CaliforniaGermans

All Things German In California

Anne-Kathrin

How to Stay Fit On a Budget in California

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HOW TO STAY FIT ON A BUDGET IN CALIFRONIA

I think we can all agree that California is home to some of the fittest people on earth.  Especially during summer time I am constantly reminded of how great in shape many Southern California residents are.  Strutting their stuff on beach boardwalks all around the regions constantly inspires and motivates me to live healthier in regards to my nutrition and fitness.

By no means am I intending to become the female version of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger during his Mr. Universe days, but I am striving to become leaner and healthier all around.  While there is definitely no shortage of exercise possibilities thanks to hundreds and hundreds of gyms, Yoga Studios, Cycle Bars etc., it can get costly as some memberships have high fees. [Read more…] about How to Stay Fit On a Budget in California

What I Learned From Living Seven Years in California

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WHAT I LEARNED FROM LIVING SEVEN YEARS IN CALIFORNIA

Last month, I celebrated my seven year anniversary of living in Huntington Beach.  It has been quite a journey composed of a lot of learning and self development.  Today, I am a much happier and self-accepting person than I was when I arrived in Southern California.

I believe that life is a continuous ‘work in progress’ with never ending life lessons that challenge us.  In the end, it all depends on what we make out of and take away from them.  I had a really hard time in the beginning when I moved out here, not really knowing anyone and trying to adapt to a new culture. [Read more…] about What I Learned From Living Seven Years in California

It’s Not Always Just Sunny in California – A Different Perspective (Interview)

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XPAT Spotlight – Interview with Desiree Perez, my BFF and CEO of Aviation Leadership Academy

Growing up together in Germany, Desiree and I both immigrated to the United States in 2011.  For the first four years, she resided in Texas before her career brought her to Los Angeles in 2015.  During her time in California, Desiree faced some crucial challenges that made her rethink her move as well as her career choice.

In this interview, Desiree shares her raw and honest perspective about living in California, why it is not her dream come true, and how her experience resulted in a career change. [Read more…] about It’s Not Always Just Sunny in California – A Different Perspective (Interview)

My Top Five Things About Summer in Germany

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MY TOP FIVE THINGS ABOUT SUMMER IN GERMANY

With 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Huntington Beach this past Friday, Southern California let its residents know that summer has arrived in all of its glory.  While I do have to admit that everything over 80 degrees is getting a little tough to handle, I am an avid fan of this season.  I mean, the great summer weather was one of the main reasons why I chose to reside in this beautiful place on earth.

When I was living in Germany, summers were unpredictable.  It could rain any day; One day it could be 65 degrees Fahrenheit (bring out those winter coats), followed by a day of excessive heat with 95 degrees and humidity; I could be laying by the lake sunbathing and then having to lock myself up in my apartment the next day to escape a huge thunderstorm. [Read more…] about My Top Five Things About Summer in Germany

Trying Out Goat Yoga in Los Angeles

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TRYING OUT GOAT YOGA IN LOS ANGELES

Living in Orange County and being so close to LA, I have heard of and seen many unusual things. I mean, let’s be honest, Los Angeles is basically the hometown of the craziest new “trends.” But when one of my girlfriends reached out and asked if I was interested in trying out Goat Yoga, it was clear to me that I was nowhere near to the point where I have seen it all.

[Read more…] about Trying Out Goat Yoga in Los Angeles

Watching the FIFA World Cup in the U.S. Versus Germany

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WATCHING THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN THE U.S. VERSUS GERMANY

After four years of drought, the time has finally come again: The FIFA World Cup is back.  Even though Germany didn’t showcase its best performance in the first game against Mexico, I do have high hopes for the team.

While I was living in Germany, I never was a really big soccer fan, nor did I have a favorite team I rooted for.  But when it was time for the European and World Cup, I did a whole 180 and turned into a soccer maniac– including dressing up with accessories and attending public viewings.

One might think that I am a major bandwagon, and I have no problem to admit that.  But before you judge me, I would love to explain my reasoning behind my transformation: I just love the energy that is going on during a World Cup.  It feels like the whole country becomes a union where everyone is welcomed and we celebrate together as a team.

[Read more…] about Watching the FIFA World Cup in the U.S. Versus Germany

My Dating Experience In The U.S.

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MY DATING EXPERIENCE IN THE U.S.

Back in High School, I firmly believed that once I turn 24 I would be married with two kids and living a worry-free life.  I was convinced that by the time I graduated school and found a job, I would never have to worry about money or finding a husband who I would be married to “ ‘Til death do us part. ”

Now at 35, I want to shake my 15-year-old self hard.  I am thanking the Lord every day that I have not met my goal of being a wife and mother at the age of 24, because I would have never been able to make the grand move across the Atlantic Ocean to spend a year in California.

While I have decided for myself many years ago [Read more…] about My Dating Experience In The U.S.

What Do You Miss Most About Germany?

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WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT GERMANY?

I am sure many of you who immigrated to California are familiar with what I am talking about in today’s post: What do you miss most about Germany? I get asked this question so many times by friends, colleagues, acquaintances, as well as complete strangers.

It usually takes me a second before I answer this question.  It is a different story though when I get asked the opposite: What are you not missing?  My instant reply: the weather.  Oh, how I hated the weather back in Germany.  During winter, I usually delved into my so-called “winter depression.”

Imagine having to get up at 5:30 a.m. for work during the coldest months of the year, when it is pitch black outside, snow is falling, and the thermometer hits about -10 degrees Celsius- yeah, not fun! You go to work in the dark, and you leave work in the dark because the sun sets about 4:30 p.m. during the months of winter.

Anyways, I am drifting way too far away from what I actually intended to share with you. So with no further ado, here comes a list of the things I truly do miss.  [Read more…] about What Do You Miss Most About Germany?

My Blind Date with Life – Newport Beach Film Festival German Spotlight 2018

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MY BLIND DATE WITH LIFE – NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL GERMAN SPOTLIGHT 2018

This year marked my third time partaking in the Newport Beach Film Festival German Spotlight, and what can I say – I was blown away!  From the movie to the after party, everything was upscale and amazing.  I might even dare claim that this year’s movie was the best German film I personally have ever seen.

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I love film and the movie industry, and while I have seen some great German films during my time on earth, nothing ever struck me as much as My Blind Date with Life, which is based on a true story.

In this biography/ comedy/ drama, teenage boy Saliya Kahawatte (remarkably played by Kostja Ullmann) aspires to work in the hotel business after graduating High School, but his dream is being jeopardized when he becomes nearly blind.  Even though several people, including his father, tell him to “Stop dreaming,” Saliya is still determined to follow his calling and applies to several hotels, including the Bayerischer Hof  in Munich, one of the most prestigious hotels in the country.

Saliya ends up getting an apprenticeship at the Bayerischer Hof, without anyone telling the minor detail of him having only 5% of his eyesight left.  While working at the hotel, [Read more…] about My Blind Date with Life – Newport Beach Film Festival German Spotlight 2018

The One Time I Filed a Police Report

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THE ONE TIME I FILED A POLICE REPORT

If the title of today’s post might give the impression that it contains a high crime thriller story a la CSI, I, unfortunately, have to disappoint you.  It doesn’t involve any car chase or robbery (even though our house in Germany was broken into once, but that is a whole other story), just my first (and hopefully last) visit to an American police station.

My encounter with the law enforcement happened over a year ago when I was house sitting in Playa Del Rey over Easter. I had been staying at this location many times before and never encountered any issues – until this particular visit.

The house is part of a fourplex and located a block from the beach, and parking can be very scarce, especially during spring and summer.  The owners of the place I stayed at allowed me to park in one of the parking spaces behind the house, which never had given me any problems.

It was one particular night when I took the dog of the house out for a last stroll and noticed a piece of paper on the windshield of my car. I took it off, and when I unfolded it I saw a handwritten note stating that the parking spots were only for residents.  I didn’t think any of it since I had the OK from one of the tenants to park there, and so I ripped the note apart and threw it away. [Read more…] about The One Time I Filed a Police Report