Almost two years after I passed my first CCIE,  an old colleague passed his CCIE with the numbers having increased by just over a 1000. Drikus then was part of our Mobility team, before he moved on to chase the big IE too.  It is really good to see that new fathers are tackling the CCIE and showing other it can be done. Despite the amount that passed since I sat down at the Cisco mobile lab,  Drikus earned his number after month of hard work.

A huge congratulations are most definitely still in order!

Drikus was kind enough to share the following:

“About a week ago I went for my CCIE exam in the hopes of getting my unique number. I passed the lab and became the proud owner of CCIE # 34275. A lot of studying went into this exam, and would like to thank beautiful and understanding wife & 2 kids. They provided me with the time and motivation to push through and getting it done, and a huge thanks goes to the Almighty up above. Secondly, a huge thanks to Ruhann’s RB Handbook. I purchased them back in the day when the short-notes just started out, and it has proved invaluable time after time again. The following should sum it up :

So we all knew this day will come, when the CCIE numbers would breach 30000. And this happened two weeks ago already. But the importance for those passing is not the region of the number, but the fact that hard work for them paid of as it did for the many before them.

One such individual is a fellow colleague of mine. Jarrod has been truly determined in obtaining his number. This is what he had to say:

“About week back I managed to conquer the lab exam and achieve number #30080. I am grateful to the almighty lord for providing me with the strength to push on through the past 2 years. I’ve come to learn that the number is just a reward and it’s the journey to obtaining that number which reminds me of what it means to earn a CCIE. I also realized that the journey never ends, obtaining the number is just the start. I am now equipped with sufficient knowledge to branch out into understanding and troubleshooting larger networks.

Having a strong support structure from family and friends plays a massive role in achieving this cert and you definitely played a major role in this space. I’ve had the privilege of working with you and having immediate access to a knowledgeable individual like yourself is a benefit on its own. Thanks to you Ruhann, for your guidance and your book which brought everything together the last 2-3 days before the exam. As always, concise and straight to the point.

Your dedication and contribution to the CCIE world is invaluable and much appreciated. Really looking forward to the SPv3 edition of your book.”

I have not had much time lately, but I can certainly make time for some this. Micheal’s story is truly inspiring.

Michael Nabutali from Zambia passed his CCIE R&S last week. That makes Michael as far I know the FIRST and ONLY in his country to get a CCIE. That is remarkable. Michael contacted me for the first time in October last year after I passed my SP and he expressed his ambition to be the first CCIE in his country. He asked me for some guidance after his earlier attempts and I provided some basic info to assist where I could.

Also it is also important to understand, that Zambia being a third world African country does not have all the facilities as readily available as most other countries, so studying for a CCIE in some circumstances make it that much harder. But that did not lead Michael astray.  He was determined to pass and he did.

The biggest congratulations to Michael on his well deserved number and the pride of claiming the title in his country.

Michael had the following feedback:

“Hi Ruhann,

Thanks for the awesome routing bits handbook you authored. With God’s help, I passed my R/S lab in Dubai on April 13, 2011. Once I started doing full scale labs, I quickly realised I needed a book that would help me to quickly revise and understand the technology extensively. The routing bits handbook was my answer on this quest. Its compact but very detailed hence it was a vital tool on my path to become a CCIE.

The CCIE R/S booklist on the routing bits website was very crucial for me also. I did not know that the best QoS book was actually a professional level book by Wendel Odom. This was a major turning point for me because QoS was the greatest challenge I faced.

Thanks Ruhann for the excellent handbook and the awesome routing bits site posts. I strongly recommend the handbook for anyone who wants to pursue the CCIE for R/S.

Michael Nabutali, CCIE 28640″

Congratulation to Robert passing his CCIE last week. Like many he is currently experiencing the great relief, accomplishment and happiness that his hard work for a CCIE has paid of.

Robert was tremendously kind in his feedback to me.  Well done to you my friend !! Its your hard work and determination that paid off :)

Email from Robert:

“Ruhann,

From my experience and based on most of the responses I have had from candidates who passed their CCIE, one thing is obvious. The time taken to prepare and complete a CCIE is like isolation. Its time away from the world, social and family life. And after passing there is this unique pleasure in the freedom to do the things you previously loved.

Until that bug start biting for a second CCIE…

I know I have not been posting much. Been busy with the content and all the email requests. But it is always inspiring to other candidates still studying to hear of other passing.

Sasikumar Sadayan from India started his everquest some months back and successfully completed his first CCIE. That earned him the ever climbing number 27312. His feedback:

“I  cleared my CCIE R&S this October 25th in Bangalore. Your R&S short notes was very helpful  and helped me a lot to get a quick snapshot of all the important topics in the exam. I browsed your ShortNotes three or four times before  the lab exam.

I would preserve this short notes for my life time. Please keep up the good work and  I would recommend this to everyone.
I want to use  this opportunity to thank my wife and kid  for their overwhelming support  in  getting this Certification.”

I find it very rewarding having played a really small part in someone else’s great achievement.