Figures...

>

> Tonight at 515pm...
>
> Me: 'Summer I'm about to miss my flight to Atlanta... There's
> another which leaves an hour later so standby for updates.'
>
> Summer: 'well you wouldn't be a Zackrison if you didn't miss a
> flight now and then!'
>
> Ah she knows me too well... But in my defense, I've gotten much
> better! I'm just adjusting to some new airports...
>
> So excited for the weekend in Atlanta!

Sweet.

These lovelies are out on the EA's desk which is to the left of mine. She's not in today and I'm hidden from view from the hallway. I get a kick seeing how many people come by and take a handful of these m&ms when they think no one is watching. Also interesting: who uses the spoon instead of their hands and who are the main repeat customers.


Oh the little joys of life.

Yesterday I had to be in our downtown office which is steps away from the White House. We finished up at 4:30pm and most people rushed out to beat traffic home (if that is even possible...). I instead took the time to check off some of the DC Walks on my list. I snapped this little shot of the White House. You know, just walking around after work, running into the White House, no big deal. :-) I really enjoy living here.

Last weekend I made the trek out to the DC temple and stopped by the house I lived in for the first 5 years of life. It was very lovely. Note to self: the iPhone gives you the route which is lowest in miles, nonetheless surface streets and backroads from Arlington, VA to Kensington, MD is NOT very efficient...

What a way to start a morning.

I can't believe my luck.

This morning I went to bootcamp so I was up and ready to go to work very early/on time. I wasn't far from my neighborhood when I was pulled over by an Arlington police officer. Apparently, I had rolled through a stop sign while turning right (very likely...) and I was not wearing my seat belt (I wasn't on the freeway yet, I would've gotten around to it...).

He took my license, info, etc and wrote me up a ticket for both offenses. As I waited, I was mostly bummed about the fact that my clear record was going to be ruined right when I'm about to start paying my own car insurance. Lame.

You see, in the exactly 8 years that I've had a license I have only received 1 traffic ticket. All the other times I've been pulled over, I've been given only a warning. Can you believe that?? I can't explain how I have been this lucky but for some reason I am always able to get out with just a warning. I hope this is some kind of magical, life-long ability! My one ticket was for a carpool violation the summer of 2002. I've had a sparkling, spotless record ever since, of which I'm very proud. I've more than made up for it in parking tickets, but that's besides the point.

I figured my streak would end sooner or later. Officer Peart brought my two citations back to my car and we chatted a bit about having just moved here, the procedures for contesting a ticket should I choose to (that's when I said "uhh but I WASN'T wearing my seatbelt, how can I contest that?"), I asked if I could just pay today instead of waiting for the court date, etc.

As we were about to part ways he said "You know what, I'm going to go ahead and switch these two tickets to official warnings instead of citations. You seem like a nice person. Welcome to Virginia." He extended his hand for a welcome shake and I happily drove away.

Which means, officially, as of today...

I've been pulled over 13 times and only received 1 ticket!!!

Dear June,

I miss you! Almost all the time. I hope you don't forget me!

Love,
Rachel Z.

What's the date again?

Today I spent a lovely birthday lunch in the mall with Steve & IeLi,
MeiLi & Stephen (thank you so much you guys!). As I was walking
through Neiman Marcus to get back to the office (yeah, pretty awesome
right?) I realized I was walking through a department store that is
fully decked out for the holidays. What? It's not even Halloween
yet! Seems like a bit of a stretch to me...

First day of work.

Today was my first day on the job! Exciting times.

Mostly it was a long, cold day in a conference room.. I had a hard time staying awake so I'll have to make sure to get more sleep in general. It was really nice to have a fellow BYU-er Ben starting his first day today too. Having even one friendly face in a room makes all the difference. I am very happy to have this job and I think I'll be able to work on some great projects. I'm so lucky for that.

Anyway, posting over the next while will be sparse. Sorry! Just don't have any wind in my sails for this right now...

2,316 miles later....

And I'm in DC!!

I didn't realize I hadn't blogged in so long... I know I'm much overdue for an update. I have lots to share about the drive, our weekend in Annapolis, my transition, etc. So I promise updates over the next few days.

But just know I'm here, I'm getting set up, I'm trying to get everything taken care of before work starts on Monday. CZ comes out this weekend for a fly-out which will be so much fun!!


Overall, I'm nervous, excited, happy, sad, annoyed, intrigued. Much to follow...

The Informant.

Have you heard of Matt Damon's new movie The Informant? I've seen commercials and thought it looked mildly funny. But after listening to this week's podcast, seeing the movie became a high priority.

The current This American Life podcast is about Mark Whitacre of a company called ADM. It's about a scheme he was involved in with price fixing and how he went under cover for the FBI to reveal this crime. His company was fixing the price of a corn derivative which happens to be in just about everything we eat (Read In Defense of Food and see King Corn for more on that...).

Anyway, this podcast was really good and I think you should listen to it. A very fascinating story. You can download it for free HERE, but only until Sunday. After that you'll have to pay for the podcast.

We listened to the podcast on the way to and from bootcamp. Once back in Provo, we drove straight to the movie theatre to see the film version of the story we had just heard. I really enjoyed it all, and I'm still not sure why it was rated R.

Enjoy!!

Utah State Fair!

I'm working my way through the list of suggestions everyone made about what I should spend my final time doing. One thing I knew I had to do was visit the Utah State Fair! Kirstin posted about it here.

Foot-long corndog. Once a year so why not?

This is the butter one cow produces in a year.

Also, when asked "what food does butter go with?" the number one answer was corn (52%) with the second being bread (36%). I don't think corn would have made my top 5 answers, although it is a good combo.

Halloween spirit
Driving home.

Now it's back to heads-down CPA studying so my life excitement will diminish greatly...

New header!!

I have finally fixed my header! Following Annee's recommendation, I asked Alyssa of The Tip Top Shop for help. She came up with a design incorporating what I already had and put together this lovely piece. It's cute don't you think? She is so good, you should all let her re-vamp your header. Fast, easy, creative.

I've linked above to the store's blog/shop and I'll add a button to the sidebar as soon as I figure out how to do that.

Thanks so much!!

What would YOU do?

I need you to complete the following statement:

If I did not have to work* full-time today I would _______________ .

I fully realize I am in a unique period of life where I have very little to do. Unfortunately I'm running low on ideas. The most exciting thing I did today was buy bread at Great Harvest. And gas at Chevron. And exercise. And listen to Oprah's Best Life podcast. Studying for the CPA exam often does feel like a full-time job, but there's still room to squeeze in whatever else I want. I'm trying to take full advantage of the next 6 weeks before I start working.

But what should I do?

I want your suggestion, I want to know what YOU would do. Because maybe I want to do that too. So give me an idea. (And ask your neighbor to give me an idea too!) I'll do it, and report back.


*Obviously, raising children is full-time work. And so is school. Etc.

Obama's speech to the students.

Have you read it? I really liked it. Uplifting, motivational, encouraging. What was all the fuss about? Lame.

I would've sent my kids to school. Afterall, he is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and all. That deserves respect.

Our kids should have exposure to leaders of our country. Fifty years ago when asked what they wanted to be when they grew up kids often said "President of the United States." Nowadays, the #1 answer is more along the lines of "Britney Spears." Not awesome.


*This is a comment I left on lovely Lindsay's blog post back in August which I've adapted to include here on my own blog, with the links the comment section wouldn't allow me to include.

*Over the last several years, I have been frustrated and disappointed by the lack of respect for our president that was so widespread in society and especially the media. It was completely socially acceptable to bash on President Bush for ANY and no reason. It got to a really disgusting point in my opinion. (You could not watch 2 minutes of early morning or late-night television without hearing something stupid and rude) And people were, just like you mentioned, HAPPY to see him fail. Failure served as some sort of self-vindication of one’s position. That is sad. I think the fact that we see this same behavior transferring to the other side of the political spectrum is a bit of a tit-for-tat type game, “getting back at each other” so to speak for the Republicans putting up with so much open criticism of the leader affiliated with their party.

I am 100% behind you in the sentiment that we need to teach our children to have respect for authority. Whether criticism is warranted or not, there is a certain level of decorum and respect that is owed to our leaders. As members of the church we should be great examples of showing respect for proper authority, whether that be God, the President of the United States, a Senator, the President of the Church or even the president of our local relief society.

In traditional Asian cultures, they have a great awe and admiration for their older and wiser members of society. This perspective and reverence has been ingrained in children from a very young age. We could learn a major lesson from that culture as it seems a similar respect for elders, wisdom and authority no longer exists in America. (And sadly, it’s fading a bit in those Asian cultures as well… Remember that talk Elder Wirthlin gave about the tsunami coming in Indonesia? The people were saved because the elders of the society knew the signs and got everyone out of the way.)

You’re right that although one may not agree with a position or a decision, there is still a measure of respect due to any human being, let alone the President of our country. I have tried to channel all my frustration with the treatment of President Bush into focusing on speaking respectfully of President Obama, despite the ways I may disagree with his positions or tactics. And hopefully, if/when a Republican holds the office of President again, people will remember to extend the same courtesy back to the other side.

My whole world fits into a 6x7x8 box.

It is finished!! Can you believe it?? I FINALLY loaded all my belongings into this pod which will be magically transported across the country and stored until I am ready for it. I just realized I left out two items: my bike and my tall brown boots in Sarah's basement, both of which I'll add into the tiny spot at the front.

Javier and Victor were immensely helpful. They approached the challenge like a puzzle, working hard to fit everything in. And they were VERY careful with my furniture, which can't be said for the college kids who helped me last week. (I won't post a picture of the top of my red desk because it will make me cry... They put my dresser on top of the desk and slid it all the way across. DEEP gashes. Definitely angry about that...) They also helped mom and dad load and unload tons of stuff at their house and in storage. Seriously, if you need help with that sort of thing, call Javier: 801-953-9147.


It is such a relief to have this task completed. Seriously it was preventing me from thinking, blogging, sleeping, party planning, CPA studying and just general life enjoying. But now it is done.

I still haven't figured out where in DC I will be living, but there is still time and I've got some leads I'm following. Hopefully CZ will join the great Zackrison eastward migration with a winter internship for PwC. Wouldn't that be awesome? Steve, CZ and I would have to have a mini family photo shoot in the office to celebrate.

Over the next 5-6 weeks that I am in Provo I will be studying for and taking 2 more sections of the CPA exam and trying to enjoy life before I begin full-time work. This "enjoying" will include naps and mid-day movies, time with the Wiley children, and hopefully the Utah State Fair. I've been working out with this running/exercise group every morning in Draper for the last 2 months and that will certainly continue until the day I leave. It's great. I've even gotten over the drive.

Anyway, I feel better about life now. I predict that will translate into more posting. Stay tuned.

August 17, 18, 19 - If you don't have anything nice to say...

...Then don't say anything at all.

That's my only explanation for the lack of posting over the last couple days.

August 16 - Nothing newsworthy...

I really wanted to do a post that was not "Today I did..." I was revving up to write a reflection about a recent post on my sister's blog. But I never completed transferring my thoughts to paper so that'll have to wait...

I am happy to report I passed the BEC section of the CPA exam!! It is such a relief to have that behind me forever. I am studying for the Audit exam now which I will take on Friday.

Education Week begins tomorrow but I think I'll have to miss out on most of it to focus on memorizing, which really bums me out. We'll see how much I can squeeze in around the edges.


In other news, work is progressing nicely at my parent's house. Hopefully it will be in good shape for their return to America this weekend.

August 15 - New shoes and a wedding.

Today my best friend from school Logan married long time gf Caitlin. He is one of my favorite people and they are one of my favorite couples and I've spent hours and hours talking over the situation with Logan over the years. It was a delight to finally see them married and go to their wedding up in Log Haven. Such a classy evening.


For their guest book, they had their engagement and bridal pictures made into a photo book with a full-page photo facing a blank page for people to sign. It was the best idea I've seen for a guest book in a long time. Definitely filing that idea away.


I finally had a good excuse to wear my new favorite shows, my souvenir from Nice, France this May. I wore it with a new score of a dress from H&M. Few things make me feel as happy as dressing up in a new outfit.

August 14 - Kids and bridal shower fun!

I had a great time today playing with the Wiley children and celebrating Whitney's upcoming wedding at her bridal shower. It's great to get back into the swing of things in town. Although more than once I thought and openly talked about today being Monday. Umm not quite...

August 13 - Back in Utah.

Today I was loving Utah. Fully and completely.


After spending many long days exposed to full elements in long-term parking my car was in serious need of a washing. With blue skies above I decided a quick pass through the $7 wash was in order. A few hours later, I walked out of Smith's into a glorious downpour, the kind of flash attack rain storms I've only otherwise experienced in Orlando. As ironic and unfortunate as this timing is, I can not be angry. Rain storms of this sort are part of most of my "perfect day" fabrications.

Imagine my further delight (read: my decision to be delighted about the inconvenient turn of events) when my car refused to start , a sort of revolt against the evening's busy-ness, and I was given the excuse to sit and listen and enjoy the storm in full 360 degree reality before walking home with the groceries.

In the evening, I spent much longer than was needed chopping, measuring, preparing with exactness THIS Chicken Pot Pie recipe. Yesterday while stranded on the JFK runway for two. full. hours. our mouths watered as we watched Bobby Flay Throwdown with the Casserole Queens. Testing the recipe made it onto today's to-do list, a decision which proved extremely wise.

I enjoyed being back in Utah's dry, blustery climate so much today. (A very welcome change after too many days fighting the humidity hair frizz of the east coast - ugh!) Days like today clarify just how completely this place has become "home." The transformation from detachment to comfort was slow and slight, but I've settled into such a peace in this place that the thought of change is occasionally (read: constantly) overwhelming.

However, I must remember that just as this place has become a part of me, so can another locale. As long as I have

something to do,
someone to love, and
something to look forward to

I am confident I can create a blissful situation wherever I am.

August 12 - Farewell for now.

Wednesday I bid farewell to the east coast and began the (long) journey back to the mountain west.

It was a very, very long day with many hours spent waiting and being delayed in airports. It was the kind of travel day that makes you re-think one's love of travel altogether. (And truly if I hear the words "ladies and gentlemen we've been asked to divert to a holding pattern" one more time I'm pretty sure I'll lose it for good...)


Overall, the trip was a lovely little excursion and I'm glad I took the time to do it. I finished off another Jane Austen book en route and this quote stuck out to me as a very accurate description of life:

Edward was now fixed at the cottage at least for a week. For whatever other claims might be made on him it was impossible that less than a week should be given up to the enjoyment of his Eleanor's company or suffice to say half that was to be said between them about the past, the present, and the future. For though a very few hours in the hard labor of incessant talking will dispatch more topics than can really be in common between any two rational creatures, yet with lovers it is different. Between them no subject is finished, no communication is even made til it has been made at least 20 times over.

-- Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility.

Don't you find that to be true? Spending extended amounts of time outside of normal daily activities with Ken really puts this quote in clear focus for me. No matter how many times we've talked and laughed and been astonished and surprised and delighted and frustrated by a story or a situation, all the feelings seem anew when we talk it over again and again. How truly fortunate that we never get tired of experiencing (and then talking over) life with each other.

August 11 - Fashion forward.

On Tuesday I ventured out to window shop on my favorite street in the city...

And into my favorite store on the street, Kate Spade!

While browsing H&M I spotted a dress I bought mega on sale in Europe last year confirming my theory that American clothing is exactly one year behind European clothing.

A parting message from Paper Source