I have asked myself this questions over and over again since the last attempt, and the answer is: yes! I am ready this time!

I did a lot of mistakes after reviewing Internetwork Expert's vSeminar (recorded 10th Dec 2006) on various mistakes that I have done. The mistakes are in the preparation, not in the lab exam

After attending that seminar, I was enlightened by various things:

• Yes, focus is good! But keeping away all the distractions is even better

This happens in my last preparation when all distractions are in place ... until 3 weeks before the exam

This time around, the distractions (should be) removed by today.

• Yes, getting more practice is good. But learn the lessons behind the practice is even better.

My last preparation, I just keep practicing. It turned out that even though I understand the reason of the 'answers', it is not properly stick in my brain (aka: I did not managed to learn the lesson).

• Yes, prepared in all blue-print topics is good. But, sharpening the holes in the blue print topic's specific area is better.

I have known some topics in the blueprint just like the palm of my hands, yet I still practice it as though I don't know anything about it. Worse still, I practice it along with other topics that are my weak areas!

• Yes, knowing more solutions is good. However, sticking with your focused training vendor are even better.

I am not saying this so all of you are going to subscribe to Internetwork Expert's workbook! It is just happen that I find Internetwork Expert's workbook is suitable for my pace, especially the Advanced Technology labs. Inside this advanced technology labs are where I could find all my burned questions and doubts answered. Will this be the same if I went through it directly without getting practices from the workbook? I don't think so.

I found out that the process that I must went through is yet another challenging and hard way to learn. Not many of my CCIE fellow could remind me on what is wrong, they even know that I could (and should???) pass from my last preparation. Is it out of luck??? Not at all. It is just a missing preparations in order to kick this CCIE number rolled into my hands

Anyway, my payment is due by next week. Thus, it will start counting down 30 to 1 again right after I settle the payment.

This time, I am ready. This time, I will get the number!

CCIE 17[3-9][0-9][0-9] is still there. It is a matter of which number I'd like it to be