Whaddup?

So I've just found an unlocked wireless network in the area. Awesome. I suspect it belongs to my cousin so it's not stealing.

It's day 4 of my between jobs break and I've been positively unproductive. Innit grand? But seriously, I'm feeling really lethargic so the next few days will be devoted to housework, light exercise and recipe trials. I know. It's like I'm friggin Martha Stewart right?

I've also signed up to retake my CFA in December so I suppose I should get some studying done. Or something. Whatever. Back to the tai-tai life.

Boobs out.

Written on my Archos 5

CFA Update

So it's been exactly 4 months and 1 day since my last blog entry about my CFA escapades, and because I'm sure so much of my audience is riveted by my attempt to pass the notoriously difficult CFA, I felt the need to update you. Especially since it's currently my study session and this is something that will distract me from the monotony.

After conversations with a colleague who's passed his Level 1 on his first attempt and just sat for his Level 2, his advice was to start studying after NYE because any earlier and you'll forget it anyway by exam time. And of course, I thought this was brilliant reasoning. Come January and obviously I've been too lazy (and caught up with certain unmentionable situations) to start.

So now, I'm stuck with 6 extra thick supersized textbooks and 2 exam workbooks to get through by June 7. Suffice to say that my previously posted highly positive exam timetable won't work out. At this stage, what I'll need is:

1. A miracle;
2. To not be distracted by the internet, the phone, certain unmentionable situations, work, the 2 highly adorable kittens which I will obtain ETA 5.5 days; and
3. To get through 1 and a half 530-page textbooks (which translates to on average 20 pages a day with 40 on the weekends).

Actually, when I break it down like that it doesn't sound too bad. I could do 20 per day. I think. I hope.

My CFA Schedule

This may be really wishful thinking (especially since my books are still sitting in their box and I've been watching Monk and Mad Men every night), but this is my CFA schedule:

It really does basically mean that I'm not going to see my friends for the next 3 years.

CFA Update: The Curriculum is on time

I got this in my Inbox today:
And because I love tracking shipments, I had to look up the tracking number.
So apparently, I'm getting my curriculum today. Just in time for the weekend. Yay!

CFA Goodness!

Success! After several months, I've actually signed up and (successfully) signed up for the CFA. That's it. The books are on the way, and my exam is in June 2009. Here's hoping.

Part 2: The trials and tribulations of enrolling into the CFA Program

So they've responded to my CFA enquiry (as from The trials and tribulations of enrolling into the CFA Program). This time, I actually did get it in the email. This is what they said:

Miss [X],

I apologize if the previous response did not fully answer your questions. You should make your check payable to CFA Institute.

Our address is as follows:
CFA Institute
560 Ray C. Hunt Drive
PO Box
3668
Charlottesville, VA 22903-0668
USA

Mailed payments can take 2 to 3 weeks to process. After your application has been processed, we will send a receipt by e-mail.

Feel free to contact us again if you have any other questions.

Regards,
Katrina Smoot
Client Services

Visit our website at www.cfainstitute.org.
Learn more about the CFA Program at http://www.cfainstitute.org/cfaprog/index.html.
Learn more about the CIPM Program at http://www.cfainstitute.org/cipm/index.html.

Well now that's an answer to a customer service query. I apologise to the CFA people for being so snippy, but I figured if I didn't outline clearly what I needed, they wouldn't give it to me.

The verdict? I have to enrol in December's exam, because it'd take too long for the check to clear and stuff. Sigh. Suck.

The trials and tribulations of enrolling into the CFA Program

I invite you to join me in my quest to enrol into the CFA Program. Laugh with me at the highs. Cry with me at the lows. Stress with me when I study. Here we go. Hold on tight.

My Query #1 (18th Feb):

I tried repeatedly on Friday (15th Feb) to enrol for the June 2008 exam. However, the website did not accept both the credit cards that I tried.

I called the relevant bank to check on my credit card's status, and they said that they had gotten no attempts to charge anything on the card, meaning that the rejection was from your website.

Further attempts were again unsuccessful. Can I find out what the problem is? According to the bank, my credit card has sufficient funds and should not have any problems charging the fees to it. Also, is there any way you can enrol me into the June 2008 exam?

Their Answer #1 (20th Feb):

6158398 Miss [X] Thank you for contacting us. We accept credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard or Visa), personal or corporate checks, and money orders as payment. We also accept wire transfer payments. The instructions are as follows: Wire Transfers within the US SunTrust Bank 919 E. Main St. Richmond, VA 23219 ABA # 061000104 Account Name: CFA Institute Account # 201580721 Wire Transfers from outside the US SunTrust Bank 25 Park Place Atlanta, GA 30303 Swift Code: SNTRUS3A Account Name: CFA Institute Account # 201580721 Please be sure to let us know of the purpose for the wire. Your name and CFA Institute ID number and/or invoice number (if applicable) must appear on the wire or we will return the funds to your bank. We can not accept debit cards. Harry King Client Services Visit our website at www.cfainstitute.org. Learn more about the CFA Program at www.cfainstitute.org/cfaprog. Learn more about the CIPM Program at www.cfainstitute.org/cipm. The following service request has been assigned to you: Service Request Number: 1-80869761 Date Opened : 2/17/2008 08:26:40 PM Severity : Priority : 3-Medium Product : Abstract : Failed enrollment Description : I tried repeatedly on Friday (15th Feb) to enrol for the June 2008 exam. However, the website did not accept both the credit cards that I tried. I called the relevant bank to check on ...

That's it. Complete with ... and everything. Exactly like that.

My Query #2 (27th Feb):

Hi,

Just to make it clear, I'm not happy with the customer service reply that I received for SR# 1-80869761.

While the answer was sufficient (I would rate it a 4 out of 10), it didn't give me any details for a payment by personal check. I've scoured the FAQs and the website and haven't found anything other than "we accept personal checks", which is all well and good, but, and to make sure you don't confuse the question,

1. WHO DO I MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO?
2. WHERE DO I MAIL THE CHECK TO?
3. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE BEFORE THE PAYMENT IS REFLECTED ONLINE?
4. HOW LONG BEFORE I GET A RECEIPT?

I would really appreciate if I get a relevant answer soon, as the exam is fast approaching. Thanks.

Let's see what they say.