2 years as a Microsoftie

On the last day of 2012, it has been 2 years that I'm a Microsoftie (internal name for a Microsoft employee). As things are related for now, it has also been two years that I'm being paid to do what I like to do for a living, evangelism!

Time goes quickly as I feel like it was yesterday that I've become a blue badge (another way of talking about a full-time employee at Microsoft). A lot of things have changed since last year:

• The Evangelism job has changed at Microsoft Canada, and I still need to adapt;
• A member of my v-team, Julia got pregnant, and Keith took her role;
• We changed a little the focus of my primary audience;
• I started the year with a new partner in crime, Reemah, as my first one, Samantha, got a new role. Halfway during the year, I changed again for Vanessa, as Reemah also got a new role (maybe I scared them - I'm curious to see how much time Vanessa will tough me);
• The three products I'm focusing on, had new releases: Windows, Windows Phone, and Windows Azure;
• Two team members, my unknown father Damir, and Rick, changed roles inside of Microsoft (yes, there is always a lot of movement between roles at Microsoft), and another one, Ruth, left the company;
• Two new members, Marc, and Pierre, join the team (my direct team);
• ...

I also learn a lot of new stuff during this crazy year:

• There are people who I don't want to waste time anymore with (I have no problem with the fact you don't like us or our products, but I have one with the fact you can't have a discussion);
• It's a good time to be at Microsoft with products like Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and Windows Azure;
• I can handle crazy period of the years, but not for many weeks straight without taking time for me;
• The things I'm enjoying the most in this role are networking, public speaking, traveling, helping, and sharing with others;
• I miss coding, as I feel I didn't code enough since I stop being a freelancer;
• ...

It has been a great year, and I'm looking forward to an even better one.

P.S.: I like this picture. Can you guess what I was saying to the attendees of Mobiz? OK, I don't remember it, but it's funny what people said when they saw this picture on Facebook.