It's Over!

Well, its finally over. The last two years have been a compilation of delayed projects, isolation from my family, long nights studying and grueling, miserable tests. But its finally over. At least I hope it is. I took the last of my Architectural Registration Exams this morning, Lateral Forces (earthquake and wind forces on a structure). I can finally have my life back!

I'm not sure how I did on the test today but I can tell you I was incredibly anxious to take the exam. If it weren't for my fatigue from studying, I would have been bouncing off the walls the last few days. In fact, the anticipation was enough that I had a hard time focusing while studying because I kept drifting off thinking about life after the exams. I have to admit that I had one of those moments while taking the test today.

When I started studying two years ago I vowed that if I had spare time to read a book, play guitar, do some kind of non-essential project (woodworking or home-improvement), or some other enjoyable activity, then I had time to study. In the time that it's taken to finish these tests, Eric Van Lustbauder has written three more Jason Bourne novels, none of which I've been able to read yet. I'll start reading the "Bourne Betrayal" tomorrow. Tonight we need to dig through the stack of movies from the library that I haven't watched yet, putting that off until after the test too.

I have a list that keeps stacking up of home projects that need to be done but I've put them off until after the exams. I need to redo both bathrooms and even have had most of the materials to remodel the upstairs bathroom for almost two years. I need to install a closet door, replace a few windows, paint the house, install a patio... But all of that seems like a day at Six Flags compared to taking another one of these tests.

I haven't really played guitar for months and haven't learned a new song since I started the tests. I'll have to get a list together of new songs to learn. I'm sure the family is really sick of the ones I've already played to death.

Most importantly, when I get tired at night, I can just go to bed instead of studying until midnight/1 am. I might even have the energy to do all the things on my list now. I wonder what it will be like to wake up from my zombified transe and become human again. I'm sure my family is anxiously awaiting that. Hopefully they don't like the zombie better :)

So, just to clarify, I do not know if I passed or failed and right now I don't care. I'm just satisfied knowing that I don't have to study tonight. Worst case, I fail and I don't have to take another test for 6 months. I've got my fingers crossed though. It'd be nice to be done for good. I'll know for sure in about 4 weeks.