Top 10 Affordable Gifts for Techies
It’s
that time of year again, and with that comes the joyous task of trying to
decipher everyone else’s wishes and wants so you can get the perfect gift.
After all, that is what the season is about, right? So you have finally gotten
everything together, researched relentlessly, and found the perfect gift for
everyone in your family…except one. We all have that one person in our lives
that is impossible to shop for. They either have everything, or want nothing.
That means it’s time to think outside of the box and get them something they
never expected. Fortunately, the research is done for you, and you get to sit
back and enjoy the fruits of the labor. Below is a compiled list of all of the
most popular gadgets, tools, and toys that are sure to impress even the most
fickle member of your innermost circle.
1.
Tile
Dongle
Amount:
Starting at $24
It’s 7:00 in the morning, and you can’t
find your keys. The kids are screaming, and you just know this is the day your
boss is going to get to work before you. Whatever will you do? Well, if you
have the “Tile Bluetooth Dongle”, this will never be an issue again. With a
simple click of a button, you can locate whatever device you have attached, ranging
from car keys to luggage and backpacks to kids toys. It is small enough to
connect to any item, and can even locate your lost phone with a simple push of
the button. For the price, this is a very convenient and practical gift for
anyone.
2. Misfit
Flash Link
Amount:
16.99
With the recent fitness craze that has
swarmed our culture, this product has come out at the perfect time. It’s small
enough to clip on your pocket, but powerful enough to accurately track your
fitness activities and assist in your regular workout regimen. You can even
swim with it. The blinking lights on top tell time, as well as measuring your
progress towards your set fitness goal. With a battery lasting the better of
six months, you will be hard pressed to find a more affordable fitness gadget
with this kind of capability.
3.
iDevices
iGrill Mini
Amount:
$39.95
For the griller of the family, you would be
at a loss not to consider this nifty little toy. By using the free smartphone
app included with your purchase, this probe can tell you when your food is done
cooking, based on the presets you define. For instance, if you want a medium
steak, set this option in your app, then put the probe in the steak, shove it
all in the oven (with capabilities to measure -22 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit,
you can rest assured the iGrill will not be harmed) and walk away. When your
food is done, you get an alert to your phone. With an estimated Bluetooth range
of 150 ft., you will no longer be tied to your oven during your favorite
sitcoms.
4.
Eton
Blackout Buddy H2O
Amount:
$9.99
Really, a flashlight? Yes, a flashlight.
But not just any flashlight. This is a light powered by water. This may not be
the gift you want for Christmas this year, but I guarantee you will be happy
when that next power outage hits. Approved by the Red Cross, this handy little
tool requires no batteries or electricity of any kind, and is instead powered
simply by the wonder that is water. This is a must have for any safety and
weather preparedness kit.
5.
Amazon
Fire Tablet
Amount:
$49.99
Ever since tablets hit the market, everyone
has wanted one. I am willing to bet you have a child somewhere in your group
that is begging you for a tablet of some kind, and you have probably been
apprehensive about dropping the money (I don’t blame you, they’re expensive).
But now Amazon has once again stepped up to the plate and brought us the
cheapest tablet on the market. At the low price of $49.99, you can have the fun
and joy brought to you by Amazon. Some features are lacking (for instance, most
apps/home screen are ad powered and you must pay to remove ads), but if you are
willing to overlook the shortcomings, this is a great tablet to get without the
risk of hundreds of dollars.
6.
Shutterball
Amount:
$29.99
Link to Buy (merchant website; also available on Amazon)
Its not just a teen thing; we all like
taking selfies. Go ahead, you can admit it. Nobody’s listening. One rather
undeniable phenomenon with the evolution of cell phone cameras is the almighty
selfie. So have you ever knocked your phone when trying to snap that perfect shot?
Never again thanks to the Shutterball. This handy little ball-on-a-cord will
take you back to the days of old-timey photography (without the horrible flash,
crackling, or black and white resolution) by connecting the ball to an app on
your phone via Bluetooth. You set up your phone in just the right angle,
squeeze the ball, and you now have your perfect picture. Works great for any
posed shots that require precision. This is a must have for any cell phone
picture takers in the family.
7.
Microsoft
Arc Touch Mouse
Amount:
$36.95
Possibly the niftiest accessory for
computers in years, the Microsoft Arc Mouse is the must-have computer mouse for
the techie on the go. To turn it on, you simply open the flattened mouse, and
arch it. Now it is turned on, and even formed to your hand. In addition, it
works on many surfaces, including glass tabletops. Compact and powerful without
costing an arm and a leg, this is an ingenious gift for any avid computer user.
8. Apple Core
Wire Organizer
Amount:
$1.99-$4.99 (depending on size)
Oh Apple Core, where have you been all my
life? This is the simplest, but coolest tool to have in any home. How many
times have you tried to unplug your phone and almost pulled the tv down with
it? With this handy little organizer, all of your cords will not only be
organized and separated, but also confined an easily identifiable. Never again
will you have to trace your wires back to find the one you need. And at such a
low price, you could afford to organize all of the wires in your home/office.
9.
Touch
Tonic – For Gloves!
Amount:
$20.00
Winter is a harsh mistress, especially to
those brave enough to text while out in the elements. Nobody wants to sacrifice
their fingertips in order to browse YouTube or text their loved ones. Now you don’t
have to, thanks to Touch Tonic. It comes in a variety of solutions, one for
fabric gloves and one for leather and other materials, and a single solution
will keep you connected for months on end. Just apply the solution to your
glove fingertips, and you are ready to text, smash, play, and watch to your
heart’s content, no matter what the weather is like.
10. Google Cardboard
Amount:
varies, starting at $20.00
Possibly the coolest unveil of the year,
Google Cardboard is guaranteed to impress even the least technical member of
the family. Imagine relaxing from work by taking a stroll through downtown
Paris. Now you can emulate that feeling with this simple headset. Using the
free app combined with Cardboard, you can view various areas of the world, and
Angry Birds has never been so intense. At such a low price point, you are
guaranteed to be volunteered as the family Santa Claus at next year’s Christmas
party.
Progress Report
So I am
sure you are wondering what has kept me busy for the past few weeks since my
last post, and that’s a good question. Well, as you have probably already
guessed, my time has been filled with practice tests, book reading, and general
studying. My next goal is to complete the CompTIA A+ 220-802, which is the
second of two exams for my A+ certification. Let me just go ahead and say I
could not be more ready to have this completed. The good news is that with all
the studying I have done, there is obvious progress being made. When I first
started studying for the 220-801, my scores were horrendous. I mean, we’re
talking 30%-50% starting out. Now, obviously I was able to improve this,
otherwise I would not have completed the test at all. However, it was a very
difficult challenge, though equally rewarding.
Well so far through the practice tests, I am starting on a much higher
plateau than the first time. The scores are all ranging from 90%-100% for the
chapter reviews in my study guide, and the practice tests are all ranging from
80%-90%, which is quite a morale booster to say the least.
So, in
my last post I made mention that I was shooting to take the next exam by the
beginning of March, so to allow for elbow room for anything else that may
happen along the way. Well, I figure that’s just not quite ambitious enough, so
I am moving the deadline up by a month. Therefore, by the beginning of February
I should be completely certified. This comes, of course, with mandatory
celebration, including but not limited to chaos and mayhem in the name of
victory and fun.
Truthfully,
that is not the only thing that has been going on lately. You may notice in the
next few months that this page takes a brand new look, and possibly a new URL.
Within the past month I have decided that it would be a good idea to try and
customize this blog site to better suit what I am trying to accomplish
here. I have been studying copiously
thanks to my newest programming resource: Code Academy.
 | |
| Codeacademy.com |
This is
a one-of-a-kind site, in that not only do they teach you how to code (in
various languages, I might add), but they go so far as to hold your hand and
walk you through the tutorials, explaining why things work how they do, and
showing you how to implement the features they have shown you. The most
interesting part of the experience is that for the tutorials, you are building
an actual website by a big name company, in this case Airbnb.com. Now, the
layout I designed in the tutorial is no longer in use, as it is an old layout,
but it serves perfectly to show you how to implement the code, and what types
of design are desirable and how. The HTML/CSS course is about 3 hours long, and
it goes quite in depth in regards to the code and design layout.
I
started this blog because I was tired of waiting. Why wait to get into school
to learn when we live in the age of technology? We have a world of information
at our literal fingertips, and there is no reason any of us can say there is no
way for us to learn if we really want to. It is to this end that I have decided
to change the layout of this site, both to gain some experience and also to see
what I can do. This is one of the first things I have ever created with my own
hand and mind. I want to see how far I can take this, and what may happen if I
do. You don’t know until you try, and that is something I am learning more
every day.
With
the new layout there will be some changes, just a few things to streamline the
process here. There is currently a resources section (which if you haven’t
checked it out yet, there is plenty of fun stuff there), and now there will be
a “Tutorials” section. I have attempted many projects through this journey, and
now there will be a place where you can search or browse through them, either
for something specific or just in general. Anything I have worked on from
computer hardware/software repair, malware removal, console repair, etc. will
be listed under this section. My hope is that perhaps this will serve to draw
others in, but if nothing else it will provide a place for you to see all of my
projects (for research or just curiosity).
In
other news, there is one thing I wanted to touch on before I leave this post
for the next one. Here lately, there have been some changes happening in my
life, and not necessarily bad either. I have come to realize that as humans, we
are not invincible, and our time on this earth is very finite. (Yes, it has
taken me this long to realize that. Nobody ever said I had the most common
sense.) Anyway, with this realization it has occurred to me that there need to
be healthier changes in my life to ensure the best life possible. I quit
smoking two years ago (woohoo!), and that was my biggest health struggle. Soon
to follow was dropping caffeine, now exercising, and eating better, of course.
There are also other struggles I am dealing with that are outside the scope of
this post, but suffice it to say they are difficult to figure out.
I say
all of this not to complain, but to give you some insight. I never really
considered that all of these people who have done great things have done so not
at the sacrifice of their health, but quite the opposite. These people make
many, many sacrifices, but their health (with a few exceptions) is not one of
them. With this realization I have had to make some changes in my own life that
have been rather difficult, but that I know are worth it in the end. A little
pain now is always better than a lot of pain later.
We all
have our struggles, our demons, our doubts. But what makes you different is how
you handle those fears. Do you turn and run? Or do you face them head on,
denying any possibility of your own failure, no matter what? How worthwhile is
your dream? Are you willing to fight for it? Scratch, hit, draw some blood? Are
you willing to change yourself to be the better person you know you need to be?
Every single person who is reading this blog has the same potential as myself,
and I have faith in every one of you. I started out intellectually with nothing
on this journey. I had no idea what I wanted to do, or how to get there. I
didn’t even know if it was possible. So let me take leave you with something to
think on: it’s possible. Whatever you want, no matter your goal, it’s possible
if you are willing to fight for it. Don’t let this world tell you what you
deserve. This is your story. You are
the main character, and we are all just extras. You are the director, writer,
and lead. How is this story going to go? Will it be a tragedy? Or will it be an
underdog story? I’ll be honest with you, I would rather watch “Slumdog
Millionaire” any day over “Titanic”.
 |
Wait for it....
Wow, so many things have happened lately, I just don’t know
where to begin. Wait…I know!
Yep, it
happened. I actually passed the 220-801. No, that’s not quite enough. Let me
try that again. I FREAKING PASSED!!! (With 82% to be exact) Yeah, that’s a
little better. In all seriousness, that was the hardest exam I have ever taken,
and I have been somewhere between exhilarating excitement and tears of
happiness ever since. It really is surreal to think about everything that has
happened in the course of this one test. Since the beginning of May I have been
studying relentlessly to cram this information as well as I could. There were so many times I honestly believed
this was hopeless, that my efforts were in vain. How can you learn this without
having someone teach you? Can you really do something so complex having not
taken the proper classes? I am here to say it is possible, and though I am only
halfway certified, I will have completed the last portion by March of next
year, giving a little elbow room for whatever may happen.
 |
| Yeah, that seems about right. |
Truth be told, a large part of the problem with the test itself came down to knowing how the test was structured, and therefore feeling unprepared, though I had the knowledge the whole time, as I soon figured out. What you have to remember is that when you study for these exams, you are learning about the technology, what it is and how it works. Now, that's all fun and good, but that's not what CompTIA is really concentrated on. What they want to know is can you utilize what you know and put to practice in a professional environment, if so required? For instance, when should you use a switch instead of a hub? Better yet, can you tell me why the printer is printing garbled text, or none at all? It's actually a very simple answer: the print drivers are bad. Simply reinstall the correct drivers and you're good to go. Once you realize the angle from which they come, you will have no problem passing these tests.
But I will say everything so far could have never
happened without the massive support I’ve received from so many people. Every
time someone shows interest in what I’m doing, and actually seems impressed, it
boosts my morale in a way that I can never have too much. To my friends who have told me you actually
take time to read this blog, thank you. Seriously, thank you. Words don’t
express the gratitude, the overwhelming joy I feel every time you tell me you
read my last post. The same goes to any out there who I may not be aware of
that take the same time to read and check in, and I hope that one day soon I
can find who you are to show you the same thanks. To my friends, family, and
most of all, my beautiful wife, thank you for picking me up when I just
couldn’t do it anymore. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in
myself. And thank you for telling me, constantly and repeatedly, that I could
do this. Because now, I actually believe you, and just to have that makes this
all worthwhile. It’s funny how everything can change with one simple passing
grade, huh?
So What’s Next?
I’m glad you asked. It seems my
next, and biggest, objective is a combination of passing school and completing
my certification, both of which are nothing short of possible.
Speaking of the next test, I want
to give you a brief overview of what is entailed in this exam. This one is the “fun”
one for me, as the culmination of all my messing around, breaking and fixing
computers over the years is finally coming into play. This exam mainly covers
Windows operating systems XP, Vista, and 7. Before you ask, I know XP should not
be included (it is borderline antiquated technology), but CompTIA wants you to
know about this OS simply for historical purposes, and to better understand how
Windows works. In all fairness, XP was an incredible machine in its time. In
addition to those topics, general troubleshooting theory for software/hardware,
networking, and printers is also covered,
which is honestly truly interesting and mesmerizingly fun stuff. So remember,
when your computer won’t turn on, or your printer prints garbled text, who you
gonna call?
 |
| GHOST-! Wait a minute... |
School is right around the corner, but fortunately I have finally managed to practice proactivity for once in my life and get the ball rolling a little sooner than normal, giving me a little time to get everything together. I believe I mentioned in my last post the school of choice for finishing out my degree, but just in case you missed it, I have now been admitted to Central Piedmont Community College. My plan right now is to finish out my Associate’s Degree in Software Integration with a concentration in Networking, since that is what most of my classes are counting towards. From there, I hope to be able to move on over to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree.
As of right now, all I have left to do is attend orientation, transfer my transcripts, register my classes, and apply for the loan (or otherwise figure out how to pay), and I will be registered for my last year of school, finally. Being so close not only to the goal, but also the deadline, I really hope things work out as planned, just this once. But my hope is that since we are playing it smart this time, maybe everything will be fine.
It’s honestly kind of scary though, you know? I mean, so many things are changing right now, and while it’s all for the better, I still have a hard time believing it’s actually happening. All of these things I’ve wanted for years and just never had the clarity to understand the way of getting to are actually happening right now.
Also in the name of productivity, I have also decided to try my hand at a little something new, though not too different. Anyone who knows me knows that the first thing I was ever passionate about in this world was video games; I have had a love for all kinds since the early age of four. So, like so many people out there, I have found a way to turn my passion into something more constructive than just playing a game.
I have decided to try my hand at console repair, just for kicks and giggles. I have spent thousands of dollars on consoles alone (not including the games for said consoles), and I have now realized that everything I have learned can be applied in a different direction to save oodles of money, not to mention allowing for greater customization and flexibility.
Funny enough, I actually found a PS2 sitting in a cupboard the other day (And it still powers on too! Can you believe it? I can’t!) that was originally retired due to a faulty laser (all too common from that generation). So I decided to take it apart to see what was inside, and in the process, systematically removed the laser. IF I decide to buy a new laser, since they are more than I expected, I have full confidence I can get this console working again. Hey, I may even mod it if I can find the right supplies online. Why not, right?
There
have been a lot of changes happening in life, as I mentioned above, and not all
of them are bad, if any, but all are difficult to deal with in their own way.
Its been said that you know how worthwhile something is by how much you are
willing to put up with in the process of getting to that goal. Well, this is
one of the most worthwhile goals I have ever attempted, and I have never been
more fulfilled.
So that’s
about the gist of what’s been happening since my last post, though I am sure
there will be much more to follow soon, as so often seems to be the case. By the beginning of next year I plan to be certified, at which point life is going
to take a turn into very new but equally exciting terrain. For the first time
in my life, I am actually about to make my professional dreams come true.
Better yet, I’m already there, making the dream happen right now. So do
me a favor, a favor for yourself as well as me. Think about what you want in
life. Decide where you want to be in a year, 5 years, 10 years. Think about
what has to happen for you to get there, the things that must change. Then,
make it happen. And let me know when you get there, or when you start, or even
when you think about deciding. I would love nothing more than to share in your
journey just like you have in mine.
Getting Ready for the A+...part 1!
Often times, I find myself starting these posts with the words "Life has been interesting...". So from here on out, let's just assume that "life has been interesting", otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this to begin with. Now that we got that out of the way, here is what has been going on lately.
That's right, it's official. I am finally going through with it. Granted, I was originally slated to take it two months ago, so logic should lend that I am prepared for this. While I know I should be, and in terms of material learned I really am, some part of me is still intimidated by one simple fact: I am actually doing this. After so many years (roughly six) of trying to get into the IT field, I have finally found my way, and I am doing something about it. No more doubting what could be, but actually finding out what is.
For the sake of clarification, the A+ certification is actually split between two exams, the 220-801 and the 220-802. The 801 mainly focuses on hardware identification and maintenance, networking, printers, laptops, and operational procedures. (If it sounds like it's a lot, its because it is.) Five months ago, I didn't really know anything about most of this, regardless of what I would have told you at the time (Ignorance is bliss).
The 20-802 is mostly software based, currently covering all Windows operating systems from Windows XP to Windows 7. Fortunately, I am only under-exposed to Vista, which is basically a dumbed down version of Windows 7. Of course, I will be covering more on this as the time comes closer to take that particular exam.
I have been studying relentlessly since the beginning of May, as I am sure you already know by this point, and I never actually believed I would attain the level of confidence I now have. Since buying my trusty, handy-dandy study guide on Amazon (I kid you not, probably the BEST purchase I have ever made), I have been able to ace every practice test on the websites I have been able to find. I am actually about to build my own computer. I know every single step involved, everything I need to do. And if I mess up? If I break something? I'll fix or replace it, and chalk it up to learning. I have made approximately 100 flashcards myself, since writing and reciting will supposedly double the effect. And guess what: it did. And what started all of this? A single post on Twitter. Just one person advertising a little site called Cybrary.it. I have invested $30 to my certification not including the fees for the exams themselves (Though I do have every intention of donating to Cybrary when I get certified). I hate to plug, but Cybrary does have an intensive list of videos regarding the A+ certification, as well as many other certs offered by CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, etc. It's funny how quickly your entire life can change, for the better or worse, from one single decision, one thought, one glimpse that you didn't ever think would make a difference.
Truthfully, that's not the only thing that's been going for me lately. For once, I think I have multitudes of good news to share, and by God I am going to share it. Through all of my struggles, there may be a light at the end of the school tunnel. I have done A LOT of research, and I am here with news that will help any others in my situation. I have two full semesters and one summer semester left for my Associates in Applied Sciences in Technology Integration (As I have found out it is called now), and I have been very stubborn on giving up on completing my degree. (For once, my stubborness pays off.) I was completely unaware of this until about two weeks ago, but there are at least two sources of financial aid in the form of loans for community colleges in North Carolina that I had not already exhausted: Wells Fargo and Sallie Mae. As I have mentioned before, most community colleges in North Carolina "opted out" (got kicked out) of the federal loan program due to massive student defaults coupled with low graduation rates. The only drawback to this discovery is that the list of colleges they do offer loans for is somewhat selective. Seeing as how my first couple of choices weren't on the list, I was forced to go outside of the box, and I am still shocked with what I found.
I dont feel bad about listing this name, because it is great advertising for the school, and it seems they deserve it. Central Piedmont Community College is apparently one of the best in the area in terms of comm colleges, and their computer programs are easily the most intensive I have come across available outside of a university. Loans are available to this particular school through Wells Fargo, and I am considering the large possibility that this may be my only option, though that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Along with your degree, you get a diploma, which serves as your concentration. For the sake of continuity, my concentration is going to be networking. That way I can complete the degree by the end of next year, and hopefully transfer to the UNCC (CPCC teams up with UNCC for transfers, so lets hope) to pursue a B.S. possibly cyber security, or something closely related.
Recently, I spoke of transferring directly to University of North Carolina at Charlotte for completion of my degree, but that led to yet another unexpected circumstance I was forced to find a way around. In short, since I am going for an Associates in APPLIED Sciences, and not an Associates in Science, my credits will not transfer, except for core classes. Oh, and you have to have 25 credits of core classes to transfer. So in short, there is no way for a computer major of any kind to transfer to UNCC with an incomplete degree. Well, not unless you want to start completely over with your degree.
So what does this all mean? Well...lets try one more time. Time is short, but some would say your best work is done under pressure, and I am no exception to that. Mainly, I have to fill out the FAFSA for next semester, and time is running a little short, so I suppose that is my first objective. Well, that, and applying to the school at all. That's kind of important. Also, within the next month, I am going to have to find time to speak to an advisor, just to make sure everything is in order. Then, assuming all goes well, I have to apply for the loan, and also register for classes and hope I can get the ones I need. So what I'm trying to say is that its going to be funny to watch me try to get this all done with my strict time limit. But I've done more with less time. So as a good friend and coworker of mine always tells me to get pumped, "To work hard for what we want, but not take for granted what we earn; to enjoy the fruits of our labors, but not let the arrogance cloud us. But to ultimately achieve that goal, in whatever form, however it presents itself to us. In short, lets DO THIS!"
 |
| See? I really do have a Twitter. You should follow me (hint, hint) |
That's right, it's official. I am finally going through with it. Granted, I was originally slated to take it two months ago, so logic should lend that I am prepared for this. While I know I should be, and in terms of material learned I really am, some part of me is still intimidated by one simple fact: I am actually doing this. After so many years (roughly six) of trying to get into the IT field, I have finally found my way, and I am doing something about it. No more doubting what could be, but actually finding out what is.
For the sake of clarification, the A+ certification is actually split between two exams, the 220-801 and the 220-802. The 801 mainly focuses on hardware identification and maintenance, networking, printers, laptops, and operational procedures. (If it sounds like it's a lot, its because it is.) Five months ago, I didn't really know anything about most of this, regardless of what I would have told you at the time (Ignorance is bliss).
The 20-802 is mostly software based, currently covering all Windows operating systems from Windows XP to Windows 7. Fortunately, I am only under-exposed to Vista, which is basically a dumbed down version of Windows 7. Of course, I will be covering more on this as the time comes closer to take that particular exam.
I have been studying relentlessly since the beginning of May, as I am sure you already know by this point, and I never actually believed I would attain the level of confidence I now have. Since buying my trusty, handy-dandy study guide on Amazon (I kid you not, probably the BEST purchase I have ever made), I have been able to ace every practice test on the websites I have been able to find. I am actually about to build my own computer. I know every single step involved, everything I need to do. And if I mess up? If I break something? I'll fix or replace it, and chalk it up to learning. I have made approximately 100 flashcards myself, since writing and reciting will supposedly double the effect. And guess what: it did. And what started all of this? A single post on Twitter. Just one person advertising a little site called Cybrary.it. I have invested $30 to my certification not including the fees for the exams themselves (Though I do have every intention of donating to Cybrary when I get certified). I hate to plug, but Cybrary does have an intensive list of videos regarding the A+ certification, as well as many other certs offered by CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, etc. It's funny how quickly your entire life can change, for the better or worse, from one single decision, one thought, one glimpse that you didn't ever think would make a difference.
 |
| Before you ever take any tech field exam, you should look into this series. Best guides ever. |
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| Check out their website for FREE training on everything from entry level tech to cyber security and programming. |
Truthfully, that's not the only thing that's been going for me lately. For once, I think I have multitudes of good news to share, and by God I am going to share it. Through all of my struggles, there may be a light at the end of the school tunnel. I have done A LOT of research, and I am here with news that will help any others in my situation. I have two full semesters and one summer semester left for my Associates in Applied Sciences in Technology Integration (As I have found out it is called now), and I have been very stubborn on giving up on completing my degree. (For once, my stubborness pays off.) I was completely unaware of this until about two weeks ago, but there are at least two sources of financial aid in the form of loans for community colleges in North Carolina that I had not already exhausted: Wells Fargo and Sallie Mae. As I have mentioned before, most community colleges in North Carolina "opted out" (got kicked out) of the federal loan program due to massive student defaults coupled with low graduation rates. The only drawback to this discovery is that the list of colleges they do offer loans for is somewhat selective. Seeing as how my first couple of choices weren't on the list, I was forced to go outside of the box, and I am still shocked with what I found.
I dont feel bad about listing this name, because it is great advertising for the school, and it seems they deserve it. Central Piedmont Community College is apparently one of the best in the area in terms of comm colleges, and their computer programs are easily the most intensive I have come across available outside of a university. Loans are available to this particular school through Wells Fargo, and I am considering the large possibility that this may be my only option, though that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Along with your degree, you get a diploma, which serves as your concentration. For the sake of continuity, my concentration is going to be networking. That way I can complete the degree by the end of next year, and hopefully transfer to the UNCC (CPCC teams up with UNCC for transfers, so lets hope) to pursue a B.S. possibly cyber security, or something closely related.
Recently, I spoke of transferring directly to University of North Carolina at Charlotte for completion of my degree, but that led to yet another unexpected circumstance I was forced to find a way around. In short, since I am going for an Associates in APPLIED Sciences, and not an Associates in Science, my credits will not transfer, except for core classes. Oh, and you have to have 25 credits of core classes to transfer. So in short, there is no way for a computer major of any kind to transfer to UNCC with an incomplete degree. Well, not unless you want to start completely over with your degree.
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| Yep, I think that about says it all right there. |
So what does this all mean? Well...lets try one more time. Time is short, but some would say your best work is done under pressure, and I am no exception to that. Mainly, I have to fill out the FAFSA for next semester, and time is running a little short, so I suppose that is my first objective. Well, that, and applying to the school at all. That's kind of important. Also, within the next month, I am going to have to find time to speak to an advisor, just to make sure everything is in order. Then, assuming all goes well, I have to apply for the loan, and also register for classes and hope I can get the ones I need. So what I'm trying to say is that its going to be funny to watch me try to get this all done with my strict time limit. But I've done more with less time. So as a good friend and coworker of mine always tells me to get pumped, "To work hard for what we want, but not take for granted what we earn; to enjoy the fruits of our labors, but not let the arrogance cloud us. But to ultimately achieve that goal, in whatever form, however it presents itself to us. In short, lets DO THIS!"
So you took the 220-801 exam...right?
This month has been very interesting to say the least. I have had many revelations, the first of which is concerning this blog. I have a confession to make: I feel horrible about my attendance with this blog. In all honesty, a lot of my current dreams started here, talking to you, figuring out what I wanted to really do with my life. It's not really right to keep you out of the loop just because time is short. So to that end, I am making a goal to post on this blog at least once a month, and somewhat comprehensively, though hopefully not dreadfully lengthy. Sometimes you need to go back to where it all started to see where you need to go, so maybe this decision will help provide some perspective.
So I mentioned the past month has been rather interesting. Well, brace yourself, because I think this is the part of my life story where things really start to speed up.
Well, for starters, I have finally finished prepping for the first CompTIA A+ exam, 220-801, and even went to far as to schedule the testing time at a local testing facility. Now, this is a rather big deal for me, as the entire journey so far has been self-taught, with the aid of various study materials (listed under the "Resources" section), which is rather new tactic for me.
To be able to say I am actually ready to take this exam honestly feels pretty surreal (which, as you will soon find out, has become a new favorite word of mine). I have been studying since the beginning of May, and I have easily clocked at least 100 hours of studying total (and that's a conservative estimate). I scheduled the exam for August 11, which if you refer to your calendar, was just a few weeks ago.
"Joe", you say, "if the exam was scheduled on August 11, surely you took and passed the exam, thereby getting halfway to being certified, right?" Oh what a clever observer you are. And you would normally be right. Except for one tiny little problem: less than a week after scheduling the exam, life happened in the worst of ways.
On August 6, 2015, my sister's fiance and friend of my family was tragically killed in a car wreck on his way home from grabbing take out for himself and a friend. He was less than a mile from home. Now, it has been my goal to typically leave personal, "unrelated to professional dreams" issues out of this blog, but I figure this is a good time to slightly bend that rule.
After that happened, I had no choice but to cancel the exam, no more than a day or two before I was to take it. The cruel irony: how can I really be mad about my inconvenience when my sister is only 25 and devastated over the loss of her love, something many people are lucky enough to only have to experience at twice her age. While helping her try to get through this, I have had a few realizations of my own that have been rather hard to take in.
Simply put, as mortal beings on this planet, we are granted no guarantees except a life and a death, and nothing more. The dream we all share is to be able to grow old and die in our homes, at peace with the world, having put to rest any quarrels and resolved any issues. But let's be honest: how likely is that to happen? Just look at the statistics. It is just as likely our lives could end in a car wreck, much like my sister's fiance, or any one of us could have a stroke, heart attack, etc. And we all know there are no warnings with things to that nature. We all hear the cliche "Well, you could die tomorrow. You could get hit by a bus when you walk outside. You could even have a piano fall on your head. You never know." But who really believes that's true? Just think about that. Earlier today, when you went out to get some Cheeto's and Mountain Dew (we all have our guilty pleasures), that could have been the last thing you ever did. You could have wrecked, or any number of other things. By the way, I'm glad that didn't happen. Just wanted you to know I'm looking out for you.
This has been a hard realization to come to terms with, but a necessary one. Its easy to let yourself get caught up in what you're doing, or just in the stress of life, when things are so hectic and there is much to be done. But remember, we only get one life, and we have to make it what we can. I don't know about you, but I'm not living for the afterlife. I want the best I can have now, and I'm willing to work for it. And that includes emotionally, intellectually, mentally.
My sister did actually teach me a lot through this. She showed me how to handle something like this with some dignity and grace. Through her horror and devastation, she has held up remarkably. At the funeral, she talked to every single person and consoled everyone she could. Watching my little sister act so mature in such a dark time was truly inspiring, and something I will take with me through my life. There is also something my sister can take from this experience, and you can take the same lesson as well. Her fiance called on his way home and asked what she wanted to eat. At the end of the call, she told him, "Be careful. I love you." Those were the last words he ever heard her say. And truthfully, what words are more fitting?
Okay, I kind of went past bending and just broke that rule. Sorry about that. Let's bring this full circle, shall we? This experience has given be a different outlook on life. While it's important to always try and strive for your goals, you should always make time for what's most important. The most important thing you can do, though, is always make sure those closest to you know how much you love them. Always value them, for they are who make you what you are. Always speak from the heart, and you can never be wrong.
So I mentioned the past month has been rather interesting. Well, brace yourself, because I think this is the part of my life story where things really start to speed up.
Well, for starters, I have finally finished prepping for the first CompTIA A+ exam, 220-801, and even went to far as to schedule the testing time at a local testing facility. Now, this is a rather big deal for me, as the entire journey so far has been self-taught, with the aid of various study materials (listed under the "Resources" section), which is rather new tactic for me.
To be able to say I am actually ready to take this exam honestly feels pretty surreal (which, as you will soon find out, has become a new favorite word of mine). I have been studying since the beginning of May, and I have easily clocked at least 100 hours of studying total (and that's a conservative estimate). I scheduled the exam for August 11, which if you refer to your calendar, was just a few weeks ago.
"Joe", you say, "if the exam was scheduled on August 11, surely you took and passed the exam, thereby getting halfway to being certified, right?" Oh what a clever observer you are. And you would normally be right. Except for one tiny little problem: less than a week after scheduling the exam, life happened in the worst of ways.
On August 6, 2015, my sister's fiance and friend of my family was tragically killed in a car wreck on his way home from grabbing take out for himself and a friend. He was less than a mile from home. Now, it has been my goal to typically leave personal, "unrelated to professional dreams" issues out of this blog, but I figure this is a good time to slightly bend that rule.
After that happened, I had no choice but to cancel the exam, no more than a day or two before I was to take it. The cruel irony: how can I really be mad about my inconvenience when my sister is only 25 and devastated over the loss of her love, something many people are lucky enough to only have to experience at twice her age. While helping her try to get through this, I have had a few realizations of my own that have been rather hard to take in.
Simply put, as mortal beings on this planet, we are granted no guarantees except a life and a death, and nothing more. The dream we all share is to be able to grow old and die in our homes, at peace with the world, having put to rest any quarrels and resolved any issues. But let's be honest: how likely is that to happen? Just look at the statistics. It is just as likely our lives could end in a car wreck, much like my sister's fiance, or any one of us could have a stroke, heart attack, etc. And we all know there are no warnings with things to that nature. We all hear the cliche "Well, you could die tomorrow. You could get hit by a bus when you walk outside. You could even have a piano fall on your head. You never know." But who really believes that's true? Just think about that. Earlier today, when you went out to get some Cheeto's and Mountain Dew (we all have our guilty pleasures), that could have been the last thing you ever did. You could have wrecked, or any number of other things. By the way, I'm glad that didn't happen. Just wanted you to know I'm looking out for you.
This has been a hard realization to come to terms with, but a necessary one. Its easy to let yourself get caught up in what you're doing, or just in the stress of life, when things are so hectic and there is much to be done. But remember, we only get one life, and we have to make it what we can. I don't know about you, but I'm not living for the afterlife. I want the best I can have now, and I'm willing to work for it. And that includes emotionally, intellectually, mentally.
My sister did actually teach me a lot through this. She showed me how to handle something like this with some dignity and grace. Through her horror and devastation, she has held up remarkably. At the funeral, she talked to every single person and consoled everyone she could. Watching my little sister act so mature in such a dark time was truly inspiring, and something I will take with me through my life. There is also something my sister can take from this experience, and you can take the same lesson as well. Her fiance called on his way home and asked what she wanted to eat. At the end of the call, she told him, "Be careful. I love you." Those were the last words he ever heard her say. And truthfully, what words are more fitting?
Okay, I kind of went past bending and just broke that rule. Sorry about that. Let's bring this full circle, shall we? This experience has given be a different outlook on life. While it's important to always try and strive for your goals, you should always make time for what's most important. The most important thing you can do, though, is always make sure those closest to you know how much you love them. Always value them, for they are who make you what you are. Always speak from the heart, and you can never be wrong.