USVI-On-Line

Hi forum members - I know you will have some great ideas for this! A little background - at 47 I went back to school and graduated Summa Cum Laude with my BS in Accounting. After graduation (May 09) I started studying for my CPA exam taking two parts while looking for a job and taking the other two while working fulltime. Altogether it has taken one year and three months of my life to study for that darn test! I literally had a spreadsheet of my study hours for each of the sections and I spent a grand total of 562 hours in preparation to pass the four parts! The good, okay GREAT, news is that I PASSED all four parts (first try, thank god) and have now officially as of last Friday received my professional license from the great state of NY as a Certified Public Accountant. It is a big deal to me and I really want to do something special with my hubby to celebrate. I really can't figure out what though! We talked about going somewhere for a long weekend, going to Vegas, going to a spa or something like that. Or perhaps I should buy something special, something that will always remind me of the time I invested and the eventual payoff. I had the idea to spend 562.00 on something - one dollar for every hour I spent studying - I just don't have good ideas about what that something should be. At this time we can't invest in a long vacation (or even anything more than a long weekend) as we are going to Key West at Christmas for twelve days. So....any ideas??? I bet you've got a few! Thanks!

I can't think of a good celebration gift, but I had to take a minute to give you a great big pat on the back, and congratulations!!!!!!!
I went back to school as a adult, and a single mom. There were so many hours sacrificed for my education, that when graduation day finally came around after 5 years, we didn't even attend! We went to the beach, to enjoy a doggone day OFF!
I can tell you that I love my job, and my profession so much, that I don't need any token to commemorate the graduation. I really, really enjoy my free time since graduation, though!
Once again, congratulations!

Congrats!!!! Lots of hard work- you should be really proud. I'm kind of a bag girl, so if buying a thing I would say maybe some great bag to carry your work papers in? One that is timeless and you'll have forever. Just a thought. Or, a professional photographer to take shots of you guys in the Keys?

Whatever it is, reward yourself for sure!

Congratulations on your dedication to making your dreams come true!

I gotta side with Minde's idea of just taking some "me" time. After what you've been through a night in the City in a posh hotel with a 5-star dinner and a spa treatment sounds like relaxation which you've had no time for while studying. Or, you could donate the money to a cause you believe in and the rewarding feeling you get from knowing you helped out someone or something will last you much longer than the feeling and excitement you get from a material possession.

In August I graduated from a 700-hour program (completed in 7 1/2 months) while working my full-time job. It was torture, excruciating and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone wanting to do the same program while working full-time. I've had 10 weeks of "me" time now and so far I haven't tackled anything on my "to do" list that was neglected for 8 months... and I don't even feel guilty about it.

Congratulations!!! As the wife of a CPA, I can fully appreciate your hard work and the incredible accomplishment of passing all four parts your first time! Not sure I have any great ideas, but maybe think about something that isn't too far away (so travel time doesn't eat up the me time ). Maybe something you've always wanted to do but didn't have the time. You're right in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country... maybe head to a spa in Skaneateles or hold off and treat yourself to the fun of a long December weekend in NYC after everything is dressed up for the holidays. You have lots of options in New York or you could head up to Canada to Toronto or Montreal. There are always great shows in Toronto and an abundance of good restaurants. Whatever you do, do it before tax season starts in January!

Congratulations on all of your hard work and success!

If you want something to treat yourself and will have some practical use, get yourself an Ipad. The budget is about right.

JIM

jimg20 wrote:Congratulations on all of your hard work and success!

If you want something to treat yourself and will have some practical use, get yourself an Ipad. The budget is about right.

JIM

I second that. This thing is the best toy since Rock 'em-Sock 'em Robots!

If you are looking for a long weekend, may I recommend the Sagamore on Lake George.
It looks to be about 3 hours from you and it is an incredible resort
http://www.thesagamore.com/

Nice ideas - thanks!!! And a great variety - love them all!! The IPAD thing might win out as my damn computer has been a mess all weekend - hmmmm.....or is it NYC at Christmas? or is it a beautiful new leather bag?....or is a spa weekend.....oh...choices, choices!!!!

Congratulations! Lots of great suggestions. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

Xislandgirl wrote:If you are looking for a long weekend, may I recommend the Sagamore on Lake George.
It looks to be about 3 hours from you and it is an incredible resort
http://www.thesagamore.com/

Looks amazing. I think they just featured that hotel on Ghost Hunters.

First and Foremost, Congratulations for your accomplishment!! Very well done. I am a sentimental sort and have to agree with SOonthebeach-have a professional photographer take your photos in Key West. As we all know, time passes so quickly that before you know it, any trip or anything you purchase will go by the wayside. The photography will capture a moment in your life that deserves the celebration!! Every time you look at your pictures, it will bring you back to this moment, a well deserved moment of pride. Nothing else will capture it quite as well. Sure, you can take your own photos of the trip but as you know, the professional flare will take it up a notch!! If not that, buy a nice work bag that you can use every day for many years to come and have the constant reminder- like SOonthebeach suggested!!