check list

I mentally ran through my mental check list to make sure I had everything.  Tea. Lots, Lots, Lots of tea.Enough-caffeine-to-keep-me-going-for-322-questions-over-everything-amount-of-tea.Nervousness.Location of closest bathroom for said tea.
Power bar.Anxiety.Sandwich.Fear.Energy drink.Gratitude.Chocolate bars.  Wait what was that last one?  The one before chocolate bars?  Gratitude?  Huh.  Yeah, I guess I really am grateful.  Grateful that this will be over, sure.  But also grateful for this opportunity.  Blood, sweat and tears have been put into this journey which culminates with this chance to take one bohemoth of a test.  Win or lose, I have every right to be proud of where I am and grateful for the opportunity.  I am ready...


If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

...Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
-If by rudyard kipling