On a late Saturday night in mid-December we were coming home from a holiday party in Portland. As we drove down the street toward our home, I asked The Renaissance Man, “Did you check the mail today?” He shook his head no, and so I stopped at the mailbox before heading to our house. Not everyone checks the mail at 11:45pm, but when you’re waiting for a letter from the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering & Land Survey (OSBEELS), you make a point to stop at the mailbox.

In addition keeping up with blog posts and all things Dundee, I also spent late summer and early fall studying and preparing to take the Civil Engineering Exam. The exam was the most grueling 8-hours I’ve ever spent leaned over a table solving one engineering problem after another. In preparation for the exam I spent over 200 hours studying and solving practice problems. My trusty “study buddy” Whiskey slept through most of it!?

Below you can see the set of reference manuals I brought with me to the exam. The exam is open book, but with a limited amount of time to solve 80 questions, deciding which materials to bring into the exam has to be done carefully. You don’t want to spend too much time looking things up during the test, but you also want all of the necessary reference manuals.

So now with a little background, you understand that I had to check the mail…I just had to!

When I turned the key to the mailbox and looked inside, I immediately saw the letter. I took a deep breath and prepared for the moment of truth. I quickly slid my finger along the backside of the envelope, and pulled out two pieces of paper. The first sentence read,

Congratulations! This letter is to certify that KRISTEN ANN SVICAROVICH has successfully passed the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Principles and Practice of Engineering exam given on 10/24/2014.

It took all of my self restraint not to start screaming and yelling at the mailbox! I must have read the letter at least twenty different times before going to bed. After all that work, it was hard to believe it happened!?! I’ve been preparing to become a Professional Engineer for almost a decade…Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering, Masters Degree in Transportation Engineering, working for at least four years under a professional engineering…it’s been a long road.

When we woke up Sunday morning we went about finding a way to celebrate!!! And just before lunch time we headed off to Carlton…

The Renaissance Man had heard great things about The Horse Radish, so we decided to try it out. If you happen to be in wine country on a Friday or Saturday night be sure to stop in for live music!

Inside I was instantly charmed by the brick walls, soft lighting, wine bar, and fun “wine barrel” tables. I was amazed by how much space is in this restaurant! If your wine tasting with a large group of people, The Horse Radish could certainly accommodate your group. They also have some great outdoor seating during the summer months.

Of course, The Renaissance Man had to take a good look at the wine racks. I’m continually impressed by all of the wonderful wine produced in the Willamette Valley!

I know this is the first time I’ve written about the town of Carlton, but I know I’ve made several references to Carlton Farms. Carlton Farms makes some of the best meats around, and I couldn’t say no to this Carlton Farms Smoked Ham, Swiss, Mayo & Fig Sauce sandwich served hot on focaccia bread. I’ve never thought to serve fig jam with ham, but I think this just became my new favorite food paring!

After lunch we shuffled around downtown Carlton from one shop to the next enjoying the hustle and bustle of folks getting ready for Christmas.

Although I have to say, I think I received the best Christmas gift of all this year…my professional engineering stamp!