CCIE - Internetwork Expert's Online Community

Hi All,

I've being reading most of your blogs/posts for the last 7 months, although not actively posting - I know I should have though!

By way of a technical intro, I've been "formally" labbing since june; stared with Volume 1 (2 run through), then Vol 3 (another 2 run's) and currently on Lab 19 of the core workbook - covered most of the COD's too. My current plans are to redo all vol2 labs once more prior to attempting "the Brussels experience" (with a few mock's thrown in for effect). 

As it stands I am fairly content with my skillet (albeit not overly confident); yet the funny thing is 1 month back I was struggling to finish vol2, level 5 & 6 lab's within 8 hours. Now - 30 days down the line, I can complete most 8,9 & 10's in 6.5 hours with quite accurate question interpretation and good scores.  By the time I rerun through all the core  labs I'm hoping to have these technologies completely drilled in.  (BTW, Vol 3 Labs certainly serve their purpose - they certainly help with speed build-up).

My approach to "studying" has been fairly extreme, I've taken 12 weeks sabbatical leave from work (Government owned incumbent SP - they allows things like that :) ) and endevaoured to complete 5-6 8 hour labs per week with 2 hour review sessions in the evening. I'm telling you after the second week it was hurting! 10-11 hour days of 100% concentration is much harder than real work - and i'll argue that point to death with anyone who dare challenge! I'm now to start my 9'th week and the second round of vol 2's.  My intentions were (note the were!) to attempt the lab at the end of the 12'th week; mid-late December. I have however messed up with bookings and my 16th December slot was never financially settled and thus let slip into the proverbial ether. I keep checking numerous times a day but no slots seem to be available till mid January.  Is this to be expected? I remember there always used to be slots for the current week - seems that the 3 month policy change and really screwed things up. Out of curiosity what's the likelihood of December slots becoming vacant? Do Cisco employees aimlessly book and drop close to the date?

Anyways maybe not attempting the lab in December is not such a bad thing - Mid-January means I get 4 more weeks of prep lab's mocks. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the Christmas lul smack in the middle!  Christmas is always big round my neck of the woods.

I'llk you all posted with any developments.... and if anyone has any information with regards to the  December availability in Brussels please feel free to share :)

Rgrds to all,

Jansen