I'm doing this

So, it seems that after thinking about it for a long time, I've finally decided that I need a challenge to keep my mind busy. I also want to keep my chances open. My dream of migrating to America will probably remain a only dream for the foreseeable future, but it won't be because I lack the preparation or the skills to be valuable over there.

I've been digging deeper and deeper into the world of finance during the last two years. I'm certain that I like the discipline enough to give it a few years of study. After researching several options I've chosen the CFA. Other options are either too light or require full-time classes. I already bought the complete curriculum for the CFA Level 1. My plan is going for the Level 1 exam in December 2010 (in Bilbao, I hope). This means about three years of 10-15 hours of study per week. I'll have to get my nerdy abilities back into shape :-)

The other thing that's been bugging me is my English. I view myself as a competent English speaker, but I lack any proper certification and improving my English-speaking skills could come in handy in the future. Thus, I've decided to go for the Cambridge CPE exam in May 2010.

As Kennedy said in that famous speech, I choose to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because these goals will serve to organize and measure the best of my energy and skills, because this challenge is one that I am willing to accept, one that I'm unwilling to postpone, and one which I intend to win.