Quote of the Day

 “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
 

 

― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land 

A small step today - a great step in my future

Today, I submitted my N-400 application to become a US citizen. After more than 37 years since first setting foot on American soil, I decided to take this significant step. I must admit that I now feel more American than German. My roots will always be in Germany, and my accent will remain, but the US is now my home. I will keep my German passport as it is an important part of my life journey.

On April 29th, 1988, my company sent me to our US subsidiary for three weeks. Those three weeks turned into a year of frequent travel. The company needed my expertise, and I took the opportunity to improve my American English. When I was finally due to return for good, my wife Sue and I crossed paths. As is often the case, love changed everything. We altered our plans to stay together and build a family. Our life has been full of adventures, and every moment is precious. Meeting my wife was the best thing that ever happened to me, and walking through life with her has made me a better person.

I look forward to many more years with the love of my life as a US citizen.

 

 

 

A great palce to get Ramen Noodels in Paolo Alto

https://goo.gl/maps/Y43cH1yYZSKEqqeb6

We visited this place and had to wait inline for about 1 hour. They do not take reservations.  I was worth the wait, We had a great Ramen experience. Everything tasted great and it was obvious that these Ramen were made from scratch, The Goza appetizer was very good and unique in its presentation. Unfortunately we did not take a photo before we started eating 

The Ramen Noodles with squid ink were unique and I really enjoyed it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My trip to San Francisco

 This week I will be in San Francisco. Sue and I will spend the weekend with friends and then Sue is visiting a conference. During this time we will explore the city a bit, look for some sightseeing, and some good restaurants to dine in. I put some of our impressions on this blog so that we can remember them. It will also allow us to share some impressions that might be helpful for others coming to visit this city. San Francisco is a city with many faces. It will take some time to take all of it in. As a matter of fact, the city has so many phases that it would take weeks to learn everything about the city. But we will try and discover as much as we can.

 

 

San Franciso

 

What is happening in our great country

 Our country is endangered by our own politicians - especially the politicians on the right. This statement is not about bashing  the conservative political idea. Conservative politics has a vital role to play in our country. However, like any other political activity, conservative politics must be fair and balanced. Its goal should not be to dismantle the democratic system; it should adhere to the same ethical principles as anybody else.

Here are some highly concerning facts that I am very concerned about.

Here we are now, six months after the election, and it is unbelievable that George Santos is still a member of Congress. I cannot find any way to describe my disgust that he was sworn in in the first place. Anyone that values our political system should feel the same way. Isn't there also an ethical responsibility in politics? We do have an ethics committee in Congress (apparently a sham). Anyone that values our political systems can support this situation.

With George Santos, we have an elected official in Congress that has campaigned under false pretenses, spread lies, and deception. He obviously and deliberately lied about his personal life and motivation. Week after week after week, we learned new facts about Jorge Santos and his deception. There is no credibility left for him.

Why is the assembly in Congress tolerating this? Has Kevin McCarthy no lspine because he needs his role to promote his own career? In one interview, he said something like, and a paraphrase, who is accusing him? What are the accusations? This statement in itself is unbelievable. If we don't have an ethical standard that doesn't need a written code, then we are not a developed country. Any effective and true leader would have taken care of the situation. What does it tell us? Any politician can spread lies, ly about his intentions and their personal life or pull a blanket over the eyes of this constituency and nobody holds thim/her accountable. It is just unbelievable, and it shows me that I was system is not anymore, the system of the people. There are many politicians that care more about themselves and their ideology than they care for the people that elected them. Lies and deception become the norm and create a new normal. These people do not govern as representatives of the people for the people; they misuse their elected position for their own purposes.

These situations have become more and more political reality. We have seen this with our former President, Donald Trump. He has lied more in the first year than many other presidents before him together. The election denial is another fact that shows how much politicians do not support our political system. Our justice system is there to protect all people. Not one judge could find fault with the election. However, the conservative party and Donald Trump propagate the great election ly.


I do understand that they have many people out there that just have no integrity. But what scares me the most is that so many citizens support and elect these people as their constituents. It shows again,
like many times before in history, that some people just do not want to participate in government. They all elect their own tyrants and help to bring the nation downs.

Let us go back to tyhe subject George Santos. Some people may think it's not a big deal. But if we allow candidates to lie to the voters and campaign with perceptions to the extent that he has done, then we have betrayed our founder's ideals and the fundamentals of our nation. We deserve the chaos to come. I hope there is still time that people will wake up and turn the ship  around, but the cliff is in sight.

Make no mistake, I am not trying to harm conservative political movements. We do need a balance between conservative and progressive politics. However, our current conservative political party is on the path to destruction.



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Being thankful for the Beauty surrounding us

After a few days away from our new winter domicile, I am so glad to be back. We called this place our "Desert retreat." I am in awe every morning when I take my daily walk, and my eye catches the sight of San Gorgonia and San Jacinto. These two majestic mountains and their beauty remind me every time of the beauty that mother nature provides for us. I see mother earth and the work of the creator in them. I am so grateful to be able to spend time in this incredible place and the beauty surrounding us.

I greet both mountains every morning with respect. We are only on this earth for a short time

 

. The mountains were here before we came and will still be here long after we leave.