Back on American Soil

As if moving back "home" after 5 years of European living wasn't going to be enough of a transition, I decided to pair the reverse culture shock with moving to a new region of America and jump into a new job. Go big- right?

Well, with one week completed on American soil one things is sure- I'm not in Rota anymore! The things that often caught me off guard still do although I know that they will fade away as I settle back into American life:

• Huge cars
• Fast food chains on every corner
• Ability to understand conversations
• Large food portions, the cost and wait...I have to leave a tip?
• Abundance of cell phone usage (while driving, walking, shopping)
• Shelf upon shelf of food options

But what about those regional things that this CA girl has never known? Like what? Funny you should ask:

• No container sales of alcohol are allowed on Sunday, but apparently you can fill a growler at any of the local breweries. 
• Trembles? Don't duck and cover...that's just the building moving with the wind.
• Lots of wind? Just check out the tornado coverage on the news. (Somehow KSBW8 Storm Watch coverage now seems weak.) Don't worry, there are siren systems and basements to keep you safe. No basement? Hang out in the bath tub. Yes, we've been having practice drills.
• With you life at risk every tornado system, it's a good thing people are friendly here! And actually, this warms mi corazón that people say hello as they pass and conversations can even turn into great dinner recommendations. 
• And when you take said dinner recommendation and stop by an antique shop you may be told to come back between the hours of 1 and 5 another day to meet a recently single, former Marine who can assist with moving...but an old lady wouldn't notice these things.

Hotel Life

After our house got empty, we moved into a new place. A much smaller castle, that resembles a shack. A shack with only one window. A shack with one window and no place to chase bugs outside. No scratching posts. And only one water fountain! 

I really don't understand why mom keeps doing this to me. She claims its for adventure but I'm beginning to think she's pazza.

Since there is a window and our perch was there we decided to only wake mom up a few times each night with our demands for more space and fresh air. I'm much better than Ole jumping between the beds.

The window is pretty good- kids, kitties, & birds can be seen from it. Of course every morning ladies (speaking Ole's language) make scary noises as they parade down the sidewalk.
Not va bene. 
  

We've Been Robbed!

It happened again.
Mom trick me and Olé.
She put us in the bathroom with treats, toys and wet cat food- how could we resist?

I barely got through my first bite of food and that loud buzz went off. Then there were voices. Then the voices got louder and there were lots of foot steps. Mom would say something and then I heard the sounds of Olé's people respond.

This went on for a long time. Olé kept trying to communicate with his people...treats would come flying under the door.

When Mom finally let us out? All of stuff was gone.

No scratching post.
No cat tree.
No beds.
Nothing to hide under.
Our food bowls were even gone!

If she brings out the crate I know I'm in trouble...but for now I'll just chase my toy mouse I just found all around this wide open house.