Ellen In Amerika!"MY EMIGRATION TO AMERICA AND MY ADJUSTMENT TO LIFE IN CALIFORNIA SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008"

What a privilege to live here in Southern California. The weather is gorgeous, the flowers smell delicious and finally we can wear light clothes

Yesterday I worked at the local hospital and it was busy! My goodness, so many codes to handle. It went well. I thought I had the split shift, but, my mistake, I did not check the new schedule, and I came in at 9.00 AM. My colleague asked what was wrong with me, to come in 1 1/2 hour too early. Then I found out I had to work from 10.30 AM till 7.00 PM. I called Dan and we decided to do the groceries right away. Back home, we had a cup of coffee, and then I went off again. The day did not go by fast, so that was a bit of a bummer.

Most colleagues have an Ipod and one of them told us that CNN came with the devastating breaking news, that the the the “top kill” method, to pump mud into the pipeline, to plug the leak, failed. There was just to much flow, said one of the top men of BP. The reports on TV and Internet about this horrible, horrible disaster, are incredible. This is so bad for Louisiana and the other states. Nature will be destroyed there for decades. I read it will take at least 2 months before this might come to an end.

After work Dan picked me up, and we went to a shoe store. He needed new sneakers, and my black high heels were so worn out. I need new ones! That is such a hard job, to buy black shoes.  Here the high heels are really high heels. It took me a while, but I did find some nice ones with not too high heels.  They come in the correct width, and that my toes really appreciate

At home, we finally started to watch the “America, the story about us”. I wrote about this History Channel series some time ago. It was very interesting. The episode we watched was about the American Civil War. What a turnaround that war has been for this country. Not only it was that the slaves became free men, but the industrialization changed the nation into another stage. Lincoln was a very smart and clear thinking man. I hope we will watch tonight another episode.

Today, I was up early again. I had to work at the other hospital in the city nearby.  Dan was so sweet to take me to the hospital at 6.30 in the morning! The drive was fun. It is a nice area, and we always have things to talk about. Overall, work went well. It was at times very quiet, which I do not like.  In my break, I went to the courtyard again, and sat for half an hour in a nice warm sun with a light wind. It really felt as if I was in a hotel. I only missed my glass of Margarita!!

At home, I took a little nap, and then Dan grilled some hamburgers with grilled buns and that tasted delicious. We had brocolli and baked potatoes with it. It was nice summer meal, with a beautiful sunset and so many birds singing. As I said above, it is a privilege to live here!

While I was at my work, Annet, our Dutch friend came by and brought some Roman lettuce from her neighbor’s garden. Dan and she discussed going hiking tomorrow on Memorial Day. After dinner I called her, and we will pursue that plan. Tomorrow at 11.00 AM, she and Steve will come to our house and drink a cup of Senseo coffee and then we will drive to the mountains near Santa Paula for a few hours of hiking. I very much look forward to it. I will make pictures and post them as soon as possible!