#cpa october 2019

[gabrielalozano]

— BASICS

Name: Iris Gabriela Lozano Age / D.O.B.: 35 / October 27, 1988 Gender, Pronouns & Sexuality: Cis woman, She/her, & Pansexual Hometown: New York City, New York Affiliation: The Cortázar Cartel Job position: Bookkeeper Education: Bachelors in Accounting from the University of Southern California, CPA certification for the state of New York Relationship status: Single Children: None Positive traits: Clever, Diplomatic, Loyal, Determined, Charismatic Negative traits: Cocky, Resentful, Possessive, Jealous, Obsessive

— BIOGRAPHY TW: Kidnapping, hostage situation, parental death

Iris Gabriela Lozano was the light of her father’s life, even if she didn’t take his last name. He insisted, for her protection, because he had enemies in high places and he would do anything in his power to protect his child, his precious flower. Her parents were never married, never even really together other than their shared love for Gabriela. It made it easier to hide her out of harm’s way, to become less of a target to those who might try and retaliate against her father.

Gabriela grew up tangentially to the gang life. She was aware of what her father did, even if he never discussed it when he took her out to dinner or spent the day with her. She was fourteen when she learned how deeply her father’s involvement with The Brotherhood ran. Someone figured out the connection between Gabriela and her father and picked her up out of her school. She spent 39 hours huddled in the basement of an abandoned house while a man tried to ransom her off to her father. When the ordeal was finally over, Gabriela and her mother were sent to Arizona, to stay far away from the city and away from the life he was involved in. After that point, Gabriela had very little contact with him, and she begins to go by Gabriela instead of Iris.

She only learns years later that three years after she leaves the city, he finally takes his revenge against the person behind her kidnapping, a fellow gang member who felt threatened by his rise within the ranks of the Brotherhood. The result is his expulsion from the gang, and the creation of the Cortázar Cartel.

Gabriela has no knowledge of any of this, and she spends her teenage years living a very normal and boring life. She goes to public high school and gets accepted into a great university. She rushes a sorority and has her heart broken by her first serious boyfriend after college. She graduates and accepts a job at one of the Big Four accounting firms, auditing and reviewing the financial records of some of the biggest companies in the world. It should be perfect. It’s boring.

Gabriela lasts in that life for almost 8 years, going to work every day and coming home to her cat in the evening. She fits in disturbingly well but feels like she’s living a shadow of a life. The charade breaks in 2019 when she hears of her father for the first time in almost twenty years. Gabriela returns to New York to attend his funeral. She listens to the story of his life, how he was pushed out of the Brotherhood for doing what any man would do when his family is threatened, and how he decided to form his own gang instead. She learns about the Cartel, and instantly finds the connection that she’s been craving for so long. A family and a home that feels real.

Gabriela returns to her hometown and joins the Cartel, starting from the bottom ranks and working her way up. She keeps her heritage quiet, and she wants no favors or handouts, looking to understand her father’s organization how it is meant to be. Gabriela has held various positions within the Cartel, but her training made her the logical fit to handle the gang’s books. She manages the Cartel’s finances from its various revenue sources, both legitimate and illegal, and does what she can to keep the organization afloat. She is watching and biding her time to see how the Cartel grows, determined to ensure that her father’s legacy remains intact.

— WANTED CONNECTIONS / PLOTS CARTEL ASSOCIATES - Anyone who is Cartel or Cartel-affiliated. Gabriela can be pretty stingy with the pocketbook and while she enjoys the extravagance associated with the Cartel, she also doesn’t believe in frivolous spending. That’s probably annoying to the people who just want to party without a budget. Friends, rivals, acquaintances, and everything in between. The only important thing to note is that none of these people would know who her father is unless she reveals it directly to them (which I will communicate ooc).

FROM ANOTHER LIFE - People that Gabriela knew when she was in the “normal” phase of her life as she likes to call it. People she might have known in college or through working at a major accounting firm with big businesses and clients. As far as they know, she stopped updating her LinkedIn and moved on from the white-collar world. But New York is a big city and a major travel hub, so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility to run into someone who knew her in her professional days. SIDE GIGS - She helps out people in the community with their taxes, not only just those affiliated with the Cartel. She primarily does this work for the Latin communities or anyone low-income who may need assistance. She’ll try and save them every cent they have and she doesn’t give a shit about fudging the records a little to get a good deal.

HOOKUPS / FRIENDS - The most meaningful relationship Gabriela has is with her cat, Nico. This isn’t for lack of trying, but it’s hard when she’s part of a gang and also hiding who she really is from said gang. However, it doesn’t stop her from going out and enjoying life however she can. She currently enjoys the anonymity that she has, and would rather people get to know her as herself before making assumptions based on who her father is. She is always one of the first to agree to an adventure (so long as it’s within budget) and isn’t shy about expressing her interest.

THE PAST - People who knew Gabriela when she was known as Iris, before she moved away at fourteen. Again, these people wouldn’t know who she actually is until she reveals it to them. These could include childhood friends she lost touch with, older Brotherhood members who have been around since before the split, someone related to or associated with the Brotherhood member that kidnapped her as a child, etc.

[duggardata]

Introducing The Wissmanns!

Part 2.  The 2nd Generation Couples.

[ Click Here If You Missed Part 1 ]

As promised, here is a quick rundown of the Wissmann Couples, starting with Wissmann #1 (Rachel)...

Rachel (Wissmann) + Alan William Busenitz

Alan proposed to Rachel on December 16, 2011, after knowing her for just 13–14 Weeks.  (Doing the math, they must have met in September of 2011.)  They married on June 30, 2012.  On the Wedding Date, Alan was 39, and Rachel was 30.  Initially (for ~3 Years) they struggled with “unexplained infertility,” and eventually tried fertility drugs and even IUI.  Rachel implies that they ultimately conceived ‘naturally,’ however, and they’ve now had 3 Children—

Kendrick Alan Busenitz   b. January 26, 2016  (Age 6)

Autumn Joy Busenitz   b. October 7, 2017  (Age 4)

Justice William Busenitz   b. July 12, 2019  (Almost 3)    

Since Justice, Rachel has unfortunately had two back–to–back 2nd–Trimester Losses.  She miscarried John Matthew at 19 Weeks Along on January 8, 2021, then Faith Elizabeth (at 17 or 18 Weeks Along) on August 4, 2021.  Rachel also had an early miscarriage in September 2018, between Autumn and Justice.

So far, Rachel + Alan’s Procreative Pace (PP) is 628 Days with an ESOQ of 8 Children.

Rachel’s Husband, Alan Busenitz, is 1 of 6 Children.  His family is from Potwin, Kansas, and Rachel + Alan now live in his hometown.  Alan makes his living as a farmer.  Rachel is a stay–at–home wife and homeschooling mother.  Rachel + Alan are members of Emmaus Church (Whitewater, KS)—“an evangelical Bible church with Mennonite roots.”  (Statement of Faith.)  (Duggar Data figured this out by comparing the church shown on Rachel’s June 2022 IG Stories re: VBS to churches in the Potwin, KS area.)

Ruth (Wissmann) + Ryan James Bourlier

Ruth + Ryan met on December 20, 2015.  He proposed a mere 13 Weeks Later, on March 25, 2016.  They got married on July 30, 2016, He was 34; she was 32 (Almost 33).  So far, they have 4 Children (All Sons)—

Lee James Bourlier   b. June 21, 2017  (Just Turned 5)

Jerit Daniel Bourlier  b. October 3, 2018  (Age 3)   

Judah Loren Bourlier   b. November 28, 2019  (Age 2)

Kaleb Terry Bourlier   b. July 3, 2021  (Just Turned 1)

Currently, Ruth + Ryan’s Procreative Pace (PP) is 491 Days (16 Months)—the fastest of the 2nd Generation Wissmanns—and their ESOQ is 11 Children.

The Bourlier–Wissmanns live in Kimball, Kimball County, Nebraska.  Ryan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with a degree from University of Nebraska, Lincoln.  Ruth is a mother and homemaker, and also sells Plexus.  (Yes, that’s the same ‘Plexus’ that J–Rod sells.)  Duggar Data isn’t sure where they attend church, except they probably don’t go to East Fairview Mennonite Church, as none of the church bulletins mention them.

Josiah + Abi Lyn (Rehm) Wissmann

Their Love Story was posted on the Wissmann Blog, but Duggar Data stupidly failed to screenshot it before the Wissmanns locked the blog down.  However, they probably met via Millard Alliance Church (MAC); the Rehm and Wissmann Families were both members.  At any rate, Josiah + Abi wed on September 20, 2008, at the very first 2nd Generation Wissmann Wedding.  Josiah was 23; Abi was 21.  They had the very 1st GrandWissmann (Joanna) in February 2010 and now have 4 Children Total (2 Daughters, 2 Sons)—

Joanna Praise Wissmann   b. February 24, 2010  (Age 12)  

Asher David Wissmann   b. November 30, 2011  (Age 10)  

Jenifer Lee Wissmann   b. May 17, 2016  (Age 6)

Andron Michael Wissmann   b. October 11, 2019  (Age 2)

Josiah + Abi’s current Procreative Pace (PP) is 1,172 Days (~3.2 Years), and their ESOQ is 6 Children.

As of 2022, Josiah + Abi live in Milford, Seward County, NE.  It’s unclear what they do for work.  They attend Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church (Seward, KS).  (Statement of Beliefs.)   

Bethany (Wissmann) + Daniel Trust Beasley

Bethany’s Husband, Daniel, also hails from a Millard Alliance (MAC) family.  His father (Phil) is actually one of the church elders.  Dan is 1 of 9 Children.

Bethany + Dan started courting on March 26, 2009.  He proposed on June 29, 2009.  They tied the knot on December 19, 2009.  At the time, he was 21, and she was 23.  So far, they have 5 Children, more than any other 2nd Generation Wissmann Couple—

Arianna Mae Beasley   b. April 25, 2012  (Age 10)

Caden James Beasley   b. February 3, 2014  (Age 8)

Everett William Beasley   b. December 1, 2016  (Age 5)

Gemma Lynne Beasley   b. September 18, 2018  (Age 3)

Felicity Anne Beasley   b. January 28, 2021  (17 Months)

They also suffered a miscarriage prior to Arianna.

To date, Beth + Dan’s Procreative Pace (PP) is 800 Days (~2.2 Years) with an ESOQ of 11 Children.

Daniel is a lawyer.  He graduated from law school in 2012.  Since then, he has worked as an attorney at the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)—a non–profit, which advocates parents’ right to homeschool.  (Fun Fact:  The HSLDA is the organization that assisted The Romeike Family with their asylum case.)  Bethany is a stay–at–home, homeschooling mother.  Currently, they live in Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia.  They worship at Fellowship Bible Church (FBC) in Shenandoah Junction, WV.  (Their Church’s Doctrine.)

Andrew + Kori Jane (Knuth) Wissmann

She is from Florida, is 1 of only 2 Children, and her family isn’t as conservative as the Wissmanns.  (But, they’re definitely still conservative.)  She and Andrew met in 2002; started dating in 2008; got engaged on the 4th of July, 2010; and married on March 5, 2011.  Andrew was 23; Kori was 22.  They didn’t become parents right away, and experienced at least one miscarriage.  (Their Firstborn, Wyatt, is apparently a “rainbow baby.”  See Also.)  They now have 2 Sons—

Wyatt Andrew Wissmann   b. June 25, 2018  (Just Turned 4)

Jaxon Richard Wissmann   b. June 11, 2020  (Just Turned 2)

Their Procreative Pace (PP), which is based on their only non–Firstborn Child Spacing (Wyatt–to–Jaxon), is 717 Days.  Their ESOQ is 5 Children.

Drew + Kori live in Winter Garden, Orange County, Florida.  Duggar Data isn’t sure what they do for work.  They might attend Beulah Baptist Church (Winter Garden, FL) (Statement of Beliefs), since Kori “likes” it on Facebook.

Matthias + Michelle Ruth (Kingery) Wissmann

Matthias + Michelle went public w/ their courtship on June 18, 2017.  He went on to propose on August 29, 2017, and their Wedding Date was December 30, 2017.  They are fairly private, recently waiting until birth to announce their 2nd Pregnancy / Child.  As of 2022, they have 2 Children—

Adalynn Michelle Wissmann   b. March 22, 2019  (Age 3)

Titus Ezekiel Wissmann   b. June 7, 2021  (13 Months)

To date, their Procreative Pace (PP), based on their only non–Firstborn Child Spacing (Adalynn–to–Titus), is 808 Days.  Their ESOQ is 7 Children.

Michelle hails from Minnesota, from a large “singing family.”  (The Wissmanns are also a “singing family,” so that might be how she met Matthias.)  She’s the 3rd of 8 Children.  As of 2022, Matt + Michelle live in Seward, Seward County, Nebraska, close to his parents. He works for his father’s company, Wissmann Enterprises, while she is a stay–at–home wife and mother.  They are members of East Fairview Mennonite Church, where Matthias sometimes preaches and leads bible study.

Hannah (Wissmann) + Jeremiah Robert Duggar

They hardly need this Introduction, but here goes...  Hannah + Jeremiah were married on March 26, 2022.  He proposed in Late December 2021—the exact timing is discussed in this Post—after going public with their relationship that October.  No Children yet.

Obviously, Jeremiah hails from the very well–known Duggar Family.  He is 1 of 19 Children, and half of Michelle’s 2nd and Final Set of Twins.  He is 5 Minutes Younger than his fraternal twin brother, Jedidiah.

After their wedding, Hannah moved to Jer’s home state of Arkansas.  Duggar Data doesn’t know exactly where in Arkansas they’re living.  Duggar Data also isn’t sure where they go to church.

Nathanael Wissmann + Katrina Hope Sahlstrom

Finally...  Wissman #11 (Nathanael) is in a relationship with Katrina Sahlstrom.  He is 20 (DOB October 28, 2001).  She’s 19 (DOB June 28, 2003).  Apparently, they began dating on June 28, 2021.  Nathanael went public with the relationship on Instagram the next day.  They’re not engaged yet.

Katrina is the 7th of 10 Children.  She still lives at home in Tracy, Lyon County, Minnesota.  Nathanael is, likewise, still living at the Wissmann Family Home in Milford, Seward County, Nebraska.  He works full–time for the family business, Wissmann Enterprises, and is also a licensed pilot.  It’s unknown what Katrina does for work.  She is a homeschool graduate.

[kayancheung]

Chinatown: Love, Struggle, Resistance

In Chinese and Tagalog/Filipino. View all six posters in Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and English: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sfac/albums/72177720300544664

On display on San Francisco’s Market Street MUNI bus kiosks August  - October 2022

© Kayan Cheung-Miaw & Vida Kuang

Artists’ Statement

In a few years, the San Francisco Chinatown we know may not exist anymore.

Even before the pandemic, Chinatown had many empty storefronts while hungry developers waited close by. Tenants were vulnerable to displacement due to lack of protection and economic instability. The pandemic also escalated the dehumanization of our AAPI communities through racist scrapgoating.

Our poster series highlights the stories of Chinatown’s mothers, workers and tenants. The comics foreground the themes of love, community, survival, and resistance.

Having our community members’ stories visible and centered through Market Street’s kiosks is a part of ensuring the Chinatown we call home will survive in post-pandemic San Francisco.

Chinatown: Love, Struggle, Resistance is part of the The Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. This series is a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

The Stories Behind the Comics

Most of the stories for this project are inspired by the oral history project “Our Intergenerational Stories 歲月心聲: 家 ” where mothers, women, tenants and workers are invited to tell their own stories. Listen and read the stories that inspired this poster series (forthcoming):

Poster 1 Freedom: Ah Lian’s story Poster 2 Climate March Poster 3 Waiting: Ah Lian’s story Poster 4 Two Americas: Ah Lian’s story Poster 5 Essential Worker: Huang Jie’s story Poster 6 Resistance

Our Intergenerational Stories 歲月心聲: 家 was curated and led by M. Min-Chong Lin and Vida Kuang in 2019 as part of an Intergenerational Oral Storytelling and Photography Workshop Series in partnership with the Chinese for Affirmative Action and their parent leaders.

To learn about and to support the organizing of our communities, please visit:

SRO Families United Collaborative Chinese Progressive Association SF (CPA) Asians 4 Black Lives SF Anti-Displacement Coalition

To learn more about the history of Asian American organizing:

Chinatown Rising Asian Americans PBS documentary series

Acknowledgments:

Thank you for sharing your stories: Ah Lian, Ivy, Huang Jie

Thank you for sharing your photos: Ah Ai (Poster 3, inside SRO photo), Ah Yu (Poster 1, playground photo), Chinatown Community Development Center (Poster 1, shower photo), Brooke Anderson (Poster 6, images of activists), Vida Kuang (Poster 3, SRO hallway photos), Stanley Tudor (Poster 1, kitchen photo)

Thank you to my movement siblings: Laiwa Wu, Emily Lee, and Cynthia Fong

Thank you Tere Almaguer for your guidance in depicting Danza Azteca and for photograph modeling

Thank you for the translations: the San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs.

Thank you for the support and for making this project possible: Craig Corpora and the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Thank you for modeling for us and providing childcare, and endless support: Ben Lee, Pam Tau Lee, Calvin Cheung-Miaw

[studykaisoo]

Good luck po sa natitirang days ng CPALE! ❤️ Proud na po kami agad sa inyong takers ngayon pa lang. At congratulations! ✨ May the Lord continue to give you all His providence!

I'm typing this during our breaktime, day 2 of boards. Sobrang natouch po ako sa message po. Ang hirap po ng MAS kanina. Hindi ko alam kung nag-overreliance ako dahil medj alam ko yun. Medyo nabuhayan ako ulit para sa next exam. We don't know what the future holds. Super thank you! I appreciate it so much. Sobrang kailangan ng support ng CPALE takers dahil ang dami pang external drama na dumadating. Always keep the faith in Him ☝️🙏

[mydandelionsoul]

AMACPA: MY CPA STORY

Back in 2010, I enrolled in UE with the hopes of achieving my CPA dream. I have no idea of what I was signing for but I was confident that I could make it. That dream however, was cut short, when I didn't reach the required grade for a particular subject. That was a critical point during my BSA journey. I was compelled to shift to Accounting Technology, a degree almost similar to Accountancy in most aspects, but without the capacity to take the board exam.

After graduating BSAcT in 2014, I immediately worked so I can help with our finances. I always knew I wanted that BSA diploma. And so after working for over 2 years, I decided to continue what I have started. I went back to UE to process my papers. During that time, the bridging program for BSAcT graduates has just been implemented. I was torn between transferring to another school and staying in UE. But my heart has always been with Lualhati, so I decided to stay despite the fear of taking the accounting integrated subjects.

Taking the integ was a dark moment for me. I failed 3 integ subjects. Yes, that was 3 singkos in my transcript. I was never ashamed of it though, for it was a big part of my success story. Eventually, in December of 2018, I graduated with the Accountancy degree. A dream that was delayed for a while has now been realized.

I enrolled in CPAR in preparation for the May 2019 CPALE. I was part of the top 100 for both the first and final preboards. This gave me the confidence I need to take the board exam. However, my CPA dream was once again shattered when I did not see my name on the list of passers. I was sad and hopeless because I knew I gave everything I could for this title. I sacrificed a lot for this to happen. I prayed hard for this. The fact that I just missed 3pts to pass was unbearable. I thought this will be my post birthday present from God. But it wasn't. God said, "NOT YET, MY CHILD."

Good thing, I had a strong support system who comforted me when I was at my lowest. They did not just cheer me up when I failed the May 2019 board exam, but also encouraged me to stand up and fight again for the title.

A day after I saw my grades, I enrolled again in CPAR and prepared for the battle once more. I had to endure another cycle of morning 'til dawn study sessions to understand and retain every concept. I had to sacrifice again for this dream. I told myself, "For the October exams, I am not just equipped with faith and concepts. This time, I have my experience with me."

The October 2019 CPALE was tough. The 14.32% national passing rate was the proof. I salute everyone who had the courage and took the exam. To my friends who didn't make it YET, cliché as it may sound, but please never give up on your dreams. Please look back on all the challenges you had to go through to get where you are now. We are all meant for this title. Aleays remember that I will be praying for all of you. ❤

It took me about a decade to earn my CPA title. The quest for this dream has a lot of detours, adventures and misadventures; but I still ended up where I am supposed to be. We just have to trust God on what He has planned for us. Because His plans are always perfect. They will never go wrong. ✨💖

ANGELICA MAE D. AGUSTIN, CPA

UE BS Accountancy, 2018

UE BS Accounting Technology, 2014

[cutenapatatas]

To all October 2019 CPALE examinees:

Halos anim na linggo nalang ay lalaban na kayo sa giyera.

Lagi nyong tatandaan, wala kayong ibang kalaban dito kung hindi ang sarili ninyo. Kung papaano nyo maoovercome yung pressure na nararamdaman nyo ngayun. Lahat kayo halos pagdudahan nyo na ang sarili ninyo at sabay sabi: "Nakuuu, malapit na.... Ang DAMI ko pang dapat aralin! 😔" "Bakit parang kakaunti palang ang nalalalaman ko" "Kakayanin ko pa kaya?" Bago mo isipin yan, isipin mo muna kung papaano mo nasurvive yung undergrad mo at nakapaggraduate ka noon sa kabila ng hirap at sakripisyong pinagdaanan mo. Pagkatapos, ngayong malapit na ngayun ka pa ba mapanghihinaan ng loob? Ang dami mo ng nagawa. Kaya pakiusap, lakasan mo ang loob mo lalo!

May mga bagay na wag mo na dapat problemahin, anu ngayon kung marami ang umaasa na papasa ka? Isipin mo, anu man ang maging resulta ay buong puso ka paring mahal ng mga taong sumusuporta sayo tulad ng pamilya at mga kaibigan mo. Susubukan mo lahat hindi dahil sa natatakot kang bumagsak at may masabi ang iba, kung hindi dahil sa ito ang PANGARAP mo!

Natural lang sa ngayon na maramdaman nyo ang kaba habang lumilipas ang mga oras. Hindi ka normal kung hindi ka nakakaram ng pagdududa at takot. Manatili ka lamang na matatag!

Wag mong isipin mga kasama mong nagrereview, "Ay buti pa si ganito, marami ng alam" nakuu! Pareho lang kayo ng iniisip sa bawat isa. Wag mong pakealaman ang ibang kasama mong nagrereview, kanya kanya kayo ng diskarte at timetable! Wala yan sa dami ng handouts o libro na nabasa at nasagutan. Nasa tamang pagiintindi lang. Madalas kasing mangyari ang, "Sa sobrang dami ng inaral, nakalimutan" Ito ang numero unong problema ng mga hindi pinapalad sa CPALE. Marahil ay masyadong nakatutok ang iba sa paramihan ng materials na masagutan at umaabot na sa puntong minememorize nalang at hindi na naiintindihan. Pakiusap, wag na wag nyong gagawin yan! Di bale ng wala kang nasagutan basta ang importante matibay ang pagintindi mo sa konsepto ng accounting standards at laws. Natural lang rin na may mga topics na hindi mo tlga magugustuhan o mahihirapan ka tlga mula umpisa, ngunit ang importante ay kaylangan mong mahalin ang iyong kahinaan at araw araw mo itong labanan. Lagi mong isipin na madali lang, hanggang sa kusa na itong tatatak sa iyong kaisipan at hindi ka na mahihirapan. Tanungin mo ang iyong sarili kung ano na ang iyong progreso sa oras na ito, at planuhin kung papaano mo maikakasya ang natitirang oras.

May magagawa ka pa! Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa iyo ang gawa! Power!

© Wency Giron

[terriblebloggerrob]

My CPA Journey

I originally decided to start my CPA (certified public accountant) journey in my senior year of high school in 2001. Unknown at the time, my inattentive ADHD derailed me in college. I still managed to graduate in 2009 with my B.S. in accounting and started work at a public accounting firm. Still needing about 20 credit hours, I enrolled in a B.S. in finance program in 2011 and in 2013 I was then eligible to sit for the 4 CPA exam sections.

My whole post high school life I was always reminded on how hard it was to pass the exam sections and since each section cost around $230, I didn't want to register for the exams until I was ready. With ADHD, I realized I would never be ready. When you qualify to sit for the exam you have to register and take at least 1 section of the exam within 18 months of being registered... so at the 17th month I took my first section, Audit in 2017. I failed. This was the section I was supposed to be an "Expert" in since I handled audit matters at my firm. This devastated me and drove me into depression.

In January of 2018 I purchased Rogers CPA review program that included video lectures, text book and practice exams. I took AUD again in October of 2018. I studied about 30+ hours watching mostly Rogers lectures and I passed! I didn't find out right away, after around 40+ days of waiting, I found out right after dropping my kids off with their Nana. I wish I'd found out just an hour earlier so I could have celebrated with them but nonetheless, I was so excited.

This left me with three more sections to pass (BEC, FAR and REG). I was motivated. When you pass a section, you have to pass the remaining three within 18 months or you lose credit for the one that you passed 18 months ago. Obviously, this meant I would quickly schedule the remaining exams ASAP.

Wrong... I waited about 8 months before taking another section, BEC and I failed. I studied less than 2 hours for that section. Then in October of 2019 I passed FAR (I studied 30+ hours). However, I scheduled my REG just two weeks after FAR and I was so burned out that I didn't study at all for REG and I failed it. So at this point I passed 2 exams out of 5 total attempts with my BEC retake coming up in December. I failed my BEC retake (studied 2 hours). Now I passed 2 exams out of 6 total attempts.

I was distraught, my window to passing the remaining two (BEC and REG) was quickly closing before I'd lose credit for passing AUD (meaning I'd have to retake AUD). I'd have to pass the remaining two by March of 2020 and if I failed just one of them, I wouldn't have enough time to retake them before losing credit on my AUD exam. I was depressed and demotivated, believing I was a crappy accountant and dumb as a bag of rocks. Compounding my negative emotional state was the fact that now my Rogers exam prep course subscription was now passed the 18 month window that I purchased a couple years ago. Additionally, the fact that I didn't really use Rogers that much in studying for REG or BEC prior to this point just fed into my depression. I called them and they graciously allowed me to have a 6 month extension. I finally took advantage of those video lectures this time!

I then changed my mindset, I went full throttle and scheduled my BEC exam for the middle of January of 2020 and my REG exam at the middle of February. I decided I was going to study 30+ hours for each, came up with a detailed study strategy and watched hours of the Rogers video and audio lectures while taking notes.

It takes about 20-30 days to get your score back after taking a section of the exam, this period of time was excruciating. My ADHD couldn't properly handle this period of time. My BEC score release was a day after the Super Bowl. I am a HUGE Chiefs fan, this is the Super Bowl they WON!! The very next day I found out I passed BEC with a total of 10 hours of study time. I was on cloud 9, I was motivated. I was happy, really happy!

This momentum propelled me through my study time with REG which I took on February 13th wearing my Chiefs dress shirt. If I failed, I'd have to retake not only REG but also AUD.

On February 24, 2020 I learned that I passed REG (with 20+ hours of study time). It took me 8 attempts to pass the 4 sections and yes, I know if I'd spend at least 30 hours studying for each of them then I'd most likely would have passed all on the first attempt. However, I'm not built like that, and working 50+ hours a week in public accounting at the time didn't help either.

To be fully honest, I didn't accomplish any work between February 13th and February 24th as I refreshed the score release website at least a million times. I've finally done it. This realization didn't sink in right away, I was so overwhelmed with emotion, joy and relief.

The process wasn't fully over yet, as I had to wait for the paperwork from the state's accountancy board and to finish the experience verification process and complete the ethics 8 hour CPE course. Besides the lack of publicly available information on this process as a whole that left me with huge amounts of anxiety, I found it very difficult to focus at work. Ethics exam was the worst part, having to get a 90% or higher just seemed tedious to me. Finally forced myself to take it in April and was officially awarded my CPA license on May 15th of 2020.

My only wish would be to have my Mother alive and with me to share in the celebration and because I know this would have made her so happy. However, some of my good friends here threw me a surprise party and I am so blessed to be surrounded by awesome people like them!

Normally this would result in me attending the initiation of new CPA members at the state Captiol but due to Covid, this was instead turned into a youtube digital video of just my picture and my name.

Looking back on it now, I am very proud of my journey. Finally accomplishing a goal that I've had for almost 20 years and at the same time seeing my beloved Chiefs win the Super Bowl is a memory that will never leave me.

My only advise for those trying to get their CPA is to take care of your mental health, be proactive in trying to avoid burn out and do not let the statistics intimidate your mindset. Use a study strategy that works best for you. For me, the video lectures was a far superior study method than spending hours on practice exam questions. But that's just for me and ignore the critics.

[english-blogs-leonel]

ABM STRAND

While Joining this strand could really be stressful, students should also join this strand if they want to focus more on management because it does not always focus on solving it also enhances our communication, it helps us to learn to solve in a great environment, and it is a good strand if you want to pursue business-related courses in college. There are three important notes on why you should join ABM and take a business-related course. Firstly, accounting is necessary to running a business because it allows you to track income and expenses, ensure statutory compliance, and provide quantitative financial information to investors, management, and the government to aid in business decision-making (Woods, 2019). Second, the business has increased people's comforts of life by mass production and distribution of goods (Daniels, 2016). Lastly, management plays a vital role in an organization, and it plays a crucial role in its success (Bhasin, 2019). Given these points, are you willing to join the ABM strand?

Bhasin, H. (2019, October 18). Importance of Management For Every Business Organisation. Marketing91. Retrieved from https://www.marketing91.com/importance-of-management/

Daniels, R. (2016, November 25). Define Business and Explain the Importance of Business. Business Study Notes. Retrieved from https://www.businessstudynotes.com/others/introduction-to-business/define-business-and-explain-the-importance-of-business/

Woods, D. (2019, February 19). Blog. CPA Firm Tampa. Retrieved from https://www.pdr-cpa.com/knowledge-center/blog/role-of-accounting-in-business/

[pagodsalife]

#TeamUnemployed

Akalain mo yon?

Makakatatlong taon na pala ko. Pero parang wala pa rin akong ambag sa lipunan?! Hahahahaha! The last post in my Tumblr was “Day 18/18: Certified Public Accountant na ko!!!”. Yes, but after that? What’s next?

I worked immediately 18 days after releasing the board results. Ang bilis pero ang nasa isip ko non ay kailangang magtrabaho para kahit papano naman magkaroon ng pakinabang sa bansa. Pakinabang na rin sa sarili for experience. Sino bang may ayaw ng experience? Oops. Hahajk lng. Pero ayon, sa Audit Firm ako nagwork. So I worked as an Audit Associate then napromote as an Experienced Audit Associate after 6 months. Pero yung job description is basically the same. In short, alalay pa rin. Hahaha!

After 1 year, napromote ulit as an Audit Supervisor na. This time hindi na ako ang alalay. Hahaha. Magkakaroon na kasi ako ng staff. Pero nagdalawang isip ako if itutuloy ko pa ba tong kabaliwan ko na magpakalunod sa trabaho sa audit firm. Alam naman ng mga kapwa ko CPA (kung CPA/AccountancyStudent ka man na nagbabasa ngayon), na sobrang toxic ng work sa audit Firm. Also, in general, the higher the position, the more responsibilities you will have. At that time, after I promoted as a Supervisor, I tried to look for opportunities outside the Firm and unluckily wala akong trip na trabaho. Or kung meron man akong naging job offer, maliit lang sweldo. Therefore, I gave the Firm a chance to have me again for another year (akala mo kawalan lol). Sobrang daming napagdaanan ng katawang lupa ko to survive that first fucking longest busy season sa buong history ng Pilipinas. Hahahahaha!!! Medyo OA yata yon. Sino ba naman kasing hindi makakapagcelebrate na from Nov 2019 up to June 2020, all you can do is to finish all the tasks na binibigay sayo ng client, ng manager, ng partner. Minsan sabay sabay pa sila naguutos. TEN Engagements (Ten Companies) ang binigay sa akin, yes Same deadline lahat (Supposed to be Apr 2020 ang deadline, pero dahil nga sa pesteng COVID, namove ng Jun2020 - kaya tinawag na Longest Busy Season ng mga Auditors). After filing ng mga reports, mapapasigaw ka nalang talaga ng “Putangina! Natapos ko!!!”

After that Busy Season, nasabi ko sa sarili ko na “This will be my last.” Sa tingin mo? Last ko na nga ba talaga? ... Shempre, pinagisipan ko muna. Haha! Napromote kasi ulit ako. Hindi ko alam pero noong time na yon. Nasabi ko sa sarili ko, “Bakit ako. Bakit ako prinomote”. Ang weird diba? Taong napromote pero malungkot. Haha! So yun na nga, napromote ako as Senior Audit Supervisor/Assistant Audit Manager. By that time, nagdalawang isip ko kung itutuloy ka pa ang pagiging external auditor na career ko or maghahanap na ko ng bagong opportunity. Pero alam ko sa sarili ko na sobrang pagod na ko. Mukhang kailangan ko ng magpahinga. Andami ko ng nakausap na pinipilit akong magstay, dahil one busy season nalang.. Manager na ko. Sino bang ayaw non? Gusto ko pero iniisip ko kung kakayanin ko pa ba ng isa pang busy season, given the situation right now. Soo.. I finally decided na ayoko na talaga. I formally tendered my resignation last October 1, 2020. Walang lilipatan na work, pero magpapahinga. Lakas ng loob ko no? Hahaha!

As of now, I belong to the #TeamUnemployed. Magkakaroon ba ko ng trabaho? Siguro? Abangan....

[jennyboom21]

You also warned everyone about Karlie. This fall has really just been all about Jennyboom21 RIGHTS

I’ve disclosed this to a mutual...

Why would you want Taylor associated with Karlie, in October 2019?

Taylor’s parents are from the Philly tri city area, and know finance.

There’s a reason why even Swifties say “NOTHING comes before the (Taylor Swift) BRAND”. You think Karlie is immune? With her trash ass team?! Karlie’s comment about “knowing your finances” was alarming. Girl, get a CPA, stat!!!

[tumblraccountants]

Second day na pala ng CPALE for October 2019. Nung time ko, maraming typo error sa question so technically maraming nanghula. Pero may mga lumalabas naman na sagot kung dadagdagan mo o babawasan mo ng zero o kung ano mang mali doon sa question. Mas matatagalan ka nga lang kasi kakailanganin mong itry lahat ng possible scenarios. ‘Wag ka rin aasa sa sinasabi nilang pag may mali sa question o sa choices pero nandoom pa rin ‘yung sagot, ibobonus nila. Hindi palaging totoo ‘yon, nakadepende pa rin sa mood ng BOA kung mag-aadjust ba sila sa lahat ng examinees o hindi. Pwedeng lahat ng naka-60 pataas sa certain subj na maraming bonus, hanggang doon lang ang iaadjust nila para umabot sa 75. Basta palagi nilang binibigyan ng quota per subject. So ang gawin mo, sagutan mo pa rin lahat ng alam mong tatama ka, mahirap magconclude na may ibobonus naman sila so may sure points ka na. Again, depende sa topak ng BOA ‘yon kaya give your best and ‘wag aasa. Laban lang!! ‘Wag ka rin makinig sa discussion ng sagot after ng exam, hindi naman nila hawak ang answer key, kakabahan ka lang lalo. And pray hanggang lumabas ‘yung result and kahit lumabas na. Good luck, future CPAs! 4 subjects to go!!!

[babaengmadaldal]

Sinong CPA na dito? Hahahaha makakahingi namang tips dyan for a CPAR Reviewee o kaya para sa isang reviewee for October 2019 exam. Sige na huhuhu badly needed

[kayancheung]

Chinatown: Love, Struggle, Resistance

In English and Spanish. View all six posters in Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and English: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sfac/albums/72177720300544664

On display on San Francisco’s Market Street MUNI bus kiosks August  - October 2022

© Kayan Cheung-Miaw & Vida Kuang

Artists’ Statement

In a few years, the San Francisco Chinatown we know may not exist anymore.

Even before the pandemic, Chinatown had many empty storefronts while hungry developers waited close by. Tenants were vulnerable to displacement due to lack of protection and economic instability. The pandemic also escalated the dehumanization of our AAPI communities through racist scrapgoating.

Our poster series highlights the stories of Chinatown’s mothers, workers and tenants. The comics foreground the themes of love, community, survival, and resistance.

Having our community members’ stories visible and centered through Market Street’s kiosks is a part of ensuring the Chinatown we call home will survive in post-pandemic San Francisco.

Chinatown: Love, Struggle, Resistance is part of the The Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. This series is a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

The Stories Behind the Comics

Most of the stories for this project are inspired by the oral history project “Our Intergenerational Stories 歲月心聲: 家 ” where mothers, women, tenants and workers are invited to tell their own stories. Listen and read the stories that inspired this poster series (forthcoming):

Poster 1 Freedom: Ah Lian’s story Poster 2 Climate March Poster 3 Waiting: Ah Lian’s story Poster 4 Two Americas: Ah Lian’s story Poster 5 Essential Worker: Huang Jie’s story Poster 6 Resistance

Our Intergenerational Stories 歲月心聲: 家 was curated and led by M. Min-Chong Lin and Vida Kuang in 2019 as part of an Intergenerational Oral Storytelling and Photography Workshop Series in partnership with the Chinese for Affirmative Action and their parent leaders.

To learn about and to support the organizing of our communities, please visit:

SRO Families United Collaborative Chinese Progressive Association SF (CPA) Asians 4 Black Lives SF Anti-Displacement Coalition

To learn more about the history of Asian American organizing:

Chinatown Rising Asian Americans PBS documentary series

Acknowledgments:

Thank you for sharing your stories: Ah Lian, Ivy, Huang Jie

Thank you for sharing your photos: Ah Ai (Poster 3, inside SRO photo), Ah Yu (Poster 1, playground photo), Chinatown Community Development Center (Poster 1, shower photo), Brooke Anderson (Poster 6, images of activists), Vida Kuang (Poster 3, SRO hallway photos), Stanley Tudor (Poster 1, kitchen photo)

Thank you to my movement siblings: Laiwa Wu, Emily Lee, and Cynthia Fong

Thank you Tere Almaguer for your guidance in depicting Danza Azteca and for photograph modeling

Thank you for the translations: the San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs.

Thank you for the support and for making this project possible: Craig Corpora and the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Thank you for modeling for us and providing childcare, and endless support: Ben Lee, Pam Tau Lee, Calvin Cheung-Miaw

[an-excerpt]

12/31/19

Looking back to 2019

January & February

It is filled with adventure and thrill because I explored different places without asking my parents' consent tho. I went to ek and moa with my college friends.

March

I also explored some parts of manila and also enrolled to my review classes for boards.

April - September

I still have classes that time. May was our retreat and it was held in baguio but we didn't have enough free time to explore the city during our last day. Also in this phase, so many what ifs are disturbing my inner peace. Those nights wherein I cried my heart out thinking that what if I will not graduate from 5th year and after that I don't know what my next step will be. Those nights full of regrets that I should have given all my best in studying so that I have not failed my accrev. It also made me think if I really wanted to continue this journey, to become a cpa. I was also exhausted emotionally, physically and mentally that I just gone with the flow. I felt like I lost the fire inside me to continue. After some time, I regained the fire, I was motivated and inspired to fight again. I studied my heart out to pass the exam given as our "second chance".

I was feeling positive to study for the review season which also started this May. Tbh the first part of my review season, I was a lil bit excited because I can feel how to be independent because I was all alone in my dorm, my dorm mates were going home every weekends. I felt like I was in a kdrama and it was fun because I don't have to deal with other people but as weeks passed by, I felt so lonely. I felt the exhaustion of travelling back and forth to the province and such. I felt tired and lazy to study. Tbh I was demotivated to study, I lacked the work and just depended on prayer alone. At first, my thinking was that, I'll pass the boards no matter what, but as the day of the cpale went closer, the doubt was slowly getting bigger.

I also happened to attend my first fangirling event for this year which is Dylan Wang's fm brought by Bench. It was really so fun and I felt that I am alive! I think I was born to be a fangirl lol.

Dorm moments and bonding with dorm mates, those things made our bonds stronger with some of my college friends. Being with them to that phase in my life, really is a big part. Those adulting chika, walwal and foodtrip -- simple things that I really cherish.

October

CPALE season, that 2 weeks was like a torture, including the waiting for the results. I kept thinking positive and claiming that I'll passed but every end of the day, I saw myself going to St. Jude and crying. My heart was so heavy. I kept praying and surrending everything to Him. Crying out to Him, I felt like the heavy burden in my heart was lifted. While waiting for the results, I claimed and at the same time thought that I did not passed but the thinking that I failed weighing the most. Those relatives asking me about the results made me teary eyes every time.

Results day, if I remembered it right I was anxious all day. The results were out at night, every notifications I got from PRC in twitter made my heart skipped a beat. When the time had come I was really nervous, i searched first for all my friend's name but only some of them made it. Then I searched for my name and found none. I didn't cry maybe because I cried everything whenever I went to St. Jude every after the exam day. I felt bad but seeing that almost of my college friends were in the same boat as mine, I felt comforted. Sorry, I know I'm mean. I also told my parents about it that night because I don't want to prolonged the disappointment the next day. Thinking that tomorrow will be another day; new hope for things to be better. Some of my friends were sending comforting messages and that made me teary eyes for a bit but after that I felt numb. I don't know what to do with my life. I felt lost. I felt empty. I think I also got to "tampo" with Daddy G because I knew I never failed to pray to Him every day, it was only later that I finally accepted that maybe it was really my fault. I was so lazy and demotivated. I only relied to prayers and not doing my part. I'm so sorry Daddy G 😭.

End part of October, I felt alive. I attended a fan meet. I happened to see Cha Eun Woo and became an Aroha. I think being a fangirl is really my calling lol.

November & December

November 1st and it is our fam's tradition to go to cemetery to visit our deceased loved ones. I didn't go there because my relatives from Manila were there and I thought I was not ready to face them.

I attended IU's con named Love, Poem. Hearing IU's singing live is just my goal but when I left the premises of Araneta, I became a certified Ma-aena. That 4 hours concert is really a daebak! ✨

I went to Elyu this December and I think it made me breathe for some time. I was a bit exhausted. I felt like I was being left behind because wearing bikini is not my cup of tea. I lacked confidence of my body.

These two months is filled disappointments, pressure, self pity, self doubts and so much more. I felt like I was a total failure. I envied those batchmates who are already hired and working as a corporate slave. I attended some interviews but unfortunately I was not hired. I was also judged by some of my relatives saying that maybe I was too picky for my first job. Yes, I declined a job offer because the salary is below the minimum and it does not offer to help me grow as a professional. I do believe that I can have more and I can do more that's why. It also made me think those what if I didn't pursue this course instead I took engineering, which I really wanted; maybe I am now an engineer. I felt lost after that boards season.

2019 is really a year of lessons, experiences and survival. It is just a 365 days but it gave plot twists which gave a mark in my being. It reminded me that I am living and living doesn't only mean that you are always at a top; living also means that you can be at the bottom. I am grateful for all the people who never left my side, who gave their never-ending support and love, who believes in me and who keeps me sane. Surviving this 2019 through He's help is already a gift.

Thank you Daddy G for guiding me throughout this year's journey despite those times that I almost turned my back to You. I'm deeply sorry if it took some time for me to realize that You just answered my prayers with "not yet" and not a stern "no". I am now trusting Your own timing. 💙

[studykaisoo]

Life Update! I have started working again ☺️

It's been a while since I shared whatever happened to me after the board exam. In November, I was still sending out CVs and applying for jobs online. Somehow along the way I got tired and decided to take a rest until January.

Life at home

Being a homebody does not mean I'm just doing netflix and chill all day. In fact it seems like I'm busy just like anyone having an 8 hour job (even going beyond that). Sometimes I cook meals, I do wash the dishes, prepare stuff for the family, cleaning and other errands. I was always on the go. I never felt that I have time to actually go and binge k-dramas because I was so busy (chores + other personal things I couldn't disclose)

While I am stuck at home, I have developed new hobbies like doing clay art (I use air dry clay) and bullet journal. These activities have been my coping mechanism for healing.

Going to a faraway place for healing

Most of the time, I feel okay but there are days where I would experience mental breakdowns. I have never visited a psychiatrist (because I couldn't afford it + I don't want to be a burden to my family at that time since money was an issue and I'm not contributing at all). Sometimes I get into heated arguments with my parents and I told them why they never understood how I felt. With all that explaining, still they never knew how to cope up. I was tired and mentally drained. It was such an emotional torture.

During the holidays, my grandmother decided I take some time off at home and she brought me with her. We went to a faraway place from home where my uncle and cousins live. I am so used to housework that even I was there I wanted to help but they all stopped me and told me I was there for a vacation. It was a breather. I lived for more than a week without worries.

I brought my bullet journal with me so during my free time, I was just preparing designs for 2020. While on vacation, my friend offered me a freelance writing job. I took the opportunity and up to this point I am still writing.

Coming back home and continued applying for jobs

When I went home after the holidays, the situation at home has become more bearable. Also, I felt that my family had become more understanding to me. I started applying for jobs again. I jumped from one interview into another.

During the process, I still continued my freelance job and other tasks at home. I was at the peak of my productivity since I was also researching about freelance remote jobs.

I got hired!

I finally got hired in January! But the process was so long that I have only started last month. I continued my old routine and maximized all my remaining free days. I have been working since February and so far all is well. There isn't that much to share at this point but as always, I am wishing for a happy 2020. I hope this year will be a life full of possibilities and new experiences.

At this point, I may not know when I will try again for the board exam. But all I know is that I am trying my best to get my life together at this point. Hope all is well