Courtney's Blog August 1st, Day 27 of the Epic McFarland Journey!
We had lots to do this day! After missing the Jewel Cave last night, we decide to head there as soon as it opens so we don't encounter the same issue. Before that, though, we head to the Crazy Horse Memorial because it is right near our hotel and opens at 7am. This is also the day I can find out my score!! Remember, I am two hours behind east coast time, and the scores come out at 12:00pm east coast time...so 10am!! I hardly have any time to wait! I distract myself with the Crazy Horse Memorial and try to enjoy it.
Basically, the Crazy Horse Memorial is Mount Rushmore to commemorate Chief Crazy Horse. It's way cooler though because while Washington had to share the rock with his comrades, Crazy Horse gets the whole thing to himself. We see the memorial from the road, but pay to get in and see it closer. There is also a museum you can visit, an instructional video and a bus tour to the top of the rock to get close enough to pick his stone nose. We pass on the tour to the top because we don't want to tempt Gideon too much. The museum itself was rather disappointing. There were a lot of american indian items and some paintings. Nothing too interesting. Of course, maybe that is because NOTHING can entertain me from the thought of getting my score in the next 2 hours!!!
Look at that amazing carving. It really is impressive. I can't make a normal looking dog out of malleable playdoh, but these guys can carve faces out of rocks. Oh, well. We all have different talents, I guess! Looking at this picture, how long to do you think they've been working on this monument. Just give it a guess. I can't hear you. I won't know how wrong you are. FIFTY YEARS. FIFTY YEARS and they only finished the front of his head, and drew in chalk on the rock for the horse. FIFTY YEARS. To put this in perspective, it only took 14 years to carve ALL of Mt. Rushmore. (more on that later)
We take our pictures, make another wish in the fountain (uneventful wishing this time) and head out of the museum. The doors on the way out said "Never forget your dreams". Abby, who is 16 now, said "a little dramatic, don't ya think?"
We get to the car. It is around 8:30 and the Jewel Cave opens at 9. We head on over. I ask Adam to check my score for me ..you know....just in case. *nothing* Adam has required that I cannot check my score without him. He wants to record the reaction on video...and ensures me, if it's a bad score, the video goes nowhere :-). Once we get on the road to the Jewel Cave, all cell reception is lost...again. Oh well, the scores aren't out until 10am anyways. I'll go enjoy the Jewel Cave. We are able to get tickets to the first tour of the morning. We had two tour options:
1. The Scenic Tour 1/2 mile trail...723 steps. 723 steps or 40 flights of stairs. A more detailed 1 hour and 20 minute journey..on 723 steps.
2. The Discovery Tour a 20 minute easy tour.
We obviously chose the Discovery Tour. I can't imagine the kids or myself on 40 flights of stairs in a cave. While we are waiting this couple and their 1 year old daughter are with us. The woman comes over to me and very excitedly starts going on and on about the junior ranger program. It is this program where you fill out a flyer and get badges from different national parks. Its for kids. So kids do it because they are "rangers". So it is for kids. Kids. So the lady starts showing me the pamphlet and keeps telling me how the kids should do it!!! Her daughter (who is one...) is doing it and loves it!!!!! She loves it!!!! We are going to Mount Rushmore next to get another one!!!! She loves it!!! The dad looks at me and says "we got one from yellowstone too!!". Adam intervenes because he knows me too well. He manages to calm them down and we go on the tour.
We are so excited to see all the jewel formations. We enter the cave and walk down 1 flight of stairs after a long, long elevator ride down. We walk on a platform that is kind of balancing in the middle of the cave room we are in. This is the only room we are visiting. We look around but can hardly see any jewels ...or even the cave walls. It was super dark (imagine that). We were all very disappointed and tried to act interested for our 10 minutes of free time. The ranger couple went over and badgered our tour guide for answers to their ranger pamphlet. Their one year old daughter who LOVES it, was throwing a temper tantrum on the upper level while the mom was shouting "WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR IN THE CAVE" to the tour guide. All very relaxing. One cool thing about the cave, though, was that they are still discovering it. There are more discovery tours every weekend and they discover new miles and miles of the cave all the time.
When the first two men found the cave, they were psyched because they found jewels!!! They investigated and figured out that the "jewels" were worthless. So they made it a tourist trap.....which we fell into. Overall, we were super disappointed, BUT I think if we had done the 40 flight tour, we would have liked it more. Here is the best shot I got of the jewels...
We head out of the jewel cave and get back to the van. It is past 10. My score has to be out. But remember, no cell service. We head on to our next destination, Mount Rushmore, about 30 minutes away. We will pass by a small town with cell service before we get there. Adam promises we can check my score when we get there. I am driving to keep myself busy. I have to pee like crazy, what's new? And I see a Flintstone Village. Have you seen these? There is this campground chain that makes everything look like the Flintstones. Isn't that cool? There are dinosaurs, and the buildings look like the cartoon. We have seen a couple of them. We stop at this one because Gideon wants a picture with Dino (see his pictures for proof). I run in to pee and ask Adam to check my score while I am gone. I come out of the bathroom and there, in the parking lot, are the freaking rangers. I ignore them like any normal human person would. But they get all excited and start waving and hunting me down. I politely smile and say I have to get back to the car. When I left they were asking a woman how much the Flintstone train ride was around the campground because their daughter (again, 1 year old) really wanted to go.
I get back to the car and as I approach, I look at Adam's face for any clues. Is my score out? Did you get it? I get in the car. He says "the scores still aren't posted". What!? It's almost 11:00!!! I pull myself together and promise myself it is not because I have failed worse than anyone before and they are rechecking my score to be sure I really screwed up that bad. We head on to Mount Rushmore.
Now, I am not expecting much from Mount Rushmore. It's not like this was a "must see" on our trip for me, but if we are out here, we might as well cruise by. Plus, I just saw Crazy Horse and it really wasn't life changing. We park and walk in towards the park. We can see the huge heads from the parking lot and immediately I am overcome with emotion. They are amazing. It is so awe-inspiring that someone designed and completed this. It is HUGE and the detail is exquisite. We find out that Lincoln's hand is actually carved into the mountain (but it's hard to see) and that Lincoln is missing his right ear. They also didn't finish various other aspects they wanted to finish, like buttons on their jackets. The death of the designer, improper rock texture and budget cuts were the reasons the Monument wasn't completed. The museum had some videos on how the monument was created. It was an amazing process. The designer had originally planned for Roosevelt to be to the left of Washington, but he had to change it. To create the masterpiece, the sculptor would carve a small scale version of each bust exactly as he wanted it. He would then multiply it by 60 for the Mountain measurements. They then would drop twine from the top of the mountain down the number of feet needed to mark major characteristics of each head. The sculptors would then sculpt to the length and width of where the twine fell. Completely amazing. Not one person died during the construction and the sculptors sons finished what they could after their dad died. They didn't do Lincoln's ear because they ran out of money and time.
The kids loved seeing it just as much as we did. Although, at first Gideon couldn't see "the guys" in the stone. After another potty break, and a quick gift store visit, we headed out.
Back to the car and we still have cell service. Now it is past 12:00pm our time..the scores have to be out. Adam checks again. Nothing. I investigate through some CPA websites to see if everyone is still waiting. It looks like they released 2 of the 4 tests worth of scores so far. Of course, the one I am waiting on, BEC, is not yet released. UGHHHHHHHHH.....I can't keep myself busy any longer!!! The waiting really is the hardest part!
Our next destination is The Badlands. This is another park kind of like the Painted Desert. But ...badder. It is a little bit of a haul out there so we pack it in, and start a'movin'! Again, I drive to avoid worrying about checking my score. Again, we go in and out of cell service like crazy. About half way there, I have Adam check again. The third test score is out!!! Again, not mine. Wah Wah. I do the math and there is about 2 hours between releases :-(. I try to keep myself busy and start noticing all these billboards for a place called "Wall Drug Store". It is a huge drug store, and...everything else. Basically, it's walmart, but in South Dakota. They have food, toys, auto parts, pharmaceuticals and more. I have been looking for some medicine, so I tell Adam we should stop by and I'll just run in to get the stuff. We get there and it is PACKED. Wall to wall people (get it? wall drug?). I find a spot and ask Adam to check my score...nothing. JFDKLAFJ;DKLFJAKLF; I head into the drug store by myself to avoid the kids asking for more unnecessary toys. The place is ginormous. I find the room that has the "pharmacy" in it. Nope. They don't have my medicine. Great. I head over to the toy section and get the kids unncessary toys anyway. I also pick up some candy for us all to enjoy before we get to the badlands. I try desperately to find my way out of this huge place and walk back to the car. Again, I look at Adam's face for some sort of recognition that my score was released. Again nothing. I get back in the car and before I hand out the presents, Adam says, "do you want to know now? or later?" I stammer..."is my score out?" Adam says "yes". I immediately look back at Abby, who can't keep a secret, hoping her face will give away the outcome. She just blankly stares at me and Adam says "she doesn't know the score yet". I panic. I repeat "my score is out?" about 100 times. Adam tells me to get out of the car so he can record the moment. Abby stands behind me so she can see the score before me and I won't see her face. Gideon just meanders around wondering what the heck we are doing. Adam stands in front of me and starts recording asking me ridiculous questions that I can't answer. I just want to KNOW!!! I have been taking this exam for 10 years.
The exam has 4 parts (Auditing, Regulation(tax), Financial Reporting and Business Enviornment and Concepts). You must take and pass all four parts within an 18 month period. Cinch, right? No.
1. Each exam takes at least 1 - 2 months of studying.
2. Every third month is a "blackout month" meaning you can't test in that month. So 18 months is really 12.
3. It costs $200 to initially apply, and $250 for each time you take any parts of the exam.
4. The content is constantly updated based upon new accounting standards and pronouncements.
5. There are multiple choice questions and 7 ...word problems...essentially.
6. There is obviously limited time to take each exam (typically 3 - 4 hours).
7. You study textbooks which are 500 pages long, and you only get tested on approximately 1/2 of it. Good luck figuring out which half.
8. The scores are not released for sometimes 4 to 6 weeks after you take the exam. Do you restudy for the exam you just took, or move on to the next one?!
The exam is hard. According to those that have taken both the BAR exam and the CPA exam, they are at least comparable, but most felt the CPA was harder. NOT THE CONTENT for you lawyers out there (not insulting your hard work!), but the manner in which the test is given. There are managers at my firm who took 10 years plus to pass it as well. It does not test your day to day knowledge that is needed to function in the accounting firm. Consider it the SAT exam for college. You test on a bunch of stuff you never have to know again.
I started my journey 10 years ago when I started working at AAF. I took my first section, AUD, and passed it with an 80! I have no kids and plenty of time to study! I take the second section and the exam doesn't go quite as well. I can tell while I am taking it. I get a 72. You need a 75 to pass. I restudy and take it again within the next month. I am 10x more prepared. I get a 68. This is devastating. I start to study again...and then...Abigail. First time I put the exam on hold.
I start studying again before we get pregnant with Gideon. I take BEC and pass with an 80! Yay! I take audit and get super sick the night before with the stomach flu. I fail with a 73. Meet Gideon!
I start studying again and working full time and now have two lovely children and a husband and a house. I take BEC and pass again! I take Audit and pass AGAIN! I quit. It's all too much. Work, home, kids..my house looks like homeless people live there. I can't do it. It's not for me. I can't be a CPA. This means I won't be a manager and I can't move further up in the firm. Adam's job is super busy right now, he is traveling and has lots of pressure on him. His job pays more than mine, and in my world, that means, his job wins. I quit the exam, focus on work and family.
It isn't long before I am heartbroken that I cannot advance in the firm. I see opportunities passing me by because I don't have my CPA. My clients just assume I do, and I can't say "oh, no, I don't"..how embarrassing. So, with Adam, my mom, the kids and my great friends' support, I decide to try again. I take FAR which I have never even tried before. It is the hardest (I hear) and I study for 3 months for it. I pass with an 82!! I am elated. This feels different. I start taking days off of work to study. I let my work slip because I know there is no other way to do this. I take AUD next...I pass with an 83!!! Bam! I am on a ROLL!! Next I approach my arch nemesis...REG. I don't care what people say, THIS one is the hardest. I take the exam. It could go either way....but it only goes one way....a 69. WHY CAN'T I DO THIS!?!? I tell Abby I failed. She breaks down into tears. It has been 9 months since I have gone grocery shopping with her or to the movies. It has been 9 months of me saying "I can't right now, I have to study". 9 months of not being the mom she needs, of not being the daughter my mom needs, of not being the wife my husband needs or the friend I know I can be. We are all devasted. I am embarrassed to look at Adam. He has given up so much. He takes the kids on hikes and walks and does chores so I can sit at home and study. My mom takes the kids on weekends to give Adam a break so that I can study and he can breathe. I am devastated to tell her I just didn't get it...again. But, again, with the support of family and friends, I grow angry and decide I am going to teach REG a lesson. I study even harder for the next month and take it again. I pass with a 78! Only one left..and it is one I have passed two times before. I can do this! The exam is on July 1st. We leave for our trip July 5th. Bad timing. Lots of stress of packing, getting work all set for a 6 week hiatus, planning all that goes along with the trip...but again, Adam and my mom come through. They do everything possible to make sure I JUST study. Now, I am waiting to see if I am done. It has only been 11 months since I passed the first test so I have time in case I fail, but my heart honestly cannot take another fail.
Adam tells Abby to hand me the phone so I can see my score. I take a deep breath and I look down. 84. It's done. A wave of relief hits me and I almost collapse in tears of exhaustion, pride and thankfulness. Abby cries with me and gives me a big hug. Gideon keeps walking around me saying "Mommy, it's ok, you didn't fail!" You can check out the "video" section to see proof of all this. My heart finally feels calm. I am ecstatic. We head back into the car and give everyone their treats. I enjoy my first CPA twix bar as Abby called it.
The rest of the drive to the Badlands is full of me randomly blurting things out like "Thank God I am done!" and "Thank you so much for all believing in me and never giving up on me!" That twix bar was fantastic.
We get to the Badlands and I don't know if I was still on a CPA high, but it is prettier than the painted desert to me. We stop here and there to explore and take pictures. Everything feels "free" to me. I don't have this guilt and worry over me. I feel exhilarated and overcome with happiness. We see lots of beautiful sites and keep exploring. We are taking our time. Maybe a little too much time....
We are in the last 1/3 of the park when I hear Gideon say "I have to go poop so bad my bum is dancing!" quickly followed by "I hope my bum crack is gunna hold that poop". We skip the last couple stops of the park and get that man to a bathroom. All is well, and we leave the park and head towards our hotel.
On the way, there is a rainbow sunset. The top of the sky is purple and blue, fading into green, into yellow, into orange and red at the horizon. I thank God for the congratulatory rainbow, and enjoy it the entire ride to the hotel.
Summary:
People in South Dakota are wondering why there was that sniveling, crying, lady at Wall Drug, I don't have to study no more, Crazy Horse takes longer than 4 men and the Badlands are sooo good.
Ended the Day at the Holiday Inn, Mitchell, SD
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