The Golden State


Hello everyone, here we are in California. We're still unpacking and my mind is trying to adjust. We are fine, still no routine until the children start school.


1. The road trip. It was beautiful driving along the Oregon coast. I would have rather moving there but I don't think there are tech companies for "el gringo".

2. Cali. Once in California, we stayed with cousins in San Rafael. The truck with our things arrived a couple of days later. The moving day was very intense, boxes, boxes and more boxes. "I don't want more boxes, take them home with you, please", but the movers weren't interested.
I truly thought we had a few things but I was wrong and now I feel like a hoarder even if I'm not one. Although, my husband thinks I have a tendency because I buy too much shampoo. I guess I'll start washing my hair with soap.
This move made me think that we really have too many things, and that's a shame because you don't need all this junk in your life.
Before leaving WA, I donated around ten bags of things to Goodwill and now we have five or so more.
GET RID OF THINGS NOW AND STOP BUYING MORE.

3. The house. We left a hill to come to another one but this is quite a hill. God bless automatic cars because if I had to drive a manual one like I used to, I would have a stroke at the top of the Stop sign two blocks before getting home. A STOP SIGN AT THE TOP OF THE FREAKING HILL!!! Who does something like that?
After the adventure on the hill, you arrive to a lovely pink house on Euclid Ave.  I'm very happy to live on a street with an actual name instead of a number (155th Ave NE, SE, etc.)
The house is old like most of the houses in the area. It smells old too. Cedar blocks are my best friends now, I put them in every cabinet and drawer.
For an old Berkeley house, this one is very nice. It has a garage, a backyard, spacious rooms, nice details and a view... THE VIEW, ladies and gentlemen is beautiful. Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, San Francisco, Marin.
The only complains I have are: a) The master bathroom is tiny. We call it the porta potty and the shower is as big as a coffin. b) The house was filthy, especially the kitchen. We spent a lot of our time and energy cleaning the dirty place.

4. People. They are genuinely nice and open. However, when this same nice people get in their cars they change. They're very unfriendly on the road. "I need to change lanes, damn it! Let me go" and they won't and then, you found the opportunity but the guy behind you honks and raises his hands, and I don't care.
Atención: This is Latino land! I feel like at home which is nice. I had a talk with the kids that now they have to be careful with what they say. We don't have a secret language anymore.

5. Driving. I was used to go down the hill at 40mph, now is 20mph. Local streets 25 mph, and you must drive at 25 mph, because there are radars and policemen behind trees or bushes ready to give you a ticket. I drive a bit nervous because of the crazy drivers, the speed, the pedestrians, the cops... I'm driving in a city now.

6. Job. I have a job at the same school where I used to teach before we left. It's going to be three classes in the second semester. I'm happy because it's a good way to start.


I'll have to start another blog with a different title now that we have moved. I'll think about a good one. I'm open to suggestions.