From: Salau, Yemi (yemi.salau@siemens.com)
Date: Thu Sep 27 2007 - 19:56:33 ART
Sincerely, I don't really know where to start from or who to start
thanking now. The list is just too enormous, but make I start from
somewhere ...
To the Almighty, the giver of strength where/when there is no strength,
the giver of life, hope, riches and wealth. The most merciful and
graceful ... I give you all the glory ... for the strength to go through
the odds of becoming CCIE at this young and early stage of my career.
Thought there is nothing new about celebrating being a CCIE at 24, but I
feel happy with myself considering my background and upbringing. My
Cisco journey started in 2002 got CCNA and then started consulting,
graduated from UNI in 2005. It's not been easy, but it's worth it ...
History will not forgive me if I fail to mention few humane personnels,
listing in no particular order ... the best dad in the world (My Dad),
the best mum in the world (My Mum), the best family in the world (My
Family) ... These people have been very supportive through the difficult
moments, very encouraging and thoughtful ... in life, we survive the odd
times partly due to the lovely ones around us.
Now, for the Big Guns ... TFASH/ACHACHIKA - For those rigorous and
intensive conference calls; study partnerships and sleepless nights.
Thanks for always passing the mantle to me; it paid off at the end of
the day. MrT na you get the mantle for Voice now oO! Chika ... yours is
the Security, no excuses oO! I'm stepping aside now!
Mr.T, ofwhich we might have to book our flights together in December for
a "Study-Holiday" with the Brains on their new Voice Class.
Now, for those I can't forget to mention, in no particular order ...
ToluBabs, Ibidapo, Omokungbe, Afinnity, Oginni, Vincent, Kunle, OmoT ...
These guys/chicks are amazing ... they keep calling during those times
even at my very lowest ebb and far away from them ... these guys still
call to know how far and how things are going .... I pray that the
Almighty Allah (before the Christians crucify me, Allah in Hausa
literally means God) will replenish you in all ramifications and only
him can bring us all to the very level he wants us to be.
Nisha (The most technical lady I've ever met in my life) Scott for
responding to my unicasts, even thought some aren't related to CCIE - He
still find out time to send "FREE" Consultations!, Brains Dennis/McGahan
for co-producing (for me) the best CCIE Products in the world... without
which many will still struggle to scale the difficult barrier.
As for CCIE magic number ... mine is #18967 ... people say it's magical,
for me, it's never been the money behind it, it's been the sense of
accomplishment ... heavens know money can't compare with all the stress,
the agony, the tough times, the hard times, the sleepless nights ... for
me, it's a sense of completing what you've started ... and my Dad always
tell me that it takes a man of great character to bring the
impossibilities to the realm of possibilities.
Having failed 3 times in Brussels, Belgium, I decided it wasn't the time
to lay back at all, it wasn't the time to let go of all the stress and
money put in ... I was in Belgium today for the 4th attempt to face the
8hour lab monster. Ofcourse, not that I feel like a superhero now, but I
just want to send a message across: "The only limitation to your Dreams
will be YOURSELF", believe it or not, it's not money, it's not the good
things of life, those are just "icing-on-the-cakes", it's that sense
that "YOU CAN ACHIEVE WHAT YOU WANNA ACHIEVE" and "BE WHAT YOU WANNA BE"
that matters.
As per the Yesterday/Today, I got to Brussels very late, was too dragged
into work related issues in London, visa problems too, so got to pick
the last train from BrusselsMidi to Diegem (23.18 train), Arrived at the
Hotel for 23.50pm and can remember the look on the lady booking me in.
Then got into the room and couldn't even do anyother thing than SLEEP!
Was too tired and very very hungry ... but woke up this morning on the
bright side and have that feeling that today might just be my day!
Got to the Lab in my FaceCap, had a couple of bottles of drink ... and
then ready to face the so called monster for the 4th time! After the
lab, still had that feeling that I might have miss-configured couple of
things, but overall, I left the Lab a very happy man ... I told myself,
even if Cisco decides that I'm too young for CCIE, I will be happy with
myself based on what I did in the Lab. Stefan was great today ... simply
amazing, he confirmed Robben has gone back to the states now.... Anyway,
things seemed to fall into place. I got back to London around 8pm and
got to my Hut around 9.15pm, to my greatest surprise I saw the email,
went to CCIE page, and behold the PASS!
I'm really short of words, don't know what to say again, but let me
conclude with this ... in life, always remember that "TOUGH TIMES NEVER
LAST, ONLY TOUGH PEOPLE DO!"
1 CCIE DOWN, 4 TO GO!
THE NEXT ON THE TRAIN .... VOICE&SECURITY!!!!
CCIE#18967
A Little Higher Than Angels!
Many Thanks
Yemi Salau
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