Finished UNIVERSITY

I completed my Master's in July. The whole experience was rather odd: I actually talked to many of my classmates and made a lot of new friends in the process. This is actually pretty weird considering that everyone had their own little groups and there was little interaction/a lot of competition between the groups. I guess the thought of "never seeing these people again" (even though we all work in the same circle) made people friendlier. Academically, it was a lot of friggin work and research, and I had a few sleepless nights... but it wasn't all that difficult. The life lesson that I learnt from this is that nothing is hard as it seems - I honestly didn't think I would make it this far when I was in first year. Oh well, it's done and I don't want to be doin' no more degrees for the next while.

Studying for the Uniform Final Exam (UFE)

For those of you who are not in accounting, the UFE is the last educational component (besides on-going professional development hours) in order to become a Chartered Accountant. I'm currently studying for this exam in Waterloo at the moment, and I'll be here until I finish writing the 3-day exam on September 20. While I can't really stand being in Waterloo that much longer, I figured that I should study and write the exam in the surroundings in which I wrote all my other university exams. I hope that I'll be considered "competent" by the licensing board (you basically fail the UFE when you're labelled to be of "nominal competenece").

Moving Downtown in March

Now THIS is exciting news ! My parents lent me a down payment for a condo near the Rogers Centre/Skydome. It's not big at all (1 bedroom, 580 sq. ft.), but the building is really nice and it's in a good location. However, the catch is that I can't live there until March. Clara's landlord sold her unit, so she and her husband are getting kicked out at the end of August. They bought a new house up in Markham, but it's not built until March. Since it's hard to find a half-year lease from August to March, they are going to live in my unit until their new house is built. While it kinda sux not being able to move in immediately, it gives me some time to save up some money before my monthly cash flow is drained by mortgage payments. Oh well, it gives me time to plan and drool over nice furniture.

Joined facebook

This isn't really a big deal, but look what I found there:

I don't look all that different even 18 years later. I still remember that I looked over because someone opened the gymnasium door - I was NOT checking anyone out !!