FAREWELL AT&T!

Hello~ 

Today is my last day at AT&T. If you recall from this post, I recently was given a letter of separation by AT&T. 19 years later I would have never imagined I would be in a layoff situation. I started working at Southwestern Bell Telephone in Longview, Texas, November 13, 1990 with the goal in mind to retire here as well.  Since receiving the letter of separation it has been a roller coaster of emotions interviewing for positions within the company and externally. Last night LOML and I went to pick up the boxes from my office that were filled with memories. When we arrived home I begin unpacking the boxes and realized what an incredible career I had over the 19 years. The last 6 years being the best of the best! Supporting the marketing organization was a ton of fun (thank you Jamie for placing me in events!). The event org supported fabulous events such as the yearly Sales Kick Off, The Executive Briefing Center,  President's Club, Circle of Excellence, Diamond Club for both management and non-management events held at the best of the best resorts. I had the opportunity to travel and stay places that I will treasure forever!  Cabo at The Marquis,The Four Seasons at Aviara, The Westin Kierland at Arizona, The Bellagio, The MGM, The Ventian all at Vegas, The Diplomat at Hollywood, Fl,  The Del at San Diego, The Fairmont at San Francisco, The Hyatt Hill at San Antonio, The Drake at Chicago, Royal Sonesta at New Orleans. All of the activities, the Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona, snorkeling in Cabo, massages at the finest hotels, The Red Rock Canyon Jeep Tour in Vegas, The Everglades Swap Boat ride in Florida, the Alligator Farm in Florida, Behind the Scenes Tour of the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park in San Diego, The ferris wheel ride at Navy Pier in Chicago with my fabulous peers, the sunset dinners in San Francisco, the ferry ride across to Sausilto. The sporting events, the Byron Nelson Golf Event for ATT, Dallas Stars games, Mavericks play off games, Ranger games, the PGA tours, having lunch and being seated at the same table with Byron Nelson, the Baseball Hall of Fame event & meeting Rollie Fingers & Wade Boggs, supporting the ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation) event in St Louis for Tony LaRussa - the list of memories goes on and on.  The entertainment  provided at these events and meeting the bands behind the scenes was amazing! CCR, Train, Janet Jackson, Tony Marquis, The Beach Boys, fire twirlers, jugglers, etc.. Then my favorite- giving back to the community... American Heart Walk (love you Sara!), Junior Achievement (hugs Caroline!) Chip Moody Golf Classic (thanks Amy!), Denton County Advocacy Center, and many more. The opportunities, the community involvement, building the brand in the community for AT&T have no doubt changed and molded my life. What will I miss tomorrow when I don't go to the office besides the rush hour traffic and the alarm clock? My husband, the LOML (love of my life) who is still employed there (30 years of service), my dear friends, my tub mates, a few of the leadership team that truly "get" events and the importance of them, and mostly the routine I have had for 19 years!  I am thrilled for the forced opportunity to pursue a dream I have had for many years. I can't wait to share my new venture with all of you after the first of the year! I am looking forward and not back, living on faith and promise that tomorrow will be filled with another wild ride!  Love you all... Valarie