Monday, January 19, 2009

The inevitable approach of the exam...

Head down and it's the final straight. It was the last day of preparation today.
My first entry exam is next Monday.
I have a week to polish my flowery French, worry about obscure and abstruse vocabulary, (how do I say dominant seventh without making it sound like a sado masochistic session?), and learn to sing a bass line in my head without it leaking as I try and write down chord sequences.
The hair at the top of my head has been parted regularly today by bits of information flying just over it. Having to do this in another language has added a bar to the top of the gate.

But with it has come a strange sense of freedom. I am so unlikely to succeed that I feel liberated. I will give it my best shot, and not worry about it...too much.

I am of an age where it is as well to keep the brain going in order to avoid it seizing up altogether, and this is as good a way as any other!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You'll do well, I'm sure. Good luck!

Frankofile said...

That's come round quickly. What with Christmas and not having been well, you are a hero to get this far. I love your attitude - age can bring some sense of proportion, at least!

Lesley said...

I am in awe - I have no idea what a dominant seventh is even in my first language!
Merde for Monday.

Zhoen said...

All I have is writing and sudoku, I am impressed.

Mike said...

I am impressed. I studied German for two years, but I couldn't tell you anything about the language. That was a long time ago, so maybe it is best to learn it now. Less time to forget it.

Anonymous said...

good luck and I am sure you will do well!

Anonymous said...

Good luck to you! There is a certain freedom that comes when you think there isn't a snowball's chance in hell isn't it? I think being so relaxed (relatively speaking) will probably help you more than if you stressed about it. I know, I know, easy for me to say.

I'm proud of you! We're all proud of you!

hexe said...

Best wishes! I agree that the proper attitude makes a world of difference. And I too haven't a clue as to what dominant seventh might be.

Jean said...

Way to go, Rosie! I'm sure you're right, it's good for the middle-aged brain to have such a vigorous work-out. And if you can really approach the exam by giving your best and letting go of the outcome, or even partially, or even nearly, you have something very precious that most of your competitors don't.

tristan said...

remember ... its a win-win situation

Lucy said...

Good luck dear thing!

Frances said...

This sounds so difficult! Wishing you the very best of luck!

Anonymous said...

Bonne chance, Rosie!

meggie said...

I wonder how you went.
Age does have some benefits.
At age 50 as I began another career in a bank, I suddenly realised I hated money, & felt I was too old to be doing something I hated!! So I phoned them, & told them I would not be back! What a great feeling it was.