I took this shot of Romy when we were visiting old friends on their family land in Laurel Hill, FL. So far this is my favorite shot of the year (granted it was taken a few days before the New Year began).

The Bailey family spent a long Thanksgiving break traveling up the west coast.  Our journey from Tampa began with both sides of the family meeting at the in-laws’ in Jacksonville, FL for Thanksgiving day and continuing to Berkeley Springs, WV to visit my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and brand new baby Nephew, Malachite!  During our time up in WV, we stayed at our aunt-in-law’s (?) lovely vacation cottage  (see Judy’s Cottage).  Click through any of the photos below for the full album.

With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to get wrapped up into catching up with family, entertaining guests and checking out what Santa left us under the tree. For better or for worse, this time of the year flies by. It’s important to take some time and slow it all down. Appreciate the little moments while we have them.

Happy Holidays to you all!

For some reason, my typically crazy busy Summer continued through to an even crazier busier Fall.  In the past couple months I’ve lead our practice’s campus recruiting efforts, managed two of our industry audits to completion, began coordination of my fourth audit of the year (or maybe fifth…I’ve lost count) and all the other responsibilities that are part and parcel to being an Ernst & Young manager.

Somehow while navigating through the weeds, I was able to fit in some fun with family and friends (click through each photo for the full album):

Halloween 2009- Rosemary wasn’t having it this year, so she passed candy out with mom and dad from the back of our truck.  She also helped carve some pumpkins:

Inaugural semi-annual MRAS camping trip- Starting a (what we hope to be) a frequent tradition, a few EY friends and family took a long weekend and spent the nights under the stars at St. George Island.  Being Rosemary’s first camping trip, she thoroughly enjoyed the adventure:

Wendy’s birthday- Our intention was to spend Wendy’s birthday in Paris.  Paris in Epcot turned out to be the only viable alternative:

Outdoors- Although I am morally opposed to 80 degree weather in November, we took advantage of the cooler days to enjoy the outdoors:

Now, sitting on 17 remaining vacation days that must be spent by the end of the year, I hope for a relaxing close to 2009 and enjoy this time with my wonderful family.

Happy Holidays!

I hate to admit it- in fact, I am sure I will regret putting it down in writing: I am a USF Bulls fan. Don’t get me wrong, much love for my Alma Mater FSU.  I have the heart of a Seminole.  I appreciate the community I was and am privileged to be a part of (I did find my wife there after all), I appreciate the quality education FSU offered me,  and I appreciate where my degree has gotten me to today.  But (the USF football program aside- last weekend is a blur), the more time I spend with the students and faculty at USF the more I recognize what this educational institution has to offer: especially to accounting students with the same aspirations to join and excel in a career with a Big 4 accounting firm.

Among the highlights, students graduating USF’s accounting program boast one of the highest CPA exam passing rates in the country (currently around 15% nationally for first time test takers passing all four parts [caveat: me being one of them from FSU]).  USF also houses an internationally acclaimed Beta Alpha Psi accounting honors society program that my company (Ernst & Young) networks with on a regular basis as a key resource in identifying quality recruiting candidates.

I don’t see myself giving up the Garnet and Gold any time soon.  But don’t be surprised when you see me around with a bit of Green to show my support for the USF Bulls.

On a related note: The USF Career Fair kicks off tomorrow, October 1st at the Sun Dome from 10am – 3pm.  If you are an accounting student of any year at USF and would like more information on where a career in accounting can take you…and what opportunities beyond financial auditing and tax are available, chat me up at the Ernst & Young booth!

Just a quick recruiting message for career seeking accounting professionals to look out for me and the rest of the Tampa office Ernst & Young Advisory practice recruiting team on the Florida State University, University of Florida and University of South Florida campuses this semester.

In addition to our many opportunities across the globe, I am specifically looking to identify a number of individuals for our Media & Entertainment industry focused practice within our Tampa office.  Talk to me in person about this opportunity at the USF Career Fair on 1 October 2009.  Also, contact me at joe (dot) bailey (at) ey (dot) com for more information.

See for yourself why Ernst & Young has been consistently named one of the Top 3 “Best places to launch a career” by BusinessWeek magazine!

On to pimping my flickr page…

Our visit to the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry:

Tampa’s very own Lowry Park Zoo:

One of Sarasota’s hidden education gems- G-wiz science museum:

And last, but not least. The Bailey family Summer vacation extravaganza! Wendy and I packed hotel hoping through Orlando, St. Augustine, Palm Coast and a trip to the in-laws in Ponte Vedra, Florida into two fun filled weeks. Our little one enjoyed, but tired out quick from all the run around.

I know, the narrative was lazy. But I guess that’s why I “photoblog” in the first place  Thanks for reading!

(clickthrough photo for album)

Click-through for photos