Education, BusinessJuly 29, 2008 9:36 am

How Can IT Certification From Cisco Change Your Life?

The best thing about learning is that there is always room for it, no matter where you are, what your career is and how much money you have. Take the IT field for example, where there are new developments not just every year, but every month and week as well. So if you want to stay competitive and in the professional race, then you have to make the commitment to constantly updating your skills and learning. Luckily it’s a lot easier than it sounds, as companies such as Cisco have made it quite streamlined to get into certification programs where you can acquire all the skills you need to race up the promotion ladder.

The IT field has historically (although there’s not really a very long history) been very conscious of continuous learning programs and whether you are in the IT field already or are thinking of making a switch to this growing field, getting into a training program might be the first step. Although I have some basic IT training, I have not done a Cisco training course, but it seems like a good step to take, even in my field. With this training, I could be opening a lot more doors in my career and taking it to another level.

What Cisco certification does is that it offers an entirely new set of jobs once you have complete the training, regardless of if you select the entry level training option, associate level option, professional or expert level certification options. With such a certification program, one is liable to get significantly higher salaries, more career options, competitive advantage, and one of the most important things for most people, recognition in the field. With so many plus points, to it there doesn’t seem to be any other option right!

PersonalJuly 26, 2008 1:34 pm

Ever since it’s got super hot, I’ve refrained from going from my early morning walks. Instead, I am taking my camera along with me when I go shopping. I get embarrassed when I take photographs at the mall, since it’s such a touristy thing to do, but then there are always tons of tourists here in town, so I’m not the only one and I certainly do not stand out! Anyway, I saw the light and shadow pattern on the wall at the Mall of the Emirates , just as we were leaving and I knew immediately that I had to take a couple of shots. I did, and they came out quite nice. The pattern is a take on their logo, which is combination of a star and a snowflake of sorts! It’s used in the railings, on the floor, in the grills and grates and meshes all over the mall.

Enjoy!
..and the light came streaming in

Marketing 1:30 pm

As always, in the summer one always gets to see and hear about lots of new and improved weight loss plans. Some are quick, some are slow to work, some are really tough and others are just too simple to be true. Take your pick on what you think you would like to do, but remember to make sure that you have a doctor’s clearance before you start off on any kind of weight loss or exercise program, since it can lead to trouble if your body is not ready for it. These days I’m seeing lots of ads for something called Anoretix, which is apparently meant to work super fast. I haven’t met or spoken to anyone who has used it as yet, but the figures seem to be quite fast, almost too fast. So, there it is, do your research, consult with a physician and then decide which diet and weight loss plan you’re going to go for.

Reading Material 1:23 pm

I’ve been spending a lot of time reading, despite having a ton of work lately. Currently, I’m reading a book called Deep France by Celia Brayfield, about her experiences to moving to France for a year. The book is divided into chapters by months and there are recipes in between the chapters as well, mostly local items or things adapted to local produce. I find it very interesting to read about people’s experience about traveling and living in different countries. It’s such a good way to learn about the country or city, without having to go through guide books, which are good but nowhere as interesting as these fo course. Plus one usually reads guidebooks only when one is already going somewhere, but these are great to read anytime at all.

Investments 1:14 pm

While I’m on the subject of planning, I thought I’d also write about planning for one’s future as well. A lot of people don’t want to think about things like getting term life insurance, but the fact is that it’s really not something that one should ignore either. Putting some money aside month by month is how one ensures a safe and happy future, a savings of a kind almost, that will be the lifeline of your family in the event that they need it. If one starts it early enough in life, then that’s one of the smartest things one can do. Insurance of all kinds works on the system that we hope never to need it, but just in case we do, then it should be there, and that’s exactly what this is about.

Marketing 1:07 pm

I’ve been doing some research on sites that offer party planning and invitations online. I already use Hallmark Smilebox, which is not a party planning site of any kind but has lot of different cards for all occasions, including party invitations. What is really cool about the site is that you can add your own photo’s to personalize the cards and then email them to your invite list. The site is absolutely free, all you have to do is to download the program on to your computer.

The other cool site is MyPunchbowl, which is an all out party planning site. Here you can create a party, starting from selecting a date that suits everyone, to themed invitations, a potluck list and can also send photos of the party to everyone on the list. I’ve signed up to be a member, there is no fee at all, but I’ve not used the service as yet.

UncategorizedJuly 20, 2008 11:20 am

When it comes to complex technical stuff, I go straight away to the experts rather than trying to figure it out myself and sometimes even ending up making a bigger mess. So whether it is about CAT5e, KVM switches, surge protectors and everything else, I’d rather not do it myself. I seriously believe in doing only the things that you can do well. That doesn’t mean that one doesn’t try to do things well, just to get out of them, but rather that one should stick to ones niche and not try to be jack of all trades and master of none! I try and apply this philosophy in my daily life as well, and it works out quite well, I think. I do the things that I’m very good at doing, do the things that I enjoy doing and leave the rest to the experts.

PersonalJuly 13, 2008 5:37 pm

I wanted to post this picture that I took some time back. It has been taken in my home, in a corner of the living room. I like to have beautiful things around me, as I find that they can be a great mood lifter. It’s completely subconsciously that it happens, but if you are surrounded by things you love then it is a given that you will feel better just by having them around you. I love to chronicle my time with the things I have collected over the years, which I find is a great way to remember the good times and reminisce.

Here’s a shot I took in my living room some time back.
instant serenity

Finance 5:32 pm

All things to do with housing has been in a downturn, but on the upside there are some people who are looking to buy property at really great prices as well. If you’re looking for some mortgage lenders then take a look at this, which will give you all the details that you need to know about buying a home and how to finance it. A lot of people are really uncomfortable with these subjects and their discomfort often causes them not to ask the right questions and ultimately in a bad mortgage. That is what must be avoided at all costs and so with the right information you can be in a better place than before.

Retail 5:02 pm

Walmart has announced that it will be offering free classified ad services on its site Walmart.com. The company launched its site at the end of May and is currently in beta stage. Consumers can search for cars, pets, jobs and real estate on the website. According to Ravi Jariwala, spokesman for Walmart, “Our new classifieds beta at Walmart.com provides an expanded offering of products and services, the majority of which are not traditionally available from Wal-Mart.” Walmart has been doing things differently lately, in an effort to stay competitive on things other than just price, for which it has been the leader for quite some time.