Angela & Australia

Big thing – I’m graduating! Graduation ceremony is on August 23, 2008. 

Work experience – I’ve been doing my work experience with this CPA public practice in Carlton for a while now (from late January this year). Recently my boss asked me if I want to change to a part time staff or a more long-term staff. I explained my situation to him and said I wanted to do CA. He said he understands and he can be my referee. – Hard work pays. He increased my pay and I will start to get some superannuation too from August 1.  

Contract/part time job – Currently I am a Tax Consultant in H&R BLOCK – yes, it’s tax season now, till October. I love this job – I think it’s fun to meet different people and talk with them about their tax returns – accounting is not only about the numbers, also about how to explain myself and communicate with clients efficiently. For example, there were the times when the client doesn’t have enough information on the spot. How to explain the whole situation properly and make the client happy to come back for another appointment is essential. I’ve had a client coming back claiming that he only wants ME to continue doing his return, where really, he could have continued to do his return with anyone in the office. There was another client said: “you’ve done an excellent job! I’m very impressed!” after his return. A lot of others said they would love to come back to see me again next year. One of my co-workers told me that I’m doing very well for my first year. ^_^ I’m so proud of myself. I will continue to work hard, to leave myself a beautiful mark with H&R BLOCK.  

Other stuff –

-I’m starting to look for a full time job in a CA firm now. Hope I can find one before October.

-I’m still volunteering with my uni as a student mentor for new students. Also I’m planning to volunteer for Melbourne City Romp again this year in October.

-I still party with friends occasionally – ok, maybe not occasionally – as usual, and try to be open to make new friends whenever I can.

-Oh, yes, two weeks ago, I had an argument with one of my housemates on rubbish issues (literally), and for the first time ever in my life, I experienced someone pointing at me and swearing at me, calling me a f***ing idiot. I stood up for myself and Brett (my landlord and friend) really helped me a lot over this. I kinda used the lesson I leant in my undergraduate in China – be strong and stand up for myself. If people don’t respect me, they don’t deserve me to be nice and caring to them. We sorta had a family discussion later about the issues and now I’m over it.

-and hmm… I can’t think of anything else so far.  

L8r.

I am a Sex and the City fan. I'm expecting the movie. Here's an interesting piece of news that I read on MSN (http://lifestyle.msn.com/beautyandfashion/cosmosexandthecity/articlecosmo.aspx?cp-documentid=7410497) today: Love Lessons from Sex and the City

 

Case study: Miranda and Steve
When Miranda met bartender Steve Brady, she was skeptical as usual. He was nice (and easy on the eyes) but clearly not relationship material. Not surprisingly, their divergent careers created problems: conflicting schedules, fights about money, and different outlooks on life. Miranda could have deleted his number from her BlackBerry, but ultimately, his laid-back personality and devotion won her over. The unlikely pair started a family and eventually tied the knot.
Lesson #1: Date against your type.

Case study: Carrie and Aidan
Hot furniture designer Aidan was everything Carrie thought she wanted in a man: emotionally available, honest, and ready to commit. Aidan wanted Carrie to meet his parents, have the keys to his apartment, and eventually be his wife. She attempted to change by quitting smoking (and nixing her addiction to Mr. Big), giving country life a shot, and wearing his engagement ring around her neck. But no matter how hard Carrie tried, she couldn't commit to any of it. While Aidan seemed perfect on paper, he wasn't the ideal guy for Carrie.
Lesson #2: Don't change for a man, no matter what.

Case study: Charlotte and Trey
An optimist with a very romantic view of love, Charlotte believed her dreams had come true when she was literally rescued by the single, wealthy, and handsome Dr. Trey MacDougal. Despite some major red flags — a lackluster marriage proposal, a meddling mother-in-law, and a sexless honeymoon — Charlotte was determined to make the relationship work. Although she gave it her all, their union still failed.
Lesson #3: Never ignore the warning signs that tell you a relationship isn't working.

Case study: Carrie and Berger
Witty writer Jack Berger had these famous last words for Carrie, written on a Post-it note: "I'm sorry, I can't. Don't hate me." After the abrupt end to their short, rocky relationship, Carrie vowed to spend the same amount of time getting over her breakup as Berger had spent ending it. If only it were that easy. Though Carrie managed to avoid him, she ended up melting down in front of his friends, which undoubtedly got back to him. She learned that it's better to face the music (or in her case, the Post-it note) and get it over with.
Lesson #4: As painful as breakups can be, you have to mourn before moving on.

Case study: Samantha and Smith
Samantha's dating philosophy: "I'm a trysexual. I'll try anything once." Her only rule was to never fall in love. She was so set in her man-eating ways that when she scouted and seduced a gorgeous waiter at a raw food restaurant, she didn't even ask his name. She encouraged the struggling young actor to play out his sexual fantasies and took him under her wing professionally, changing his name to Smith Jerrod and making him the Absolut Hunk. Somewhere between sex and stardom, Samantha fell in love and eventually confessed to Smith, "You've meant more to me than any man I have ever known."
Lesson #5: Dare to fall in love.

Case study: Carrie and Mr. Big
Sure, Carrie might have done some of the chasing, but in the end it was Mr. Big who showed up at her door the day she left New York City for Paris. Angry that his timing was always off, she screamed, "Forget you know my number! In fact, forget you know my name!" But he didn't give up. He called to tell her he loved her, and fortunately, Charlotte was there to answer his desperate call. The next day, he met the ladies for brunch and admitted, "You're the loves of her life, and a guy would be lucky to come in fourth." With their blessing, Mr. Big went to Paris to get "their" girl.
Lesson #6: Let him chase you.

Case study: Carrie
The eternal single girl had her share of romances, chronicled in her weekly column, but the truest love story is the one she wrote for herself. Bad luck and messy breakups were de rigueur in Carrie's life. By surviving the pitfalls — a Manolo-mugging, a computer crash, and a very embarrassing fashion fall — Carrie gained the confidence and strength to continue her search for true love. "The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself," she said. "And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."
Lesson #7: Be fearlessly single.