Simple Living

I'm making a good pace in the 70-461 book.  Although I took two weeks worth of breaks, I've managed to finish 75% of the book and should finish the whole book within a month of starting (11/22 - 12/22).  I'm thinking I can finish each MCSA exam portion (read the book , practice exams) In about 6-7 weeks total, so I can wrap this whole MCSA thing in about 18-21 weeks and leave me time to tackle the MCSE!  Now I've already accumulated five years of practical experience and the exams are just a way to test my aptitude and expose me to things I don't normally have an opportunity to use much at work.  In any case, MCSE sounds like a good goal, after the MCSA of course.  After that?  Hmm...more dev stuff, which might not be covered in any formal exam or go back to school and snag a Math Degree.  Ha. Goals March 2016 -- MCSA certification June 2016 -- MCSE certification Rest of 2016 -- study code!

Getting closer to the final stretch.  Chapter 14 -- Query Performance Tools.

Took a break, but back in the game.  Chapter 13 - T-SQL routines

Behind schedule, but still going.  Now Chapter 12.

Moving to Chap 11.

Took Friday off to catch up.  I'm halfway through Chapter 8 and pushing to finish Chapter 9 tonight... If lucky maybe punch through or at least hit part of Chapter 10.  Then rest of weekend to try clear out the last 7 chapters.  Let's do this.

Not quite where I want to be.  I'm only in Chapter 7 as of 12/2.  Taking longer than expected.  Hope to speed up as Chapter 8 -- Tables and 9 -- Views should be easier.

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.

More study!  Goal for this weekend?  Finish up to Chapter 8 or halfway through the book 70-461.  299 of 677 pages... I'm finishing up Chap 4, so got 5 tonight and 6,7,8 on Sunday. Chap 8 is table creation and data integrity...I can make it there.

My Signature Drink that I usually order when @ Starbucks is the ICM or Ice Coffee w/Milk and No Sugar.  I've been drinking this for years and originally, I had the Hazelnut Version, but gave that up as I stopped liking sugar.

Keep chugging along.  Refresher on Joins.

Moving along.  Mostly because I read all this before a year ago.  Still learning new stuff though.  First pass was overwhelming, second round a bit better.

I read this book already, but it's been over a year and decided to read it again. Still not confident on sitting for the exam even though I use this stuff daily at work.  I've got 2,000 pages to read (3 books)...20 pages/ hour = 100 hours to complete.  Dang.

It's been almost five years since writing some heavy SQL and time to get serious and sit for the MCSA.  But before that...study, study, study.  And so, first step, invest in the books for the MCSA.  Study time.