One of the great things about having your own blog is that no one can stop you from bragging. Back in 2005, I had the privilege of working on a great project, the Alberta Advanced Education Student Finance System (SFS). The goal of the project was to improve the design and delivery of student financial assistance. To meet this, the SFS team, implemented an online funding process with instant award results. a first for Canada. In addition, an online confirmation of registration system, allowed institutions to confirm the registration of students. The result was the elimination of student lineups and fewer paper applications. The system used .NET technologies, namely, ASP.NET, Biztalk and SQL Server.
Recently, the team was honoured with the 2008 Premier's Award of Excellence. I, unfortunately, was unable to attend, but heard that it was a grand event. The Premier of Alberta, Ed Stelmach, personally, presented the award. The team, notably, Margo Lloyd, were kind enough to mail me the awards which consisted of a beautiful sculpture, lapel pins and a certificate. Look at the wonderful goodie's we got.
It has been almost 2 years since I last worked in Alberta and it was great seeing the photo of the team. It brings back many fond memory's;
- Bad burgers at Jekyll and Hub Pub.
- Scrum / Sprint meetings at Jekyll and Hyde Pub. Actually they couldn't be sprint meetings we spent too much time there.
- Great burgers at Robins.
- Vietnamese at Doan's. I think I gained 10 pounds eating there.
- Mexican Christmas Party.
- My first and last venture at curling.
- My first time betting on the horses and I won too!
- Road trips to Jasper and Banff.
- Tour of Fort McMurray man the trucks are huge!
- Watching the Toronto Maple Leafs at a fraction of the cost.
- Introducing Alberta Learning to Lemoncello. How did they survive before that?
- Steve Sands finally drinking the yellow stuff, the proper way.
- Italy beating Ukraine, Where's my photo!
- Casual walks in -30 degree temperature.
- Strippers in my apartment. I'm sworn to secrecy.
It was great to be on this project. Technically, we worked on a project using cutting edge technologies. But mostly, it was a great because of the team. I made some great friends out there in Alberta. Friends, I will always cherish and hopefully some day I'll be back.
To all on the SFS team, job well done!
On a final note.
Where's my Photo!