Public Serviced Annoucement Part Two

My resignation email to the management group didn't turn out to be a lamer version of the original. I'm not sure how it was received because stupidly, I sent it right before I went to turn in my laptop and forgot to set the reply to address to a different email. But I doubt that people respond to these emails anyways. I also stupidly cc-ed everyone instead of bcc. I suppose that could be one that you could send a message to those who outed you or you just plain don't like. (Only two fit into that category- at least that I can think of at the moment)

One thing that I do wish that I had done, that I didn't consider, is sending a message to all those who I worked with outside of my office. There were a few of them. Oh well. I can get a hold of those folks another way.

I should post my KPMG email in here sometime. That was was pretty fun to write too. Who know that I was so good at writing these good bye emails- or so I've been told. Hopefully it won't be a skill that I will be using often.
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Hi Friends at the Manager, Senior Manager, Partner and Scheduling positions:

As all of you already know, the current mass TSRS senior exodus ends today with my and Eric D___'s departures. I'm glad to hear that none of you have become so panicked to go and set overturned couches or cars ablaze. We are not in Columbus, Ohio, where that would have occurred.

Now that you all have had a few weeks to recover/ get used to the gapping holes created by of all the departures, some more, eloquent thoughts for you:

My deepest and sincerest thanks to each of you who have offered a listening ear, friendly smile, or whimsical emoticon through the long hours and seemingly never-ending test procedures. Your leadership and support has undoubtedly been treasured. Thank you for marking my time in Atlanta with your great friendships and great professional lessons. I wish you all the best- where ever your journeys in this life take you and end. I have learned a lot from all of you. I may have introvert tendencies but do know that I have watched, listened and learned.

Today is my last day here at E&Y and this weekend also marks my departure from Atlanta.

My next adventure takes me to Georgetown this fall, where I will be pursuing my MBA. If you should find yourself in the DC Metro area in the future, please don’t be a stranger! We can join the legions of others who have shared stories of battle and triumph in the haunts of DC.
Please stay in touch! I can be reached at ______.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need to pick my brain about any of my clients. I’ll do my best to remember what I can to help the next senior/ staff if I have not yet replaced that client information with “What is a Hoya?” (Lamest joke ever- but I guess Georgetown isn't known for producing great comedians)

Cheers!
Sabrina

Atlanta to Tampa Trek

On Sunday, my brother and I made our trek back to Florida. I call it a trek because it became one by virtue of my car not having air conditioning. Yes, you read that right. Here in the South, I didn't have AC in my vehicle for over 2 months. Summer became sticky, sweaty and well, mostly spent inside with errands consolidated. It quickly reminded me of my childhood summers in Taiwan, where AC is a luxury, only to be turned on when the heat and humidity is unbearable or one is trying to get some rest with an afternoon nap. If only I could have strapped a window unit into my car.

With temperatures in the high 90's for the last month or so and my car thermometer seemingly happy to report that asphalt can hit over 100 when baking in the sun, we were faced with perhaps the hottest and most uncomfortable ride ever. Thankfully I took my father's advice and we left early in the morning- 4 AM early.

For kicks, we decided to take sporatic photos of the time and the temperature as we cruised along I-75 southbound. (Mostly when someone was wake and not driving to take them.) The ride was nice and cool and with few cars on the road, made it an easy drive. We arrived home in just under 7 hours. A few bathroom breaks and a trip to McD's added a few minutes, but it was still a good fast drive.

For the first 4 hours or so, the temperatures hovered between 72-76. Keep in mind that this would have been around the 4:30-8:30 AM time slot. Despite what the first photo says- it was taken on the gravel parking area of CB and SP's house- the starting temp was 72 when we hit the Connector.

It finally started feeling a little hot around High Springs/ Lake City, FL when the temps were in the mid 80's- steady and rising.

We pulled into Tampa as the thermometer flirted on and off with 90 and the dark clouds were rolling in for a morning shower.

Ah, Florida.

My Life in a Box

My life stuffed in 10 x 10 storage unit. Well, most it and then some (F's mattress and dresser and a few boxes for him). Longest transition ever.

Last Day at EY

My last day at EY was much different than what I had expected. The last time I left a firm, I came in, turned in my stuff, and left. This time, I was really nervous- heart pounding nervous. I think its because I know that I'm leaving something that I've been doing for awhile and jumping into the unknown. I hadn't had any conscious reactions to this idea until yesterday.

It's not unusual to have the feeling that there isn't enough time to get everything done at work. There never is. But yesterday, as I was sending my final goodbye email, saving my performance reviews and getting ready to turn in my laptop, I felt like I was never going to get everything that I needed done. I didn't have enough time. Even with my exit checkout pushed back an hour, I felt anxious, nervous and rushed. But in this case, time was up for good. I made it out in 4 hours, a little longer than planned, but done nonetheless- closing out my time in Atlanta and in public accounting.

One last thing worth mentioning is the PCABO's review of Earthlink's 2008 audit file. Seeing CC in a tie with purple flowers minus is cowboy boots was quite a sight. But AF and my hard work on the audit was clear and concise. CC got 2 questions related to the IT portion of the audit- both related to the GAMx tool. That's right folks, my first clean audit with a passing grade from the PCAOB- no questions on procedures or documentation or strategy. That's got to be a record! EPICALLY AWESOME.

Relief- none in sight

Applications submitted- check
Interviews completed- check
Admitted to schools- check
Deposit submitted- check
Resignation given- check
Work wrapped up- check
Belongings stored- check
Last day complete- check

I keep waiting for this feeling of relief to come- satisfaction that I completed something- like the way you felt playing Super Mario Brothers and opened up a new stage. Throughout all of this, I kept thinking that at any given moment or stage in this whole process, busy season included too, that at one point I'd feel good about what I had done and that I had accomplished something. I got accepted into several programs. I was offered a scholarship. I'm going to Georgetown. That feeling has yet to hit me. I'm still waiting for it.

If anything has hit me, it is UTTER EXHAUSTION. The stress of wrapping up my work and moving has manifested itself in organizing things and cleaning things. Now that I finally put the last of my belongings that I won't need in July into storage, I'm STILL waiting for that feeling of accomplishment and relief and LOOKING FORWARD to it.

I contend that moving back to the FL will finally bring some relief and peace of mind. But I suspect that it might not really come until I'm moved into DC-- still several weeks down the road. I've never considered myself to be a dramatic person, but this sure does feel dramatic. ridiculous and self-inflicted.

Here's to hoping that sun and sand and family brings relief and relaxation.