So I Just Got Some Inspiring News ...

Almost as soon as I passed the OA, I started worrying about whether my score would be high enough to get me off the Register. I plan to take the German language test, my success at which would raise my score to 5.57. Last year, even a 5.4 would've pretty much guaranteed an invite to an A-100, but this year, matters seem to be different.

Anyway, I've been faithfully following the progress of another Consular aspirant who has the same constellation of scores. She was put on the Register in mid-June and had been languishing ever since. I felt her agony before the OA; after it, I really identified with it. Every time invitations to an A-100 went out and she didn't get one, my heart felt a little heavier.

Well, this afternoon, I read on her blog that she got an invitation to the January A-100! I'm so happy for her -- and grateful. I'd just been praying for a sign, something to give me hope -- and her news was it! OK, so my joy in her success has a selfish tinge, but I'm totally thrilled for her and thankful for the inspiration her success will bring not only to me, but to others!

Yaaaaay, for the Bfiles!

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I Made It!

I'm still getting used to it.

I did it! I made the cutoff! I finished with a 5.4, humble but adequate.

Will it be enough to get me an invitation to the A-100? I don't know. I don't even want to think about it right now. I just want to enjoy a sense of relief.

Thank you everyone for the warm thoughts and encouragement. A special thanks to one of my study mates. On the night before my OA, he sent me an email with some wonderful advice:  

When you arrive at Annex 44 tomorrow, try to leave everything behind that is unrelated to your performance. Don't worry about the past; don't worry about the future. 

Perfect words of wisdom. They helped a lot.

I'm so grateful. That's all I can say. I'm just so grateful and relieved!

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