There are many times where we think we have done well, but there remains a level of ambiguity until the results are in. Some universal examples include receiving your marks back from a test you know you aced (or didn’t!), or slicing into your steak and seeing it perfectly medium rare. There is a moment of relief and satisfaction that comes from that final confirmation.
I had that experience yesterday. When I applied for my visa, I was 90% sure I was in the clear. When I had it processed by the embassy, I was 99% sure.
Nevertheless, it didn’t tick over to a 100% until I arrived in Phoenix and walked up to immigration. The officer in charge looked at my passport slowly, too slowly, then started tapping on his keyboard. This shouldn’t take long, perhaps there is an error . I joined the legions of Arizonans sweating at that exact moment, although I was in the rare minority enjoying air con. This was looking bad.
Hitting 100% can look like an A+ or a juicy pink interior. For me, it was hearing those fateful words, “Welcome to America”.