Sometime in April I was told that come May I would be working on a confidential fraud engagement somewhere near San Diego. Here's the timeline...
End of April: I find out I'll be in SD May 7-11 and 14-18.
May 3: I hear they won't be ready on Monday, May 7. Plan to be there Tuesday instead.
May 7: I hear they won't be ready on Tuesday. Plan to be there Wednesday instead.
May 8: I hear they won't be ready Wednesday. Plan to be there Monday, May 14. (at this point, I decide I can go to the grocery store. I had no food since I thought I was leaving town for 2 weeks.)
May 13: I don't want to have to sit in traffic for 100 miles on Monday morning, so I choose to leave Sunday night. I drive down to SD, leaving West LA at 6pm. I arrive at the hotel at about 7:45.
I go to the front desk to check in, and the girl at the desk tells me, "Your reservation was changed to the 16th." (The Manager on our engagement was taking care of the reservations and paying for them all on her credit card as the hotel is ~$200/night.) I think, "hmmm, I checked my email yesterday, but not today. I would assume that if something changed since yesterday someone would have called me." I call my Manager to see what's going on, "Oh no!" she says. "You didn't get the email I sent you last week saying that we're having to push back our start date again?! I am SO sorry. I sent it to you Wednesday or Thursday. You didn't get it? The client's numbers aren't right, and at the earliest we'll find out on Tuesday IF and WHEN we can start our fieldwork. I'll definitely be calling you with schedule changes from here on out."
Yes, good idea.
So I turn around and drive back to West LA. and for some God awful reason there's traffic in Orange County and LA between 8 and 10 p.m. on a Sunday night. I get home at 10:30. Next time, I'm calling the manager before I pack my suitcase and drive 100 miles. and on top of all this madness, I'm taking my audit exam in a week and a half. 4.5 hours of potential study time wasted in So Cal traffic.
J
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
LOVE
After my last post I couldn't stop thinking about how I could be a better member of the Body of Christ. This, of course, led to frustration because I wish I could change this world for the better, but I feel so helpless against society and politicians. Those thoughts reminded me of this quote: "To the world you might be just one person, but to one person you might just be the world." All I can do is my best. All I can do is try to make a difference in my community and the lives of the people around me.
Sunday morning at church, Pastor Kent spoke on John 13:31-35, and I felt like his message was just for me. Isn't it crazy how God works? He is amazing. If I need to hear something, he will make sure that I get the message! The verses are as follows:
"We he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Pastor Kent said that glory comes from giving yourself up; making sacrifices; being humble. All these can be done with an attitude of love. Kent gave 5 suggestions for extending love to one another:
Peace and love.
J
Sunday morning at church, Pastor Kent spoke on John 13:31-35, and I felt like his message was just for me. Isn't it crazy how God works? He is amazing. If I need to hear something, he will make sure that I get the message! The verses are as follows:
"We he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Pastor Kent said that glory comes from giving yourself up; making sacrifices; being humble. All these can be done with an attitude of love. Kent gave 5 suggestions for extending love to one another:
- Offer practical help/assistance. Employ common courtesies.
- Be present. Waste time with each other. Bear each others burdens, believe together, hope together.
- Have real interest. Put aside your own interests and take an interest in what others enjoy.
- Delight in one another. Delight in things with someone else. Share joy.
- Respect. No conditions. Simply - EVERYONE is created in the image of God.
Peace and love.
J
Thursday, February 08, 2007
We are the body of Christ
After listening to bad music on KIIS FM at work all day I hopped into my car for a commute with Casting Crowns. I have their self titled album from 2003 and I LOVE it. When the second track came on I felt convicted by the lyrics. I haven't been acting as the body of Christ in my daily life. I'm not doing horrible things, but I am not honoring Him and loving others to the fullest extent. I think we should all take these words to heart and encourage each other to live like the Body of Christ that we are.
If We Are the Body
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
Jesus is the way
Praise Him!
Julie
If We Are the Body
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
Jesus is the way
Praise Him!
Julie
Friday, February 02, 2007
Fantastic Day
Today was pretty awesome. Today more than EVER I am SO thankful that I live one block from my office. In case you didn't hear, a construction crane fell on the northbound lanes of the 405 freeway today at about 1pm. All lanes were closed. ALL LANES OF THE 405 WERE CLOSED!! for 5 HOURS!! For those of you who don't know LA, the 405 is the lifeblood of So Cal. The only time there is no traffic is probably between 3am and 6am on Sunday. Seriously. As you can imagine, LA was pure madness today. Unfortunately I wasn't actually in my office, so I didn't get to just walk home. I was at a client's office 7 miles away. It took me an hour to get home when it usually takes 30 minutes. Wilshire Blvd East was backed up all the way to Beverly Hills, which is about 5 miles from the 405. Every street leading to Wilshire was backed up. Even though it still took an hour, I was so thankful I didn't still live downtown where I'd probably have to drive 2 hours to get home. The good news is that no one was killed or seriously injured in the accident.
And the most fantastic part of my day is that I'm getting a tax refund of about $1300. Yes, I know this is not good because it means I had too much money withheld for taxes and I didn't earn any interest on this money. I don't care. I AM JUST SO GLAD that I don't owe. I started doing my tax return last week based off my last paycheck, but apparently I had no idea what I was looking at because TurboTax said I owed $400. (I am NOT a tax accountant; I am an auditor.) So praise God that I'm getting a refund because I NEED that money! YAY!!
Peace and love.
J
And the most fantastic part of my day is that I'm getting a tax refund of about $1300. Yes, I know this is not good because it means I had too much money withheld for taxes and I didn't earn any interest on this money. I don't care. I AM JUST SO GLAD that I don't owe. I started doing my tax return last week based off my last paycheck, but apparently I had no idea what I was looking at because TurboTax said I owed $400. (I am NOT a tax accountant; I am an auditor.) So praise God that I'm getting a refund because I NEED that money! YAY!!
Peace and love.
J
Friday, January 19, 2007
SNL Skit
Here's the skit from last week's SNL I mentioned in my last blog...
A Special Message From the President of the United States
Announcer: The following is a special address by the President of the United States.
President George W. Bush: Good evening. Three nights ago, I spoke to you about a new strategy for victory in Iraq. A strategy that involved.. a troop surge. The temporary committment of an additional 21,000 U.S. military personnel. From what I've been told, the plan was very well-received. Most people thought it was a fantastic plan, and would work beautifully if given a chance. Of course, the plan had its critics as well. Some, whothink the solution is to cut and run, oppose deployment of any additional troops to Iraq. Others argue that the troop surge is too small. That 21,000 is not enough to get the job done. And that this plan amounts to a "doubling down" on a bad hand. Upon reflection, I believe these critics are right: 21,000 additional troops is not enough. And, with the very survival of our way of life at stake, this is not a time to merely "double down." It's a time to go "all in."
Accordingly, as Commander-in-Chief, I'm ordering the immediate deployment to Iraq of ALL U.S. military personnel. Whether active duty, or reserve. Including: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and shore patrol. Every single man or woman currently serving in any branch of our armed forces.
In addition, I will use my authority to send to Iraq all other uniformed personnel residing in the U.S., who have training with firearms. Policemen, Corrections Officers, U.S. Marshalls, FBI agents, private security guards, Civil War re-enactors, and, of ocurse, astronauts. And our nation's armed criminal element will have a role as well. The Crips. The Bloods. MS-13, and the Jamaican drug posses, have all been asked to do their part in Iraq, and I have no doubt they will answer their country's call. For this is every American's fight. And, if you wear a uniform, and regularly carry a gun, we need you in Iraq. whether you're a New Jersey state trooper - or Allen Iverson.
And yet, vast as this force will be, it may not be enough to secure victory. That is why I've asked from Congress - and expect to receive - authority to draft other Americans in uniform for service in Iraq. Who are these other Americans? In short, they're our country's true strength. Its forgotten heroes. Though they, too, wear a uniform, we don't usually think of them as defending our freedom. But they do. Everyday. I'm talking about America's firemen, mailmen, park rangers, uniformed sanitation workers, doormen, train conductors, toll booth operators, zookeepers, nursing home attendants, bartenders, Catholic schoolgirls, casino croupiers, limo drivers, shriners, pizza delivery men, exterminators, valet parkers, Explorer Scouts, cleaning ladies, and Century 21 agents. After six weeks of military training, these will join the other troops in Iraq, bringing our total force in that region by Summer to nearly 75 million. Three times the population of the country, and twelve times that of Baghdad. If a force that size can't do the job, well.. we can always add more! [ laughs ]
Critics of this plan will no doubt cite logistical concerns. "How will such a large force be deployed to Iraq?" Well.. surely with a force that size, some kind of discount - or charter fare - would be available. "How would that many troops be fed and housed?" My answer: there are any number of private firms that could handle the job. Personally, I recommend a company called Halliburton. And, finally, "With nearly every able-bodied American, aged 16 through 60, serving in Iraq, who would be left to defend our homeland from attack?" That one's easy. The same people who have been doing it for nearly one-hundred years: the men and women of the Texas Air National Guard.
Thank you. And, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night."
A Special Message From the President of the United States
Announcer: The following is a special address by the President of the United States.
President George W. Bush: Good evening. Three nights ago, I spoke to you about a new strategy for victory in Iraq. A strategy that involved.. a troop surge. The temporary committment of an additional 21,000 U.S. military personnel. From what I've been told, the plan was very well-received. Most people thought it was a fantastic plan, and would work beautifully if given a chance. Of course, the plan had its critics as well. Some, whothink the solution is to cut and run, oppose deployment of any additional troops to Iraq. Others argue that the troop surge is too small. That 21,000 is not enough to get the job done. And that this plan amounts to a "doubling down" on a bad hand. Upon reflection, I believe these critics are right: 21,000 additional troops is not enough. And, with the very survival of our way of life at stake, this is not a time to merely "double down." It's a time to go "all in."
Accordingly, as Commander-in-Chief, I'm ordering the immediate deployment to Iraq of ALL U.S. military personnel. Whether active duty, or reserve. Including: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and shore patrol. Every single man or woman currently serving in any branch of our armed forces.
In addition, I will use my authority to send to Iraq all other uniformed personnel residing in the U.S., who have training with firearms. Policemen, Corrections Officers, U.S. Marshalls, FBI agents, private security guards, Civil War re-enactors, and, of ocurse, astronauts. And our nation's armed criminal element will have a role as well. The Crips. The Bloods. MS-13, and the Jamaican drug posses, have all been asked to do their part in Iraq, and I have no doubt they will answer their country's call. For this is every American's fight. And, if you wear a uniform, and regularly carry a gun, we need you in Iraq. whether you're a New Jersey state trooper - or Allen Iverson.
And yet, vast as this force will be, it may not be enough to secure victory. That is why I've asked from Congress - and expect to receive - authority to draft other Americans in uniform for service in Iraq. Who are these other Americans? In short, they're our country's true strength. Its forgotten heroes. Though they, too, wear a uniform, we don't usually think of them as defending our freedom. But they do. Everyday. I'm talking about America's firemen, mailmen, park rangers, uniformed sanitation workers, doormen, train conductors, toll booth operators, zookeepers, nursing home attendants, bartenders, Catholic schoolgirls, casino croupiers, limo drivers, shriners, pizza delivery men, exterminators, valet parkers, Explorer Scouts, cleaning ladies, and Century 21 agents. After six weeks of military training, these will join the other troops in Iraq, bringing our total force in that region by Summer to nearly 75 million. Three times the population of the country, and twelve times that of Baghdad. If a force that size can't do the job, well.. we can always add more! [ laughs ]
Critics of this plan will no doubt cite logistical concerns. "How will such a large force be deployed to Iraq?" Well.. surely with a force that size, some kind of discount - or charter fare - would be available. "How would that many troops be fed and housed?" My answer: there are any number of private firms that could handle the job. Personally, I recommend a company called Halliburton. And, finally, "With nearly every able-bodied American, aged 16 through 60, serving in Iraq, who would be left to defend our homeland from attack?" That one's easy. The same people who have been doing it for nearly one-hundred years: the men and women of the Texas Air National Guard.
Thank you. And, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night."
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