I think 2011ish, since I started preparing for the ARE, I slowly quit tv, movies, social media, social life and all forms of celebration in general, but I have logged on to this forum almost everyday. I have seen people announce their 'pass and done' postings, it all seems like a half-awake-dream sort of experience. I am 43, my kids (18 and 14) can't remember the time before I fret about an exam or mourn over a fail result. Whenever there was a pass, I found my husband and kids jumping with joy, but it never struck a chord with me. I just moved on with the rest. The world started looking different, what does it mean to be happy? I wondered. Deeper I got into ARE, layer over layer of studying, especially after a fail result, more fascinated I got about how much I don't know. What a humbling experience. The only people with whom I could carry a satisfactory conversation were my studybuddies, many came and went, I was blessed by some of the best 'friends in need'.
On Friday, I got my last BS result. It was a pass. Is the war really over? What am I going to do while my son is in swim practice every night? Why do others expect me to celebrate? To me, the real barefoot journey is all ahead. I wonder if I'll ever fit back in society.