Blog updates for school
9.20.06
Field Trip to the zoo
I had the unique experience of joining my daughter and her class in visiting the St. Louis Zoo. Unique in that, 3rd graders have the knowledge to ask intelligent questions, but have no idea how one off from reality they are in getting a real answer:
3rd grader - "Do you have scientist here?"
Guide - "Yes, we have smart people that take care of the animals."
3rd grader - "Dinosaurs are not smart, they had small brains."
Guide - "Well, yes, they were not survivors..."
3rd grader - "Do your scientists try to bring back animals using DNA?"
Guide - "No, I'm afraid not."
Then, there was the ray of sunshine that knew every trivial fact of nearly every animal. We also had "I have a compass, and west is this way." They were great though. I had a fantastic time. Took some of the best animal pics this time too!
8:15 pm in 3.6.03
Back in the swing of things
I finally made it back to school today. Between work, resting from work, and responsibilities outside of work, I began to neglect my studing of my CCNP. But, I'm trying to get myself together again.
I shouldn't have started to slip up when I did, though. I forgot that I just started the longest chapter in this book...Border Gateway Protocal, ugh.
1.21.03
Keepin it goin'
I just about finished the my routing book...just before I realized that I had to get the new version of the book. Fortunatly, the new version Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) is a little shorter, so it won't be an issue to complete.
I still have a goal of finishing this course before the end of next month. I will still have about 10 months left with my enrollment at Tech Skills and I will be able to take another course as well. So far I'm looking to work on my Design Associate certification as well. That way, I will have an easier road towards finishing up the Design Professional level.
1.8.03
YES!!!!!
OK, I know I haven't updated this thing in a bit, but I thought I'd post my happiness in passing my Switching exam! I heard that it was the hardest of the 4 tests, so I wanted to literally get it out the way. Well, it wasn't so much hard as it was a lot of information to cover and take in. I never knew switching could involve so much.
Oh well, on to the new Routing exam! Hopefully this one won't take so long to finish ;-)
12.12.02
Switching = snoozing
I've been working on my CCNP since about the middle of last month. I decided to start with the Switching study guide from Sybex. I used the last book from them for my CCNA, Todd Lammle's, and the transistion between the two is amazing. I'm not talking about depth, more of attention holding!
This book is soooooooo boring I can barely get through one chapter a day. Even when I go to Tech Skills to study, I have to take a break (hence this post) just so I can be mentally ready to continue. Fortunally I've given myself to the end of this year to finish up this exam before moving on to the Routing book. Hopefully that one is written with a bit more flair.
Shoot, I'd even be happy for less redundency.
11.18.02
A new chapter opens
After passing my CCNA, I took the rest of the week off to relax and prepare to tackle my CCNP. I decided to start working on Switching first. I was told that it was the hardest of the four test needed to get your CCNP. Might as well get it out the way.
11.12.02
w00t!!!!
Got my CCNA today BABY!!!!!
11.4.02
The cards life deals
This isn't really about school, but more of what happened there. As I was walking around, I noticed a familiar buzz-cut. It turned out to be my old senior manager from WorldCom. Both of us were part of the "restructuring" this year. The good news is, he seems to be in good spirits, but at the same time, I could tell it was a little uneasy for him to speak with an ex-subordinate now that we are essentially on equal terms. Oh well, it was good to see someone who was in the industry for so long not be discouraged with a set back like that. Keep it up G!
10.21.02
Subnetting sucks...
When you have a headache!!!
[edit] I wrote that while at Tech Skills. My head was pounding...actually still is, but it's worse when your trying to grasps something new.
10.17.02
Starting Monday!!!
I enrolled today for my courses. It's gonna be somethin', but I'm looking forward to the challange. Can't get any better to train for something I already consider a hobby!
10.15.02
Skool Daze
Looks like it's gonna be time to buckle down again. I decided to take classes to train for my CCNP cert. I decided to go through Tech Skills for the course. I visited them earlier today and the lay out of the materials and resources seems up to snuff. If all goes to plan, I will be starting there before month's end. It's a bit of a step, but I'm looking forward to it.
To track my progress through it, I'm gonna set up another catagory for this weblog that will keep my progress through the course in order.