As promised by ACT, on Tuesday, 08 September 2009, at 0655(EST), I received an email titled "Foreign Service Officer Test October 2009: Registration Confirmation." I have been approved to take the FSOT!
I was ecstatic! Of course, I didn't see the email till much later. Hotmail access is blocked at work, so I can only check my personal email via my iPhone. However, I happened to be taking my Portuguese DLPT that particular morning. During the halfway point break, I found out I had received the "invite" to take the FSOT. Very exciting, indeed. I (almost) immediately copied the address link to the FSOT registration page, and navigated to it on my work computer (luckily, that site is not blocked). By the time I logged in to get an appointment date/time to take the FSOT, though, my preferred location was all booked (San Jose). I had to choose an alternate location: the next closest place. I chose Oakland. There were four dates available. But which one should I choose? I couldn't decide! I think my nerves got the best of me. I kept looking back and forth between the dates on my computer screen, and the calendar on my desk, trying to decide which date would interfere less with work, which date worked better, which date would give me an extra edge studywise. By the time I settled on a date, the first available, the page refreshed, and that date was no longer available. I panicked!
I immediately went for the next best date, which was still available, and booked it: Friday, 09 October 2009, at 1300(L). I plan to go up to Oakland the day before, spend the night at a local motel near the test site, where I can study quietly the evening and morning prior to the exam.
Until then, I continue to diligently study, review, study, review...and I just can't wait!
