Really?..."the best day of your life?"

Dang, that's a small picture? But the news is still BIG...

How many people can honestly say they remember the "best day in their life?" I believe this is mine. If you haven't heard, I passed the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam today. If you're even reading this blog, then I'm pretty sure you already know what I'm talking about, since becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer was the very premise of this whole thing in the first place!

Now that I am reflecting back on it, I am so glad I did this! My mother would occasionally ask me, "do you have any regrets?" in which she'd be referring to the major I chose to study, and the school I chose to attend, etc., and every time, I would respond with a stern "No, I don't have any regrets." However, when she would ask me this, I would sometimes slip into a daydream where I would fantasize about what my life would have been like had I chose a different path.

I always wanted to study music, or be involved with the musical artist/writer scene in some way, and I think those that know me see how that reflects in my personality. I've always said if I couldn't do music, or science, I would love being a Director. Not so much music videos or anything, but more along the lines of short films or documentaries. I think that shows with my sort of love for photography. Why I never pursued these things? Well, I did -- or, I do! I still do all of the things I love to do, which is why my favorite saying is "only boring people get bored." My particular needs are always met. There is never a moment when there is not something I can be doing. Call me "too busy" if you want, but I call it just having fun. Just being me.

When I took the exam back on April 7, 2010, I was nervous as all hell. Admittedly. It is natural to be nervous, as this will potentially decide the course of your future. At least in the short term. Prior to taking the test, the biggest motivation for me was Sean, AJ, and Eric, whom all passed on their first attempts. For the last two years, we've been hearing nothing but how hard the test is, and how the test is set up to weed out the weak, and how it is intentionally designed to trick you, etc. But, I remember the morning when hearing the news that these three guys passed, and I immediately thought, "Hey, I know every bit as much as they do," in the notion that we were taught by the same instructors, read from the same books, exposed to pretty much the same things, etc. It was not so much of me comparing myself to them, it was moreso a cohort that was able to overcome what most people assumed to be the truth about a "test." So, I cracked open the books!

I stuck to a study schedule of 2hrs of straight study, and 1hr of a break, which was mainly video games. Then, 2hrs of some more studying, and yet again, another 1hr of break-time. I kept this schedule during Spring Break -- while most people were on the beach, I was in between the sheets -- of the textbooks, that is! I sacrificed a lot over the last two years. Went through a lot of stuff that many people, except those involved, don't even know about. Not even those closest to me. And I am suddenly overjoyed with such elation, now that I have passed the test. Nice!

As you can tell, I am in a really great mood! Like AJ says, "Life's good," and yes, it feels great to be me right about now. I wish everyone can get a chance to experience the type of unbelievable emotion that I felt once I found out the results. But, before I get too sentimental, I have to gloat a little (as if I wasn't already) and smash on one particular person. I'm not the type to hold grudges, but this moment is especially bitter for none other than USF Professor Gary Stevens, who once advised me to change my major after not performing well on an Anatomy exam. I have heard of things like that happening to other people, maybe in the movies, but I never thought it would happen to me. I couldn't believe this person would say something like that. Until this point, I have never revealed these details, but I held it in just for this moment! And all I have to say to him is, HOW GREAT AM I?

I am certainly proud of where I come from, proud of what I have developed into, proud of what I am; education is truly a gift that no one can ever take from you, and is truly able to lift communities to higher levels. The knowledge I have amassed over the last two years is unmatched and I will never forget the people I've met along the journey, especially my lifetime bros. (and sis) from the c/0 2010. The ride has come to an end, but the fun is just getting started. I hope and pray that I can continue to live as fulfilling of a life as I have been living, especially leading up to this point.

Now in regards to celebration, where is the cake?

-The Dreamer, ATC