Mexico: Choco-Story in Uxmal

A really well done chocolate museum and farm next to Uxmal. We both enjoyed learning about the story of the Cocoa bean and the important role it has been playing over time both in South America and in the rest of the world. Definitely worth a stop.

2014-11-24 12.02.00 IMG_3353 Cocoa beans were a form of currency!IMG_3355 IMG_3358 A chocolate cup for gentlemen that care about keeping their mustache clean :).IMG_3361

U.S. Citizen

I became U.S. citizen today.

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After living in California for the last 10 years (not counting the close to 1 year total time I actually spent outside of the US during that time frame), it seemed normal to me to apply for citizenship. I did that 4 months ago and the process went very smoothly ending by the Oath ceremony today in Saratoga.

For those interested in dates:

  • 07/07/1999: Entered the USA on a J1 visa
  • 07/2000: Transferred to an H1B visa
  • 06/2003: Received letter I had been selected to apply for a green card through the diversity visa lottery.
  • 07/2003: Second H1B visa
  • 06/14/2004: Green card application accepted (I had a very high number so it took a while for it to become eligible. In a better (or worst depending how you look at it) year, I might never have become eligible)
  • 04/15/2009: Applied for naturalization
  • 06/06/2009: Fingerprinting
  • 07/29/2009: Interview and questions
  • 08/20/2009: U.S. Citizen

Cafe Gratitude

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Friday night, we found our way (by luck) to a restaurant I had been wanting to try since some friends had mentioned it: Cafe Gratitude.

We visited their Healdsburg location on our way North to the Redwood National Parks that we visited over Memorial day weekend.

Cafe Gratitude is the kind of restaurant chain that gets traction easily in Northern California because it is healthy, somewhat alternative, and has an attitude. They serve mostly raw and live food.

In their own words:

Cafe Gratitude is our expression of a world of plenty. Our food and people are a celebration of our aliveness. We select the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves, as we are one and the same. We support local farmers, sustainable agriculture, and environmentally-friendly products. Our food is prepared with love. We invite you to step inside and enjoy being someone who chooses: loving your life, adoring yourself, accepting the world, being generous and grateful every day, and experiencing being provided for. Have fun and enjoy being nourished.

Alicia and I loved our meal: I am luscious, present and accepting ;). The ambiance was nice and the food was very tasty. And the best of all, you do feel good after eating there. It might be because of the ambiant vibe, the super nice waiting staff or the positive words/sentences spread all over the place. Highly recommended.