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All Things German In California

Anne-Kathrin

Reflecting on Christmas in Germany

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REFLECTING ON CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY

Happy New Year, dear readers!  I hope you had wonderful holidays and enjoyed good food and company!  I just got back a few days ago from my vacation in Germany. While it was amazing to see many friends and family after more than three years, I am so happy to be surrounded by sunshine again.  

Let me tell you, from the 16 days I was in my homeland, at least 14 of them were covered by grey clouds.  At least my mood was full of sunshine as I was excited to relax and also spend some great quality time with people that are very close to me.   And even though I keep saying that I don’t see myself living in Germany again, it is always hard leaving family and friends behind when it’s time to go back home. [Read more…] about Reflecting on Christmas in Germany

Exploring German Christmas Markets

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EXPLORING GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Christmas time is here.  Happiness and cheer. My dear readers, there is no doubt and no denying that It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  Every radio station is blasting at least one Christmas song per hour, houses are loaded with Christmas decorations, and the candy isles in the supermarkets offer various delicious Christmas treats for our indulgence.  

I am a big fan of this season and everything that comes with it, especially the Christmas markets.  And this year, I finally have the opportunity again to travel to Germany during this wonderful time to indulge in lots of mulled wine and crepes with Kinderschokolade (yum).  Needless to say, during this time my healthy eating and fitness are not my main priority, but I do believe in balance and that treating yourself here and there is a necessity.

It’s been a hot minute since I stepped foot onto a German Christmas market, around four years, to be exact (oh my!).  Trust me, if you have ever been, you can relate about how big of a deal that might be. For this year’s trip, I have already mapped out three opportunities to stop by for the occasional mulled wine or sweet treat. [Read more…] about Exploring German Christmas Markets

Hanging in the Swing of Things – The Secret Swing

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HANGING IN THE SWING OF THINGS – THE SECRET SWING

My dear readers, please excuse my absence from this platform! You could quite say I took some sort of a hiatus the past two months.  I know I brought up this excuse before that life happens – but boy, did my life happen.  But I’ll come back to that in a future post.  For now, I am going to let you in on a secret gem I recently discovered in the Los Angeles area.

[Read more…] about Hanging in the Swing of Things – The Secret Swing

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.

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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.