Senioritis has become an all-encompassing reality. In fact, it’s hit me like a brick wall, particularly this last month. Graduation is nine weeks from today. In 63 days, I will have finished my college career. Not really sure where the last four years have gone. It’s been a really good experience – one in which I’ve grown and learned a lot about the world and myself. And while I wouldn’t trade these past four years for anything, I also don’t think that I would choose to go back and relive them. I’m ready for the next chapter and stage of life. It’s exciting to think about having a place and a job waiting for me for when I graduate.

It’s finally starting to get warmer. Yesterday and today were absolutely beautiful days. I went on a few walks in the neighborhoods on the mountain. One of my favorite places to walk is along West Brow road. The houses are beautiful, and it’s right along the edge of the mountain. The view overlooking the valley is so incredible. It’s nice to get off campus as well. It’s refreshing. Bets was in town this weekend. She, Marianna, and I went to Starbucks and then went for a walk.

It’s been a quiet day. After church and lunch, I just watched a movie with Mary Frances and relaxed.. then spent some time with Marianna and Bets. Then I had dinner in the great hall with some friends – Andrew, Sarah, Casselberry, Suz, Chloe, and Febre. The realization that I’m graduating in May has definitely kicked in. And as much as I’m looking forward to moving onto the next stage of life, it’s hard to not scramble around wondering where the time has gone. I’ve found myself spending more and more time with friends and trying to soak up as much of my time here as I can.

I’ve found myself studying and working a lot harder too. Kind of backwards – you’d think that having the assurance of a job waiting for me, I’d be relaxing a little more. The drive and determination that I have to study and learn while I’m still here is crazy. I was thinking about it, and I wish I had had this same drive and discipline the first few years of college. I wish I had made better use of the professors and my education here. Having said that, I’m more than making up for lost time now..

Big year. I’m graduating in May and starting my first full-time job sometime at the end of summer. Hard to believe.

Nothing quite like being rudely awoken at 6:30 in the morning. I must admit, its not my favorite thing to do.. especially when its below freezing outside and about 58 degrees in the house. I drove Bets up towards Nashville to take her car into the shop. The place opened at 7:30 a.m., so naturally, Bets wanted to be the first in line. It’s ok though, I got starbucks out of the deal.

I just spilled coffee all over myself. What a perfect way to start the day. :) On a different note, it’s a beautiful day and I’m listening to some good music – currently Coldplay, Viva la Vida.

And as of today, Mary Frances and I have been dating for ten months. Hands down, the most exciting part about today!

I am currently drinking:

C-Boost

I’m home enjoying an incredibly relaxing break from school. I honestly could not have asked for a better break. I’ve slept a lot, eaten a lot of good home-cooked food (home-made bread, cookies, chocolate pecan pie, venison, stromboli, rice, corn pudding, broccoli/tomato dish..), explored around downtown Franklin, listened to good music in the car, hung out with some quality people, had good conversations, watched movies, and enjoyed a few of life’s simple pleasures..

Tonight i’m hanging out with some friends from town which i’m looking forward to. I’m slowly but surely meeting new people which is a blessing, especially because I’ll be living here next year. It’ll be nice to know some people. Tomorrow night, i’m hanging out with my older brother in Nashville, and then on Thursday night, i’m going to a celebration dinner with a bunch of the Ernst and Young people – kind of a small celebration for those of us who were extended offers.

And then on Friday morning, i’m heading back to school… just in time for the weekend.

It’s that time again. It’s rapdily approaching 3:00 p.m., and I’ve got a date with a large mug of starbucks coffee (black, please) and some really fat textbooks. Here I go.

Mmmm Good

My new favorite drink at Starbucks is the venti double shot on ice with carmel. Five shots of espresso, half and half, and a few shots of caramel = a really good time. :)

Starbucks Double Shot

A little over a week ago, I got a call from the Ernst and Young office in Nashville, TN.  I’ve been in touch with them since last fall semester. I originally applied for a position at their Summer Leadership Program, and as some of you know, I was accepted into that and attended during mid-June of this summer. I got to meet a lot of the Nashville staff, as well as have a small taste of Ernst and Young (one of the Big Four accounting firms in the United States – arguably the largest accounting firm in the world). I met some of the main recruiting staff, as well as a large number of people in the Assurance department of accounting – the department I’m primarily interested in. I also met several of the office partners.

Since then, I’ve been in touch with many of them and have just waited to hear back about a possible job offer. Working with E&Y in the Nashville Office is, hands down, the first place that I wanted to work and start my career.

As I started out saying, I got a call from the main recruiting officer, as well as the Assurance Recruiting Partner from the Nashville office. They offered me a full-time position in the Assurance (or auditing) side of the E&Y office for when I graduate next year. I’m very excited about the opportunity, and I definitely accepted the offer. And as long as God sees fit to have me there, I’ll be starting out full-time there next fall.