This is obviously my first post, so I figure why not start off on a good note and thank those who have helped me to get where I am; more specifically the five samurai and our Sensei. We are not some secret ninja society or anything like that; I am rather referring to that group of close knit friends of mine whose friendship was formed through sweat and blood of our school experiences.

It was my second time going to school, at a small technical institute in Calgary Alberta where I was partaking in an applied Software Engineering Degree. Eight months, two semesters, and 14 courses promised to be a challenge but after all as a software developer that is what I live for. The first day of class we all met, and as one would expect we all had different backgrounds, different skills, and had all faced very different challenges; but after a month none of that seemed to matter anymore, we where for lack of better words a family. We spent the mass majority of our day together in our private lab in the basement of one of Sait's main buildings surrounded by posters preaching the Agile Manifesto, proper lab Etiquette, and a server rack in the front corner. We worked together, we ate together, and we essentially lived our lives together with the exception of the occasional hour here and there spent in our homes passed out with pure exhaustion. Through the watchful eye of our slave master and sensei Grigori our friendships where formed.

Grigori (see his blog at Microsoft here) was by far the best instructor we could have ever wished to have. Although the content of the lessons he taught has for the most part been long forgot, his message rings loud and clear. He taught us the most important message that no other instructor through my four years of formal learning could teach us, simply how to learn whatever it was we needed to know. I know that message sounds almost stupid with simplicity, but it was a message that I've since realized none of my fellow developers seem to know, other than those with years of industry experience. It is a powerful realization to know that anything is possible, and all it takes is some a few minutes on Google and a bit of trial and error.

I would not have traded anything for the time spent, the bloodshed, or the pain felt in those short 8 months at Sait. It has taught me many things I could not have learnt elsewhere; not a day passes where I do not miss it; and I would do it again in a heartbeat. With that being said I would like to thank the five samurai, and our Sensei for a life changing experience, and invite other people to share their experiences, similar or otherwise.