Finance

I can't remember if I've ever panicked about this on the blog, but the last several months, I have been feeling increasingly worried about not having learned or knowing anything about finance (personal or otherwise) and investing. Learning about investing is somewhat useless at this point in time as I don't actually have much time and/or money to do it properly, but I decided to rectify the other part (and gain some marketable job skills in the process) by taking a course in the financing of healthcare organizations. It's an introductory course, so a lot of the class focuses on basic accounting principles and analysis, which is nice as those can be applicable to my personal finances as well. But oh man, for someone whose complete understanding of finance came from a semester-long Economics class (macro and micro and a weird giant project that as far as I know had only the smallest bit to do with actual economics) in high school, it's intense and hard work.

Relevant xkcd.
However, I love it. At the beginning of the semester one of my friends said, "There's something very satisfying about balanced books. You'll see," and I didn't believe her at the time. I never thought I'd say this, but I really enjoyed learning to produce the different kinds of financial statements. Loans and bonds, however, are just are boring as I'd anticipated.

I'm excited to be learning a new skill, though! Especially in a sort of self-propagated way! I mean, I know nobody in their right mind is going to hire me as an accountant based on my new-found skills, but it's rewarding enough that now I can see something previously unfamiliar presented and at least have a vague idea of what's going on (and know that I have that vague idea because I took the initiative to try and learn the thing). Are there new skills/crafts/trades that you've picked up? How'd you go about learning them?

Fall Beer

If there was one fall thing I hardcore felt I missed out on prior to turning 21, it has to be pumpkin beer. The insanely delicious taste of pumpkin mixed with perfect blends of spices after a long day of class or work is divine.
People are surprised to learn that I basically didn't drink any beer until I moved to North Carolina last year. I'd tried some kinds, but nothing had really grown on me before and the best I could stomach was a Blue Moon. Then a roommate last year introduced me to the what-seems-like-bazillions of local breweries and all their fall beers (pumpkin, harvest spice, maple, etc.) and I hate to phrase it that I was hooked, but I was hooked. What are your favorite beers?

Newport Weekend!

Just after I got back from South Africa, I was super graciously invited by N's family to vacation with them in Newport Beach. As it was my first time spending much time with his family, I was kind of a Nervous Nelly. I meticulously planned out every outfit I would wear, checking and re-checking them for potential indecency, made sure I bought his parents a cool gift from South Africa, and tried to be on my politest behavior. Turns out, I was worried about nothing. It was a fantastic few days filled with beach time, all kinds of food, and seeing old Cali friends. =]

The view from their condo! Oh, SoCal, you'll always have my heart.

I demanded we find a place that had pollo asada fries. Was not disappointed.

I might have had some difficulty deciding which salsa to try first.

Point of these posts, I REALLY MISS CALIFORNIA.