Holiday Countdown Calendar 2019
Regardless of whether you like it or not, you can't escape from all of this - and so again, here is another holiday countdown calendar. The first Calendar was all about Confluence tips and tricks. Last year, we looked back to a lot of fun we had on our Community and this year, we'll take a closer look at the most important part of every community: the people.
And since this is an Atlassian Community, you will learn a lot about Atlassian people during the next 24 days. Some people, you may know, others not - be ready for surprises, interesting stories and fun!
Say hello to the people you will see here, use the comments, tell us your stories! Let's spend some great days together. And don't forget: there will be a new portrait every day until December 24th.
But first: a big shoutout goes to @Bridget Sauer and @Mandy Ross - we were working together on the calendar and without their enormous support this would not have been possible - thank you so much, girls!
Because of size restrictions, older portraits have to be removed from this main article. You can find them here:
- Holiday Countdown Calendar 2019 - The Lost Days 1
- Holiday Countdown Calendar 2019 - The Lost Days 2
- Holiday Countdown Calendar 2019 - The Lost Days 3
- Holiday Countdown Calendar 2019 - The Lost Days 4
It's hard to believe, but the countdown has come to its end.
We learned that
- Mariah's Christmas hit and "Carol of the Bells" are your most favorite holiday songs
- Holidays in Australia are not the same as in the US or Europe (Especially this year, good luck to everyone in Australia, we're thinking of you)
- No one wanted the Clark Griswold egg nog badge, you're lucky, @Monique vdB ! (What if I post a picture, can I get the badge by myself? ;-) )
- "Elf" is your most favorite holiday movie but there are many more to discover
- an Elf on a shelf and a dragon is something everyone should have
- nothing is more important than friends and family
- our Community is clearly one of the best
- we all should take care of our environment, as much as we can
and many more!
Our big shoutout goes to everyone taking part in this holiday countdown, thank you so much! Each and everyone of you is so special and has so many stories to tell, it was an awesome task putting this all together.
We hope, you enjoyed the calendar as much as we did. Leave us a message in the comments below! We would love to hear from you!
Happy holidays, have a good time with your friends and family, play some board games and stay offline!
May all of your wishes and dreams come true, and may you feel this happiness all year round.
See you next year, take care!
Bridget, Mandy and Thomas
Today's the final day of the holiday countown and it's Judy Cao's day.
Judy is Program Manager and she's from San Francisco.
Judy, do you have a resolution for 2020?
I don’t typically believe in making resolutions for the New Year because I think it’s important to make goals for yourself on an ongoing basis (not just for 1 day out of the whole year).
However, because it is a start of a new decade, my overall goal in 2020 is to decrease my Virgo tendencies! Be less critical of myself and others, and start and end with more positivities (especially in my communication).
The world needs more good vibes than ever before.
That's so true, Judy. We all should take care far more of what we say and do, online and offline.
What is your favorite holiday movie?
I have so many favorite holiday movies, it’s hard to decide! If I had to narrow it down to 3, it would be in this order:
(1) Elf (...probably everyone’s #1 favorite!)
Oh oh, this movie is nominated twice as most favorite holiday movie and I have never seen it, what a gap in education... I'll watch it next holidays, I promise!
(2) The Holiday (Have you seen the meme about how The Holiday basically invented Airbnb? Well, it’s true).
Another one I haven't seen, I'm ashamed
(3) Last Holiday (Queen Latifah was hilarious! What a great reminder to be thankful for life, family, and friends and live each day to the fullest!)
Well, what can I say? Another movie I have to watch next christmas for closing my gaps
Thank you Judy for being our 24th and last portrait in the holiday countdown calendar. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Hi @Ashley Elder , you are number 23, the penultimate portrait of the holiday countdown calendar.
Ashley is a Product Marketing Manager for Cloud Migrations. Her goal is to help communicate the benefits and process for customers to migrate to Atlassian Cloud. And she loves dogs, obviously.
Ashley, where are you from?
A small town off the coast of Massachusetts called Hamilton. It is so small that we are referred to as Hamilton-Wenham (with the neighboring small town). I didn't realize they were two different towns until I was in middle school.
Did you have a New Year's resolution for 2019?
My resolution was to do more creative non-electronic activities. I am a proud cultivator of an ever-growing succulent collection and have taken up wheel pottery.
Ashley loves the holiday song "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses.
It's funny, I never ever heard this song before, but I love it! it's so 80's, fabulous, sound of my youth.
Do you want to shout out to any of your favorite Atlassian coworkers or Community contacts?
@BiancaEncinas! She's amazing to work with and is so great at her job.
Also, @Thomas Schlegel for coming up with this idea!
That's very kind of you, Ashley, I'm so thankful you like the idea and I hope some others do as well.
Thank you so much for taking part in this countdown. Happy Holidays and a happy new year to you and your family!
Only one day left ...
December, 22nd - we're coming into the home straight. Let's start the final with @Daniel Santos .
Daniel is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, "Cidade Maravilhosa, cheia de tantos mil..."
His role in the Atlassian universe is Community Support Engineer.
Daniel, welcome to the holiday countdown. Please share a heartwarming moment from 2019!
I have a friend that was looking for a new career position. I saw him fighting for changes in his job and giving the best of himself to others for years... He was my mentor in the past, someone that I could always trust and rely on.
Then he got the position he wanted, moving to a new country.
When he shared the news I couldn't hold my tears. It was a special moment for me. Although I knew I would miss his physical presence, the only feeling I had was intense gratitude.
What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful for meeting a lot of brave, kind and curious souls in my life. Those brave enough to be vulnerable and open their hearts to me. Kind enough to deal with my weaknesses, helping me to see beyond. Curious enough to keep their eyes open and ask questions even about their own perceptions and "solid" knowledge.
Thank you Daniel for sharing these very private moments and thoughts with us. We're grateful to have you in our Community, I wish you wonderful holidays with your family and friends and a happy new year 2020!
For December, 21st, we talked with @Laura .
Laura is Marketing Manager, originally from Seattle and now living in San Francisco.
Laura, did you have a New Year's resolution for 2019? Did you achieve it?
Yes! My resolution for 2019 (which I plan to carry into 2020 and beyond) was to consume as little red meat (ie pork, beef, lamb, etc) as possible in order to reduce my environmental impact. I am SO grateful that I took on this challenge, because it was the perfect forcing function to get creative with plant-based alternatives.
Impossible burger? Yes please!
Tofu chorizo in paella instead of pork? Way more yumm-o than I thought possible!
Sweet potato tacos? Flippin' delightful!
Breakfast sandwich? I'll take avo any day over bacon.
The other unexpected delight? I felt so much better after eating these alternatives. You know that so-full-can't-move-for-days feeling? Sayonara! I'm energized and ready to tackle the day.
It's been a flavorful, welcome change in my life, and I hope others give it a try!
I hope, your enthusiasm will inspire others as well. No doubt, eating less meat is good for us and our environment too.
Laura, please tell us about your favorite childhood holiday memory!
As a kid, I was really (like REALLY) into remote control things (cars, planes, etc). For christmas one year, I got a remote control Ford F-150 truck with a boat trailer and a remote control Sea-Doo boat. I was OVER. THE. MOON. It honked, made truck noises, and had doors that opened and everything. On Christmas day, I drove my truck and boat to the lake down the street and took my boat for a spin. The ducks nearby were not thrilled, but I was happy as a clam.
It looked like this:
Wow, that looks like a great toy! I'm jealous, my remote control car had a cable and I always wanted to have a wireless one, but never got it...
And what is your favorite holiday treat?
My love for christmas cookies runs DEEP. So much so that when I was woken up in the middle of the night a few years ago, I apparently just said "I love christmas cookies" and went back to sleep (even though it was mid March). I have self control with a lot of things in life, but heavenly sugar cookies with colorful frosting and sprinkles will never be one of them. It's like a christmas carol of deliciousness exploding in my mouth every time I eat them!
Thank you, Laura, thank you for being a part of our community. Happy holidays for you and your family and of course, tons of Christmas cookies! Especially in March!
Only three days left...
December, 20th is Dragon Day. Don't you know that? It's @Stephen Sifers ' day and look at his picture - isn't that a lovely dragon?
If Stephen is not spitting fire or sleeping on his golden treasure, he works within the Community from the support side. He used to be an Event and Online Leader prior to joining Atlassian and has been involved in Community for almost seven years total.
Stephen, where are you from?
I’m from California originally, but I’ve lived all over the United States and currently residing near Dallas, Texas.
What's your best holiday gift ever?
My best holiday gifts EVER are my Children! They’re both born in December 2 years apart. 100% Thankful to my beautiful wife for them both!
What are you grateful for?
I am most grateful for my Family whose been an amazing support and my northern star for everything I’ve achieved.
Aww, what else can you say after hearing this? It's so heartwarming - you're so lucky to have such an amazing family.
Stephen, do you want to shout out to any of your favorite Atlassian coworkers or Community contacts?
A big shout out to all of the Community Leaders who are amazing people with outstanding energy.
And another shout out to the whole Community Team, Y’all are a great team and make this a wonderful place to work!
Seems, you're a big family dragon, Stephen. This is great. We are happy to have you in our Community! Happy holidays to you and your northern star, and thank you for taking part in this year's countdown!
Just four days left...
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Thomas Schlegel
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