My Most Memorable Christmas Vacation was a Happy Disaster

An opportunity to work for my employer, the Boeing Company, in Huntsville, Alabama offered me the chance to work with an several embedded software projects and see many parts of the Southeast that I had never encountered before. I even got the opportunity to work safely through a tropical storm and tornado safely and to hike on the Interstate, which was in the process of being built and see the development of the Space Station. It all ended at Christmas.

Christmas Disaster 1: Arriving Late at the Airport at Christmas

Who knew that the isolated little airport would suddenly have tons of traffic? I arrived with two boxes more than the standard check in 2 bags and my cats and a bag of electronics that didn't fit anywhere and had to drop off the rental car. The airline ticketing representative said, no, we can't take your cats, do you have a reservation and all their medical details? Oops.

No one informed me I needed them. I hadn't needed them on my previous trip home two months prior and when I bought the return tickets, nothing was mentioned even when I had asked. While I argued with her, my rental car sat outside the gate. Eventually, enough tears, conjoling and extra payment of duties for the boxes and cats and we were finally allowed on the plane. Cats under supervision, I ran to take care of the car with thirty minutes to departure. What if my cats were sent without me? I gave up on the hand bag of electronics, leaving them in the rental car, checked out and ran for the gate.

Christmas Disaster 2: You Don't Have a Job and It's Christmas

On my return, I found out my entire organization was being shut down and I had to find a job. I was still employed, but I had to start interviewing just at the time when everyone in the company was ready to party. Luckily for me a friend saved me, suggesting me for a position and when I interviewed, my newly developed skills at Cadre Teamwork Model Validation and support was exactly what was needed. I was set.

Christmas Disaster 3: That Salty Taste in Your Mouth is the First Sign of Physical Disaster

Everyone that went to Huntsville, Alabama in our organization, all returned pounds heavier. In my case, the extra weight meant discomfort, a salty taste in my mouth, and eventually, another job change, and loss of my ability to have kids.

The good news of the new job really saved the season especially because of the angel that stepped in and helped me. And I had tons of pictures, new experiences, new friends, more money from the benefits of working away from home. I think I got a fair deal and certainly a memorable Christmas.