We are missing a few documents for Naomi's papers. The first available day at the US Embassy in Brussels to recieve us (with the additional documents) is ... 30 th of July.
Auch
We have nothing left here, except for 6 pieces of luggage ...
Friday, June 29, 2007
Departure delayed
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thank You Balloon
We want to thank everyone who helped us move Saturday morning. We appreciate that you spend your (Saturday morning) precious time to help us out. So if you visit the Grand Canyon, there is always somewhere you can go/sleep... and it's not Cheers.
26th of May is an IMPORTANT day
From today on Naomi is officially my child. We also decided to change her last name. It feels great being a REAL dad. 
The little one is mine, the big one is the "one and only" MEGA MINDY!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
I hope it has nothing to do with our arrival but...
they are renovating the sewer of the High School in Maricopa...Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Results on Monday ...
Schedule
Less then 2 weeks to go... Here is an overview of our most important things for the coming two weeks:
Saturday 23rd of June: Everything goes out of the house with a "rental lift". Our building doesn't have an elevator so we will get the heavy stuff out of our home through the windows.
Saturday 30th of June : Party at Bell's Cafe in Sint-Niklaas. From 19h00 - ...
Tuesday 3rd of July: Departure from Brussels Airport (if everything goes well)
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Location
As the bird flies:
Distance from our home to:
GM and GP: 0,32 km (0,2 miles)
Shanti and Co: 0,68 km (0,4 miles)
Maricopa High School: 3,64 km (2,3 miles)
Using Roads:
Distance from our home to:
GM and GP: 0,7 km (0,5 miles)
Shanti and Co: 1,3 km (0,7 miles)
Maricopa High School: 4,4 km (2,8 miles)
Monday, June 18, 2007
How will the voters of CD-V/NVA and LDD feel?
There are no English words to explain this: Uitvoering Staatshervorming pas NA de volgende verkiezingen
LIES, LIES, LIES, this is only possible in MONKEY-country Belgium.
Either way, you don't have to be very smart to predict the winner of the next elections...
Sunday, June 17, 2007
EBAY sales, an overview (sales ended 06/17/07)
TOP 10 sales price:
1. Washer Zanussi: 290 euro
2. Bedroom Naomi: 200 euro
3. AMD Computer: 160 euro
4. Nintendo DS: 124 euro
5. TFT Acer 1715: 110 euro
6. Bike MONARK: 88 euro
7. Dryer Zanussi 77 euro
8. TV Samsung: 76 euro
9. TV Philips: 54 euro
10. CRT 22" Philips 202p4: 47 euro
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Our little 7 year old did it again!
Naomi has earned her 2nd swimming degree: 100m. Congratulations Naomi, you will need all those swimming skills for our backyard.
The speculative BUBBLE: Econ 101 lesson
What I like about this guy is that he is so freaking correct AND that he has a triple screen computer on the background :-)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
It's official: Lisa is a MUTANT!
The dentist confirmed it:
Apes: 3 "wisdom" teeth per row
Homo Neanderthalensis: 2 "wisdom" teeth per row
Homo Sapiens: 1 "wisdom" tooth per row
Lisa: NO "wisdom" teeth AT ALL
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
In what part of the HOUSING BUBBLE cycle do you think we are now?
Me thinks we are entering fear now.
ABN fears world housing crash
Monday, June 11, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Election day
Today we have elections in Belgium. In contrary to the United States ALL votes are counted here ... even in coastal areas :-) As always I really enjoy watching the post-election show. I find it utterly amazing that winners are losers and vicea versae. So here is my top 3 of answers politicians give, if their party loses the elections:
1. I know, compared to the last elections we lost some votes but we have significantly more votes when you take the election of 1924 into account...
2. I know, compared to the last elections we lost some votes but we have 2% more votes then the polls suggested...
3. I know, compared to the last elections we lost some votes but our biggest adversary lost votes too...
Friday, June 8, 2007
Naomi's school is "under construction"...
Naomi will be enrolled in the Legacy Traditional School. It's a new school in Maricopa and as you can see it's not yet finished :-)
The school will use another building until this new school construction has finished. Naomi's lessons start: 13th of August 2007.
We HAVE a rental HOME
Less then 4 weeks to go and we have signed a 12 month lease to rent a home in Maricopa, Az.
Lotsize: 8800 sq ft (+/- 800 m2)
Homesize: 3200 sq ft (+/-290 m2)
Garages: 3
Bed: 4
Bath: 3
Den: 1
Other amenities: Pool, Mini Golf course in backyard, fireplace, blinds, ...
Thank you Grandpa and Grandma to help us with all our housing (and other) needs.
Home prices are dropping in Maricopa
This is an overview of prices/sq ft, number and days on the market of homes SOLD in Maricopa, Az.
MAY '07 - 875 Homes for sale; 60 sold (6.9%); 14.6 months inventory - avg. 2,118 sf - price $232,394 - on market 103 days - price per-sq ft $109
MAY '06 - 735 Homes for sale; 87 sold (11.8%); 8.4 months inventory - avg. 1,934 sf - price $268,492 - on market 73 days - price per-sq ft $138
This information is courtesy of realtor Ron Wilczek, HERE is a link to his website. HERE is the link to all the data.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
ALL our belongings for SALE on ebay!
Everything we have that has a little bit of value is now for sale on www.ebay.be. We gave away a few things, we sold a few things earlier on but now everything is FOR SALE. HERE is a link to an overview
Belgium, the movie
We bought the DVD: Belgium, the movie. This is the second souvenir we have bought for our trip to the U.S. It is filmed out of a helicopter with a special camera, the same camera they use to film cycling competitions in Europe. The film is in full High Definition, I posted a trailer above. For the real deal you'll have to come visit our home in Maricopa.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
WoW, Retiring can be fun!
My father did it, he finally did it. Without cheating.
He reached level 70 in World of Warcraft. That deserves a big hand from all of us. Who says "retirement" is an easy period in life...
Lutgardina on Flying Mount.
The best of both worlds?
Ron Paul (Republican Party) at the the New Hampshire GOP Debate (June 2007)
Barack Obama's (Democrat Party) speech at the Democratic National Convention (2004)
Thank you Mr. President
I will save my political rhetoric for when I am firm on U.S. soil ... , but I need to say this:
My family would like to thank Mr. Bush and the FED(ederal Reserve):
* for printing more and more U.S. dollars to finance the spendthrift of U.S. citizens
* for keeping interest rates 3 years below 2.0%
* for throwing away U.S. dollars in wars in the Middle East
* for helping to get the U.S. trade deficit to new records
These things will allow us to convert our euros to dollars at historically great currency exchange rates.
Thank you!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Arizona Geography
Let's look at the geographical characteristics of the "Grand Canyon" state: Arizona.
Population (2006): 6,166,318 (Belgium 10,430,000)
State size: 114,000 square miles (Belgium 11,787 sq miles)
People / sq mile: 54 (Belgium 885)
State Capital: Phoenix (named after the mythical bird the "Phoenix")
Major cities: Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale.
Admission to union: The 48th State, 1912
Origin of state name: Named from the Indian word "arizonac" meaning "small spring".
Nicknames: Grand Canyon State, Rattlesnake Heaven
Bordering states: California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico with Mexico on the south.
Highest point: Humphreys Peak, at 12,633 feet(= 3850 meter )above sea level. (Belgium: Signal of Botrange 2276 feet/694 meter)
Lowest point: Colorado River, only 70 feet (=21 meter) above sea level.(Belgium: 72.3 km coast hence 0 feet/meter)
State bird: Cactus Wren
State flower: Saguara Cactus Blossom
State tree: Paloverde
Arizona flag: The official state flag of Arizona was officially adopted on February 17, 1917. It was designed by Colonel Charles W. Harris, the 13 yellow and red rays represent both the Sun's rays and the original 13 colonies of the United States of America. The colors red and yellow are used because they were the colors of the flag of the Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, who entered Arizona in 1540 (looking for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola). The copper-colored star in the middle represents copper mining, since Arizona produces more copper than any other state in the USA.
TOP tourist attraction: Grand Canyon: The Colorado River runs through the Colorado Plateau carving a deep canyon. (new: Grand Canyon Skywalk, comparison)
Motto: God Enriches
Differences Belgium / US: Part 2: Cars
Today I'll try to compare cars from the "Old" with the "New" Continent.
In Europe you will normally get around 9% off the official sale price. In the United States I think the same discount can be taken off the MSRP. I will add 1000.00 dollar for every U.S. car which is the amount that has to paid for destination and handling charges. All U.S. cars have sales tax included, I have taken 8% as a reasonable average. In Belgium, when cars are registered for the first time by their owner, you have to pay a special tax (BIV). This tax was NOT taken into account but was added between brackets after the European sales price.
Prices below are the result of the following formula:
*US MSRP - 9% discount + $ 1000 handling and destination charge + 8% sales tax
*(EU MSRP - 9% discount) * 1.35 conversion to $
All figures are in dollars (1 euro = $ 1.35). All cars run regular gasoline (no diesel)
1. Smaller cars:
New Continent: Mini Cooper 1.6l, 118 hp, Manual: $ 19608
Old Continent: Mini Cooper 1.6l, 118 hp, Manual: $ 23346 (+ $668)
2. Medium Size Family cars:
New Continent: Audi A4 2.0 TFSI, 2.0l, 200 hp: $ 29060
Old Continent: Audi A4 2.0 TFSI 2.0l, 200 hp: $ 40500 (+ $3345)
New Continent: Volkswagen Passat 2.0l turbo, 200 hp, tiptronic: $ 25112
Old Continent: Volkswagen Passat 2.0l turbo, 200 hp, tiptronic: $ 44091 (+ $3345)
3. Luxury cars:
New Continent: Lexus GS 430 4.3l, 283 hp: $ 71398
Old Continent: Lexus GS 430 4.3l, 283 hp: $ 64868 (+ $6691)
New Continent: Mercedes-Benz: E Class, E350, 3.5l, 268hp: $ 51934
Old Continent: Mercedes-Benz: E Class, E350, 3.5l, 268hp: $ 63841 (+ $6691)
New Continent: Cadillac STS, V6 3.6l, 255hp, 5A, Standard: $ 43819
Old Continent: Cadillac STS, V6 3.6l, 255hp, 5A, Elegance: $ 70534 (+ $6691)
4. Convertibles
New Continent: Audi A4 Convertible, 3.2 Fsi, 255 hp, 4WD: $ 47599
Old Continent: Audi A4 Convertible, 3.2 Fsi, 255 hp, 4WD: $ 61034 (+ $6691)
New Continent: Volvo C70, t5 2.5l, turbo, 220hp, 6 manual: $ 39811
Old Continent: Volvo C70, t5 2.5l, turbo, 220hp, 6 manual: $ 52451 (+ $6691)
5. Sport cars:
New Continent: BMW M6, 5.0l, 507hp: $ 99270
Old Continent: BMW M6, 5.0l, 507hp: $ 149738 (+ $6691)
New Continent: Chevrolet Corvette 7.0l, v8, 512hp: $ 70437
Old Continent: Chevrolet Corvette 7.0l, v8, 512hp: $ 103355 (+ $6691)
6. SUV's:
New Continent: Nissan Murano 3.6l, 243hp SL: $ 30111
Old Continent: Nissan Murano 3.6l, 243hp: $ 58817 (+ $6691)
New Continent: Volvo XC90 3.2, 235hp: $ 36883
Old Continent: Volvo XC90 3.2, 235hp: $ 68243(Momentum) (+ $6691)
Take into account that a gallon of gas costs $ 7.19 over here ... looks like this is the second victory for the United States. Most European people drive small cars, which are not sold in the United States. A comparison of small cars with similar engines, hence, is almost impossible to do.
Score card after: supermarket and cars
United States 2 - 0 Belgium
I'll be back tomorrow with another one.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Our appartment is for sale
We are moving and the owner decided to sell the appartment we were renting.
Asking price: 135 000,00 euro ($182 000.00)
Rent: 575,00 euro
Selling price to Rent ratio: 234
Differences Belgium / US: Part 1: The supermarket
After talking briefly about gas prices, I would like to address some differences between Belgium and the United States. I will talk about things that are expected to be different but I will also highlight some other things that aren't so obvious.
Part 1: The Supermarket (Delhaize, Walmart, GB, Bashes,...)
The biggest differences our family encountered when we compared supermarkets in the two countries were the following:
* When the supermarket closes at 18h00 (6 p.m.) in Belgium, one of the people working there won't allow people to enter the store from 17h50. So she/he gets paid for standing close to the door and telling people the store has to close and that they are not welcome...
In the US, if you walk into a store at 17h59 and it closes at 18h, they are happy to let you in.
scorecard: United States 1 - 0 Belgium
* In the U.S. everything you buy is put into plastic bags by personnel. In Belgium, you have to do it yourself and the biggest retailers will stop offering free plastic bags from July 2007 on.
Putting your groceries in your bag is probably the most annoying thing when shopping, so:
scorecard: United States 2 - 0 Belgium
* In the U.S. shopping carts are brought back to the store by store personnel. In Belgium you have to put change in the cart and then bring it back to get your coins back.
scorecard: United States 3 - 0 Belgium
* Personnel in Belgian supermarkets are not what you would call customer friendly (wink, wink). They are not only disliking the work they do, they also show it. I think in the U.S. you would get your C4 within the day. People were always friendly in U.S. supermarkets.
scorecard: United States 4 - 0 Belgium
This one is a clear victory for the United States. I will address other differences tomorrow.
Gas prices
I read a lot about Americans complaining about rising gas prices. Well, let's put that in (European) perspective ...
Gas price US: $ 3.09 / gallon
Gas price Belgium: € 1.41 / liter
A gallon holds 3.79 liters.
So let's convert everything to USD: (1 euro = 1.345 dollar)
Gas price US: $ 3.09 / gallon
Gas price Belgium: $ 7.19 / gallon
So when I filled up the tank of the Beamer a week ago, that was $151 ...
In conclusion: Gas prices in the US aren't that expensive compared to European standards ... for now, anyway.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
First Post
So here we are 4 weeks before our departure. Tension is rising and we are in the process of selling our belongings here in Belgium.
Lisa has 2 exams for mathematics today (1 oral and 1 written) and hopefully she passes them both.
The exam period for David's pupils starts on Tuesday, 5th of June.
That's it for now, I will update and test this blog later today.
Bye
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