sang-froid.

[French sahn–frwa]

noun

1. coolness of mind; calmness; composure:

An hour ago, I applied to be one of Backpacker Magazine’s National Park Scouts. I’d travel around for a year to find adventure, test out new gear, meet folks visiting the parks, and then write about it. I was allotted 100 words to convince the hiring team that I’m their gal, that they can stop searching, and that my bags are already packed. There was no time for sang-froid. I couldn’t be calm and composed, I had to be excited and forward. And if by some stroke of luck, I become “Beth Hardin, National Park Scout, 2015”, I will have some kind of badge made and I guarantee I will not have sang-froid when I tell each of you about it.