tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46123297194772297092024-03-12T18:35:13.456-08:00Das Amerika AbenteuerUnsere Erlebnisse für alle, die mitfiebern und die es interessiert, wie es uns ergeht!
Aber auch ein "Diary", damit wir uns später an die vielen Ereignisse dieses Abenteuers auch erinnern!
P.S. Wir leben seit dem 27. Mai 2007 in South California (SoCal)Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.comBlogger780125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-31299072896099518942012-08-05T10:11:00.003-08:002012-08-05T10:15:50.512-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Die Statistik zeigt, dass noch jeden Tag recht viele Leute auf diesen Blog schauen, zudem haben wir doch schon einige Emails und Kommentare von Lesern erhalten, die bedauern, dass das Amerika Abenteuer nun zu Ende ist.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Solltest Du zu diesen Leute gehoeren oder einfach nur interessiert daran sein, wie es uns geht, dann schau doch einfach mal hier: <a href="http://everydayinoc.wordpress.com/">Everyday in OC</a></span></i><br />
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The statistics are showing that there are still quite some people checking out this blog daily. We also got a lot of emails and comments from former readers who are sad that the American Adventure is over.<br />
If you are one of them or you are just interested in how we are doing now, you might want to check this out: <a href="http://everydayinoc.wordpress.com/">Everyday in OC</a><br />
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<br /></div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-76944547271037685142012-07-04T19:10:00.003-08:002012-07-04T19:10:23.827-08:00Goodbye & Auf Wiedersehen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<em><span style="color: blue;">I thought about it for a while before I made up my mind that the achievement of the American Citizenship, and therefore for us the dual citizenship, is the best point in time to close the American Adventure. And what day would fit better than the 4th of July - Independence Day?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: blue;">Obviously this adventure is not over, but I am not going to write about it anymore on the internet. If you would like to stay in touch and see how we are doing, please use the email address you'll find on the right side. I will be more than happy to write back to whoever might take this opportunity.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: blue;">A big Thank you to all our readers, it was a real pleasure having you!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: blue;">I am going to miss writing this blog, it has been a great part of my life over the last 6 years and I had a lot of fun keeping up with it. But now it's time to move on - this is our life, we don't discover too much new stuff anymore on a day to day base, therefore we don't have anything really interesting to write about!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you again and be safe!</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><em>I would like to close with my favorite quote of all times:</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!"</strong></span> (Ferris Bueller)</div>
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Ich habe schon eine ganze Weile darueber nachgedacht bevor ich zu dem Ergebnis gekommen bin, dass der Erhalt der Amerikanischen Staatsbuergerschaft (und fuer uns ja sogar die Doppelte Staatsbuergerschaft) der perfekte Zeitpunkt ist, das Amerika Abenteuer zu beenden. Und der 4. Juli, der Amerikanische Unabhaengigkeitstag, passt doch auch wie die Faust auf's Auge.</div>
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Naja, zu Ende ist das Amerika Abenteuer fuer uns natuerlich nicht, aber ich werde darueber nicht mehr im Internet schreiben. Solltest Du / Ihr mit mir / uns im Kontakt bleiben wollen, dann findest Du / Ihr unsere Email Adresse an der rechten Seite. Ich wuerde mich freuen und ich verspreche, allen zu antworten. Also wer immer die Gelegenheit ergreifen moechte, darf mich gern zu seiner "Brieffreundschafsliste" hinzufuegen ;)</div>
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Ein ganz dickes Dankeschoen an all unsere Leser, es war toll, das Du / Ihr uns begleitet hast / habt.</div>
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Ich werde den Blog sehr vermissen, immerhin war er ueber 6 Jahre ein grosser Teil meines / unseres Lebens und ich hatte immer sehr viel Spass daran, ihn auf dem Laufenden zu halten. Aber nun ist der richtige Zeitpunkt um zu schliessen - das ist unser Leben, wir erleben im taeglichen Leben nicht mehr wirklich soviel Aufregendes, worueber es sich zu berichten lohnt.</div>
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Nochmals vielen Dank an Euch da draussen!</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Herbert und Tanja mit Shiloh + Dago </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">(im ewigen Gedenken an unsere Auswanderpartnerin Kinna von Ducati!)</span></b></h3>
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Ich feiere meinen ersten 4. Juli als Amerikanischer Staatsbuerger ein bisschen frueh und auf meine ganz eigene Art ;)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Celebrating the first 4th of July as American Citizen a little bit early and in my own special way ;)</i></span><br />
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-66760970844756449842012-07-02T14:22:00.001-08:002012-07-02T14:22:58.387-08:00Photo contest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bereits Ende letzten Jahres kam unser oberster Chef auf die Idee, einen Foto-Wettbewerb zu veranstalten. Er wollte die Konferenz Raeume, welche nach hiesigen Straenden benannt sind, mit unseren Fotos dekorieren. Ich habe natuerlich das ein oder andere Bild eingereicht. Die Fotos wurde anonym, in einem fuer alle zugaenglichen Bereich, ausgehaengt. Ueber einen Monat lang hatte jeder die Moeglichkeit, fuer seine Lieblingsfotos zu voten.<br />
Ich fand die Idee klasse, auf diese Weise mal zu erfahren, ob auch anderen meine Bilder gefallen, oder ob sie eher in der Masse untergehen. Einmal hoerte ich, wie einige Kollegen sich im Aufenthaltsraum sehr positiv ueber eines meiner Fotos unterhielten - klasse Gefuehl. Ich bekam aber auch Kritik, mit der ich auch gut leben kann. <br />
Heute nun bekamen wir die Ergebnisse und ich bin schon stolz darauf, das sechs meiner Bilder ausgewaehlt wurden. Diese werden nun vergroessert und mit Namenspaletten versehen in den entsprechenden Konferenzraeumen aufgehaengt. Das beste daran - Paychex hat mir die Fotos fuer $ 400 abgekauft. Woohoo!<br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Already at the end of last year our Branch Manager came up with the idea to decorate our conference rooms, which are all named after local beaches. He organized a photo contest and I submitted some pictures. For over a month the photos where shown in a public area in the office and everybody was able to vote for their favorite once. The pictures were presented anonymously and I really liked the idea of getting some feedback just based on the picture. At one point I overheard a few people talking in the break room about one of my photography's. They all had so many positive things to say - that was a great feeling. But I also got some critic which I was fine with as well. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Today now we got the results of the contest and I am very pleased with the results 'cause six of my photos got selected. They will now get furnished with a name plate and be presented in the specific conference room. The best part - Paychex bought the pictures for $ 400 Dollar from me</span>. <span style="color: blue;">Woohoo!</span></em><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>I don't see myself as a photographer - I just love to take pictures.</i></span></div>
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Ich bin kein Fotograf - ich liebe es einfach nur, Fotos zu machen.</div>
</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-50145453711692831292012-07-01T18:23:00.003-08:002012-07-01T18:23:58.442-08:00Tanja alone in O.C.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>I expected the weekend to be more settled due to the fact that I couldn't spend it with my best friend! But actually the two and a half days where well packed with fun things and great people.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Early Friday morning Herbert left for Germany and I dropped him off at the airport.</i></span><br />
Ich hatte erwartet, dass das Wochenende ganz ruhig und eher langweilig wird, da ich es nicht mit meinem besten Freund verbringen konnte.<br />
Aber eigentlich vergingen die zweieinhalb Tage wie im Fluge, da doch so einiges aufkam.<br />
Am frueher Freitagmorgen ging Herberts Flug nach Deutschland und ich habe ihn zum Flughafen gefahren.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The dogs and I had a great walk later that day, Shiloh even thought she should go and catch a squirrel. But it was the squirrels lucky day 'cause she was on leash.... ;) </span></i></div>
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Am Nachmittag bin ich mit den Hunden spazierengegangen und Shiloh haette zu gern das Erdhoernchen gejagt, doch sie war natuerlich angeleint - was fuer ein gluecklicher Tag fuer das Erdhoernchen.....</div>
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Der Abend war dann doch ein wenig langweilig und ich hatte mich entschlossen, die laengs ueberfaellige Buegelwaesche draussen zu buegeln, waehrend ich mir "Goodbye Deutschland" uebers Internet angeschaut habe. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>The evening was kind of boring so I decided to do the long overdue ironing outside while I was watching some German tv show. </i></span></div>
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Am Samstagmorgen musste ich einige Besorgungen machen und habe mich dann noch selber mit einem leckeren Fruchtshake verwoehnt. Genau in der Sekunde, als ich wieder zu Hause vor die Garage fuhr, kam eine alte Freundin vorbei, die ich schon ueber drei Jahre nicht gesehen hatte. Es hat viel Spass gemacht, herauszufinden, wie unser beider Leben in den letzten Jahren verlaufen ist. Den Nachmittag spazierte ich dann mit Flo und Janina am Strand entlang bevor es zum Abendessen in mein Lieblings-Sushi-Restaurant ging. </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">On Saturday morning I had to run some errands and treated myself with a smoothie. The minute I arrived home an old friend, I haven't seen for over three years, came to visit me. It was so much fun to play catch up on each others life. As soon as this friend left Janina and Flo arrived and we went for a nice walk at the beach before we had dinner at my favorite sushi place. </span></i></div>
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Am Sonntag war ich zu <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__TUvdDRaJ2A/TG7w4ZBcpCI/AAAAAAAAH-E/6h4nvbOqWXA/s1600/lillian+2+months.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Lilian</span></a>'s Zweijaehriger-Geburtstagsparty eingeladen. Es war klasse zu sehen, wie gross sie schon ist und wieviel Spass sie in der Huepfburg hatte...... Eine Schande ist, das ich ihren 6 Monate alten Bruder Julian heute das erste Mal getroffen habe.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sunday was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__TUvdDRaJ2A/TG7w4ZBcpCI/AAAAAAAAH-E/6h4nvbOqWXA/s1600/lillian+2+months.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Lilian</span></a>'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">s two year birthday party. It was fun to see how big she already is and how much fun she had in the bouncing house..... Shame on me - I met her little 6 month brother Julian for the very first time! </span></i></div>
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Am spaeten Nachmittag ging ich mit den grossen Hunden spazieren und spielte mit den Kleinen (Gasthunden) im Garten Ball. Als sich alle endlich fuer ein kleines Nickerchen in die Sonne gelegt hatten, habe ich nicht eine Sekunde gezoegert und mich zu ihnen gesellt...... ;) </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Back at the house I went for a walk with the big dogs and played ball in the backyard with the three little once we do have right now. Finally all of them where ready to take a nap in the sun and didn't hesitate a second to join them.... ;) </i></span></div>
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Ich kann den 4. Juli (kommenden Mittwoch) kaum erwarten - nicht nur, weil das hier ein Feiertag ist und ich somit frei habe. Es ist auch der Tag, an dem mein Mann wiederkommt und der ersten Amerikanische Unabhaengigkeitstag, den wir als Amerikanische Staatsbuerger feiern werden ;)</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Can't wait for the 4th of July (coming up Wednesday) to come - not just because it's a national holiday and I will have the day off. It's actually the day my hubby is coming back and it will be the first Independence Day we are going to celebrate as American Citizens :) </span></i></div>
</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-50941404555483610972012-06-29T18:17:00.000-08:002012-06-29T18:17:46.850-08:00Life is like a box of chocolate.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
....you never know what you're gonna get (Forrest Gump).<br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">Certain circumstances have driven us to the decision that Herbert has to go to Germany for a couple of days. And not only because of his business (the next couple of month are going to be the busiest time in the dog hotel) he had to go now. Well the only problem we had was that we had to give up our Green Cards during the Oath Ceremony - the only travel document that would have allowed us to reenter the States after being outside the country. Yes, we got our certificate but this document is nothing any Immigration Officer at the airport would accept. The normal procedure to get the US passport, with which we would be able again to reenter the US after being out of country, will take between four to six weeks.( I applied for my US passport right after the Oath Ceremony.)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Well we found out that you get a passport way quicker if you have kind of an emergency . Herbert made in appointment for Thursday morning, the day after we became citizen, at the Passport Agency in Los Angeles. The only thing Herbert had to bring was an airline ticket, showing that he wants to travel within the next couple of days. So on Monday (two days before we became US citizens) we booked his flight for Friday (two days after we became US citizens), not knowing if this is going to work out. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">On Wednesday, as you know, we became US Citizens. This should have been a great day for us but we still felt distressed not knowing if Herbert would be able to get a passport in time.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">On Thursday morning my husband went to Los Angeles again. The officers in the Passport Agency have been pretty understandable and he got his passport a little bit over 8 hours later - woohoo. So on Friday morning I drove my husband to the airport in Los Angeles and waved him goodbye. I hope he'll have a great time and will bring back some great memories and some goodies ;)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">The dogs and I miss him already very much...... </span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;">Gewisse Vorkommnisse haben uns dazu beworgen, dass Herbert fuer einige Tage nach Deutschland fliegt. Und nicht nur wegen seinem Business (ueber die naechsten Monate ist das Hundehotel absolut ausgebucht) musste er JETZT fliegen. Das einzige Problem das wir hatten war, dass wir unsere Green Cards bei der Einschwoerung abgeben mussten. Die Green Cards waren unser einziger Beweis, das wir legal in den USA leben und arbeiten. Wir bekamen zwar eine Zertifikat bei der Zeremonie, doch dieses wird nicht von den Grenzbeamten als Einreisedokument anerkannt. Einen Amerikanischen Pass zu bekommen, dauert zwischen zwei und sechs Wochen. Durch ein wenig Nachforschung haben wir dann herausgefunden, dass es eine Moeglichkeit gibt, einen </span>"Notfall-Ausweis" zu bekommen. Also hat Herbert fuer Donnerstagmorgen einen Termin bei der Ausweisagentur in Los Angeles gemacht. Als Beweis, dass er den Ausweis sofort benoetigt, musste er ein Flugticket vorlegen. So buchten wir am Montagabend (zwei Tage bevor wir Amerikanische Staatsbuerger wurden) einen Flug fuer Freitagmorgen (zwei Tage nachdem wir Amerikanische Staatsbuerger wurden) - nicht wissend, ob Herbert bis dahin auch tatsaechlich ein Reisedokument in Haenden halten wuerde.<br />
Am Mittwoch wurden wir also als Amerikanische Staatsbuerger eingeschworen. Das sollte eigentlich ein schoener Tag fuer uns sein, doch da wir zu dem Zeitpunkt noch nicht wussten, ob das mit dem Ausweis klappt, waren wir recht nervoes. Am Donnerstagmorgen ging es dann in die Ausweisbehoerde. Dort war man sehr verstaendnisvoll und in etwas mehr als 8 Stunden hatte Herbert seinen Amerikanischen Reisepass und war in der Lage, den Flug am Freitag anzutreten. <br />
Ich hoffe, er wird eine gute Zeit in Deutschland haben und bringt viele schoene Erinnerungen und auch einige Naschereien mit ;)<br />
Die Hunde und ich vermissen ihn schon jetzt ganz doll!<br />
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-52493353479160644522012-06-27T19:10:00.000-08:002012-06-27T19:10:46.979-08:00Proud to be an American<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Heute war der Tag - ein Tag, den man(n) nur einmal im Leben erlebt, wenn ueberhaupt! Wir wurden Amerikanische Staatsbuerger.<br />
Wir verliessen das Haus um 5:45 Uhr und wegen dem enormen Verkehr, der hier zu jeder Tages- und Nachtzeit herrscht, waren wir um 7:00 Uhr im Civic Center in Los Angeles. Unsere groesste Angst war, dass Herbert und ich an verschiedenen Zeremonien teilnehmen muessten. Aber gluecklicherweise war es letztendlich kein Problem uns beide in die 9:00 Uhr Veranstaltung zu bekommen.<br />
Wir waren bereits registriert, hatten nochmal geschworen, dass wir das Land im Notfall verteitigen wuerden etc. und sassen abwartend um 7:30 Uhr auf unseren Plaetzen. Leider riss der Strom der hereinkommenden Menschen bis 8:59 Uhr nicht ab, aber dann konnte es endlich losgehen. Um 9:00 Uhr betrat der Richter den Saal und begruesste alle 4485 Bewerber und deren Gaeste. Alle Anwaerter (der aelteste war 102 (!) ) mussten den Fahneneid nachsprechen, den der Richter vorlas. Der President der Vereinigten Staaten, Barack Obama, gratulierte mit einer Videobotschaft und irgendeine Frau, die ich nicht kannte, sang die Nationalhymne. Das ganze Prozedere dauerte nur so 20 Minuten. Danach kamen die Beamten und forderten Reihe bei Reihe auf, sich die Einbuergerungs Urkunde abzuholen und die Green Cards abzugeben.<br />
Gegen 11:00 Uhr sassen wir wieder in unserem Auto und waren auf dem Weg nach Orange County - dieses Mal als Amerikanische Staatsbuerger!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Today was the day - a once in a lifetime day! We had become American citizens.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>We left the house at 5:45 am and because of traffic we arrived at the Civic Center in Los Angeles at 7:00 am. Our biggest concern was that Herbert and I would have to attend different ceremonies but lucky us it wasn't a problem to get both of us into the 9:00 am procedure.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>We were already registered and ready to move on at 7:30 am but until 8:59 am people were still on different windows to register. Finally at 9:00 am the Judge entered the room and welcomed all of the 4485 people and their guests. All applicants (the oldest was 102 (!) ) had to repeat the oath of allegiance which was read out by the Judge. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, gave us his "Congratulations" via video and a lady I don't know sang the national anthem. The whole procedure took about 20 minutes. After we had official become United States citizens USCIS officers called each row to go and receive their naturalization certificates and to give up the Green Cards.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Around 11:00 am we were at the car and on our way back to the O.C. - this time as American Citizens!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: small;"><b>Oath of Allegiance</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: small;"><b>I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me God.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Last glance at our Green Cards.</i></span></div>
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Letzter Blick auf die Green Cards.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>This is for sure the right way.</i></span></div>
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Wir sind auf dem richtigen Weg.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>4485 applicants and a lot of observer - when the ceremony started the hall was packed.</i></span></div>
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4485 Bewerber und eine Menge Zuschauer - als die Zeremonie los ging, war die Hall voll bis oben hin!</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The proof - our certificates of naturalizations!</span></i></div>
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Der Beweis - die Einbuergerungsurkunden!</div>
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Freunde und Nachbarn kamen am Abend vorbei, brachten kleine Geschenke und gratulieren!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>A few friends and neighbors came over to celebrate our naturalization with little presents and Champagne...... </i></span></div>
</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-83256815505117214232012-06-24T21:09:00.002-08:002012-06-25T05:52:55.319-08:00Life can be good!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Fuer Freitagabend war ich von meinem Arbeitskollege und Freund, Cejai, zu einem verspaeteten Sushiessen eingeladen. Lecker!!!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>On Friday my coworker and friend Cejai invited me to a belated sushi-dinner. Yummi! </i></span><br />
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Samstag: nachdem die uebliche Hausarbeit erledigt war und wir noch ein paar Erledigungen getaetigt hatten, genoss ich den Nachmittag mit Lesen auf der Terrasse...... Zum Abendessen gab es Steaks und Rippchen vom Grill ;)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Saturday: after running some errands and finishing laundry/housework I enjoyed the afternoon reading a book..... For dinner </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>we had steak and ribs from the BBQ ;)</i></span></div>
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Sonntagmorgen 8:00 Uhr in Orange County, California: Kaffeetrinken auf der Terrasse!<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sunday morning 8:00 am in Orange County, California: Enjoying the first cup of coffee on the patio!</span></i><br />
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Spaeter gingen wir mit den Hunden in den Park und Herbert bat noch zwei Kunden hinzu, die mit einem der beiden Hunde leichte Probleme haben.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Later we went for a walk with the dogs and Herbert invited two clients who have a little trouble with one of their dogs. </i></span></div>
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Abends ging es spontan zu unseren Freunden - wir hatten einige leckere Cocktails und chinesisches Essen soviel viele tolle Gespraeche..... Ein perfekter Abend!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Later on our friends called us over and we had an awesome evening with delicious cocktails and great chinese food as well as good conversation - just a perfect evening</i></span>! </div>
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-17595752793399948912012-06-19T19:04:00.003-08:002012-06-19T19:04:45.863-08:00Officially old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ich musste ueber 30 Jahre lang eine Brille bzw. Kontaktlinsen tragen bevor eine Laser Operation mir half, diese los zu werden. Mein Arzt klaerte mich damals bereits darueber auf, dass ich irgendwann, aufgrund von sogenannter Altersweitsichtigkeit, wieder eine Brille tragen muesste. Und nun, 11 Jahre spaeter, kurz nach meinem zweiundvierzigsten Geburtstag bin ich nun "stolzer" Besitzer meiner ersten Lesebrille. Ich bin nicht wirklich gluecklich darueber, aber ich weiss, ich werde mich schnell wieder ans Brille tragen gewoehnen! </div>
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I was wearing glasses and contacts for over 30 years before a laser surgery helped me to get rid of them. At this time the surgeon told me that I will have to wear glasses at one point again 'cause of presbyopia. And now, 11 years later, I just turned forty-two and it brought reading glasses with it...... not happy about it but I know I will get used to it....again! </div>
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-10245963470807974622012-06-17T11:36:00.003-08:002012-06-17T11:36:35.484-08:00new look<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Couple of weeks ago we decided that's time for some changes ..... and we've started with the kitchen. I'm pretty happy with the outcome - looks so different and pretty to me! </span></i></div>
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Vor einigen Wochen haben wir entschieden, dass es Zeit fuer ein paar Veraenderungen waer ..... und wir haben mit der Kueche angefangen. Mir gefaellt das Ergebnis sehr gut - so anders und doch so schoen!</div>
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<br /></div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-64828514413728456672012-06-14T20:28:00.003-08:002012-06-15T08:04:56.501-08:00Almost there....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Now it's official - Herbert and I will participate the Oath Ceremony at the same day. Unfortunately mine is at 8 am and his at 2 pm. We will see if we get to manage both to attend the same ceremony. If not it's going to be a long day......</span></i><br />
Nun ist es offiziell - Herbert und ich werden am selben Tag eingebuergert. Leider bin ich fuer die Zeremonie um 8:00 Uhr morgens eingeteilt, waehrend Herbert erst um 14:00 Uhr an der Reihe ist. Wir werden sehen, ob wir es noch hindrehen koennen, dass wir beide an ein und der selben Zeremonie die Amerikanische Staatsbuergerschafts-Urkunde ueberreicht bekommen koennen. Andernfalls wird es ein sehr langer Tag fuer uns......</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-19895587196768442252012-06-11T08:33:00.000-08:002012-06-11T16:58:13.219-08:00Simple me / us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Maybe I shouldn't be so erratic but somehow I am, at least sometimes.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I woke up the other day and the thought was in my mind. I want to "un-private" the blog - so I do ;)</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">There is no real reason, as there was no reason why we went "private" in first place.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">It's the final spurt for the "American Adventure" and I will have it available for whoever wants to read it. It's that simple!</span></i><br />
Vielleicht sollte ich nicht so sprunghaft sein, aber manchmal bin ich das halt....<br />
Vor ein paar Tagen bin ich aufgewacht und da war der Gedanke in meinem Kopf. Ich will den Blog wieder "entprivatisieren" - und deshalb tu' ich das jetzt auch :)<br />
Auch jetzt gibt es keinen wirklichen Grund dafuer, genauso wenig, wie es einen Grund gab, als ich ihn privatisierte.<br />
Wir sind auf dem Endspurt mit dem "Amerika Abenteuer" und ich moechte, das jeder ihn lesen kann, der moechte. So einfach ist das!<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I told you before about the coupons you can sign up for. This time we got concert tickets for the O.C. Symphonic Orchestra together with Peter Cetera (do you remember him: If you leave me now...., You're the inspiration...) He is an older guy, formerly singing with "Chicago" and he has a remarkable voice and we really enjoyed the concert! </span></i><br />
Ich habe ja schon mal von den Coupons berichtet, fuer die man sich registrieren lassen kann. Dieses Mal gab es fuer uns Konzerttickets fuer das O.C. Symphonic Orchestra zusammen mit Peter Cetera (erinnert Ihr Euch an den: If you leave me now...., You're the inspiration....). Er ist schon was aelter, frueher hat er bei "Chicago" gesungen und er hat eine Stimme, die man immer wieder erkennt. Das Konzert war super klasse!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>On Saturday was my 25th High School reunion. Unfortunately I couldn't be part of it - just simply because of the costs and other vacation plans we have, later this year. But I called.....and that was so much fun. I talked to some people I haven't spoken in a long, long time. Most exciting for me was the conversation that I had with my former english and history teacher. Mr. Popp had such a big influence in my life. I wasn't a good student in High School, the majority of time I was so bored that I didn't participate in any of the classes. Only Mr. Popp was able to get my attention and he always seemed to understand why I was the way I was...... And believe me, I wasn't easy at that time! Here is a reason why I reopen the Blog - I want Mr. Popp to be able to easily access it so he can see what we have done the last five years! Hello Mr. Popp! ;) </i></span><br />
Am Samstage hatte ich 25jaehriges Klassentreffen, an dem ich leider, aus Kostengruenden und anderen Urlaubsplaene spaeter im Jahr, nicht teilnehmen konnte. Aber ich habe angerufen....und das hat so viel Spass gemacht. Ich habe mit ehemaligen Klassenkameraden gesprochen, von denen ich mache tatsaechlich ueber 25 Jahre nicht mehr gesprochen hatte. Am aufregendsten war allerdings, dass ich mit meinem ehemaligen Englisch und Geschichtslehrer, Herrn Popp, sprechen konnte. Herr Popp hatte grossen Einfluss in mein Leben. Ich war keine sehr gute Schuelerin, meistens war ich so gelangweilt, dass ich im Unterricht nur anwesend war. Nur Herr Popp hat es geschafft, meine Aufmerksamkeit zu bekommen und er hat immer gewusst, mich zu nehmen ..... und glaubt mir, ich war nicht einfach zu haendeln, in der Zeit! Durch das "entprivatisieren" des Blogs moechte ich ihm auch einfachen Zugang zu dem Blog geben, damit er nachlesen kann, was wir in den letzten 5 Jahren so getrieben haben! Hallo Herr Popp!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>On Sunday I woke up to no power at all. It took the guys from the power company over 8 (eight) hours to figure out and fix the issue. BTW - it wasn't just us, the whole block was power-less. Meanwhile we had to improve to get Herbert his three cups of coffee (I have no desire to deal with him if he hasn't had his coffee in the morning - just kidding (kinda):) But I was actually more concerned about the stuff in the freezer and I still have to check on all that food. </i></span><br />
Am Sonntag hatten wir leider keinen Strom, als ich aufwachte. Es hat dann auch ueber 8 (acht) Stunden gedauert, bis die Firma den Fehler gefunden und behoben hat. Uebrigens waren nicht nur wir stromlos, sondern unserer ganzer Haeuserblock. Zwischenzeitlich mussten wir improvisieren, um fuer Herbert Kaffee aufzubruehen (ich habe naemlich wirklich keinen Verlangen, ihn ohne seinen Morgen-Kaffe zu erleben - ich mach nur Spass (naja, zumindest ein bisschen!) :) Besorgter war ich eigentlich um all die Sachen in unserem Gefrierschrank und ich muss noch ueberpruefen, was wir vielleicht wergwerfen muessen.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>However, the rest of the day brought us some pleasure 'cause we went to......DISNEYLAND! We met with Janina and Flo and had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect and the waiting time for the rides wasn't bad at all. </i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Unbelievable, the weekend is already over and I look so much forward to the next one! </i></span><br />
Wie auch immer, der Nachmittag brachte ja dann doch noch ein bisschen Freude in den Sonntag.....es ging rueber ins DISNEYLAND. Wir haben uns mit Janina und Flo getroffen und hatten eine Menge Spass! Das Wetter war super und die Wartezeiten fuer die verschiedenen Attraktionen waren auch nicht zu lang.<br />
Unglaublich dass das Wochenende schon wieder vorbei ist. Ich freu mich schon auf's kommende!<br />
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-52137531653444046232012-06-06T18:33:00.000-08:002012-06-06T18:33:14.476-08:00Gartenmoebel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Am Montag kamen unsere Terrassenmoebel, die wir online bestellt hatten. Sie sind super leicht und sehen klasse aus und wir sind richtig gluecklich, dass wir uns fuer uns zu diesem Kauf entschlossen haben.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">On Monday we got our new patio furniture that we ordered online. It's super light and looks great - therefore we are pretty happy with our purchase. </span></i></div>
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-57941531480851326272012-06-06T06:08:00.000-08:002012-06-06T06:08:32.968-08:00Adopt me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Am vergangenen Wochenende fand im Irvine Tierheim die jaehrliche Tieradoptions-Messe statt. Fuer mich war es das allererste Mal in meinem Leben, dass ich ein Tierheim betreten habe. Und es war wie befuerchtet: ich haette jedes Tier mitnehmen koennen. Als wir dann auch noch eine 9 monate junge Langhaar-Schaeferhuendin mit starken Hueftproblemen "fanden", entschied mein Mann, dass wir gehen muessten, da er mein Betteln und Bitten ansonsten nicht mehr viel laenger ertragen bzw. standhalten koennte ;)</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Last weekend the Irvine animal shelter invited to their sixth annual pet adoption fair. For me it was the very first time that I went to an animal shelter and it was as expected: I wanted to take every single animal home..... The last one we stopped at was a nine month old long coated German Shepherd - I guess my husband couldn't take my begging anymore. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-9036779888058093442012-06-04T18:24:00.000-08:002012-06-04T19:12:16.747-08:00Citizenship Test - check<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Leider hatten Herbert und ich unterschiedliche Termine fuer unser Staatsbuergerschafts Interview erhalten. Ich habe versucht, die Termine auf einen Tag zu verlegen, doch das schien irgendwie unmoeglich (oder die Ladies an der Hotline hatten so gar keinen Bock). Mir war aber natuerlich klar, dass ich Herbert am Tag seines Interviews begleiten werde, um ihm seelische Unterstuetzung zu geben (die er natuerlich gar nicht benoetigte). Waehrend wir am 21. Mai um 10:35 Uhr im Warteraum warteten, nutzte ich die Chance und hab mal am Empfang nachgefragt, ob es eine Moeglichkeit gaebe, mein Interview ebenfalls auf den heutigen Tag zu verlegen. Die Damen waren sehr hilfsbereit und wenn meine Akte bereits im Office gewesen waere, dann haetten sie mich auch noch dran genommen. So musste ich leider doch noch zwei Wochen bis zu meinem Termin warten.<br />
Nachdem man Herbert nach hinten in das Buero gerufen hatte, dauerte es man gerade 20 Minuten bevor er, mit einem Grinsen auf dem Gesicht, wieder rauskam. "Sechs von sechs" war alles, was er sagte ;) Die Beamten stellen jedem Bewerber 10 von 100 Fragen, von denen man sechs richtig beantworten muss. Sollte man bereits die ersten sechs richtig beantwortet haben, werden die uebrigen vier nicht mehr gestellt. Man muss dann noch einen Satz schreiben und normalerweise auch einen Satz laut vorlesen, was aber bei Herbert's Interview gleich mal weggelassen wurde.<br />
Mein Interview war dann fuer heute, 4. Juni, angesetzt. Auch ich habe alle sechs Fragen sowie meinen Schreib- und Lesetest ohne Probleme gemeistert und meine Annahme der amerikanischen Staatsbuergerschaft wurde befuerwortet.<br />
Nun hoffen wir ganz feste, dass meine Einschwoerung am selben Tag wie Herbert's stattfindet.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Unfortunately Herbert and I got different appointments for our citizenship interviews. We tried via phone to reschedule but that seemed to be impossible. It was clear to me that I will go with Herbert for his appointment to support him. But while we were waiting in the sitting area, on 05/21 at 10:35 am, I decided to ask if there is any chance to switch my appointment to today. The ladies were very helpful but unfortunately my file wasn't in the office yet and so that's why I had to come back on my actual appointment day, two weeks later. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">After they called Herbert to come to the back it took only 20 minutes before he came back out with a smile on his face. "Six out of six" was all he said ;) The officers will ask every applicant 10 questions out of 100 and you have to answer six correct to pass the test, if you've answered the first six questions correct they are not going to ask you the others anymore. The officer also will let you write a sentence and normally you'll have to read as well but they've skipped the reading part during Herbert's interview. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">My interview was now scheduled for today, 06/04/2012. I had also no trouble with the questions nor the writing or reading part and my application has been recommended for approval. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The only thing we are hoping for now is that they will schedule me for the same Oath ceremony Herbert is already scheduled for. </span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Todays' questions for Tanja:</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">What does the President's Cabinet do?</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">How many justices are on the Supreme Court?</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">What did the Declaration of Independence do?</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Name one branch or part of the government.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Writing part: Columbus Day is in October.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Reading part: What day do we celebrate Columbus Day? </span></i><br />
</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-17320621544745048642012-06-01T06:20:00.001-08:002012-06-01T06:20:55.891-08:00Last day in Chicago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Da unser Flieger erst am Sonntagabend ging hatten wir ueber Tag noch Zeit eine Boots-Tour durch die Stadt, die aehnlich wie Hamburg mit Wasserstrassen durchzogen ist, zu machen. Fuer uns eindeutig ein Highlight der Reise und sehr empfehlenswert. </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Our flight back to the O.C. was scheduled for Sunday evening so we were able to spend the day, among other things, with an architecture boat tour which I absolutely recommend 'cause it's a great way to see and hear about Chicago. </span></i></div>
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Bevor es zum Flughafen ging mussten wir noch im Millennium Park vorbei. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Before we drove to the Airport we had to visit the Millennium Park.</span> </div>
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Hier seht Ihr, wie mein Mann ein Foto von unserem Spielbild in der "Cloud Gate" aufnimmt ;)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Hubby taking a picture of our reflection in the "Cloud Gate". </i></span></div>
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Es war super heiss und die Leute genossen die Wasserspiele im Park..... </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Well it was pretty hot and people were enjoying the fountains in the park......</i></span></div>
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Unser Flugzeug landete um 21:00 Uhr in Orange County. Montagmorgen, auch hier ein Feiertag (Memorial Day), holten wir die Hunde ab und genossen den letzten Tag unseres Urlaubs als "Familie" ;)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Our plane landed at 9 pm in Orange County. On Monday morning, Memorial Day and therefore a holiday, we picked up the dogs and ended our vacation with a nice family day ;) </i></span></div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-25439254325831878412012-05-30T17:54:00.000-08:002012-05-30T17:54:15.903-08:00Field Museum und Chicago Umland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Da wir umbedingt die Menschenfresser von Tsavo sehen wollten, ging es am Freitag ins Field Museum, welches ebenfalls in unserem City Pass enthalten war.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">One thing on our To-Do list was to see the man eater from Tsavo so we went to the Field museum on Friday, also part of our City Pass! </span></i><br />
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Herbert und "Der Geist und Die Dunkelheit". Wir hatten Glueck von einem Museumsfuehrer viele neue, interessante Dinge ueber die beiden maehnenlosen maenlichen Loewen zu bekommen.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Herbert and "The Ghost and The Darkness". We were lucky to get more information on these two maneless male lions and their story from a museum tour guy!</span> </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sue is the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered!</span></i></div>
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Sue ist der groesste, vollstaendigste und best erhaltenste Tyrannosaurus Rex, der jemals entdeckt wurde!</div>
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Am Samstag haben wir mit unseren Freunden einen Ausflug in die naehere Umgebung unternommen. Wir spazierten in einem Wald nahe am Fox River und danach ging es in die Staedte Geneva und St. Charles, wo wir dann noch eine Tour mit dem Raddampfer unternahmen. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>On Saturday we went for a more relaxing day. Our friends showed us a wonderful path in the woods nearby the Fox River, afterwards we went to Geneva and to St. Charles, where we took a tour with the paddle steamer. </i></span></div>
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Waehrend die Frauen in den Schuhgeschaeften stoeberten, warteten die Maenner recht gedultig draussen.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>While the women had to check out the shoe stores, the men where "patiently" waiting outside. </i></span></div>
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-16413195520543266872012-05-29T06:15:00.000-08:002012-05-29T06:15:23.182-08:00Hancock Tower, Aldi and Chicago Tribune<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Am Donnerstagmorgen mussten wir natuerlich als erstes den Aldi, der gleich um die Ecke vom Hotel war, ausschecken :) (Leider haben wir den bei uns ja nicht! :(<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Thursday morning we had to check out the Aldi market around the corner (Aldi is a famous food market in Germany and unfortunately we don't have it in South California ;(</i></span><br />
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Der Hancock Tower ist ein toller Ort, Chicago von oben zu bestaunen! Gluecklicherweise war der Eintritt zu dem Tower bereits in unserem City Pass enthalten, den wir uns vorab gekauft hatten.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Hancock Tower - great place to get an overview over the City! We were lucky 'cause the tower was included in the City Pass which we bought in advance. </span></i></div>
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Navy Pier ist eine lange Pier, die in den Lake Michigan hinausgeht. Man(n) kann dort einige Restaurants und sogar einen kleinen Jahrmarkt vorfinden. Am wichtigsten - von dort hat man einen klasse Blick auf die Skyline von Chicago.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Navy Pier is a long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. You will find quite a few restaurants and even a little fair on it. Most important - it offers you a great view of Chicago's skyline.</i></span><br />
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Leider war der Biergarten zu :(</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Unfortunately the Beer Garden was closed ;(</i></span></div>
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Die Journalisten der Chicago Tribune haben von vielen ihrer Reisen Steine von/aus wichtigen Gebaeuden mit nach Chicago gebracht, die dann wiederum in das Gebaeude der Chicago Tribune eingebaut wurde.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Journalists brought back stones from important/interesting places they went through and these stones are incorporated in the building of The Chicago Tribune ....... </span></i></div>
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Ob wir hier wohl ein Steak umsonst bekommen haetten.... immerhin verbindet uns der Nachname ;)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Don't you think we should get a streak for free ...... after all we share the same last name ;)</i></span><br />
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-15837461874938353312012-05-27T14:10:00.000-08:002012-05-28T06:02:56.111-08:00Five year anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b>Today five years ago Herbert, Kinna von Ducati and myself started our new lifes in California!
What an adventure and it's not over yet....</b></span></i><br />
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<br /></div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-57615344240784130742012-05-26T07:27:00.000-08:002012-05-26T07:27:05.982-08:00Erster Bericht aus Chicago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Wir verliessen Orange County am Mittwoch morgen (es scheint, als ob wir schon den Gloomy June haben, obwohl erst Mai ist.....)</div>
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Der Flug war prima, die Maschine war voll ausgebucht und wir landeten in Chicago O'Hara gegen 14:00 Uhr Ortszeit (Chicagos Zeitzone ist "nur" noch 7 Stunden hinter Deutscher Zeit). </div>
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Nachdem wir im Hotel eingescheckt haben, haben wir uns gleich mit unseren Freunden Olli und Bianca getroffen und deren Ortskenntnisse genossen (es ist immer gut, jemanden zu haben, der einem die besten Plaetze zeigen kann ;). Wir beendeten den Tag in Naperville, einem suessen Staedtchen mit leichtem Europaeischen Touch.</div>
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Die naechsten Tage sind wir dann immer nach Chicago gefahren und haben dort soviel wie moeglich unternommen. Wir hatten uns bereits im Vorfeld einen Citypass gekauft, so mussten wir bei den touristischen Attraktionen nicht lange anstehen und haben den Eintritt zudem auch noch guenstiger bekommen. Anstatt alles haarklein zu beschreiben, werde ich die naechsten Tage immer mal ein paar Fotos posten, so das Ihr Euch vielleicht ein Bild von dem machen koennt, was wir so unternommen haben bzw. noch unternehmen. Die Stadt und die Umgebung sind allemal eine Reise wert!</div>
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Kleine Randbemerkung: wir haben Dago und Shiloh bis jetzt jeden Tag "gesehen", da wir die Webcam, die das Doghotel auf deren Webseite anbietet, voll ausnutzen ;)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>We left Orange County on Wednesday morning (hello Gloomy June - even though it's still May....) </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>The flight was pretty uneventful and we landed in Chicago around 2 pm CST (Central Standard Time - 2 hours ahead of California and therefore 7 hours behind Germany). </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>After checking into the hotel we met with our friends Olli and Bianca and enjoyed their knowledge of the places. We ended the day in Naperville, a cute city with a slide touch of Europe.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>The next couple of days we went to Chicago to do all the good stuff that our City Pass offered us and some more. It's a great city and definitely worth a travel. I will not go into all the details but I will post some pictures over the next couple of days so you might get an idea of all the things we are doing or we already did.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>On a side note - we checked on Dago and Shiloh every day via pet-cam, which you can find on the dog camps web side ;)</i></span> </div>
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-1165567748870849522012-05-22T20:09:00.001-08:002012-05-22T20:09:12.470-08:00Fourtytwo already....?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Thank you all so much - I feel very blessed to have you all in my life. Every card, every email, all the phone calls and gifts / presents made my day!</i></span></div>
</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-7557819814238599682012-05-21T12:52:00.001-08:002012-05-21T12:52:14.545-08:00preparing for dog vacation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Heute haben wir angefangen fuer den Urlaub der Hunde zu "packen", der morgen nachmittag bereits beginnt, da unser Flug ganz frueh am Mittwoch morgen ist.<br />
Dago und Shiloh waren beide sehr interessiert daran, warum Herbert ihr Futter portionsweise in Plastiktueten verpackte......... Leider fiel nichts daneben :0<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Today we started preparing for the dogs vacation which is going to start tomorrow afternoon due to the fact that our flight is scheduled early Wednesday morning.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Dago and Shiloh were both very interested in watching why Herbert did put their food in plastic bags......Unfortunately nothing felt off-target :0</span></i><br />
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-68518115691582262952012-05-20T19:35:00.003-08:002012-05-20T19:35:41.449-08:00Deal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In den USA kann sich jeder via email spezial deals zuschicken lassen. Da wir schon etliche Jahre nicht mehr in Deutschland leben, weiss ich nicht ob das dort vielleicht auch schon ueblich ist. Man(n) kann praktisch alles guenstiger bekommen, wenn man(n) nur die Geduld aufbringt, darauf zu warten.<br />
Wir werden zum Beispiel im September zwei Naechte in Las Vegas verbringen, aber noch haben wir keine Zimmer gebucht, da wir mit absoluter Sicherheit in den naechsten Wochen Angebote per email von diesen Spezial Firmen (Living Social, Groupons, AmazonLocalDeals etc.) zugeschickt bekommen und vielleicht ist da genau das dabei, was wir uns erhoffen.<br />
Seit einer Ewigkeit wollte ich ein Familienfoto von meinem tollen Ehemann, meinen beiden Hunden und meiner Wenigkeit am Strand. Vor zwei Wochen erhielt ich dann eine dieser emails in denen mir ein sehr gutes Angebot fuer genauso ein Familienfoto angeboten wurde. Nachdem ich bei der Fotografin nachgefragt habe, ob meine Hunde als Familienmitglieder gelten (der Deal galt fuer bis zu fuenf Familienmitglieder....) habe ich zugeschlagen. Einige Minuten nachdem man den Deal via Kreditkarte oder Pay-pal bezahlt hat, erhaelt man eine Bestaetigungsemail mit einem Voucher, den man ausdrucken und mit zu dem Deal nehmen muss.<br />
Unser Familienfoto war nun fuer heute am Strand von Newport Beach angesetzt und wir traffen Monica um 17:30 Uhr. Als wir Irvine verliessen war es super warm und ich hab mich schon dafuer verflucht, dass ich fuer den Anlass Jeans und weisse Hemden ausgesucht habe. Leider war es dann aber super diesig an der Kueste, was uns allerdings nichts von dem Spass genommen hat. Ich bin schon sehr gespannt auf die Fotos, die wir in ungefaehr einer Woche von Monica bekommen sollen.<br />
Auf unserem Rueckweg hatten wir dann noch das Glueck, das letzte Viertel der Sonnenfinsternis zu sehen - der pure Wahnsinn!<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">In the US everybody can sign up for special deals that certain companies (Living Social, Groupons, AmazonLocalDeals - just to name a few of them) will then send to you via email. Maybe this is already commend in Germany as well but it definitely wasn't at the time we were still living in Germany.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">You can get almost everything much cheaper if you are just going to wait 'til the offer you are looking for is posted in one of these emails. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">As an example - we are are going to stay two nights in Vegas in September and we haven't booked the rooms yet 'cause we are going to wait on a deal that will for sure be in our inbox in the next couple of weeks.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Since forever I wanted to get a family picture of my wonderful husband, our two dogs and myself taken on the beach. Two weeks ago I received an offer from AmazonLocalDeals of a one hour portrait session up to five people. After checking with the photographer that Dago and Shiloh will be count as "people" I bought the deal. A few minutes after you've payed for the deal that you selected (via credit card or pay-pal) you are going to receive a confirmation email that includes a voucher which you have to print out and take to your deal.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Our fotosession was scheduled for today at a beach in Newport Beach and we met with Monica at 5:30 pm. When we left Irvine it was super hot and I almost regret that I decided for us to wear jeans and white shirts. Unfortunately it was super misty at the coast but that didn't take away from the fun we had. In about a week we are supposed to get to see the pictures.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">On our way back we were fortune enough to still get to see the last quarter of the eclipse - Awesomeness!</span></i></div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-17826282307644206092012-05-13T18:38:00.001-08:002012-05-13T18:38:46.443-08:00Ready for some pictures?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Happy Mother's Day! </b></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Today I just took some random pictures while we spent some time in Laguna Beach and I thought you might would enjoy it as much as I did.</span></i></div>
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612329719477229709.post-27528119578175004682012-05-11T19:06:00.000-08:002012-05-11T19:06:48.134-08:00Sushi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Einmal im Monat habe ich eine "Verabredung" mit meinem Arbeitskollegen Cejai. Es begann, damit das wir beide Sushi lieben aber leider niemanden hatten, der mit uns gehen wollte (Herbert will Sushi partout nicht probieren... ;(</div>
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Nun ist das bereits eine feste Angelegenheit und wir beide, Cejai und ich, geniessen das leckere Essen genauso wie die guten Gespraeche! </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Once a month I have a "date" with my coworker Cejai. It started 'cause both of us love Sushi but we didn't have anybody to go with us (Herbert doesn't even want to try it.... ;(</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Now it is a fixed arrangement and we both, Cejai and I, enjoy to have delicious sushi and great conversations. </span></i></div>
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</div>Tanja, Herbert + Kinna von Ducatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533543148886715186noreply@blogger.com5