The Traditions

Traditions may seem ridiculously silly when you're looking at them from the outside; sometimes it even seems wacky being a part of it. For example, growing up my mother shoved a piece of brown sugar bar to wake me up on Chinese New Years; I never minded it too much since I love sweets (you are what you eat, right?). Going to Whopper Wednesday every week or Dunkin Donuts on the weekends may be my favorite traditions. Last weekend, it was the annual ornament exchange with a traditional holiday dinner. Some people like to open presents on the Eve of Christmas; others refuse to open the present except on Christmas morning; and others, like me, open it way in advance of the actual day.

Today, I joined my fellow gunners in celebrating St. Barbara's Day (a day late). As we all know, Saint Barbara is the patron saint of artillerymen. It was definitely not what I expected but it was extremely interesting (which may or may not have included dry ice, gasoline, and Jack Daniels). The traditions were like no other that I have been a part of before; it was a mix of the strictness of the military and large amounts of jokes and silliness. It was great to see the casual and fun side of my co-workers. It's events like these that make it such a pleasure to work at Raytheon.

While traditions may seem outrageous at times, it definitely brings the people, who take part in it,  closer together. It's all about the experience with those people and having a genuinely good time. I can't wait for more traditions to continue and others to start! (Festivus anyone?)