Yosemite Part II

Zaterdag 23 September. Ik heb aardig liggen ronken ondanks dat ik last had van mijn geïrriteerde oog.In iedergeval was dat geen excuse om rond 7.00uur richting ontbijttafel te gaan en vervolgens rond 9.45uur met onze eerste hike in Yosemite. We hadden gekozen voor Yosemite Upper Falls, tevenseen route als je richting de diverse toppen wil lopen. De totale hoogte verschil is ruim 1000mtr en het wordt een pittige klim. Met de rugzak vol met nootjes, fruit, gedroogde beef yerk en voldoende water maakte wij onze weg omhoog. Onderweg vertelde Henry dat hij 22 jaar en 10 jaar geleden ook inYosemite was geweest maar de hikes te steil vond. Hoe oude hoe gekker zullen we maar zeggen want vandaag gaat hij het wel doen op zijn 50ste jaar.
Dit alles is niet zonder slag of stoot echter het uitzicht geeftons de motivatie om door te blijven lopen met de nodige stops. Of waren het de andere groepen die ook de nodige stops moesten maken? In 3uur en 15 minuten staan we er dan, boven aan de Falls met een fraai uitzicht. Jammer alleen dat de waterval bijna helemaal droog stond met als resultaat dat de Dutchies even van de route afgaan en afdalen naar een van de pools die nog wel zijn gevuld. Na een uurtje genieten is het tijd om terug te gaan, het blijkt dat Gert toch enige moeite heeft aangezien hij op gympies liep, die weinig profiel hadden en dus gladde zool. Ik heb hem dan ook maar mijn sticks gegeven waardoor hij nog normaal naar beneden kon komen.Ook de water voorraad bleek een probleem te zijn, ieder van ons had een fles van 7dl bijzich en als backup had ik er nog 2 in de rugzak. Helaas was het door de uitputting slag halve wege de terugweg op. Harold en ik die aardig de vaart erin hadden en ik zij de gek die de nodige spastische glijers maakt besluiten om naar de camping te lopen om zelf ons vocht aan te vullen en de flessen te vullen voor Gert en Henry. Al met al een uitputtings slag met een mooie herinnering en wat is dan lekkerde dan onze 5 liter pak wijn open te maken en te genieten.

Yosemite Part I

Vrijdagmorgen is het dan zover, Gert, Henry, Harold en ik rijden naar Yosemite toe.De avond daarvoor hadden we nog een hotelletje geboekt dat net 12 mijl buiten het park ligt en we legde de rit ook in 3 1/2 uur af. Wat blijkt onze kamers zijn nog niet schoondus wij hups de auto in om te verkennen. Het pasje dat we in maart voor de Nationaal parken hadden gekocht verschafte ons gratis toegang waarna iedereen driftig in de informatie bladen ging lezen. Aangekomen in het midden van de vallei staat El Capitan links van ons, kleertje wat een wand. Wij met de foto camera's natuurlijk direct in deaanslag net zoals al die andere toeristen. De verkijker was ook mooi om bij mij te hebben,je kon zien hoe de klimmers in de wand een bivak maakten en nog een paar fanatiekelingen zichverder naar boven probeerde te komen. Natuurlijk is er mee te zien en dus besluiten we naarhet Visitors Center te gaan waar we een gedetaileerde kaart en boek kopen om zo onzetoch van morgen uit te stippelen. Echter we krijgen van de ranger te horen dat we nognet optijd de zonsondergang op de Half Dome kunnen zien als we direct met de auto naar Glacier Point rijden. Het wordt echter een race tegen de klok en kijk niet naar de bordjes met maximale snelheid 25 en 35 Mph. Ondanks dat konden we de Half Dome net alleen vande zijkant fotograferen met een zonnige gloed. Maar nu nog terug naar het hotel, mijnlinker lens ging zo irriteren dat ik vroeg of Harold wilde rijden, en dan te bedenken dat Harold 7 maand in Australië links heeft gereden. Het werd dan ook een gezellig ritje van ruim 2uur terug. Het restaurant van het hotel was inmiddels gesloten dus hups naar de toko 1/2 mijl verder. Zij waren nog wel zo vriendelijk om mensen om 21.00uur binnen te laten.

Mijn eerste Baseball wedstrijd

De update laat weer eens op zijn wachten, dat krijg je als gasten zijn aangekomen.Veel kletsen en de nodige wijntjes drinken, dat laatste was afgelopen dinsdagavondecht raak. Harold vertelde mij dat tijdens zijn reis in Australië had geleerd om eenpak wijn te komen aangezien dat voordeliger is. Dus daar zit je dan, de vier kerels inde Hot Tub met een 5 liter pak Chardonnay op de rand. Met de sterren aan de hemelen aardige promilage gingen we richting bed. Voormij was de start van de werkdag danook erg moeilijk terwijl Gert, Henry en Harold met een kater richting San Francisco vertrokken. Rond 18.00uur hebben we elkaar weer ontmoet op Subway Station 19th street,om onze weg te vervolgen naar de Oakland Athletics (A's). Mijn baasje had namelijktickets geregeld voor de A's tegen de Cleveland Indians. Voor Harold was dit natuurlijkhelemaal top want hij is echt een Baseball fan, hij kon mijzelfs vertellen dat de A'sbovenaan in de competitie staan. Vandaag staat een bezoekje van het plaatsje Sausolito en de Golden Gate Bridge op het programma, voor Lenore en mij is het altijd leuk om dezedingen te doen als er weer mensen op bezoek komen. Het weekend moet richting Yosemite NationalPark gaan echter we hebben nog geen slaapplaats. Dat laatste kan nog wel eens een probleem worden.

De visite komt eraan

Zo ik ga eens kijken hoe het jullie bevalt op deze pagina.Ik zal in het Nederlands blijven schrijven maar het kan ook zomaar zijn dat Lenore een stuk schrijft, ik zou zeggen laat je verrassen.
Afgelopen vrijdag was het tijd om mijn eerste American Football wedstrijd te bekijken.Erika is naast haar gewone voetballen ook de kicker van haar Highschool. Interesant om te zien alleen ik kwam met een lege maag op de tribune en dat werkt nietbevorderend. Haar school verloor met 50-23 en dus hou ik het maar op het gewone voetbal.Zaterdag- en zondagmiddag was het raak qua voetballen, leuke wedstrijden om te zienen je weet zeker dat het naar 90 minuten ook afgelopen is.
Vanmorgen was het ook tijd om mijn huiswerk te maken, ik was zo als gewoonlijk optijdwakker aangezien de kat weer lekker zat te mauwen. Daarna even de Queensize matras opgeblazenwant de gasten komen morgen. Rond de klok van 13.00uur komen Gert en henry aan opSan Francisco Int' Airport en drie uurtjes later komt wereld reiziger Harold vanuitNieuw Zeeland op Oakland Airport aan.
Het eerste gezamelijk uitje is al voor woensdag geplanned, Baseball game tussen de Oakland A's ende Cleveland Indians.

Finally an update

It is exactly two months ago that I wrote something on this Blog, sorry people I have also my Dutch Blog where I post every few days. But what I can tell is that my immigration papers are still not done. Even after our letter and phone calls, the just throw us out and after our complain through the attorney we should be back in the system. But till now we did not here anything from them. Other thing is my driver’s license; I pasted the written test and my driving test. But also this document goes through immigration and yes you can read my lips.
Till now there is no official driver’s license. I can not tell what it is but it must be misted management.
I called my friend in the Netherlands already that we are not there with his wedding, I feel bad because I want to see my kids to. I mist them a lot I can tell you.
Positive thing is that I like my job more and more. Living with Lenore is also great; we understand each other and talk a lot. And the end of the month it's time to go for our first big vacation. Camping in Oregon with the friends from Portland, lovely.
Next to this I try to upgrade the electricity in the house, I start under the eve and just finished the new Main Panel and Sub panel. Our dream is to have a hot tub in the backyard and that’s why we needed a new panel. Now it’s step by step and hopefully we can buy the hot tub after we come back from the vacation.

Bob the Builder

The last two weeks where really busy, Lenore went with the Medical Care Group to Nigeria and I start just as an constructor assistant so I can work on my skills. The National Electrical Code book 2005 is my best friend at this moment and I am glad that most of the rules are the same as in Europe. Still I have problems when I see the quality from some Electric wiring, it seems that Bob the Builder was there. No wonder that the State of California as for an extra license.

Today I can finally start with my written test for my driver’s license; it seems that you must signup in the first ten days when you get a job or resident card.

Talking about resident card, I cancelled my interview for tomorrow because Lenore is not here.
I called the Government already two times and wrote one letter to reschedule but till now I don not have an answer from them.

One week more and Lenore is back, since this time I am cooking for Erika and myself.
She’s a really easy going daughter even when I wake her up and tell her that she has only x minutes. She scored on that.

Is live so difficult?

Since January 2006 I was thinking; Paul if you finally have the work permit everything is oke. Starting to get a job in my own profession should be easy with a resume I have, WRONG! Since 1st January 2006 Electricians need a license for the State of California. Other thing is that I need a letter from at least one of the Dutch Installers what I did all these years so I can get an American License. I didn't hear the excuses since Nine Eleven but I am not surprised anymore. Maybe it's better to work at a company where I have fun without all this Bullshit!

Storeroom

My parents left went back to Belize after three weeks of visiting the Bay Area.
They didn’t had luck with the weather and where happy to go back to the sun.
At least they saw a lot from the Berkeley, San Francisco etc. Hopefully they comeback soon, visiting Yosemite must be great together.

What’s new, well I went Friday to the local39 in San Francisco for more information about getting a job in my own profession as an Electrical Engineer. They put me in a Dispatch System where they match people with companies; before I start sending the resume it was necessary to change my resume.

I’m also busy with the storeroom behind our bedroom, Lenore and I cleaned it together. Now I’m isolating the ceiling and put electricity in. Lenore is happy because she wants to have outlets with a ground. The wiring what I see from the existing installation is old so I try to get a new Romax Cable to the distributionbox. The only problem is how?

Death Valley (2 April)

Sunday morning we drove inside Death Valley National Park and the first stop was at the Visitor Center & Museum in Furnace Creek. Temperature 25 degrees Celcius! From there we went to Zabriskie Point where we had an excellent view of a vast area of uplifted, eroded yellow hills. These unusual contours are the remains of a lake bed whose sediments were deposited 5 to10 million years ago. Then we did the Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a 3 mile loop road. The hills which form the canyon are the eroding remnants of an ancient lake bed. Despite it name, the canyon never was visited by 20-mule-team borax wagons.
Next we were visiting the Mosaic Canyon close to the town of Stovepipe Wells. Standing at the Canyon’s mouth there was a nice view of the northern valley. We made a walk into the canyon with patterned walls of polished, multicolored rock. It was a pity we didn’t have more time to visit more places. (Has to wait till next time).
After a quick lunch we had to move on because we should be back in El Sobrante by to night. Over the road 190 we left Death Valley and had planned to cross Yosemite National Park on our way back. But it pointed out that all passes were closed due to the snow. So, we (or better Lenore and Paul) had to drive all the way up, close to Reno. But this had also a pretty side because the landscaping on the 395 was beautiful and we passed the Mono Lake and the Tahoe Lake. Then it started raining and Lenore was driving over the two mountain passes in the rain with snow on the side of the road. We drove back via Sacramento to El Sobrante, where we arrived just after midnight and where it was….. raining.

This trip of about 2000 miles, visiting three states, from California to Arizona and Nevada was a very nice one. Even parts of the freeways were replacing the old historic route 66. We got everything, rain, snow but also nice sunny weather and the Grand Canyon, the Hooverdam, Death Valley, the views and the landscaping along the roads are unforgettable. .

Hooverdam/Beatty (1 April)

Saturday morning we started driving back over 40 switched in Kingman to the 93 in direction to the Hooverdam. We got a complete tour and the Mollejon in Belize is a baby in comparison.
Again very impressive and the weather was nice to us. Going further north the 93 changed to 95 and we did a sight seeing tour through Las Vegas. From Las Vegas we continued on the 95, up to Death Valley. Lenore tried to make hotel reservation inside Death Valley National Park, but no rooms were available. So, our next stay over was just outside the park in Beatty.
But before checking in we visited the Ghost Town named Rhyolite.The town Rhyolite was born as a result of a gold rush in 1904. Between 1905 to1910 about 8000 people lived in Rhyolite. By 1919 the post office closed, everyone had gone and Rhyolite became a ghost town. The ruins of Rhyolite include a bottle house, built in 1906, that still is intact. Down Golden Street there was a strange art display, known as the Golden Well Open Air Museum. It was a passion of a Belgium artist. Bep took a lot of pictures of this strange “open air arts gallery” which included a group of ghosts and abstracts of scrap metal. In the hotel we were staying was also a Casino. By checking in we got several discount coupons. One was for the Casino. For 50 dollar cents we got each for 1 dollar coins for the slot machines. So, we had a lot of fun (with a free drink on another coupon) to gamble with our 50 cents. Bep was the winner and she played the longest time till the machine swallowed her last coin.

Wupatki National Park (31 March)

Friday morning our tour guide (Lenore) took us via Flagstaff, the 89 and the 35-mile loop road 395 to the Wupatki National Monument. The views on this road were amazing. The Humphreys peak (17570 ft high) dominated over and over. The first stop was at the lava field of Sunset Crater Vulcano. In a final burst of activity, around 1250, red and yellow oxidized cinders shot out of the vent and fell onto the rim. The colorful glow from these cinders reminded people of a sunset and led to the vulcano’s name. At Wupatki we visited the Museum and walked around the several ruins, one story single-family homes to a multi-level dwelling that had about 100 rooms.
Of course we tried to make a comparison between the living of these Indians and the Maya’s but didn’t real come to a conclusion. More information (through Internet?) will be needed to satisfy our findings. After a pick nick lunch we continued over the 89 and via the 64 we reached the Grand Canyon Village. Along the road there were several “view points” with views on the Grand Canyon. After having seen the Grand Canyon out of the air Paul and Tony were first disappointed (afknapper in Dutch).
But after parking the car and walking around we got a lot of other impressions and nice views. It was a pity that the weather was not like yesterday and the sky was not clear. We made a short ride with a shuttle bus, but it was toooo cold and it started raining. It was almost dark when we left the park on our way back to Williams for our last night stay.

Trip to the South (29 & 30 March)

On Tuesday, 16.30 hr. we left a cold and rainy El Sobrante. Via the 580 we came on the freeway 5 to the south. Lenore had planned a stay-over at Bakersfield, where we arrived at 20.45.
Next day we left Bakersfield at 08.45 hr. via the 58 and in Barstow we took the freeway 40. The landscaping was beautiful and changed continuously. Suddenly on the horizon we saw on the top of hills hundreds and hundreds of windmills. After a few stops and passing the Arizona border we arrived at 16.00 hr. in Williams. The Best Western Hotel was surrounded by snow. We had dinner in a restaurant, while it was snowing outside. Lucky we, the air-conditioning unit in the rooms produces also warm air.

On Thursday morning, prepared to resist the cold, we left warm dressed Williams to go to see the Grand Canyon. At the airport, that we reached over the 64 and 180, it was clear that our preparation for the cold was done for nothing. Most of the warm clothes were put back in the car, when we saw the pilot in short sleeves. With Lenore and Bep sitting besides the pilot in the front, we did a 50 minutes helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon. We were very lucky because the weather was excellent and the sky clear. The view was amazing and very impressive.
In the afternoon we took road 180 to Flagstaff and visited there the Northern Arizona Museum. Flagstaff is a nice and very busy city. We had a coffee break in a coffee-shop called “ Late for the Train”. During our short visit we saw a number of trains with more than 50 wagons loaded with double stocked containers. We left Flagstaff at 18.00 hr. for the second night stay in Williams.

Problems at St. George Warehouse Oakland

Oeps, I forgot write on the blog for a few weeks. Lenore and I had a very nice time with Rick and Pat. It was also the first time for me to visit a Zoo when it’s snowing. This weekend I spend my Saturday night to visit the Fillmore Grill in San Francisco. James saw in the newspaper that the San Francisco Formula 1 Group organizes nights like this. We both went a got a big welcome from Julie and Peter. Around 11p.m. the race started in Malaysia and the restaurant was filled up with 90 people.
Monday morning, Lenore and I went first to customs to declare my stuff what was shipped in the Netherlands. But again we had big problem at the St. George Warehouse on 7210 Edgewater Drive, Oakland. This is the Warehouse where DHL send my stuff and after the U$ 50, - they want again U$ 85, - for lifting the box. Of course we refuse to pay this and now it’s DHL his turn, they told us that there where no more cost after paying him and the U$ 50,- from St George Warehouse. On their business card is standing Service – Technology – Experience, well I think they have a lot of experience to hit somebody in the pocket when I here that other where houses ask only U$ 25,-. I'm sure that we never comeback to this arrogant company with their gum chewing lady behind her desk.
A nice thing is that my parents are visiting us for three weeks; we thought they come on Wednesday but oeps again. I saw that the flight has a delay from 30 minutes so I have all the time.

A short note.

It’s time to visit my dentist again, see how it goes here today.
I think it must make a huge different how they do it, starting with cleaning my set of teeth two weeks ago. In the afternoon it’s time to travel to Portland, we take our time so that we arrived tomorrow evening. Nice that Lenore change her schedule so that we have a whole week together.

Screwed her schedule

It’s Thursday morning, 6.30am I came out of my bed for a strange dream. So I thought get out of your bed and take a nice cup of coffee. Lenore is doing the carpool for the school kids and I can surf a little. Oeps there is someone else standing in front of the door for carpool. I went outside and told them that she left already, 3 minutes later Rain from Children’s staffing office called. Strange, after a few minutes Lenore came back. She screwed her whole schedule; she should be at work today and went directly to Oakland.
Yesterday morning I had could feel my first earthquake, around 11.24am Zacky (the cat) made just before the shaking some noise. It was only 1 or 2 seconds and 3.4 strong on the scale.
On the Dutch news pages I see that my favorite beer brand Grolsch had problems with selling their lovely juice in the Netherlands last year. Positive news is that they have a new distribution partner in the US named Anheuser-Busch who’s famous with the brand Budweiser. Anyway our fridge foresees already the green bottles from Enschede.

Shit happens

Starting the day is very easy, first a cup of coffee and then looking through my emails.
Next is the laundry and take a shower. Today I went to the sport centre in town for a tour and to look for the prices, Lenore and I talk already several weeks it. Very nice location with good facilities like a swimming pool, sauna, racket ball and more. The thing what I didn’t like was the contract with an initiation fee from at least U$ 300, - a couple. The Assistant General Manager told me that in April special initiation fee from U$ 90, - a couple, when I try it for three months. That sounds much better so till that time I hick in Tilden.
Next stop Berkeley; I arrange some flowers for Lenore’s parents, they coming back from vacation. Her mom wants to see the Northern Lights on the Hudson Bay. So I open the door from the house I hear the sound of the alarm system, damn Lenore didn’t gave me the number. I close the door directly but it was already done. The sirens went of for at least 15 minutes; the gardener at the neighbors got already crazy and went to the other side of the house.
Finally I went in to the house after Lenore called me and put the flowers on the table with a card from Leo (her mom’s cat).
Ok, everything alright so I went for a hick to Tilden Park, it was so wet from the last few days that I problems to walk over the trail. After 25 minutes I found a way up and took the tarmac road back to inspiration point where I parked. At my way home I stopped at the store for a lottery ticket, I saw on the web log from Mark that the jackpot went up to 256 million dollar. Thanks Mark for the reminder.

skiing

Saturday it was a nice day for skiing around Lake Tahoe. A few days before I was already busy to get my own boots, the skies I rent and hope for a good deal later on March. Boreal was the place for the day and directly on the I-80. James went down the piste on his snowboard while Lenore and I stay on our normal skies. Fifteen years ago was my last time in Sauerland district in Germany, but after 20 minutes I had my rhythm back.

Monday was a nice to clean the house, outside it was purring rain. And then food tasting at a Mexican restaurant in Berkeley, the 25th of March there is a party and we ask them to make a price for catering. The food was really delicious and I can't wait to give the party.







Today I got also the good news that John’s wife delivered a daughter named Amy. Mom and daughter are in a good condition and going home soon. What a perfect day.

Dentist appointment

Yep, today it was my time to show up at the Dentist for cleaning. Lucky that I know Barry from December 2004 at that time it was my first visit. Daniela cleaned my teeth will Barry came to talk with me about my North European set of teeth. I know that I need a crown so I was not surprise that he give me a new date to come. Then just before 6 pm Erika called me if I can come to here school for the Costa Rica trip next Friday, her mom was still working so why not. Of course it was things like what clothes you bring to the tropics and what spray for the sand flies and mosquitoes. At the time we came back from that meeting Lenore came out of the Hospital and stopped at the Chinese for food. Now it’s time for more Olympics stuff on TV.

Inconvenience

Tuesday afternoon and the weather is perfect in the Bay Area. This morning I had my friend Paul on the phone and ask me questions if I still like it here on the other side of the world without his friends. Sure I miss my friends, Marloes en Vincent but Lenore knows how to balance this with me. We talk a lot a do thinks like yesterday, a hike in Tilden Park. The have a few trails and a great view, and how can you enjoy this better then with a real beer. Beer?? Yes I always take my small backpack with some candy and drinks.
Then the story about my one cubic meter box what I send from Enschede to here. This morning I got a phone call from the company who should get this today. “Mister Nijssen your stuff is in New York, the customer’s service didn’t trust the container so they will scan. They scan it today or tomorrow, afterwards it goes directly on a truck what takes 9 till 10 days. Sorry for the inconvenience but there is something else in the container what they don’t trust. I call you back if I know more”. Well maybe I must start with my own bestseller; I know that my last name is not easy to spell but easier then Japanese I think.

End of soccer tournament

Last evening it was time to take the car to Walnut Creek and visit the field of Los Lomas.
These time no National Anthem and no presentation of the teams. It was a tuff game and both teams had problem with the wetter. Los Lomas had more luck then the ladies from Saint Mary’s they won with 3-0. At least I had fun to watch the games the last weeks and I’m sure they getting better next year with Jim as coach.
Then the speed skating event in Torino, I saw the reportage from NBC around 11pm. Of course they enounce first 40 minutes before that the USA won the Gold and Silver medals. Finally the sport gets more time on the television when you talk about the men. Strange thing is that Shani Davis was not happy with his interview from The NBC TV-channel. I can imagine the channel is talking the whole day about Chad Hedrick and his five Gold Medals he’s winning. Maybe that’s the reason that he didn’t want to skate with the US group. Davis is the US favorite from the Dutch people and I think because he has a normal behavior. Other thing, it’s strange that the US skaters has Dutch Sponsors. In the picture you can see that he’s a normal guy and respect other people.

I’m just hearing live the speed skating 1000mtr. from the ladies. Yes we have a Dutch winner named Marriane Timmer with 1.16.05 just before Cindy Klassen en Anni Friesinger. Nice revenge after disqualification on the 500mtr.
One compliment I must gave NBC, the site is up to date but please do next time live stream.

Speedskating

Its Saturday morning, I came early out of my bed so I could bring Lenore to her work.
She starts at 7am and afterwards I can drive around, I promised Margaret (Lenore’s friend) to help her with prepare the walls before she start to paint. It’s not my favorite hobby but I want to do something. Margaret called already if I can come 2 hours later, no problem. Till that time I can follow the 1000mtr speed skating live on the radio. Nice to hear that Shani Davis won this race, second is Joey Cheek and third Erben Wennemars. I’m sure that the NBC shows only three races and four commercials so it’s better to spend my time better tonight. There is another tournament soccer game tonight, the ladies from Saint Mary’s start at 7pm and I hope that we don’t get rain. We prepare for cold but not for rain.

Soccer tournament

As we know there was Valentine’s Day (Hallmark Day) on Tuesday. Lenore and I enjoy already our life so we said to each other ”No presents”. Lenore’s daughter Erika was traveling to her dad this weekend from Arizona and should be back today. I promise her to be there on the airport, she didn’t know that we contact her boyfriend Jon and ask him to join me and take her out for dinner on our costs. Nice to see her face when she walked in the Arrival Hall, while her Jon was standing there with flowers. The surprise was bigger when I went of the freeway, she was telling me from the back seat that I took the wrong way. “A dinner for two should be nice, isn’t it” was my answer. Fine to make them happy, plan succeeded.

The ladies soccer team from Saint Mary’s College High School were second in the league last week so this results in a tournament. It’s Wednesday 7pm in Lafayette, the national anthem sounds and the grandstand is packed with supporters. The play is against Acalanes Dons who has a really good team, the results on the end of 2 times 40 minutes is 2 – 2. At that time everybody was freezing their butts off. Five minutes later the game starts again with 2 times 10 minutes to decide which team is going further but after 20 minutes it was still tied. The keeper from Acalanes Dons was good but not good enough to stop all the penalties, and the St Mary’s Panthers won by one goal on the shoot-out. The players and the supporters from Saint Mary’s went crazy, nice thing is that Saturday we have another game. Of course, now the weather has changed and its FREEZING and it is supposed to rain on Saturday, so I really hope they win, and make watching the game worth it.

Bank account

Last summer Lenore and I went to a Dutch bank to open joint-account. Of course we didn’t have a problem and before she went back to the US Lenore had the atm card. So our plan was to open yesterday a joint-account again but then here in the US. We went to a bank with the most atm’s in this area the Washington Mutual, the one Solano in Berkeley. First it took them 20 minutes before someone came to open an account. The lady was new in this process and every time she went back to her supervisor to get our questions answered. Simple questions like what do you guys charge me when I send money from my Dutch account to here;’ I think probably nothing’. ‘Are you sure or ….’ Again she went back to her supervisor, ‘Sir it cost U$ 10,-. Next problem, I don’t have a security number yet because the process is so slow. Now the supervisor came and told me that I can’t joint the account, the excuse they have; ‘sorry since nine eleven’ RIGHT.
I’m getting sick about this excuse, is the whole US use this as an excuse. I think this is paranoia.
Luckily Lenore’s own bank is willing to put me on her account till the time I get my own number.
It’s time to think positive in this still beautiful country.

Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Park

Well that’s nice to hear, playing Spider Solitaire on the computer.
Yesterday I took the challenge to cross Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Park with the bike.
It took me three and half hour to get in Berkeley, but the view was beautiful with the weather of these days.

Today Lenore and I walked into Kennedy Grove Park, different view then yesterday but still pretty. There is also time for the garden, putting more bulbs in the ground so that we can enjoy it later on. In the evening its time to visit Lenore parents and go out for dinner, mmmmmmm.

The last week

The last week I was more active then right on this moment. I went with James to the other side of the Bay. I want to see some more from San Francisco, so the Fisherman Wharf, the Cable Car, Lombard Street and walking through China town. Funny to see, a lot of lunchrooms / restaurants have free wireless internet. I saw on the news that they want a free wireless connection in the big cities of the Bay. In the Netherlands this is still big business for the phone companies, but ok it's a tiny little country. On Friday Lenore and I went to the movies during the day, we want to see Broke Back Mountain. I can tell you it’s a really good movie. Saturday there was the Crab dinner at Saint Mary’s school, Lenore is crazy about the food but I prefer more the salad. Before the dinner there was an auction with different stuff, damn I mist the Basketball tickets just in the last minute. Still I can complain we have scored four bottles of wine from Francis Coppola and one night in the Marriot hotel.
During the weekend we took a hick here in the hills of El Sobrante, really beautiful even if we had problems. The mud on the trail was terrible so I hope to do it again soon or take the mountain bike.

What’s up?

Monday afternoon 3.30pm, Erika had a soccer game in Berkeley with her team.
She’s still has problem with her feet and the coach was so smart to give
her more time to recover. Wednesday afternoon it’s time to visit another team in Walnut Creek, James and I’m going with them to support the team from Saint Mary’s.
Its Tuesday, it was time to make some bread without the bread machine. I got last night the recipe from my mom in Belize. I can tell you perfect bread and it taste good; now its waiting for the lady’s what they say. During the time I had time to buy some plants and an axe.
The garden seems already better with some colorful plants. Another job was hacking the wood in smaller sticks. We had yesterday a little problem with the hearth in the dining-room but it seems that it goes well on this moment. I put the chicken in the rotisserie and now I’m waiting for the lady’s.

Lazy Sunday

Today I had a lazy Sunday; I make some correction on my new Belize website.
The site is finishing in the Dutch language and I hope to do something about the English version.
In the afternoon we (Erika and I) picked up Lenore for the St. Mary’s Football dinner.
Erika is the first female player ever since St. Mary’s school exists, and the best kicker of the team.
It was fun to see how everything goes and how the teambuilding is. This is really something else then a school in the Netherlands.
Well people as my normal day here, I try to listening a few hours to the Dutch radio Veronica on the internet. That’s nice about technology,

My favorite hobby

It’s 10 days ago that I in California arrived.
Of course is a change, first the Netherlands, a month Belize and now the United States.
I’m glad that Lenore and I had hours conversations on the phone, some people are talking so fast that it seems they have peppers in their … or hyper everyday. I can roll my eyes when the waitress in the restaurant does this. The last few days I’m busy in the back yard, planting flower bulbs and cutting the grass with a new toy, the land lawn. First we had a discussion about one on gas or electric. I didn’t saw the challenge to walk with a wire over the grass.
Last night we went to Berkeley for a standup comedian show, it was kept in a small room from a restaurant. There where five people with an act and around 25 people who enjoyed the show.
Afterwards we went to Zackary’s and eat a small pizza; the only thing I could complain was there beer. The beer was very good, only the measuring sucks. On the menu they tell that you get a pint, I’m maybe blond but a pint is around 0.45 liter and not 0.3 liter.

Happy New Year

Lenore is sitting in her house and sees how the rain is coming down while I’m sweating in Belize.
Don’t know where my last paper is but it’s on his way to Belize. We had a small party last night on my parent’s friend’s balcony. Typical Dutch food with rum/cola, isn’t it a nice combination?
Tomorrow day still have a day off in Belize, but the first thing I going to do on Tuesday is paying my stay at the immigration office. Of course I hope that the Embassy is calling me but I don’t expect that before Wednesday. Other thing is that Lenore is busy this week with working so that she can have time later of. Murphy’s Law is still around us but I hope to get there next week, yes people try to be positive. Till that time I hope to see something more from Belize, I didn’t see the South for a long time. Fact is that there are fewer tourists then on the Cayes.

What the hell is going on

Monday I had my first trip with my parents and some friends of them.
We went to Pook’s Hil Lodge where we hiked on the trails and did tubing on the river through the rainforest. The other days I was busy to fix my Dutch new website about Belize and talked a lot with Lenore on the phone. Thursday morning, it’s time to visit Chaa Creek Resort in Cayo. Friends of my parents are working there ask us to come by. It was also the morning that I had an upset lover on the phone. She didn’t sleep well and called Amsterdam again, they send my Police Record already on December 23 to the Embassy in Belize. With email, fax and DHL.
When you call them her they said yes we got an email but the papers are not there you must wait till next week. Lenore was so pissed off that she called the General Consul in Belize and she was agreeing with her statement. Hopefully we know more tomorrow even if they don’t do the Visa stuff.
One thing is for sure about this situation, IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

Rib eye

Friday afternoon, I had still problems to walk on my right foot, but things going better.
I helped my mom wrapping presents for some kids (26), she always give them something on Christmas. I didn’t help her with all the cakes she made for friends; damn it’s a bakery here.
At 3pm I have an appointment with doctor Craig (not Greg) for a biopsy on my foot. Since March I have spots from insect, normally they go away in one Month but no these are still there. He did the job very professional so I went home again. My mom and I had a good idea; we go out for dinner at the Sibun Bite Restaurant what is next to The Old Belize Museum. My parents like the restaurant very much but we never tried the import Rib eye. The beef from Belize cows are terrible. My mom was so smart to order her Smoke Pork Chops plate. First the meat was not really warm, but ok this is Belize, they don’t know what steamers are. My steak was burned on the top and was done instead of medium. My father couldn’t eat the steak normal, the meat was stringy.
The poor guy who serve our food for this night, we where not nice to him but ok the food sucks.
Then the cook came, this is not import beef, yes sir you are right. But why is this standing on the menu. Tony’s food was not on the bill and mine was half priced. Conclusion of the day, never eat beef in Belize before you make sure it’s import.
On our way home we stopped at the Italian restaurant just one block before their home, they have delicious Ice-cream.
Of course we finish the night with Rum, mmm.
Saturday morning, I waked up at 6.30am, some idiot start to cut the grass at the neighbors. I put the pillow over my ears and sleep further till Lenore called. Till that time I think to start the day good, clean the floor of my room. Shower with a plastic bag around my foot and next what I should do is call Lenore.
In the afternoon its time to help my mom with backing bread, I bought one for them as a Christmas present. Only thing is that I didn’t have enough wrapping paper, so they got it already.

Christmas is coming soon

A short word from me on the Blog, till now there is no Police Record yet. Conclusion I can not be with Lenore and her family for Christmas and/or New Year Day. The frustration is on the highest level, code red. Since our marriage in March it seams that Murphy’s Law is still hanging around. I mean what is a Police Record, normally the police can see in one handling what you did wrong in your live. The process at the Dutch Government start already in the first week of December, sorry but I the system sucks!!!
Well I hope that my Christmas gifts, which I send on the last moment, are there on time.

Love you much darling.

Things can change in hours

Yesterday I ask Bep;” What do you think when we go to Cayo tomorrow and visit Chaa Creek Resort”. Would be nice she told me. Well just one hour later I stretched myself on the cough and stand up. Damn I twisted my right ankle. We put a cold-pack on my feet and sit there the whole evening while we played the game Colonisten van Katan. After the Daily Show / Colbert Report it was time to try to sleep, it didn’t work. First I want to call Lenore but I know she had another twelve hours shifted so I decide not to do it. When I finally try to wake her up with my call she answered the phone as somebody who didn’t sleep much. The only thing she could see to me is; “Can you call me back in 30 minutes, thanks”.

Well on thing was for sure, I couldn’t walk with my right feet, No Chaa Creek today, the Resort is in the jungle and you need to walk if you want to see some.
I wasn’t happy so Bep en I went to Universal Health Service today. Well I can tell you after the parties I know the docs better then before. So when I came in they told me that I danced to much this weekend. I went to doctor Hidalgo, he send me directly to the X-ray. Afterwards I told me to see doctor Sosha because he’s better with bones structure. The guy is a really busy man so we told him to come later back. He told me not be worried but take a rest and start in a few days walking for 40 minutes a day. No problem, there is enough to see here. In September I had also already contact with Doctor Greg, who is a dermatologist. I have since March spots from I think sand-flies, I got some creams what didn’t help so now he want to take a sample on Friday afternoon.

I though to do something else then rest but ok, that’s live.

Party time

It was Sunday afternoon, friends of my parents ask Tony to come over for his birthday party to celebrate it there. He knows that he get dinner with some people from the Dutch group, but never new what my mother arranged.
She and a colleague of my father where busy for weeks to organize the party, invitations, food, drinks, chairs, tables, tent, DJ. We where suspect to come around 2pm, Tony was very surprised that there where +/- 100 people. Even the old prime minister came for the party, well Tony I know you have a lot of friends but I didn’t expect this. Tony with all the lady's

My parents Dutch friends ask the people to give him money and told Tony;” Get your ass to Cuba”. He promised my mom already a few years to visit the Island. The excuse he had; no money. Well there is no excuse anymore after this party so “Get you ass to Cuba”

Friday afternoon

After a few days is time to write something. My Dutch friends are already spoiled because I send them already an email.

My parents house

Yesterday Constance came over to my parent’s house; the lady is around 82 years and stayed overnight. Her daughter Ginny came from the States to visit her mom with Christmas. Constance is living in Cayo a two hour drive while my parents life 20 minutes from the international airport in Belize.

Playground with Carribean Sea in the background

We chat a lot and start later the game Kolonisten from Catan. Other thing was that I moved to a smaller room for the night, so no internet connection. It’s not bad for a few days; I must enjoy my time and want to visit Ingrid next week in Hopkins. I don’t expect a phone call from the Embassy and other wise I can always drive or fly back quickly.
I know that Croc (a good friend from Ingrid) wants to visit Tobacco Caye next week, I have some information on my website but I never bin there.

The last few days I start always with a Dutch radio program named Somertijd, I like the program very much and try always to listening.
In the afternoon its time to help my mom to get the drinks for the weekend, my father has his 70th birthday and he expect a few friends from the Dutch group over here.

That is love (including update)

Crack of dawn in the poring rain only to told to come back later.

Nice start to begin with but here is the whole story.
Yesterday My mom was so kind to drive with me around, so I have my medical record complete.
After dinner time and a nap it was time to fill in the paperwork, well I can tell you that this can mine profession later on. I don’t count anymore but for one thing it’s good, my memory. Questions like; where did you live and work the last 10 years. Don’t forget my educations.
Still it take three hours but ok, I was just finished for The Daily Show with John Stewart. For the people in the Netherlands, this is a talk show during the week and I like it very much. Lenore tried to get tickets last August when we visit New York, to see the show live.

This morning I was standing in line for the Embassy around 6.45am will the office get open at 8am. There where 9 people in front of me and later there where some people with an appointment. The Belizeans who came exactly for a Visitor Visa should thought what that white guy is doing here so early. I refuse the umbrella from my mom but oeps it starts to rain, I have a light jacket with me so that was easy. In front of me there was a lady who had an umbrella, so I stand close to her. The Security check opens and I got closer where the sign was, Visitors Visa between 8-10am and Immigration Visa between 1-3.30pm. Damn I’m too early, it was my time to get in the small building and talk to the friendly guys. The best time to get back is around 12.
I called my mom while is walking, along the boulevard where all the busses where waiting for the tourists what should come from the two cruise ships. I can’t complain, walking in the Carribean with a little rain while the sun tries to get through the clouds.

Here is the update, all the papers where alright, the only thing what we missing is the Police Record. I think this must be Murphy’s Law.
The ladies from the Embassy were at least friendly, and ask her colleague in the Netherlands if she send it already. Mmm I try to call the same lady tomorrow and see what happens. Or must I call my government if they can do it quicker. Please can I see with Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phone call

This morning at 8am sharp the Embassy called me, if I can pickup the papers.
My mom and I drove downtown, I went inside while she was waiting. There where a lot of people waiting but lucky me that I had the name from the nice woman. Next stop for pass photo’s, with a small digital camera he make the right shot for the 2 by 2 inches photo. At the time I get out there was a police man writing a parking ticket for the car who was parking behind us. Damn, my mom told me to drive so I have that ticket. Cost BZ$ 25,-

After paying the bill at the office we went to Doctor Mendez; she was on the list from the Embassy. She gives me the note for the blood test and the X-ray. The blood test was done in a few minutes and I can pickup the results in an hour. Next stop X-ray, there where a lot of people waiting. I get an appointment for 12.30pm.
Between the hectic, my mom and I have time to stop at Neal’s house. He’s an old drive from my dad who had a big car crash 9 years ago. He’s still not the same but I visit him every time when I’m in Belize.

Arriving Belize

After a long trip I arrived in Belize.
I had a great birthday party, after two hours of sleep it was time to travel to Düsseldorf in Germany. It was also the first time in my life that I flied first class; well it was my birthday why not.
Don’t get use to it, they spoiled me on the trip to Cancun. After a taxi ride to Playa Del Carmen it was time to travel by bus during the night. I slept almost the whole time so that was perfect.
I arrived in Chetumal on the border of Mexico/Belize and get contact with a German guy named Michael. Very nice person and we decide to travel together, our destination Belize City where I drop him on the bus later. Our language was a mix between Dutch, German and English.
Arriving at Park Avenue was really easy, the bus stopped almost in front of the street where my mom was waiting with her dogs Spot and Slimpy. After a couple of Heinekens and Red wine it was time for me to take a quick nap. My mom and Michael went around Belize City and later on it was time to drop him on the bus to Dangriga where he want to stay a few days.
In the evening, after finishing my email to my Dutch friends it was time for dinner at the Old Belize Restaurant. My dads favorite place; good food and not far away. I was so tired afterwards that I went directly to bed and just get up at 8am the next morning. In the morning it was time to talk with Lenore and take a shower. I went with my dad to Universal Health Service where I met his colleagues again.

Busy week

Thinks are going quicker then I thought.
Monday morning, Gertie came to help me with the boxes what I should send to Oakland; we took them to the transport station and went for lunch. Gertie went home while I visit some wholesalers, and took a toilet seat with me for Danny and Isabel. I had also an appointment with Eveline who cut my hair; now I’m looking the same as at the pictures. In the evening it was time to drive first to the supermarket and later to Danny. Cheese fondue was on the menu before we start playing Kolonisten and of course I install the toilet seat.
Today it was hurry up, first to Merten. It’s a company who makes switches and domotica (intelligent switching). I get a course about the domitica; he tuned the program on my computer and showed me what I can do. In the afternoon it was time to visit the Electra Expo, talked with a lot of manufacturers. Then a birthday party from Monique, I was so tired that I went home in 40 minutes.
Now it’s time to jump in my bed.

Last Sunday here

Sound a little strange but
Friday was the last day on the office,
Saturday was the last day that I was working in Gerco and Judith’s house,
Saturday was also the last Sinterklaas party in the Netherlands with my friends,
Sunday is the first day of the week (last week) in this house.

We have a few problems with my papers, the consulate in Amsterdam need some papers even if we posted it already a few times before to the State of California / Federal Government. Other thing is that I have my ticket to Mexico next Saturday so I can travel to Belize by bus where I accely must go to the Embassy.

Anyway, I don’t want to think about this and had yesterday a perfect Sinterklaas evening with some of my friends. Everybody took a name few months ago, problem for me was that I got Yannick´s wife Hester. I know that she’s a very nice lady; she’s creative and likes Rosé. I ask Karin what to buy because I didn’t have any idea. So Wednesday night I went downtown for shopping, before I could buy anything for her I saw an apple store. Oeps I have buy some connection wires for my I-pod. But finally I found a store with nice candles and a bowl, me and another guy where standing next to each other for 20 minutes to get the best results. Pfff the present is ok but now the difficult things, make a surprise and a poem. Well lucky me that I went to Gerco and Judith so they came up with some more idea and make both on Saturday afternoon before I went to party.

Sam

I was a really good party; first the two kids start to pack out their presents. Luka and Sam where busy with it. After 15 minutes to go around with the presents and the surprise.

Karin draw me and had a really good poem about me, you good see that she is one of the people who’s following the Blog every day. The nice thing I got was a towel and some work gloves for my hot tub. Karin got a really good poem about her trip to Kenya but of course every poem and present where top.

It’s time to take a shower and pick up Marloes and Vincent; I think this is the hard part of the week or better from the several years. Say your kid’s goodbye and hoping that they visit us soon in the US. Marloes traveled already a few times with the plane but Vincent did it only one time when he was a baby. They can come on the direct flight with KLM.
I want to make a nice day from them and buy some presents today and stop at the Greek restaurant for dinner.
I hope I get the time this week to see them more and hopefully also on my party on Friday night.

Oeps, I'm think that I was dreaming. Yannick was the person behind my surprise.
Thanks Karin that you nothis.