The Waiting Was Killing Me

Some may recall that I took our county's correctional officer exam some 3 weeks and 1 day ago (but who's counting...). At the exam they said that those who passed would be contacted within 2 weeks by phone to schedule an oral interview, and those who didn't pass would receive a letter as such within 3 weeks.

Well my 2 weeks came and went with much checking and double checking of the answering machine and caller ID, and much anticipation when the phone rang, but the phone call never came. As I entered my 3rd week of waiting I began haunting the mailbox and waiting for the dreaded rejection letter. I began to beat myself up for failing a test I felt pretty confident about. I began reasoning with myself that if I failed the test then it must be a sign that I need to look in another direction, but I was having a difficult time with the concept of failure. When I put my mind to something I expect to do well, and I was not happy at all with the thought that I could've bombed this test.

Today, after my morning mail check, I decided to call the county HRC department and get the news of my failure confirmed so that I might go on with my life. Well, the nice lady told me that the rejection letters were sent out 10 days ago, so if I haven't received one, then I have surely passed the test! Yay! The self-flogging can cease now! She said due to key people's vacation times and the upcoming county fair, that they won't be calling to schedule interviews until sometime in July (let's hear it for our efficient county...). But, OK, I can deal with that. Whew!