Simple Living

I hope to hit Chapter 8 this Sunday.  That leaves 9 chapters remaining.  I will budget two weeks to finish the rest and try to do 4-5 chapters per week (1-2 over the weekdays and 2-3 on the weekends).  It was just this past weekend I decided to cram so many chapters.  I'll take the practice exams and maybe in 1-3 weeks sit for the actual exam.  I'll have to go find the exam center and schedule a testing appointment.

Study Goals for the Weekend This weekend, my primary focus is on advancing my studies for the MCSA certification, specifically targeting the 70-461 exam. Progress Update Currently, I am on page 299 out of 677 in the 70-461 book. I’m finishing up Chapter 4 tonight, which will set me up for a productive weekend. Weekend Plan Tonight: Complete Chapter 4 and begin Chapter 5. Sunday: Aim to finish Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8. Chapter 8 will cover table creation and data integrity , a crucial topic that I am eager to master. With determination and focus, I believe I can reach this goal and further solidify my understanding of SQL. Let’s get to it!

My Signature Drink at Starbucks When I visit Starbucks, my go-to order is the ICM—Ice Coffee with Milk and No Sugar. This simple yet satisfying drink has been my favorite for years. Evolution of My Order I initially enjoyed the Hazelnut version, but over time, my taste changed, and I found myself moving away from sugary flavors. Now, I appreciate the clean taste of iced coffee, complemented by milk without any added sweetness. This choice not only reflects my preference for straightforward flavors but also aligns with my desire for a more balanced, less sugary beverage. It’s become a staple in my routine, providing a refreshing caffeine boost whenever I need it.

Chapter 4: Refresher on Joins I'm continuing my study journey and have reached Chapter 4, which focuses on joins. This is a crucial area in SQL, and revisiting it is helping solidify my understanding. Key Concepts of Joins Inner Join : Returns records with matching values in both tables. It's essential for querying related data. Left Join (or Left Outer Join) : Returns all records from the left table and the matched records from the right table. If there's no match, NULL values are returned for columns from the right table. Right Join (or Right Outer Join) : Similar to the left join, but returns all records from the right table and the matched records from the left table. Full Outer Join : Combines the results of both left and right joins, returning all records from both tables, with NULLs in places where there are no matches. Cross Join : Returns the Cartesian product of the two tables, pairing each record from the first table with every record from the second. Practical A

Progressing Through the MCSA Material I'm making steady progress through the MCSA study materials. Having read everything about a year ago, the concepts are becoming clearer this time around. Read Again The first pass felt overwhelming, but as I revisit the content, I'm finding it more manageable. I'm still learning new information, which adds to my understanding. This second round is definitely proving to be a more productive experience, reinforcing my knowledge and helping me build the confidence I need for the exam.

Revisiting MCSA Study Materials Having read the MCSA study material over a year ago, I’ve decided it’s time for a second read. Despite using SQL daily at work, I'm still not confident about sitting for the exam. Committing to the Reading With three books totaling around 2,000 pages, I’ve mapped out a plan to tackle this material. At a pace of 20 pages per hour, I’m looking at approximately 100 hours of reading time. It feels daunting, but I’m committed to getting through it all to solidify my knowledge and boost my confidence before the exam.

Preparing for the MCSA: A Focus on SQL It's been almost five years since I delved into writing heavy SQL, and I'm now ready to take the next step by pursuing the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certification. Before I can sit for the exam, there's a lot of studying ahead. First Steps: Investing in Study Materials The first step in my preparation is to invest in the essential books for the MCSA. Having the right resources will be crucial for my study sessions. With focused study time and the right materials, I'm determined to make this certification a reality.

Progress Update in Onigiri: Leveling in Sekigahara I am currently in Sekigahara, focusing on leveling up to 70. When I feel bored, I travel back to Kyoto for easy dungeon runs, which also help me improve my sword skills. I’m still using my Tatsujin and Ranmagiri, but I’m on the lookout for a third sword to complement my setup. The Hakujin and Helm-Splitter are looking particularly promising. Friendship Ratings with Shizuka I'm currently stuck in Sekigahara because I need to level up my friendship rating with Shizuka. If I don't increase it, I won't be able to progress further in the game. I have a bit of a desire to move on to Kaga already, but from my research, it seems that Shizuka must be at least level 10 friendship by the time I reach Sekigahara. Additionally, Susanoo needs to be at level 15 before the endgame, which is helpful information to keep in mind as I plan my progress.

Basic Strategy for Onigiri I have been testing and researching strategies for Onigiri, and here are some key points I've developed for effective gameplay. Focus on Quality Skills It's crucial to prioritize good skills over simply aiming for high-grade weapons or damage ratings. Quality skills can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness. Spam Skills for Efficiency To maximize efficiency in dungeons, focus on one-hit kills. SP recovery potions are inexpensive compared to HP recovery sushi items, so utilize them frequently to spam skills. This approach helps you clear dungeons faster. White Class Weapons Aim for bronze item drops and seek out white class items. These are generally cheaper to enhance and smelt compared to blue, red, or gold items. A +50 white sword with good skills will outperform a gold weapon at the same ryou cost. Maximize Affinity Invest your stat points into a single star that boosts your main weapon's affinity. The goal is to reach 3,000 affinity.

Gacha Ticket Win: Black Goth Rozen Costume On my third Gacha Ticket, I got the top prize in Nyankoropon Unit #1, the Black Goth Rozen Costume. This costume comes with the accessory 'Property Hadou,' granting a +15% money gain for 30 days. Expectations vs. Reality I was hoping for the HP or SP boost costume set, but this prize is still a great win. It significantly enhances my ability to accumulate money for smelting and weapon enhancement, making it a valuable addition to my collection.