to love genuinely and accept the grace that's been given with arms opened wide.
Father S. asked me today when I shared this "resolution", how it will it be measured, excellent question... I think measured in how I feel at the end of the day, and all parts in between. When I pray, do I give thanks or scowl and ask why, when I smile at those around me, is it genuine or for show, do I stand tall or hide behind fear of feeling inadequate? Do I stand for what I value.... so many ways to measure, yet perhaps all that needs to be done is to live a life filled with gratitude and acceptance.... to love genuinely and accept the grace that's been given with arms opened wide.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Saturday, January 07, 2006
1 mile, 12:45. :) And after that, I took a lil' walking break and ran some more. I'm hoping to be able to run further and faster!
(YAY for buying quality shoes. It makes a big difference. I have a pair of Nike Shox and Nike running shoes with "phylon" in them (cushioning) and they're both awesome!!! As a treat to myself, I told myself that once I got my first paycheque from a full time job, I would buy a nice pair of running shoes, even if they weren't on sale. Well, I ended up with two -- both on sale!!! Oh yes, and YAY to thinking "I can")
(YAY for buying quality shoes. It makes a big difference. I have a pair of Nike Shox and Nike running shoes with "phylon" in them (cushioning) and they're both awesome!!! As a treat to myself, I told myself that once I got my first paycheque from a full time job, I would buy a nice pair of running shoes, even if they weren't on sale. Well, I ended up with two -- both on sale!!! Oh yes, and YAY to thinking "I can")
Sunday, January 01, 2006
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