A very good story, for everyone here. I'm out of up-votes (apparently, I'm too generous with praise? ), so I'll say thank you for this.
Sometimes we can be a bit myopic in our perspective, and when the direct pathway to our goals is hindered we get discouraged. It is good to see someone not easily saddened by a failure or misstep, and who continued to pursue his/her goals regardless (and get a reward later).
I shared this with a forum member via PM at the start of this cycle (man we've been here for a long time): http://cdixon.org/2010/09/12/getting-rejected/ . Both the blurb, and the comments beneath it, are everything we need to hear today, and every tomorrow from now on (especially when we start our studies/try to publish/try to find a TT position, which won't be simple either).
Seems as if business men and women have a great perspective on how to handle life when things do not go as hoped.