Before Christmas, I succeeded in passing the last Microsoft exam for now. That means that I have upgraded my MCSE to an MCITP: Enterprise Administrator. It was hard work since I had to work full time at the same time. It would have been nice if there had been less pressure at work, but, well, I cannot demand everything. The exams were passed with good results, and I started the holiday vacation with a good conscience and a great mood.

The question is whether I am done taking Microsoft exams for now. To this my answer is no, I am not done. It is a good way for me to acquire new knowledge. The standard Microsoft courses are not for me, and studying by myself is more productive. Therefore, I plan to take 3-4 exams next year.

Next year also brings a new colleague, and that is something I am looking forward to. It will be nice not to be the only one that can carry out certain tasks. I am also looking forward to having more time for acquiring new knowledge and follow trends which also makes it more obvious to take a couple of Microsoft exams. And with the anticipation of an Exchange 2010 project at work, it would be silly not to take the corresponding exams. 

Last Friday was the day I passed Microsoft exam no. 2. It was the exam that I expected would be the toughest - and I also thought that it was touch - but I apparently didn’t have any trouble getting the answers right - I got 95% correct. So now I can start my vacation with a good feeling.

I must say, though, that it has been a couple of busy weeks. I’ve been busy with all the applications we got in response to our job advertisement. We got approximately 280. The list with the lucky applicants that will be called in for an interview had to be ready Thursday last week, which was also the day that I had planned for exam preparation. So it was a little hectic. My vacation starts this Friday so there are also some things that have to be done - and at the same time, we are also having the interviews.

I have also received my IR-thingy. I received it one week after I ordered it. I think that was quick! Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to test it yet, so you’ll hear more about it some other time.

And I’ve been working! Hard labor. Two weekends in a row I’ve been visiting my parents together with my boyfriend because we had to spread 6 m3 of wood splinters (sorry, I have no idea what it’s called in English) in their flower beds. That’s hard work for an office worker like me. It’s also a little bit ironic that we help my parents in their garden while we are having a gardener doing ours. Well, maybe it’s also a bigger project. I have also received my IR-thingy. I received it one week after I ordered it. I think that was quick! Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to test it yet, so you’ll hear more about it some other time.