Nerves

So, one of my “new” things this year is that I’m trying to get various certifications for the IT industry.  The first one I’m trying to get is the CompTIA Cloud + certification.  I’m both excited and nervous to say that I’ve scheduled my test for Thursday, April 19th.  I’m not sure I’m ready, but I’m definitely going to try.

I don’t want to admit it, but I’m nervous.  I seem to be doing well in the practice tests.  But I don’t feel like I’ve studied everything I need to.  What if I miss it all?  What if I fail?

And so I know I need to study, but at the same time, I’m concerned that I won’t concentrate like I need to.  I’ve started binge watching a TV show (thanks Netflix), and it’s distracting me.  So, do I postpone my test, and study a little more, or do I keep going with my scheduled test?

And Dale and I are taking our first vacation in years.  So we’re trying to decide where to go.  So that’s occupying part of my thoughts.  We’re thinking we’re going to go North or West for our trip.  Like Colorado.  Or South Dakota.

Which brings me to the real reason for tonight’s post.

Reasons I love Dale:

214.  He is a great encourager.  He has encouraged me from Day 1 to take this test.  He’s keeping me sane while I get ready for it.
215.  He’s actually pretty imaginative.  We play D&D with a group of friends.  He introduced a new character tonight, and he’s pretty excited about it.
216.  He’s very helpful around the house.  If I need help, he does whatever I need.  Today, he did the laundry.

I love my husband.  He’s my best friend.  I’m glad I’m doing this series for him.

Hugs,
Melinda

Photo by Marc Mueller on Unsplash

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IT Analogy

I came up with the perfect analogy for the IT industry. My youngest and I were talking, and she told me, “Mom, I don’t want to go into programming like you and Daddy keep pushing.”

I said, “That’s fine, but we really haven’t talked about programming as much as IT in general.”

She looked confused and said, “but I thought they were the same.”

I looked around and asked, “where are we?”  We happened to be in our church’s library at the time.

She stated, “the library.”

And I asked her, “What’s in the library?”

She looked at me like I was crazy.  “Books.”

“And what’s in the books?”

I definitely got a “Momma is crazy” look that time.  “Words.  Letters.”

And then I pointed to two books on one of the shelves.  And I asked her point blank, “Is this book the same as this book?”  The answer was no, of course.

The thing about it is that we have different sections in our church library.  The biographies aren’t the same as the devotional books aren’t the same as the church history books.  I explained to her that even in programming, there were different “books” or areas to study.  That in IT, there is programming, and hardware, and software, and so many other areas to study that you don’t have to limit yourself to just one book.  So, she doesn’t have to study programming, but that we hope that she looks at other areas of IT as well.

So, if you are looking at a new career, don’t get discouraged.  Maybe you just aren’t looking on the right bookshelf.

Hugs,
Melinda

Photo by Jonathan Simcoe on Unsplash

Meeting New People

So my word of the year has been “New.”  I’ve been trying to right about different things, like my job search and the new things I’ve been learning.  I’ve not done a fantastic job at it, but I’m trying.

So tonight, I had a new experience.  Dale took me to a meeting of ISC2.  I met new people and tried to follow along with the speaker.  Quite honestly, I followed about half of the speaker.  But considering that I wouldn’t have followed any of it in November, that’s saying a lot!

I tried my hand at networking with people, but most of them were looking for upper or mid management levels.  I’m only entry level.

As I told Dale, one thing I took away from tonight was that while I understand that I need to be aware of the different safety and security issues and follow the advice given to me by whatever IT team I will be working with, but I don’t think I want to go into the security field.  So, I’m probably going to be taking Security + off of my list of certifications I want to take.

These are all so new thoughts, that my head hurts.  I’ve always heard that to stay young at heart, you need to learn new things.  I can literally feel the new neurons forming in my brain.

But now, it is time to rest those little grey cells.  (Bonus points if you know the reference.)  Here’s to learning more and more new things every day!

Hugs,
Melinda

P.S.  If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, please know that I am trying to write frequently, but I am also trying to keep my super secret project under wraps, so I don’t link to them right now.

Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

One year

So I have an anniversary of sorts.  And I hope that you will all celebrate with me.

I have been at my job for exactly one year.

Now why is this a big thing for me?  Because it’s a “new” thing for me.  This is the first job I’ve ever had that I’ve had for an entire year.

I’ve been a temp at multiple places like Sealy Mattress Factory, Ark-La-Tex Gas, Airline Lawn & Pool, some warehouse that I don’t even remember the name.  I’ve been a stay at home mom for 15 years, which some would say is a job in and of itself.  I’ve had odd jobs like working at Maggie Moo’s or a gas station, but I have never had one job for more than a year.  So I’m pretty excited to have reached this milestone.

When I walked into Bed Bath and Beyond to fill out an application, I expected to get a call to come in to get an interview.  I never expected to get an interview right after I filled out the application!  I am thankful to Syndy for connecting with me as a mother and realizing that I was a hard worker.  I am very grateful to Peter for taking a chance on me and hiring me.  I’m grateful to Tim and Jason for teaching me this past year.  I’ve made so many friends this year, like Tara, and Melissa, and Michelle.

It’s been a great year.  I’ll let you know when I get my “annual” review and what they say.

Reasons I love Dale:

211.  He always takes time to text me throughout the day.  It makes me feel special.
212.  He is a great song leader.  He’s very energetic and he makes people smile.
213.  He always takes time to help me.  If I need something from the grocery store, he will stop and get it for me.

Have a great day everyone.

Hugs,
Melinda

 

Guessing Game

I must be getting better at guessing.

Okay, let me explain.  I’m taking a course that will hopefully help me to pass the Cloud + exam and get a certificate.  Only, I know next to nothing about cloud services.  The class is divided up into 4 units, if you will, with each unit being broken down into different modules.  Each module is broken down into different chapters, and each chapter has several sections.  Are you with me so far?

I have to take a pre-test on each chapter before I can start watching that chapter.  Then I can watch each section and then take the test again at the end of the chapter, and pass with an 80% before I go on to the next chapter.  And I have to have an 80% on all of the chapters in order to pass the module and go on to the next module.

Anyway, back to my point.  Back when I started in November with the Network + class, my pre-test scores were awful.  Routinely, 30-40%.  And it’s sort of to be expected, because it’s material I’ve not been exposed to, stuff I’ve never learned.

My current unit is on AWS, or Amazon Web Services.  My current module is on “Architecting on AWS:  IAM and Object Storage.”  Really, my only exposure to AWS was the last module “Getting Started with AWS.”

So I get a little excited when my pretest score is 76%.  Either, I’m getting better at guessing, or something has stuck somewhere.  Now to go watch the chapter and take the test again.

Reasons I love Dale:

208.  He helps me with tasks I don’t like doing.  I don’t like making a budget.  He helps me by facing it together.
209.  He has been so supportive of me taking these classes and studying IT.  I know I can ask him just about anything, and he will try to explain it.
210.  His favorite composer is Beethoven.  So is mine.  Enough said.

Okay, I have a bit more work to do before I start supper for the night.  We’re going to work on the stinky budget after supper.

Hugs,
Melinda