It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

lycan238

Posy wrote: »

Hope you're keeping well, lycan.

Weird weather today- hailstones, then sun, then rain. Bizarre!

Yes keeping well. I've been working away and studying part time these past three years.

Cork Lass wrote: »

We've had the four seasons - all we're short is Frankie Valli now:D

Welcome back lycan

Thanks Cork Lass. Delighted to be back posting in the happiest forum on Boards.

Aisling(",) wrote: »

God I'd love some chocolate biscuit cake right now!

I have professional exams all next week but I might order some fancy filled and flavored cupcakes as a celebration for next weekend.
Baked goods are the best goods.

Best of luck in your exams. I've two myself in June. Accounting Technician exams in my case.

Aisling(",)

lycan238 wrote: »

Best of luck in your exams. I've two myself in June. Accounting Technician exams in my case.

Oh god :eek:
I did accounting exams a few years ago (just basic stuff) as part of my tax exams and never again. Deffered tax calculations still haunt me.IFRS was not my friend.
Best of luck!I hope they're not too far into June and you can enjoy the hopefully good weather.

lycan238

Aisling(",) wrote: »

Oh god :eek:
I did accounting exams a few years ago (just basic stuff) as part of my tax exams and never again. Deffered tax calculations still haunt me.IFRS was not my friend.
Best of luck!I hope they're not too far into June and you can enjoy the hopefully good weather.

I've my tax exam on the 3rd and Management Accounting on the 9th so anyone who wishes to light a few candles on those mornings between 9:30AM and 12:30PM I will be most thankful. I actually enjoy the tax portion of my course. I'm looking to go on to do the CPA or ACA exams afterwards. Not sure yet if I wish to specialise in Audit of Not-For-Profit Organisations or Taxation encompassing tax planning, tax as it relates to wealth, tax of various Trusts including REIT's if they still exist when I get that far.

DvB

lycan238 wrote: »

I've my tax exam on the 3rd and Management Accounting on the 9th so anyone who wishes to light a few candles on those mornings between 9:30AM and 12:30PM I will be most thankful. I actually enjoy the tax portion of my course. I'm looking to go on to do the CPA or ACA exams afterwards. Not sure yet if I wish to specialise in Audit of Not-For-Profit Organisations or Taxation encompassing tax planning, tax as it relates to wealth, tax of various Trusts including REIT's if they still exist when I get that far.

99% of that went over my head (& thats even after being married to an accountant for 11 years) but best of luck with the studies & the exams. I did a masters part time in Trinity a few years ago so I know juggling study with work is not easy. Fair play.

lycan238

DvB wrote: »

99% of that went over my head (& thats even after being married to an accountant for 11 years) but best of luck with the studies & the exams. I did a masters part time in Trinity a few years ago so I know juggling study with work is not easy. Fair play.

Yeah it's not easy indeed. Plenty of late nights. Plenty of revision webinars as well. Thankfully they are on Zoom so easier to attend. Prior to COVID I enjoyed attending seminars and events so looking forward to getting back to attending those. I quite enjoy the Robert Kiyosaki books albeit I am well aware lots of what is in those books are based around the US tax system.

Aisling(",)

lycan238 wrote: »

I've my tax exam on the 3rd and Management Accounting on the 9th so anyone who wishes to light a few candles on those mornings between 9:30AM and 12:30PM I will be most thankful. I actually enjoy the tax portion of my course. I'm looking to go on to do the CPA or ACA exams afterwards. Not sure yet if I wish to specialise in Audit of Not-For-Profit Organisations or Taxation encompassing tax planning, tax as it relates to wealth, tax of various Trusts including REIT's if they still exist when I get that far.

At least there's a nice break between the two.I'll keeo fingers and toes crossed!:D

It's good see an accountant who's actually learning the tax aspect. I've come up against so many (chartered and all) who give advice that miles wrong.
If you're interested in dealing with tax planning for wealth management the CTA exams (my current burden) are worth a look.You'd probably be exempt from the first year too.A lot of people I work with have the double chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor and it always looks good!

TRS30

Fair play to anyone who studies and works. I did it many moons ago, before marriage and kids and that was hard enough! I have two professional exams related to my area of work that I am suppose to be sitting however had been putting them off since the start of the year, mainly because work has been so busy! Will probably end up doing them during the summer when hopefully work is a bit quieter.

lycan238

Aisling(",) wrote: »

At least there's a nice break between the two.I'll keeo fingers and toes crossed!:D

It's good see an accountant who's actually learning the tax aspect. I've come up against so many (chartered and all) who give advice that miles wrong.
If you're interested in dealing with tax planning for wealth management the CTA exams (my current burden) are worth a look.You'd probably be exempt from the first year too.A lot of people I work with have the double chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor and it always looks good!

Yes I decided to defer studying Advanced Financial Accounting and IAS to the next academic year due to the pandemic which has helped me really get to grips with the 2 modules I am doing. Regarding the CTA qualification I have looked into that qualification and yes I have it on my list as a potential further study in years to come post qualification with ACA/CPA.

A good tax specialist is worth it in my opinion. At a recent interview I had a great discussion with a partner regarding having a USP when qualified. If I just qualified as an Accountant with no specialist area I may be 'replaceable' with a fresh graduate who the company can train to what they need. A specialist will slot into most firms easily especially firms with that focus in that area.

kitten_k

Best of luck Lycan and Aisling! As someone who has sat the chartered accountancy exams I feel your pain!!

Autosport

Best of luck in your exams

DenMan

Best of luck guys in the exams.

freshpopcorn

Mr.Sir

I had frost on my 4x4 window this morning, it was magical. Felt so like Christmas.

Littlehorny

It has been wintery the last while alright, feels like there is 30 days to go on the countdown not 230.
Speaking of which, I remember the countdown hitting 300 days to go, where has the last 70 days gone?
Must be getting old when the year is going by so fast

freshpopcorn

We're into the 220's.
In a few days they'll only be 200 days until December 1st.( I know I have it bad).

TRS30

Littlehorny wrote: »

Must be getting old when the year is going by so fast

Where have the last 10 years gone?!?

10 year wedding anniversary coming up next year :eek:

DvB

freshpopcorn wrote: »

We're into the 220's.
In a few days they'll only be 200 days until December 1st.( I know I have it bad).

If Dec 1st is 24 days before christmas day & we're at 229 we're looking at just 6 days until that point (199 days until Dec 1st) at least I think thats the case!

But why not go the full hog & say the adverts start on Nov.1st or Christmas FM starts 28th Nov...

DvB

TRS30 wrote: »

Where have the last 10 years gone?!?

10 year wedding anniversary coming up next year :eek:

Kids do that to you!
We have our 11th Anniversary on Friday & its gone by in the blink of an eye. Scary how fast the years have gone.

Littlehorny

TRS30 wrote: »

Where have the last 10 years gone?!?

10 year wedding anniversary coming up next year :eek:

Years just zip by alright, we'll be married 21 years in a few weeks!!!

TRS30

Over 24 hours without a post (excluding countdown).

Nothing really to say, just hope someone replies so will be a bold thread when I next check in

Hope everyone having a good day, even if Tuesdays are worse then Mondays!!

jellybear

Awh TRS30, couldn't let you down so said I'd reply

Nothing much happening in my little world! Getting my second dose of Pfizer on Saturday Hubby and brother are getting their first doses aswell so it's just my poor parents waiting..don't get me started on that...not impressed with the 'age based' rollout at all.

Finally starting physio for my broken finger! It's been in a splint 7 weeks now so I'm DYING to be able to take it off at least for part of the day...still have to wear it at night for 6 more weeks.

Hair cut booked for the end of the month....first cut in 15 months!!!!

Anywho, I've waffled on enough! Hope everyone is keeping well

Beechwoodspark

Folks had a most vivid dream last night of Christmas Eve and it was absolutely pelting down with snow! Winter wonderland type scenes

The news had footage of people coming into dublin airport and Carol singers and ppl being so relieved to get home in the bad weather. Then warnings about safe travel over Christmas.

In the dream the weather forecaster said there’d be no let up on snow until early in the new year.

Seemed so vivid.

I just hope it might come true sometime!!!

A white Christmas this year would be just magical!

I'm absolutely wrecked after work, binging some Netflix for the evening to wind down. We're just flying through May

DvB

TRS30 wrote: »

Over 24 hours without a post (excluding countdown).

Nothing really to say, just hope someone replies so will be a bold thread when I next check in

Hope everyone having a good day, even if Tuesdays are worse then Mondays!!

Odd... was convinced I posted earlier today, meant to but must have been distracted... like yourself TRS like to see some activity so tend to try to keep things ticking over if it gets quiet.

TRS30

jellybear wrote: »

Awh TRS30, couldn't let you down so said I'd reply

Nothing much happening in my little world! Getting my second dose of Pfizer on Saturday Hubby and brother are getting their first doses aswell so it's just my poor parents waiting..don't get me started on that...not impressed with the 'age based' rollout at all.

Finally starting physio for my broken finger! It's been in a splint 7 weeks now so I'm DYING to be able to take it off at least for part of the day...still have to wear it at night for 6 more weeks.

Hair cut booked for the end of the month....first cut in 15 months!!!!

Anywho, I've waffled on enough! Hope everyone is keeping well

Thanks

Good to hear you all getting vaccinated. We'll have everyone done in no time!!

Broken finger sounds painfully, hopefully will be fully healed soon.

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Folks had a most vivid dream last night of Christmas Eve and it was absolutely pelting down with snow! Winter wonderland type scenes

The news had footage of people coming into dublin airport and Carol singers and ppl being so relieved to get home in the bad weather. Then warnings about safe travel over Christmas.

In the dream the weather forecaster said there’d be no let up on snow until early in the new year.

Seemed so vivid.

I just hope it might come true sometime!!!

Wouldn't mind a dream like that. Beats my falling ones

Deleted User wrote: »

A white Christmas this year would be just magical!

I'm absolutely wrecked after work, binging some Netflix for the evening to wind down. We're just flying through May

I know the feeling, about binge on some Amazon Prime now kids all asleep.

Will be June before we know it :eek:

TRS30

DvB wrote: »

Odd... was convinced I posted earlier today, meant to but must have been distracted... like yourself TRS like to see some activity so tend to try to keep things ticking over if it gets quiet.

I did that the other day. Typed up a post and never hit submit

Hope all good your end.

Loughc

freshpopcorn wrote: »

We're into the 220's.
In a few days they'll only be 200 days until December 1st.( I know I have it bad).

We are picking up speed now in the countdown!!

lycan238

Ah TRS30 I won't let you down today so I shall reply as well keep the stats up.

Jellybear we have had a good experience of the vaccine rollout here so far. Mam and Dad (both aged in 70's, mam vulnerable category in addition) have had 2 doses. I've had the first dose myself as I'm also in the vulnerable category I'll get my 2nd dose on the 28th.

I got out and about for a while today on the roads. First time in 15 months getting into the car to drive somewhere that wasn't shopping or an appointment and I enjoyed every minute of it. Everyone in good spirits but keeping safe at the same time.

With a decent bit of luck we will be in a much better place by the time the leaves change colour turning orange and brown. I am looking forward to the last 4 months of this year. I'm sure it will be a bumpy enough journey but Christmas 2021 looks to be a good one already.

Loughc

So does anyone have any exciting plans now that lockdown is slowly coming to an end?

lycan238

Loughc wrote: »

So does anyone have any exciting plans now that lockdown is slowly coming to an end?

I still have my plans from 2020 to do yet so I'll start there. In all honesty though with college fees to pay in August it will be a tight year. Hoping the job hunt will pick up pace in the second half of the year and I will get something permanent later in the year. I'd like to get away for a weekend somewhere as well. Suggestions welcome. Won't be going alone so an activity or two would be nice.

Posy

Hair booked for later in the month, can't wait.
Work night out planned for the first Friday in June.
Currently looking up holidays for August, just a couple of nights in the country somewhere would do nicely!


Everyone in my family has had their first vaccine too, and they are all well so far, so that is a relief.

Posy

I hope this is the last time that we are discussing post-lockdown plans. I really do!!

jellybear wrote: »

Getting my second dose of Pfizer on Saturday

Oh great news.
Three people in my workplace are now vaccinated too, it's all getting very real that this is actually really happening!
Omg your poor broken finger. 7 weeks in a splint, plus physio, ooouch.

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Folks had a most vivid dream last night of Christmas Eve and it was absolutely pelting down with snow! Winter wonderland type scenes

That all sounds fantastic. What a lovely dream, I'm very jealous.

Littlehorny

Loughc wrote: »

So does anyone have any exciting plans now that lockdown is slowly coming to an end?

Visiting my parents for the first time since Christmas this Sat, they are 50 years married that day

Posy

That is fantastic! \o/

Loughc

Littlehorny wrote: »

Visiting my parents for the first time since Christmas this Sat, they are 50 years married that day

Love news like this

Loving all the good news and positivity!

TRS30

Loughc wrote: »

So does anyone have any exciting plans now that lockdown is slowly coming to an end?

Going out for a meal with other half, happy so we are not cook/waiter/pot cleaner

Littlehorny wrote: »

Visiting my parents for the first time since Christmas this Sat, they are 50 years married that day

My folks are 50 years married in Sept. Going to have first big family get together since all this started. Can't wait.

DvB

My mum n dads 50th anniversary was last July so we weren't able to celebrate it at all. We've a lot of making up to do when all this nonsense is over. Just hope its all over & done with next year, couple of big events in the family coming up in 2022!!

DvB

BTW, great to see a few more posts appearing in here again, had gotten v.quiet recently.

TRS30

DvB wrote: »

BTW, great to see a few more posts appearing in here again, had gotten v.quiet recently.

Yep, was great to see 4 bold threads this morning when I logged in.

CheerLouth

Loughc wrote: »

So does anyone have any exciting plans now that lockdown is slowly coming to an end?

Getting my hair done on Saturday...I actually can't wait

I'm also super jealous of everyone with their vaccines :P I'm in the high risk category and I'm still none the wiser on when I'll get mine...GP told me it'll be a while yet

DvB

Friends of mine in their 50's have started getting their vaccines this week. Great to see, just miss out on the current bracket unfortunately seeing as i'm hanging on to my 40's by my fingernails now...

Have been advised that the next bracket isn't far from being called to register so theres a fairly solid chance I could be fully vaccinated before the end of June now which would be fantastic as I had been expecting August/September initially.

TRS30

DvB wrote: »

Friends of mine in their 50's have started getting their vaccines this week. Great to see, just miss out on the current bracket unfortunately seeing as i'm hanging on to my 40's by my fingernails now...

Have been advised that the next bracket isn't far from being called to register so theres a fairly solid chance I could be fully vaccinated before the end of June now which would be fantastic as I had been expecting August/September initially.

Hearing the same, things seem to be really ramping up so expect to done by mid/late summer (a few years younger that, not many though:D) and had Sept/Oct in my head a month ago.

DvB

TRS30 wrote: »

Hearing the same, things seem to be really ramping up so expect to done by mid/late summer (a few years younger that, not many though:D) and had Sept/Oct in my head a month ago.

Yeah, with the increased confidence in delivery of the vaccinations from the pharma industry it seems that the initial estimates were conservative, so its looking like(fingers crossed) we'll be ahead of schedule.

Hearing great stuff going on in the background about huge easing of restrictions re: hospitality & attending sports events, concerts etc for July if things continue at the current rates so we may get a normal christmas 2021 yet!!

Wouldn't that be wonderful!!

CheerLouth

It'd be just amazing wouldn't it...it's actually just the kids stuff that I'm bothered about...the nights out etc don't bother me (I'm too tired these days anyway :P) but I'd love to have the school Christmas concert and the carol service

DvB

CheerLouth wrote: »

It'd be just amazing wouldn't it...it's actually just the kids stuff that I'm bothered about...the nights out etc don't bother me (I'm too tired these days anyway :P) but I'd love to have the school Christmas concert and the carol service

Agree. As much as I enjoy the odd night out in the run up its the family stuff I enjoy the most. And with the kids up for another trip to causey farm (suspect it'll be the last) i most definitely want that to happen so we can make a real day of it & take loads of photos etc.

The kids school concert, choir & carol services are all something I'd love to get to do again this year too... as much as we made the most of last christmas it wasn't ideal so anything close enough to normal would be fitting for the most wonderful time of the year.

Aisling(",)

I'm getting my hair done next Wednesday.6 months of roots shall finally be gone!
In the process of buying a house so I'm dying to get in and look at furniture when she shops re open.I know I could book appointments before but I prefer to browse without any pressure.

Estate agent was on today to clear up some points and said the sellers are eager to go at the end of this month/start of June. A productive part of the pandemic coming into play!

Littlehorny

^^^very best of luck with the new house . Hoping everything goes as stress free as possible.

TRS30

The thoughts of being able to bring the kids to see Santa again is brilliant. The big family get togethers, Santa visits and kids shows/concerts are what I missed most last Christmas. Would be amazing to have all that back this year.

Posy

TRS30 wrote: »

Hearing the same, things seem to be really ramping up so expect to done by mid/late summer (a few years younger that, not many though:D) and had Sept/Oct in my head a month ago.

I was thinking there would be no sign of a vaccine for my age group until the end of the year, so I've been pleasantly surprised by the amount administered this last month or so!

A somewhat normal Christmas would be amazing. \o/

I think after everything reopening last year and the optimism of last summer followed by the disaster of a second wave in September and 8 months of lockdown, I'm actually afraid to get my hopes up.