She's got a ticket to "fly"... my baby don't care

Last week I was invited to an annual event organized by American Airlines to promote their new direct flights to the States and the Caribbean.

Me being the secretary of one of the most renowned economist/accountants in the business media, I receive every year an invitation to take part in their activities.

Some time ago, I used to look forward to these parties as it was an opportunity to keep in touch with other secretaries, meet new people, enjoy nice food, usually at very nice places and to have a good time socializing. But some years ago, I noticed that I was doing it just as part of another of my secretarial duties and that in fact, I was not enjoying it as much as I used to. Probably because the other secretary at the firm never missed it and after spending so many hours a day with such a "difficult" person (notice that I am not saying "such a bitch") I felt the urgent need to rush home instead of meet with her again outside the office.

So last year, I was in a rebel mood and decided not to go. And I recall it was the same the year before.

However, when last month I recieved this year invitation, a mate who was also invited whom I appreciate a lot, asked me to accompany her. So I finally accepted.

The event was held at the Sheraton Hotel and it was hosted by the American Airlines' local principal. The food was lovely and we even had a show with dancers entertaining us part of the evening. Nice drinks and some chatting with old mates.

I had planns of leaving at 10ish as on my way back home I had to collect baby Angel at my mum's (already asleep probably). My oldest kids were over at their father's and C was teaching music at home until 8, so I knew he was looking forward to us coming back home.

But there were still some surprises to come.

There were sunglasses, fragances and bags for all of us, and two important prizes: one was a ticket to New York, the other was a ticket to the Caribbean.

29

That was my number!

And that was the number that got the ticket to the Caribbean.

I was very surprised. Firstly because I was distracted involved in a conversation with other two, and secondly because I really don't pay attention to this kind of raffles: I've always thought that everything in my life has to be gained putting a lot of sweat in it and not exactly because fortune was on my side.

But there it was... the 29 shouted on the amps, the tiny yellow piece of paper shaking up in the hand of a blonde airhostess.

Now I just remind you that I am from a tiny county in South America where the chance of travelling to the Caribbean for holidays is saved for a small elite.

Whilst I was already mentally making plans for a family trip to sandy beaches and tropical climates, I was totally aware that my family is formed by 2 adults and 3 kids, and I only had A ticket.

I was in trouble.

The idea of spending some days under a palm beach without my kids was absolutely dismissed. However, I was already toying with a trip to New York with C for a week as an alternative. Why not?

My mother was the first person to know about it when I collected baby Angel from hers. She was totally discouraging: it is not my time to travel, I have three small kids to look after and I was going to spend some money that actually, I don't have. You can say she is a very pragmatic person and very good at shattering my dreams in the twinkling of an eye.

And for a long while I felt really irritated with her, for being so annoyingly rational.