Re: Re: Intro - Darby Weaver

[Guest guest]

Today was a good day.

I made 4 - 1.5 mile walks. I was thinking about a 5th

one but my wife demanded my attention.

So I got 6 miles in today. I feel pretty good about

that. I'm not tired and actually feel pretty

refreshed.

My legs are still new to it and I can feel them and

other parts of my body getting acclimated to the

change in physical activity.

I've come down from 277 pounds and am hoping to

ultimately see 145-155 sometime this year.

The biggest change I have made has been in my diet and

just changing it alone has had a marvelous affect on

my well-being. I think it is the biggest contributing

factor that has allowed me to even entertain this idea

of walking away even more pounds.

My goal during the week will be three 1.5 mile walks

interspersed in the following manner:

1. When I awaken in the morning - 4-6am

2. Whan I get home from work - 5-8pm

3. Before I go to sleep 10-12pm

I may be able to get another session in during lunch.

Right now it is taking me about 35 minutes to walk 1.5

miles. In my youth, I seem to recall doing the 5k

walks in about an hour. So I have slowed considerably

and have never been a fast walker.

I study for my CCIE in between life and now walking as

well.

My studies for the CCIE are quite demanding. I have

been to 3 out-of-state 1-week advanced training

sessions with 3 intructors (only 4-7 students at each

class). My company I have shared the expenses but so

far this year, these training sessions alone have

costed about $14,000.00 + 3 weeks paid time off.

I have another week of mock labs coming up and I'll do

those on my time and they costed about $2000.00 or so.

I am awaiting appoval for a conference to Networkers

2006 in Las Vegas at a cost of about $2600.00 +

another week away from work to accomodate it.

I have spent about $2000.00 this year out of pocket in

addition to the above amounts. I spent roughly about

$35000.00 last year alone. My laboratory is quite

impressive and very expensive. However, it allows to

keep up with technology. I would gather it has cost

me over 5 digits to get it where it is now.

I have a full library with mostly everything available

and then some - my library is estimated at least

$30,000.00 - not worth that anymore - depreciation.

But it has costed me quite the penny to keep my skills

up to date.

My employer has or will have reimbursed at least

$3000.00 this year towards my certification exam

expenses. This is about what I have to spend annually

just to keep in my chosen field.

I'm a Microsoft Certified Trainer and luckily that

affords me the full complement of MS Training Courses

at no out of pocket costs beyond my $400.00 a year fee

to maintain my status. I may a similar amount to

maintain my status as an MS Registered Partner as well

and this keeps all my MS Software up to date as well.

As far as the CCIE, I'm currently completing my quest

for the Routing and Switching designation and have my

labs ready for both Voice and Security as well as

Service Provider.

Recall the written qualification exams cost $300 each

and each attempt for the CCIE Hands-on lab exam runs

another $1250.00 + Travel and expenses. For me this

comes to about $1700.00 or so a pop. The average is

about 3 attempts per candidate to actually pass the

lab exam. I have four of them (different CCIE Labs)

in my sights.

As you may guess, I am quite serious about my work and

it does occupy two offices in my house.

And this is also largely why I have gotten myself out

of shape....

Needless to say...

Ouch!

--- spamthekat wrote:

> sounds like a great start and a fabulous plan.

> sounds like you are

> doing what you can with your schedule and what you

> know about yourself.

>

> Cisco CCIE, wow, very demanding. I used to work for

> Portland State

> University and many of my former coworkers went

> through that training.

>

> i hope to hear more about your progress

>

> laurie