"We Made It" (by Linkin Park feat. Busta Rhymes)

It has always made me nervous when I checked this online exam score inquiry. But, no more nervous day. I got my score today. At last. The score of Auditing and Attestation, the last section of U.S. Certified Public Accountant exams.

Because I've already passed the Examination on Rules of Professional Conduct, now I just need wait for my certificate to come, and get a new job.

This isn't neither my plan A nor B. When I quit my job last March, the original plan was to take (and pass) two sections of the exams respectively in May and July. Given my exam results last August, however, I changed my focus on finding a new job rather than on studying Auditing and Attestation, the section I failed.

But, what can I say? That's life.

Since it took longer than I expected, I feel a sense of relief rather than that of achievement. But, thanks a lot to my friends who studied together, advised and supported me. Also to Starbucks. The specialty coffee chain is my study room where I sometimes stay as long as 5 hours per day, and a cup of drip coffee always jumpstart my brain. And last but not least, my special thanks to my wife. You're my cheerleader and lighthouse.

Now, is anyone interested in offering me a good job?

Welcome Back

Although "Akafuku (赤福)" is back on store shelves early this year, I finally got this box today.

sweet treat, no more trick

スタバカ日誌 - What the third places are for -

Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks, envisioned his specialty coffee store as a "third place" where people spend most of their time besides their home and office. So at Starbucks, customers not only sip coffee but also read a book, enjoy conversation or study. If lucky, a pretty barista passes you a sample of new coffee or food, and have a little chat.

But, not all are coming to the third place for such purposes. A young college student came in to a store the other day. He was talking on the phone (I don't know how he ordered his coffee). He kept talking for all his 1/2 hour at the store. Even when he left.

For an Asian couple, the coffee chain is merely a meeting place with a roof and aroma. A couple of days ago, an Asian girl was seated without a cup of coffee. Later, her boyfriend arrived. They didn't order anything, but talked for a while, and were gone.

Only God knows if Howie expected such visitors to his coffee stores. But, if the store doesn't welcome such people, I insist Starbucks stop playing all the Christmas songs right now but rather play some pop music like Madonna's "Hang Up" and will.i.am's "Spending Money".

Cheers

Having watched Barack Obama's victory speech on CNN, I walked down to a nearby Starbucks coffee shop. Unlike Starbucks in U.S.A., the Japanese arm serves no free drip coffee. But, it did offer an alternative: "Kenya Coffee" for today's coffee - I have no clue whether it did on purpose. Although I had to wait for several minutes to be brewed and prepared, I picked a cup of "Kenya Coffee" rather than that of "Christmas Blend". (We have a plenty of time for celebrating Christmas!!)

a new president, a new America,

a new paper cup, a new insulating sleeve

and

a new world?!

After the "bitter" 8 years, what will the new administration be like? I also wonder how long a Caramel-Macchiato-like honeymoon will last. For your information, Starbucks describes Kenyan Coffee such that "medium-bodied Kenya has layers of flavor, from black currant or blackberry to sweet, tropical fruit" and that "the coffee is prized for its bright and refreshing quality." It wasn't my favorite flavor, though. I rather prefer "Breakfast Blend", "Espresso Roast" and "Colombia".