[Nan]

Limbo … dictionary definitions:

1. A state of nonresolution or uncertainty

2. A place or state of imprisonment or confinement

3. A region or condition of oblivion or neglect

4. A region existing on the border of Hell

5. The place where CPA exam candidates find themselves for six months to three years after naively shelling out megabucks in admission fees

I’d like to swap stories about how prepping for these exams has transformed us from got-it-together, hot-to-trot dudes and dudettes to overweight trolls who believe walking to the bathroom without flashcards is a waste of good study time.

For instance:

— Have you gained 20 pounds and bought reading glasses even though you’re not drinking and still under 35?

— Did you set a new personal record for the number of hours you can stay awake to study in a week, refreshing yourself with 20 minute catnaps?

— Do you walk around a lot with a glassy expression, waving your hands in the air and muttering while drawing imaginary supply and demand curves?

— If you leave the house wearing one black and one tan shoe, do you even care anymore?

— Did you discover that the heater made a loud click-click-thump noise every time it cycled?

— Do you now use Windex and paper towels to quickly clean yesterday’s makeup and oil off your face, because it’s cheap and effective and saves 3 minutes?

— Are you singing endless choruses of Sesame Street’s “one of these things is not like the others” song while clawing your way through MCQs?

— Do you keep your toothbrush in the car, and know exactly how much toothpaste you can apply while driving down the highway, so as to not drip it on your shirt front?

— Have you taped pictures of your DH/DW and the kids to your monitor, so you don’t forget what they look like?

— Are you convinced that stopping a tidal wave or a lava flow is easier than mastering the volume of material in FAR?

Please share your ancedotes. If I have to be stuck in Limbo, it’s nice knowing that someone else is here, too.

[75 CPA]

I bought computer glasses for studying for the CPA exams. I never needed these glasses before.

I never drank coffee before. I now drink 5 cups of coffee a day.

I have become a very boring person. My one topic of conversation is the CPA exams.

My wife is tried of the progress reports. All she wants to hear is that I am finished.

I spend more time at my computer than I do with the rest of the world.

I booked a cruise for June. It is less expensive than more review materials. A cruise is also less expensive than a therapist.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I have more of a connection to Another71 posters than I do half my Facebook friends.

NASBA is my homepage and I check it even if I know nothing's there, just in case it changed.

Just the mention of the word “study” causes my husband's eyes to roll uncontrollably to the back of his head and let out an overly-loud, over dramatic, too-lengthy sigh.

On score release nights, my kids know to stay in their rooms out of earshot with their headphones on.

Other people stare at me with curiosity when they see me with flashcards at the doctor's office, birthday parties, planetarium, etc. I have no social life.

I eat more chocolate than vegetables and my body has transformed in the last nine months to something soft and unrecognizable.

I love, love, love tax season because it gives me a break from studying FAR.

Next time I take the exam, I am considering wearing adult diapers so I won't need a bathroom break.

[Anonymous]

You can study and eat/drive/shave all at the same time. I am sure it is possible to study while showering but I wasn't able to master that one.

My boss thought I was the most dedicated person alive. He knew I went home to study & always saw me intent working during the day. Little does he know that those intent moments were the 10 minutes every hour going over MC questions.

You can hold a dog or a baby in your lap while studying. Your spouse might not appreciate you resting your book on its head though.

I got impatient for anything interrupting my study time. Any conversation more than two minutes & I would start thinking “consolidate”.

I subconsciously started fixing my hair more like Tim Gearty and started talking like Peter Olinto.

A cop stopped me for speeding & I thought of using the Ohio loophole to get out of it.

Dudley Moore & Bo Derek made love to Ravel's Bolero in “10”. I started making love to the Becker intro music.

Some who are reading this is either wondering wth is Bolero, is hearing the music of Bolero in their head, is hearing the Becker intro music & most are thinking making love. Ya perves.

[No2pencil]

Bria! Congrats on beating this beast! You have a great sense of humor. And yes, I'm old enough to know the characters in your stories.

You definitely have a future as a comedienne should you decide not to pursue to your career in accounting. Best of luck to you…….

FAR 86, BEC 82, AUD 80, REG 83 Done, thank God - CA

[Anonymous]

There is but one topic of conversation and CPA exam is thy name.

The highlight of the week is Friday night since it is study-night off and you finally sit down with the spouse to watch a movie only to be asleep 10 minutes later.

Every time you hear the word far you think of FAR and shiver.

[Anonymous]

Date – LOL!!! I really needed a laugh, but you are right the word “far” will forever have a new meaning in our lives.

[Author]

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