Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Sweet, glorious relief

I got the very best news today. I found out that I passed level 3 of the CFA. To say I am relieved is an understatement. I know most in my life had full confidence that I would indeed pass, but that test is so hard, I really had no idea if I passed. I have been a ball of nerves and anxiety for the last couple of weeks. When I saw a news article this morning, stating that the pass rate dropped below 50% for the first time in 3 years, I started shaking.

When I opened the email and saw that the first word was congratulations, I cried. I quietly said, 'I passed' with tears running down my face and everyone on the trading floor clapped.

I know it is just a test, but it's a huge accomplishment that will open doors for me down the road. I think eventually I will feel a sense of happiness and pride, but right now all I feel is sweet, glorious relief. In the midst of a year that has been filled with stress, disappointment, frustration, and sadness, I needed this.

Thanks for all the support and encouragement you all have provided over the last 3 springs. It means more to have you all in my corner, cheering me on and believing in me when I didn't, than I can possibly put into words.

Maybe, just maybe, this is the start of an upswing.

28 comments:

J said...

CONGRATS!!! I am so happy and proud of you! You were so dedicated and worked so hard for that. And with everything you have been through you deserve this! I really hope this is the beginning of only good news for you for a long long time!

Lesli said...

Upswing in 2013!! I knew you would pass! Super happy for you!!

Marlys said...

We were all cheering for you and just knew after all the long, arduous hours of studying you just had to pass! Now just relax and let the good times roll! This is a fresh beginning! I know you are feeling on top of the world today and you deserve it!

Marisa A. said...

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pshhh I knew you would pass this whole time ;) I hope you have something fun planned to celebrate!!

Abby said...

I am so proud and happy for you! You totally deserved this! Hope u get to celebrate a little ! I know you'll definitely get to celebrate come this weekend when you go to Boston !

This will open many doors and opportunies !

Alli said...

We are so having a champagne toast when you come to NYC!

Nora said...

So freakin' happy for you, Lisa. YOU made this happen with your hardwork, dedication, intelligence and determination. I'm over the moon excited for you and when your message came in this morning I told all 3 co-workers who were by my desk all about it. enjoy the sweet relief and may this be the first of many good things to come! xoxoxo

missris said...

I'm not surprised you passed but I am so, so happy for you! You deserve some good news!!!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I was definitely one of the people who had confidence that you passed the test. But, with a pass rate of less than 50%, it's clear the test was oh so very hard and it's no wonder you've been a ball of nerves. Let's all breathe a collective sigh of relief and figure out a way to celebrate YOUR HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I am also SOOOOOOOO happy for you. I had full confidence that you could and should pass based on all the work you put into it, but I was still SO nervous this morning and just hoping that they would tell you early and it would be good news!

I wish we could celebrate this weekend but I know we will sometime soon and I'm so happy you'll be spending time with family and in a place you love for this celebration :)

Definitely the start of an upswing!

abbi said...

Congrats! You should know that your hard work and dedication would pay off!

Cherry Blossoms said...

So happy for you! I know three years of dedication and hard work is going to pay off big time for you. This is def the start to fresh new beginnings.

Caroline said...

Congratulations!! I was stalking you on Facebook all morning, so happy to hear you passed : )

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

woohoo. you rock girl!

Nicole said...

Yay! Congratulations!!!

Stephany said...

AHHHH! I just looked at the time and was like DID LISA GET HER NEWS YET?!?! I am SO THRILLED for you and SO PROUD and you DESERVE this so, so, so much.

CONGRATS!!!!!

Now you can enjoy that Paris vacation even MORE. Woohoo!!!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

YAYYYYY!!! I am so happy for you!! I knew you'd do it girl!! You need to go out and CELEBRATE in style - you totally deserve it! Cheers to you smarty pants!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to read this!! Congratulations girl, you worked hard and you earned it! I'm so proud of you!!

Jeanie said...

You are one step closer to moving anywhere you want to be. Congratulations, Lisa. You deserved it -- and I hop this is just the beginning of good new wonderful things!

Gracie said...

Wonderful news! Never doubted you but wonderful news all the same!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Awesome! I knew you would pass! I never doubted you! I am so glad that you can get that monkey off your back and stop worrying about it once and for all!

Elizabeth said...

YA!!! So, so, so glad to hear it! Hope you celebrated :)

Becky said...

It is NOT just a test - it's been three years of your life - studying and stressing, and handling this along with everything else - especially this year. SO proud of you! Congratulations!!!

Crissy Rae said...

Congrats! You deserve it!

Unknown said...

Congratulations!! I am so happy for you!

Linda said...

Congratsssssssssssssssssssss

Charise said...

Congratulations! It seems like you studied so hard for this, you deserve it!

Amber said...

SO HAPPY FOR YOU! I always figured you would because you work SO HARD for this test each year and study so so much but I know that it's such an incredibly hard test it's hard to feel totally confident in your efforts. I am so so SO happy you have this test behind you now and your trip to Paris in November will be the perfect way to truly celebrate!