I just had a meeting with my absolute favourite client of ours. I do her accounts and tax every year for the last three years. She’s one of those wonderful clients that you enjoy have meetings with, emailing back with queries and talking to on the phone.
She’s a successful career woman with a husband and young son. She doesn’t come bolting in like she knows everything about tax. Like some clients. Why the hell do they come and see us if they know it all?? We all ask ourselves this.. but will never have an answer.
She often emails me throughout the year with queries regarding her accounts, tax or anything financial that she feels I could answer.

I love that she respects me, as I am only 23 and here she is trusting me with her financial information and her tax information.
Well I lie, I actually have quite a few wonderful clients who trust everything I say and tell them. It’s a wonderful feeling that I can help them and enjoy a good laugh with them either on the phone or in a meeting. It definitely makes me enjoy the career I have decided upon.

I mentioned to my client today while in the meeting that I was planning to head off to the UK next year. She, herself, is Irish (amazing accent!) and happens to have a very good friend living and working as a recruitment agent (in corporate work) in London. She has now offered to give me the details of her friend so I can get in touch with her to ask about work available for when I go.

Isn’t it amazing the contacts you meet? I feel very confident about getting a job in the UK now, I was a bit hesitant before thinking it might be difficult. It’s true what they say about making good contacts and always being pleasant to people you meet. You never know how they may help you in the future.

Photo credit: Dior Man™

I’m 23, a University student, in New Zealand, in a happy and loving relationship, close with my sisters, have good groups of friends at University, from High School and through other leisure/social activities. Life should be wonderful and so easy. No, sadly that’s very far from the truth.

People always say “oh student life is so easy, best time of your life”. Sure I love being a student and love that I will come out with a degree. But it’s not easy. I don’t party every weekend. That’s how it should be, but somehow hasn’t turned out that way. I’m too poor and always seem to be on a deadline for an assignment or test.

Money stress is the worst thing ever. It’s holidays for me at the moment. Normally I would work full time and try and make some money. But this year, my third year at Uni, has proven to difficult to work full time as well as complete the two assignments due at the end of April and study for the two tests I’m going to sit next week.

I got paid today, but I’m already poor. I’ve already worked out all my costs that need to come out and I’m basically left with nothing. It’s also Rob’s birthday next month. He told me not to worry; after I came home tonight a bit sour and burst into tears at the depressing level of it all, but I can’t forget his birthday! I’ve got two things in mind I want to get him and I want to take him out for dinner. So somehow I’m going to have to work out how I can achieve it all. I seriously need to type up a budget for the next three months. Just to get through until June when we have a mid-semester break.

My first and second years of Uni were cruisey, I barely did any work at home and still passed OK. This year is tough, I know I need to put in a lot of work to pass it.

I know this sounds a bit whiny. But it’s my blog, it’s what my blog is here for. I’m sure there’s others out there like me. Just wanted to share.

And if anyone knows the winning numbers to the lotto draw for this Saturday, please leave me a comment with them enclosed.

What feels like weeks, even months of stress and non-stop study has now come to an end. Thank God! I am now officially on holidays, for a week! Yes, I’m doing a paper through Summer School, so will be back at Uni next week. It’s not as bad as it sounds… it’s only six hours a week, not full time like before. But six hours still feels like too much!

But anyway, exams are over, that last week flew by and my last exam, Law, was not my favourite. I even enjoyed the Tax exam more!!

So Monday evening, after our last exam, some friends and I headed off to a new bar in Albany for a few drinks and a relax, we deserved it! This year I have studied more than I ever have in my whole life. It was great to have a few drinks and sit and laugh. So exams are over and now it’s time to start having some fun!

A couple of things have happened since my last blog, because I’ve been studying my ass off; my younger sister has gone flatting and we’re selling our house and moving, again!

My younger sister, Allie, has gone flatting with her boyfriend, Graham, I am so jealous! Her house is so cute and in great condition, it’s like brand new! It would be fun to be flatting, but sadly I’m still at University, so can’t afford it!

And yes, my mum is selling our house that we’ve been in for a year. haha. She wouldn’t if she didn’t have to. But the interest rates are getting higher and she’s finding it too expensive. Plus, now Allie has moved out we don’t need a four bedroom house. Rob and I will be moving out in a year or so, so she doesn’t want a big house at huge expense, which makes sense.
Moving house is painful, I don’t know what’s worse; packing and moving or trying to keep the house spotless and tidy for open homes.

Last night Rob and I went, with my work, to a movie that was put on to raise money for Child Cancer. We saw Death at a Funeral, it’s an English comedy, oh my God it was good! It’s a Festival film and doesn’t come out in New Zealand until February 2008, I can’t wait, because I will definitely see it again!
Afterwards they took us out for an impromptu dinner, very delicious. Of course when you know you’re not paying it’s always yum!

Coming up this weekend: on Friday I have a Christmas party at University and will collect my certificate for being a Student rep. Then on Saturday night it’s Toni’s 21st. It’s a nautical/beach/pirate theme. So I must check out some costumes! She’s having it at her house, which is huge, it’ll be a great night and I will be taking my camera!

My poor camera, it hasn’t been out of it’s case in two weeks!! I’m having withdrawal. I better take some photo’s this week!

I turned up to work today in my black knee-high boots, a knee-length jean skirt, a black top and a coloured scarf and was shocked by people’s reactions. A couple of them said “wow, is it a special day today?”, another said “you look very fashionable today”. I have to admit it was nice to get the compliments.
I wasn’t wearing anything amazing, I think it was my accessories - boots and scarf. Or maybe it’s the fact they’re accountants. Maybe accountants really are boring, old, fuddy-duddy’s. I don’t think I’ll ever be one of those accountants.

It could also be the big age gap between me and the rest of the staff. I’m 22, the next employee is 29; but she’s married and has a baby, after her, my next co-worker would be in her 40’s. After that they range all the way to 70.
At least I know it’s a job I can do forever.

In the last two weeks I have felt tired just about everyday. It must be the weather change, as it’s effecting more people than just me.
Yesterday in our Law lecture, there was three of us trying to stay awake. I don’t know if that was tiredness or just how boring it is to learn about how to legally declare someone bankrupt. *yawn*
Rob has also been complaning of feeling tired when he wakes up. It makes it so hard to get going in the mornings! It doesn’t help that we’ve had a few weekends in a row when we haven’t got to bed until 2 or 3am on Sunday morning. Maybe it’s all catching up with us.

I’ve finally completed all my assignments for this semester. No more! Just exams to come. My first one is June 13th, damnit, only about 3 weeks. So now I need to start studying, which is not fun when you’re tired. Well I’ll be honest, it’s never fun.

This morning when after Rob left for work at 6.45am I fell back asleep and didn’t wake up until 8am. I figured I was going to be late for my tutorial, so skipped it and went to the gym. The arrived at work at 10am, an hour earlier than normal. Yay! An hour extra pay.
I need the extra hours at work, not just for the money factor, but of how much damn work I have. I am getting phone calls, emails and faxes from clients constantly asking if they’re next in the list. I always have to reply with, ‘I’m sorry but we deal on a first in first served basis’. Until you get a b*tchy client who needs their accounts done “urgently”. Argh.

Back to it!

Since Christmas we have had three people leave work and seven (one has left since, well not left, more got rid of) new people start. I have no problem with new people, they do great things for a company and make it lively and new. New people are great. The bit I don’t like is the constant questions. I have had to train four out of those seven people in how to prepare financial statements. WHAT?! I know, they’re all more qualified than me.
It doesn’t bother me too much, just the fact that my work starts to lagg behind and I end accomplishing very little in a day.
I used to think I wanted to be a teacher… hmm maybe not!

I was doing well today churning accounts out like a mincing machine, when I get asked by my boss to go through a set of accounts with the new lady who started today. AHH DAMNIT!

So I helped her for three and a half hours, damn good on my part.

Then when I sat back down at my desk I noticed I had her uncomfortable chair. And she was sitting in my nice three year old bum groove. So I went over to ask her if we could switch our chairs. I felt a bit mean, but naah, stuff it, I can’t sit on an uncomfortable chair, even if I am only a part timer and she’s here 40 hours a week.

I’m just happy I am part time, can’t get asked questions when I’m not there!

Wow, it’s been awhile! Luckily I have a great source of excuses. Like the fact that I’ve had three assignments and a test due in the last 10 days, and when I’m not studying or doing assignments, I’m working to make sure I have money for board and petrol for my car.

Nothing eventful has happened since my last post, life is way too busy to fit in exciting things! I haven’t taken a photo in about two weeks, which sucks, because I love posting photo’s - I’m sure people love to read posts with photo’s.

We’ve had some major changes at work recently, Charissa has now quit to go into Real Estate, we’ve had some new ladies start and they’re looking at adding another accountant to the team!
Our bosses are taking us out to lunch on Friday, as it’s the end of the financial year, the end of our year. So looking forward to that!

I have applied for a Summer Internship with the “Big 4″ Chartered Accounting firms here in Auckland. It’s basically a foot in the door for me and will give me experience with auditing. It runs from November to February. It would be really great to get, although they mainly offer it to third year students, so I’ll just apply again next year! I’m hoping my experience of already doing accounting helps push me through though!

It’s Rob cricket final this Saturday, so hopefully that goes smoothly. I’m looking forward to the afterparty! Gareth and Ange are hosting it this year - so good of them! We’re planning on sleeping in the back of my wagon, just have to put the backseats down! haha.

I will make a big effort to try and capture some snaps this week - I’m there will be some at the ‘do on Saturday.

These weeks seem to be flying by in a blur. I’m either at my accounting job, my retail job or both! Yes Thursday’s are the most painful day of the week, I start at 8am at the accounting job, then at 5pm I’m off to the retail job ’til 9pm, as it’s late night. So currently I’m working 6.5 days a week. Everyone says “think of the money!!” Hmmm.. yes I do, but after doing this for three weeks in a row now, I don’t feel I’m getting enough. Bring on Uni!!! Then I can relax.

I’ve also been the only active accountant at work these three weeks, as my boss said; I’m doing three peoples’ work! Hmm fun. Most of the staff are still on holiday. They’re due back on Wednesday though, so I can slow down on my production. Haha. Just kidding .

Rob has started his new job today, yes, the pee-in-a-cup-while-the- woman-is-watching-job! He’s been texting me a few times and seems to be enjoying it. The company has basically outlined that he’ll be working longer hours in Summer and less in Winter. Which will be nice for him, he can stay home and be cosy on those wet, windy, horrible Winter days while the rest of us have to face it.

OMG.. I have told just about everyone I know of my new love. Nando’s chicken salad. I’ve even told my friend, Charissa, a few times and she had to point that out sternly. “Bron. You’ve told me.” I’m sorry Charissa! I just loooooove them. They are my new takeaway food, who needs a burger?!

I seem to have an issue with telling stories. Rob says I have a big mouth because I can’t hold secrets or exciting stories in! I have to tell people. But then I end up telling everyone several times. So maybe it’s true? I guess it’s just me. That’s why I blog.. I love to share stories. Isn’t that an idea of a blog? To talk about yourself and the people around you?