I stalked my mailbox each day last week until the scores came in my gray mailbox. Tuesday. No scores, and really just a bunch of junk. Wednesday came, and in the morning, a call to the Iowa board revealed that the scores had been sent to us yesterday. Sitting in the radiology viewing room, I did a little dance on the spinning stool that I was sitting on; at least now the answer would soon be clear. I rushed home at lunch on Wednesday, only to find more bills, more ads, and more student loan consolidation stuff. Apparently, "sending them out yesterday" does not necessarily mean that the scores were sent in time to go anywhere the day before.
So, that meant only one thing. Thursday, for sure, would be THE day.
The clock ticked off the minutes in the radiology area on Thursday morning. The first lunch time came and went, and then the second. I had purposely been choosing to take the latest lunch to make sure that I could check my mail on my lunch break. I couldn't stand it anymore as the minutes disappeared on the way to 1:00 p.m. At five minutes 'til, I pleaded to leave a few minutes early, not that those few minutes would change the ink already printed on the paper.
I don't remember my thoughts on the way home. I don't remember my speed as I flew out of the parking lot and down the connecting road between the veterinary school and my apartment complex. I just remember pulling into my parking lot, fumbling with my keys to get the right one that would unlock the mailbox, and pull out a stack of envelopes. On the very bottom of the stack was one from the Wallace building in Des Moines. That was the letter.
It was thin. It was in a normal sized business envelope. I had heard people from other states say there was a "big envelope, little envelope" difference. Still, from other states, it was a difference in the number of pages in the envelope. So, being unsure of what to expect, I just hurried into my apartment and ripped open the envelope.
The folded pieced of paper, a single sheet, had three boxes on it. All my eyes needed to see was the word in the first box to become completely elated, relaxed, overjoyed, and even a little teary. "PASS." The other two boxes had numbers in them that showed that I passed comfortably. And just then, I started the phone calling. Parents, new employer, friends, more family. I made as many phone calls as I possibly could in that short time that I had remaining for lunch.
There was a discussion in radiology prior to the scores coming out about the attitude of veterinary students after getting board results. The consensus was that post board results, some of us traditionally get lackadaisical and somewhat insubordinate. Despite the fact that I've passed, and I really want to move on to the next new adventure in my life, I know that there's more to be done. There's still two weeks of dermatology and six weeks of surgery left for me. And there's plenty of learning to do that will make me a better veterinarian. This just means I can relax, eat normal meals again (maybe), and focus on getting settled in Pennsylvania, as in, finding a place to live. And that's just what I'm about to do later this week.
And lastly, the count is on...there are less than 90 calendar days left until the class of 2006 becomes veterinarians.
congratulations! that's great. i'm sure you feel elated and relaxed right now. heck, i feel a little elated and relaxed on your behalf!
Posted by: homeless parrot | February 07, 2006 at 03:45 PM
Delurking to say congratulations! It must feel incredible! Let the count down begin. Good luck in Pennsylvania.
Posted by: Meredith | February 07, 2006 at 05:41 PM
Many congrats! Never had a doubt...
Posted by: Jon | February 07, 2006 at 09:05 PM
Congrats! I'll be thinking of you next fall when it's my turn!
Posted by: Carissa | February 08, 2006 at 01:38 AM
Congratulations!!!!
Posted by: VGB | February 09, 2006 at 07:38 AM