Update

Okay so Mr X's boss has relented and is very graciously (read: reluctantly) allowing him to stay in Europe for the full amount of time he requested. Woo hoo! The European Adventure is still on!

Oh, and my car is fixed finally and my boss let me use my OT to cover the time I was out during the week dealing with my car. I must also mention that I owe an apology to the Jiffy Lube located at Pennsylvania and Montgomery in Albuquerque because the problem with my car was not caused by them and they directed me to a place that did a wonderful job fixing my car and taking care of me. (Those other jiffy lubes that I mentioned are still BAD - don't go to them!)

It is amazing how much my outlook on life has improved with the happy resolution of these two things.