June 2008 Archives

We gotta get out of here during the holiday season. Someplace fun, someplace festive, someplace baby-friendly. I'm thinking Boston or Newport. Work is so busy and there is just so much to do at home that our weekends just seem to by flying by. I tried to convince my hubby that we should go to London for a long weekend (um hello spectacular Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour!) but he wants to put that off until the spring so in the meantime, we need a road-trip for sure!

I'm leaning towards Newport because over the holiday season, there is a ton to do that will be fun for all of us - the mansions that you can tour are all decorated for Christmas, there is a dinner train that is based on the movie The Polar Express (which totally makes me cry at the end) and we love Newport - in any season. Best part is, you can get great deals on Wyndham resort properties during the off-season that are always packed during the spring and summer months. They are actually timeshare resorts that have openings so they are really awesome - I'm talking movie theater on-site, right on the water, indoor sauna and pool... and of course, I'm totally into the saving money part due to said baby! Plus, easier on the wallet means easier to convince my husband that we need the mini-vacation! I think that we're due. We've all had a busy fall ... and the baby DOES love swimming.

So, I'm trying to find out all that I can about the travel industry before I start this new job and came across the most alarming article. Apparently, despite earning the least amount of annual vacation days, Americans will leave an average of 3 days unused--totaling more than 439 million in 2007. Let me repeat that for you... Americans not only get gypped out of vacation days compared to the rest of the world, but we're putting in more hours and not even using all of our earned time off! What is THAT about?? I know that for myself, I feel like I should save those precious days for the "what ifs"... what if the baby is sick and I can't bring him to daycare? what if it snows and daycare is closed.. how am I supposed to get away when they is always so much to do, what, why, how?

I got a j-ob! I got a j-ob!

I'm psyched! I got a job at Wyndham Worldwide in the Communications Department. Right up my alley. It's going to be hard to leave the babe, but could work on some fun projects over there. Maybe I can do something to make the work/life balance for women a little easier to achieve. It sounds like they have some great program over at Wyndham that really support women in general and apparently, they are looking to really become a resource for women - and they're experts in the world of travel.

The baby is almost six months old and we've just bought a bigger house, which means that it's time to go back to work. It's amazing how many of my friends, relatives and complete strangers feel the need to comment on my personal stay-at-home or go back to work dilemma. This is not a CHOICE for me, people! It's a necessity at this point of my life! Do they not realize that it's hard enough to try balancing it all - family, career, life ... no one needs the added guilt!