My New Toy :)

So, first of all, I made it through all of college without buying an iPod. I could just never justify spending the little money I had on a complete luxury item like that.

Well, I decided I finally deserve a new toy. "Why?", you ask. Well, here are a few of my recent accomplishments:

Work

• I am now a Cisco Certified Network Associate. I passed my certification exam with a score of 949 out of 1000!!

• I received a score of 4 out of 5, which is "Exceeding Expectations" according to management on my latest two presentations. I spent a lot of time working on these presentations and I was actually pretty impressed with how they turned out. Don't get me wrong, I still have plenty of work to do, but my presentations are night and day after attending the public speaking courses as part of the program. They have made it so I am not even really nervous speaking in front of people anymore. Hell, my manager videotapes EVERYTHING and it doesn't even bother me. In fact, I even like it now :) The best part is we are only 2 months into the program, we still have 1o months to go, so the best is yet to come.

• I got a 96% on my first in-house Cisco Routing Products Exam with only 2 questions wrong out of 50!!

Personal

• When I got out to Raleigh, I was 175 lbs and did not feel like I was in very good shape physically. So, I have been on a new diet for the last 2 months and now I have recently achieved my goal!! I am now at my target weight of 160 lbs. Now all I need is for my new orthopedic to give me the OK on my shoulder so I can start working out again :)

The iPod
So, I told myself I could finally get the iPod nano I have wanted for so long once I passed my CCNA exam. But then, the iPod touch came out and I just couldn't help myself. For those of you who don't know, it is basically an iPhone minus the phone. I have a contract with Verizon for another year so I can't have an iPhone and Cisco will be paying for my phone starting next year, so I figured I might as well splurge and get the touch.

It's pretty cool!! I get WiFi Internet Access, which is dope. And of course, all of the other features of the iPhone: the multitouch display, YouTube, iPod, Videos, Photos, etc. More than anything, the interface and screen are simply to die for. Take a look at one, and you'll fall in love too :)

You can see a video on the touch here:
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/guidedtour/medium.html

So, here's the best part. I installed the iPod to work in my truck!! And no, I'm not talking about just plugging it in using a cable like most people have. My iPod is actually integrated into my sound system. I have wanted this setup for a long while and it's really exciting to finally have it!! Basically, I connect my iPod to a cable in my glove box and then leave it out of sight. While I am driving, my iPod is being charged and I can listen to it in amazing quality. Also, I can control my iPod directly through my car stereo. I can change playlists, search by song, album, artist, etc, all without every having to whip out my iPod. It's a pretty clean setup. I am excited about it.

You can view a demo of this setup here:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/ETD/fsfs.html

Alright guys, I think that's enough blogging for today. I really should get back to studying anyway. Oh yeah, thanks for the Apple Gift Card for graduation Dubz and Ekta. I used it to help me get my iPod :) And I paid for the rest with the presents the rest of y'all gave me, so thanks everyone!!