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The Vacation - A lesson in persistence

Anything related to matters of the mind

StarKodomo

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This is something that happened to me this past summer. It was a great lesson learned, a gr,eat motivator for me. I hope it can be for someone else, too.

A warning, this is kinda long...Apologies upfront.

The Vacation

This all started earlier this year, around May-ish. We were a few months into our new business, things were going well. I had some vacation time at my slowlane job i needed to use up and the summer, our businesses slow season, was fast approaching. We thought "Hey! The summer would be a great time to take a vacation!" So, it was decided! Use up that vacay time, would close the business during the week (Sun-Thurs, our slow days) and have a nice vacation, hopefully some where "exotic."

Personally, this would be my first real vacation out of state in years. My wife already had a trip planned to go to New York City with some family. A place she's always wanted to go and her family wanted to go as well. So I figured I'd use this time for a Daddy, Daughter Vacation. Luckily, I have a connection that has a time share that has places all around the world. After much deliberating, we decided on Cancun Mexico in a nice 5-star All-Inclusive hotel! The beach! The Sun! The Drinks!

We buy the plane tickets, book the room and are all set! Super excited to go! A week of relaxation, swimming and good times. Nothing could stop us now!

The first bump

The night before the trip, I went to do the usual pre-check-in. Got online, flight was there and on time. Started entering all of our info and getting our seats, the usual name, reservation number, passport info...

That's when I found out...My daughters passport had expired a mere DAYS earlier! A HUGE over site on my part! (A mistake I will NEVER make again by the way.) Had to think fast, was there any other way?

Then I remembered! My daughter was born over seas and is a dual citizen, she has ANOTHER passport. It is for a different country, but would serve the purpose of getting her in and out of the country (or out then in, in this case).

I had to be sure it would be okay though, so I gave the airline a call and explained my situation. The name in my daughters other passport is her native name in that country, which is different from her American/English name. I explained all this to the airline. The rep said we could use her other passport, but since it's under a different name we would have to cancel her first ticket and re-book it under her other name. BUT! Since it's last minute, we would have to pay the difference in the cost of the plane ticket, an extra $200!

A costly mistake, but one I was GLADLY willing to pay for to save our vacation. Crisis averted. We should be all clear now!

Bump number 2

Our flight was a VERY early one on a Sunday. Had to be up at 4am to make our plane on time. Set my alarm and wake up early.

Huh, that's strange. Got an email from the airline. Maybe they're just letting me know my flight's on-time and we're good to go, a confirmation email.

Or. That our flight has been delayed a few hours. Well that's not too bad, I get to sleep in a few more hours! Be extra rested for the Sun and drinks!

I didn't want to take any kind of chance though. I did some research online, checked the airline's web site, google flight tracker and a few other flight trackers too, just to be sure. Turns out they all say something different. One agreed with the email, a few hours late. One said it's still on time. Another that it'll just be delayed by one hour. And yet another that said it was canceled.

Thoroughly confused, I thought better be safe than sorry, I'll call them directly. So, I called them and spoke with a rep. She said that, Yes, the email was correct and the flight was delayed by a few hours. Still a little concerned about the cancellation I saw, I figured I'd ask. "No, sir. Your flight is not canceled and is only delayed. You will be able to leave today." Cool, Thank you airline rep!

Go back to sleep for a few hours, get up, get ready and head out! We're finally going!

Bumps 3 and 4 (a twofer!)

We finally arrive at the airport! We get all of our luggage out and head inside, feeling the excitement. Airports always make me feel excited.

Checked the flight status, Delayed as expected. Also, the auto check in wasn't working for me, as expected with all the changes I made.


Get in the long line and wait about 20 minutes before we get to the counter. Once we finally get there, the rep promptly says, "Oh, You're flight has been canceled. You'll have to go down stairs and get it rescheduled." Wait, What?

But the flight status...Now says canceled....Okay. Let's head down stairs and see what they say. Maybe there's one for later in the day.

Surprise! There's not one for later in the day. After 20 minutes at the first counter, This line was a lot longer. We spent about 45 minutes waiting to talk to a rescheduling rep. During the time, I had to call the resort to make sure we could check in late, which they said was no problem and they wouldn't even charge us for any days we missed if any.

Once I was able to talk to a rep, they said there was nothing available later that day on any airline to our destination. I even had them check the near by airports, something they're not supposed to do but they were willing to do anyway. Still nothing. The earliest they had wasn't until Tuesday. The day after tomorrow.

To say the least, I was NOT a happy camper. I got a manager involved and explained my situation. All the talks on the phone with different reps, the up-charge the night before. The passport situation.

That's when they stopped me. They had me go over the passport thing again. Took a look at her passport, both American and other. And then informed me, even if the plane was going to leave on time, the passport situation was NOT okay and would NOT have let my daughter on the plane.

She said I needed to get her American passport reinstated. The agency could be open that same day (it wasn't) but could at least go the next day and get one. She assured me I could get one the same day.

So I took the first available flight on Tuesday and headed out. Looks like I get to go to Detroit tomorrow.



I'll break this up a bit. Give you (and me) a break and post the rest either later tonight or tomorrow!
 
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StarKodomo

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Bump Number...Where was I?

I checked online, the Passport agency opens at 8:30am and closes at 3:30pm. Looks like some offices require reservation (which you have to make at least a week in advance) and some don't. I didn't come this far, just to give up though. Even if I show up and get turned away at the door, at least I tried.

My daughter and I get up early the next day and head to downtown Detroit. (My wife had already left for New York the day before). No more bumps, no more hiccups. We'll just go, grab the passport and head home and enjoy the rest of our day.

We find some parking around the block, walk to the agency head up to the correct floor and get in line. The first guard makes sure I have my cell phone off and informs me I can't use it inside. The second asks me if I have a reservation. I inform her that I don't and she says that's okay (Phew). She then asks what am I doing to there today and I tell her everything that has happened.

She looks at my daughter. She looks at me. She then says, "I'm sorry, but both parents need to be present to reinstate a passport. Where's the mother?" "Uh. In New York." "That wont work, you need both parents present or a signed note from the missing parent that says it's okay. But let me check with a manager and see if we can do anything."

After a few intense minutes, she comes back. "I spoke with a manager, we should be able to get you in. Fill out the application and this form why the mother is absent. You'll also need to go down stairs and get her picture if you don't have one already" Score! "Thank you very much!"

I fill out the forms and head down stairs for the pictures. Things are looking up!

Bump: Back with Vengeance

We get the pictures take and developed, it's pretty quick, pay the money and hear back up stairs to wait in line. Guard #1: No cell phones. Guard #2 checks my forms and pictures and sends me to Guard #3. Guard #3 is standing in front of the x-ray machine. Remove all metal and walk though, Guard #3 sends me inside!

We stand in the 'No Reservation' line and wait a bit. Finally I get to talk with a rep! They look over the papers and photos while I explain my situation. They give me a number and say I need to talk with a specialist. There are a bunch of chairs off to the side of the 'No Reservation' line with a bunch of people in them. The Specialists are calling people up to the windows one at a time. We sit down and watch one of the kid shows that was playing on one of their TVs. (BTW: Teen Titans has really gone down hill).

Eventually the specialist calls us up. We get our papers ready and eagerly make our way up. I hand over the papers, explain the situation (again) and let him know that someone has already spoke with a manager. He looks over the papers, looks at us, looks at the papers again and says "I'll just have to check with my supervisor and you should be good. I'm not sure it will work though." But why not? They said it was okay? He had already left.

A few minutes pass and he returns, with a not so happy look on his face. "I'm very sorry, but the supervisor said you need a note written and signed BY the mother. If she isn't here, have her write one, sign it get it notarized and fax it to us here." as he hands me the fax number.

You're kidding, right?

Bump: The Bump Strikes Back

They weren't kidding.

I take my daughter and we head downstairs to the lobby. I had to call my wife in New York and let her know what was going on and see if she could help, I could only pray she had her phone on.

She did, after explaining the situation to her and what she needed to do, she went ahead and made the note, found a local bank, got it notarized and faxed it over. Was actually pretty surprised and impressed by how quickly she did it.

With the note waiting up ahead, we go back up stairs, get in line, Guard #1, Guard #2, Guard #3, x-ray and head inside and hop back in the 'No reservation' line. After a few moments, I talk with a rep, she goes and gets the fax and hands it to me with my number to see a specialist. We're back in our seats watching Teen Titans Go! again.

After a little bit, and about as much Teen Titans as I can stand, the same specialist calls us up. I hand over my stuff and he remembers us. "Oh! You actually got it! That's great! Let me go try this again, I'll be right back!" Awesome. Even he sounds optimistic this time.

A few minutes later he comes back, he has that same "not so happy" look on his face. "So I talked with the supervisor again. He said that he would need the actual notarized note here, in his hand for this to be accepted."
Me: "That makes sense, but that's not what was said earlier..."
Specialist: "I know, I'm sorry, but that's the law."
Me: "There's nothing that can be done, nothing you can do?"
Specialist: "Absolutely nothing. You could have her ship is over and bring it back. When does your plane leave?"
Me: "Very early tomorrow morning."
Specialist: "Oh. Yeah. Probably wont make it here in time. Sorry."

On the way out, I noticed a survey box by the door. It wanted to know how my service was today. It had a big green happy face button and a big red sad face button.

I hit the big red sad face on my way out.

Bump: A Moment Never Forgotten

Outside the exit door, there's a hall way leading back to Guard #1 and the elevators. I start back towards the elevators.

This really doesn't seem right though. I turn around and see Guard #1 talking to Guard #2. "Is there a manger available? I'd like to speak to him" I ask.

"Sure," They point behind me "supervisor, are you free to talk, this guy would like to talk to you."

Supervisor: "Yeah, whats up?"
Me: "Hello, sir..." I start to explain my situation and experiences so far
But he cuts me off pretty early: "Oh you're THAT guy. Yeah, No way. I can't give you a passport for her. It's waaaay too big of a liability. You could leave the country and steal the kid. You understand right?"
Me: "But sir, I did everything you wanted, my wife did as well and got you that note."
Supervisor: "I would need that note in my hand, I need to FEEL the notary. Can't you just have her ship it over? When does your plane leave?"
Me: "....Very early tomorrow morning"
Supervisor: "Oh. That wont make it, you'll have to reschedule. There is NO WAY you are getting a passport today."

Up till now, my daughter has been okay with everything. Once she heard that "No Way", she lost it and started to cry.

I will NEVER forget standing in that hall way, having that supervisor say I will never get a passport and having my daughter crying into me.

Supervisor: "The only way it would ever work is if your wife took that notarized note to the Passport Agency in New York, have them verify it and call us directly. But I'm fairly certain that you need an appointment just to get inside. You need to just reschedule."

Well...That sucks.

Bump: The King

I take my daughter again and head down to the lobby.

Is this it then? All that time, effort and extra money? Was it all for nothing? We took a few minutes and sat on the sofa in the lobby. I contemplated everything that had happened up to that point. I felt so close and yet so far.

The supervisor said "The only way it would work..." He gave me one final option, I had to try it.

I called my wife back and let her know what was going on. I explained the only way it would work would be for her to go there her self. She looked up where she needed to go and found out it was in the exact opposite direction of where she was, but she was willing to go. She started to head that way. Looks like we had a little time to kill.

My daughter and I only had a light breakfast that morning, since we left so early. We decided to get some food while we wait. The closest food nearby was the Hard Rock Cafe Detroit, so we went in.

We ordered some food and started to eat. When we were getting close to being done, and older woman and her family walk in. They talk to the host and the host leads them to their table.

As they are walking by our table to get to theirs, the older woman stops and looks at us. Then she says to me: "I want you to know that you are a true King. You are taking care of you and your own. As a King you need to watch out for your family. You're doing a good job. A true King."

I'm so surprised that all I can manage is a very weak "Uhhh....Thank you"

One of the weirder moments in my life. Shortly after my wife calls me back and says she's almost there. Looks like it's time to head back...

The Conclusion

We head back and go up to the agency. I realize it's almost 3pm! They'll be closing soon too! We get off the elevator, Guard #1, Guard #2 and Guard #3, each asking what's happening now and how it's going. They wish us luck, go through the x-ray and we head inside.

I get off the phone with my wife and she made it past their Guard #1. I hop in the 'No reservation' line. The supervisor sees me and calls me over. "You again?"

Me: "My wife made it to the New York Passport Agency and is inside waiting in line"
Supe: "She better hurry up, we're closing in a little bit!"
Me: "I've been here since you opened, have been run around and gave you eveythin..."

At that moment a shorter, blond woman was walking by. She said: "What did you just say? You've been here since we opened? And you still don't have your passport? That's almost 7 hours, what's going on?"

I reexplain everything that has happened so far and what is going on now. She can not believe what has happened. Turns out she is the Department Head, the manager, if you will.

She makes a call to New York and gets my wife to a window. They ask for a case number. Turns out I don't have one yet. The manager gets one setup for me and we give it to my wife. Is this for real this time?!

The Manager says New York is taking to long and just to get the passport started now. The supervisor starts the process. "I'm not sure if you'll get a full passport for her or just a temporary one" "Just get him a full one."

Detroit agency talks to New York Agency, They confirm she is there with the notarized note, but that they can't accept it because the note is missing her DOB. The Detroit agency thinks that's really dumb. She tells them to just accept it and send it to her later, she was going to push the passport through!

A few moments later they come out with a brand new visa for my daughter! That's it! We Made it! We can't thank her enough.

We walk out of there incredibly happy and with our goal in hand.

We get back in our car, New passport in hand and head back home.

Takeaways

Every time I think about this story, I think about persistence. About how it pays off and to never give up. It's always darkest before the dawn they say. It reminds me to never give up, even when all else seems to fail, just keep going and you'll make it.

I know I learned a lot from this lesson. It would be nice if some else learned something too or at least got some thing out of it.

Thank you for everyone that read it all. it was A LOT!
 

RussRussman18

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lol i thought the story was going to end with you realizing the vacation was a waste of time and staying to work on your business (no offense)

I think i've been watching too much grant cardone, that's how his version of the story would have ended

(not that i think you made a bad decision)
 
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TheGrind

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Wow, I think I would have given up at some point there and found a resort in the US or something.

Also you have quite a knack for storytelling; that's rare. Ever look into copywriting?
 

Determined2012

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Persistence is the ever lasting and absolute story of my entire life and existence!

I cried reading this story because I TOTALLY get it and understand the sheer impact of persisting! Undeterred persistence will get you any and everything you want and need. Persistence has NEVER failed me. Not even once! It is a survival skill for sure.

I'm glad you guys had fun!!!
 

StarKodomo

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lol i thought the story was going to end with you realizing the vacation was a waste of time and staying to work on your business (no offense)

I think i've been watching too much grant cardone, that's how his version of the story would have ended

(not that i think you made a bad decision)
No offense taken! Believe me, it was in the back of my mind to stay and work more, but I felt like I really needed a break. Rest time is important to recharge too!

Wow, I think I would have given up at some point there and found a resort in the US or something.

Also you have quite a knack for storytelling; that's rare. Ever look into copywriting?
Thank you! That's quite a compliment for me! lol

I definitely looked into some resorts here in the US in the down time I had. I was starting to resolve my self to the fact that may have had to stay here too. But I've always liked to see things through to the end. Especially since they kept giving me hope, ie: if you just do this, it would work if you did this, etc..

As far as copywriting goes, I have looked into it and studied a bit. I picked up and made it through about half of Ca$hvertising before I started my business and got distracted. I really need to finish it as I learned A LOT from just that first half. I also read all of @SinisterLex posts about copywriting when he first started to post them, which was also invaluable!

Persistence is the ever lasting and absolute story of my entire life and existence!

I cried reading this story because I TOTALLY get it and understand the sheer impact of persisting! Undeterred persistence will get you any and everything you want and need. Persistence has NEVER failed me. Not even once! It is a survival skill for sure.

I'm glad you guys had fun!!!
Thank you! I definitely agree that persistence is an important skill to have and necessary for a fastlaner. My mothers side comes from Finland where they have a word for it: Sisu. I believe it means Determination, Guts or Persistence. I like to think that's where I get it from. lol. Although, being persistent on the wrong thing, something that's harmful, is not good.
 
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