I've been taking the LPI Linux Essentials Course on Linux Academy, and I have to say, I'm really loving it!
To be honest, there are times where I feel overwhelmed. I even feel a little stupid at times. The truth is, even though it's a pretty straightforward system, some of it comes across really complicated. But, there's one major thing I've learned about learning and its that,
simple doesn't always mean easy
and I'm okay with that.
The commands on Linux are simple, and I love the versatility! While using it, I like how it seems like you can create your desktop to be exactly the way you want it to be. I just passed the foundational modules that covered the basics and now I'm getting into the mud of it. Currently, I'm learning about Scripting. I just finished the modules on vi/vim and it's really incredible. I'm impressed!
While I'm taking the course, I keep thinking about how brilliant they were to have created this platform. It's really something special.
Also helpful is that Linux Academy has a command terminal playground that I can practice with. This is perfect for me because I learn best while doing. I'm not just watching a video and taking notes. I'm not knocking notes and videos, I just learn better by doing. Its exciting for me to jump on to a real life Linux distribution and get my learn on. (that was corny. I know. I get corny when I'm excited)
**If you were wondering, a Distribution is what they call the types of servers you can set up your computer programs on. The one I'm using is, of course, the Linux Essentials Distribution.
When I tell you my heart races at the thought! I'm so happy to be doing this!
I know it may not be a big deal, but here's a little backstory about me:
I've always loved school. To this day, learning is my favorite thing to do. I LOVE to learn! So of course, I wanted to go to college. Not precisely for the social points that degree holders have (though I imagine that's a perk); I wanted to go because to me, there's something so remarkable and dignified about being a woman of Knowledge!
I have a very deep respect for education and learning.
So when I had to drop out of college because I couldn't afford it, I was heartbroken. It was my first real heartbreak. I know a lot of women had their heart broken for the first time by a romantic partner, or the loss of a pet or something. Not me.
My heart was broken because once I dropped out, I thought that was it for me. I thought I was done. To me, a life without knowledge is a life of mediocrity. It was my first taste of failure, and what's worse, I started carrying myself like I was a failure.
Dropping out messed with my mindset badly. Was it healthy? Irrelevant. It was what it was. But now,
I'm here.
And it's Glorious!
Of course, back then, the internet was still in its infancy. The resources available to us now was probably still in the form of a thought, dancing around in someone's mind. So when I tell you my heart is racing from excitement,
This is why.
This is my second chance.
I get to LEARN! I get to be that woman who knows her shit!
Now you may be saying to yourself, why didn't she just go back to college?
I did.
I'm currently enrolled in a BS Computer Science degree program at a University that has an online division. I love that colleges are online now, I can study without being away from my babies! This term I'm taking a History and a Math class, and... while I'm learning a lot of interesting things, let's just say it's not as fun as my lessons on Linux :)
Either way, No complaints!
I'm happy because I get to pursue my education both in and out of college.I get to learn all these cool things I never knew before! For example, in History I'm learning about the Quebecois. I've never heard of them before! Have you? And in Math (my favorite subject that I happen to be quite terrible at), I'm being reminded how much algebra is used in everyday life.
Most fun of all, I'm learning about how Linux is an incredible platform. I see now why it's so popular, and so groundbreaking. So much so that Amazon uses it for their Web Services. (This is important and relevant as I'm going to pursure AWS Cloud Certifications after this Linux course).
I'll write more about my Linux adventures as I go on; I'm almost done with the course. I feel a little bad that I'm not done with it yet. I've been beating myself up because I should have been done by now, but, between college and the babies, my time is really budgeted. And I want to make sure I truly understand what is being taught. I don't want to rush through it, just to say I'm done.
So that's my update on my studies so far. I understand that it wasn't in the typical review style, but that's my style. I'll update it more as I go along, so this is like a part one, if you will.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @ebonykking and we can talk about it some more!
Say hi, I reply :)
