My company announced major layoffs today. It was announced on the local news, the Today show etc. This is how I found out about the layoffs- an instant message from a coworker telling me to “google” the story.
Looking at my calendar, my manager just scheduled 15 minutes with me for the afternoon. Fifteen minute meetings are not normal and under the circumstance, I began to panic. It was 9am when my panic began and I did not want to wait six hours to meet with my manager and find out my fate.
I sent her an instant message and said that I heard some rumors and if she had five free minutes to please call. Luckily I was on the phone with her a few minutes later and found out I was safe in this round of lay offs.
I feel so bad though. The rumor is 5,000 employees were laid off and some people from my division are gone. Jobs are being shipped overseas. It really makes me angry and upset that a company has to send jobs overseas. The US is struggling enough and this situation does not help.
But enough about politics. I hate talking about politics and have never liked government.
I feel relived that I still have a job but scared that it could be taken away from me at a moment’s notice.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Day 3: Epcot
Today was our last day at the parks. Eli and I went to Epcot. I have not been to Epcot in years and was surprised to the amount of changes. Even Spaceship Earth had completely changed- and for the better.
We left the park after 11am so Eli could get a nap in before our flight home. Due to problems with our hotel room, we were given late checkout (3pm) for free. We finally get back to the room close to 1 and Eli naps. I felt bad that I had to wake him at 10 to 3 because of checkout.
We check out of the hotel and walk around the hotel for the next two hours until we can leave for the airport (and when Lowell was out of the conference).
We had a late flight so I was nervous about Eli but he was so well behaved. (It helped that I had a DVD and snacks prepared.) We finally got home after 10pm and we all crashed.
Even today, over a week later, we are still all trying to catch up from sleep.
We left the park after 11am so Eli could get a nap in before our flight home. Due to problems with our hotel room, we were given late checkout (3pm) for free. We finally get back to the room close to 1 and Eli naps. I felt bad that I had to wake him at 10 to 3 because of checkout.
We check out of the hotel and walk around the hotel for the next two hours until we can leave for the airport (and when Lowell was out of the conference).
We had a late flight so I was nervous about Eli but he was so well behaved. (It helped that I had a DVD and snacks prepared.) We finally got home after 10pm and we all crashed.
Even today, over a week later, we are still all trying to catch up from sleep.
Day 2: Animal Kingdom
Today, Eli and I were on our own. Lowell was attending his conference and we were not meeting up with anyone. I decided to take Eli to Animal Kingdom thinking he would like the park. To me, Animal Kingdom was a glorified zoo. Yes, there are some attractions- the safari is neat and now they have a dino world with a few things but for the price of a one day ticket - $75 for non Florida residents, Animal Kingdom is not worth it.
Eli did enjoy looking at the animals but besides the safari and Dino ride (like Dumbo), I can’t think of any other rides we went on. I really wanted to see the Lion King and Nemo shows but one was 30 min long and the other 45 min long and I thought that was too long for Eli.
Luckily, today, a friend got me in the park so admission was free. Normally to park hop, you spend an additional $50! (rip off!) Eli and I took the bus to Hollywood Studies and went on the Great Movie Ride. I really wanted to go on the new Buzz Lightyear ride but the line was an hour long and it was close to naptime. So, Eli and I headed back to the hotel and I put him down for a nap.
I met some great friends who I have not seen in years for dinner and that was nice.
Eli did enjoy looking at the animals but besides the safari and Dino ride (like Dumbo), I can’t think of any other rides we went on. I really wanted to see the Lion King and Nemo shows but one was 30 min long and the other 45 min long and I thought that was too long for Eli.
Luckily, today, a friend got me in the park so admission was free. Normally to park hop, you spend an additional $50! (rip off!) Eli and I took the bus to Hollywood Studies and went on the Great Movie Ride. I really wanted to go on the new Buzz Lightyear ride but the line was an hour long and it was close to naptime. So, Eli and I headed back to the hotel and I put him down for a nap.
I met some great friends who I have not seen in years for dinner and that was nice.
Day 1: The Magic Kingdom
Our first full day in Orlando, we went to the Magic Kingdom. We were hanging out with my brother and his girlfriend for the day and also met up with another couple we knew for part of the day. They also had a little boy just a little younger than Eli and I was excited to meet their son for the first time and they were meeting Eli for the first time.
I was not sure what rides he would enjoy or be afraid of but he loved them all. I think his favorite ride was the Dumbo ride. "Up" and "Whee" were his favorite things to say on this ride.
I was not sure how Eli would do in the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean ride but he enjoyed them both. Because we were between hotels, we had no where to go back for Eli’s nap so Eli had another day without a nap!
Eli became really cranky by 4pm and I knew we had to leave soon. We left the park around 5:15pm. We drove to the new hotel and checked in and settled into our room. I had to call 5 times for them to deliver the crib but the crib finally made it. Eli was so overtired that he did not want to sleep but he finally settled down at 8pm.
I was not sure what rides he would enjoy or be afraid of but he loved them all. I think his favorite ride was the Dumbo ride. "Up" and "Whee" were his favorite things to say on this ride.
I was not sure how Eli would do in the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean ride but he enjoyed them both. Because we were between hotels, we had no where to go back for Eli’s nap so Eli had another day without a nap!
Eli became really cranky by 4pm and I knew we had to leave soon. We left the park around 5:15pm. We drove to the new hotel and checked in and settled into our room. I had to call 5 times for them to deliver the crib but the crib finally made it. Eli was so overtired that he did not want to sleep but he finally settled down at 8pm.
Monday, March 16, 2009
First Evening in Orlando
So, our experience at the airport was not very good but luckily Eli did great on the flight even though it was his normal nap time. After we arrived, we drove to our hotel. We were staying at a Best Western for one night and then transferring over to a Hilton for the remaining two nights.
We arrive at the hotel and relax. My brother, Josh, and his girlfriend, Elsa, were in
A couple of my friends joining us were meeting Eli for the first time. I knew he would be crabby so I felt bad that this would be their meeting of him. Sure enough, my no nap kid was cranky. He did not want to sit in his high chair. He did not want to eat. I had to hold him in my lap to keep him semi-happy. He was tired.
We got through dinner though. It was so nice to see everyone. One of my friends even drove in from
Atlanta Airport Experience
Editor's note: This post was written a week ago. Due to lack of Internet at our hotel and catching up on work when I arrived back, it is getting posted now!
I was so excited about our trip to Orlando. Lowell had a conference to attend and I was taking advantage of that by taking a couple days off work and taking Eli to Walt Disney Word for the first time.
Traveling is always a stressful experience in our household. Lowell likes to get to the airport when the plane is boarding and I prefer to be there 2 hours before. Each experience of driving to the airport usually lends itself to a disagreement.
Well, we arrive at the Atlanta Airport and the stress continues. The one nice thing about this airport is that there is a separate stroller line and in busy times you can cut 1 hour worth of security. Lowell and I proceed through that lane and go to the special assistance section of security. Because Delta now charges to check in even the first bag, we only had carry on. Each of us had one suitcase and one computer bag. Then we also had the stroller and the car seat- a lot of stuff! We had about half our stuff on the belt when a guy puts his stuff in front of mine. "Hey", I say, "we were in line first." He yells back- you are taking too long. I begin to move his tray back behind my stuff and he elbows me in the neck and pushes me. First of all, I was shocked then angry. I yell out to TSA- this guy just pushed me. Finally, Lowell who was occupied with Eli realizes what was going on and yells “this guy just pushed me wife, can we get some help here?” Finally, TSA yells for security as the guy goes through. Security did nothing. Finally Lowell and I go through security and yell for a cop.
The cop comes over, asked what happened and did nothing! Absolutely nothing. I was shocked and appalled. I should have pretended to fall and then maybe something would have happened.
The guy who pushed me had two girls with him, one looked to be a young teenager and the other a toddler. I feel very sorry for them. Their father could use some anger management and TSA in Atlanta needs to learn to do there jobs!
I was so excited about our trip to Orlando. Lowell had a conference to attend and I was taking advantage of that by taking a couple days off work and taking Eli to Walt Disney Word for the first time.
Traveling is always a stressful experience in our household. Lowell likes to get to the airport when the plane is boarding and I prefer to be there 2 hours before. Each experience of driving to the airport usually lends itself to a disagreement.
Well, we arrive at the Atlanta Airport and the stress continues. The one nice thing about this airport is that there is a separate stroller line and in busy times you can cut 1 hour worth of security. Lowell and I proceed through that lane and go to the special assistance section of security. Because Delta now charges to check in even the first bag, we only had carry on. Each of us had one suitcase and one computer bag. Then we also had the stroller and the car seat- a lot of stuff! We had about half our stuff on the belt when a guy puts his stuff in front of mine. "Hey", I say, "we were in line first." He yells back- you are taking too long. I begin to move his tray back behind my stuff and he elbows me in the neck and pushes me. First of all, I was shocked then angry. I yell out to TSA- this guy just pushed me. Finally, Lowell who was occupied with Eli realizes what was going on and yells “this guy just pushed me wife, can we get some help here?” Finally, TSA yells for security as the guy goes through. Security did nothing. Finally Lowell and I go through security and yell for a cop.
The cop comes over, asked what happened and did nothing! Absolutely nothing. I was shocked and appalled. I should have pretended to fall and then maybe something would have happened.
The guy who pushed me had two girls with him, one looked to be a young teenager and the other a toddler. I feel very sorry for them. Their father could use some anger management and TSA in Atlanta needs to learn to do there jobs!
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