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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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In Love with ‘The Sun’ featured in the Transitions Lenses Commercial

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WHO IS PAROV STELAR?

Do you know that feeling? You are watching a commercial on TV and suddenly you can’t get enough of it.  You are just waiting for this particular commercial to come back on the screen. But not so much because of the commercial but rather for its SONG!

That is what’s happening to me right now when I hear or see the Transitions Lenses Commercial. And, depending on the channel you are watching, you can actually see it quite often these days!

What drew me in to the commercial was the spirit of the song, which is by the way masterfully paired with beautiful images. (Thumbs up for the Transitions’ marketing department here.)

My family doesn’t much watch TV usually, but sometimes in the evenings the TV just seems to be on almost to provide some ‘white background noise’. On one of these days, this particular song lured me out, made me stop whatever I was doing, and beckoned to just listen… [Read more…] about In Love with ‘The Sun’ featured in the Transitions Lenses Commercial

Ilka Sternberger and Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool celebrate 10th Anniversary – (Interview)

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Rainbow Garden Preschool in Los Angles celebrated its 10th Anniversary this past weekend. We interviewed Ilka Sternberger on the occasion of this event.

June 2, 2018 marked a special day for Ilka Sternberger. Her preschool Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool in L.A. celebrated its 10th anniversary and Ilka herself was honored by her school community. A school community that has become family over the years and has turned parents into friends.

Ilka, a gifted educator, who immigrated to the United States from Wiesbaden 29 years ago, has become indispensable for families of the German community in and around Los Angeles. Parents love her for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for their children while being immersed in the German language and learning all about German traditions as well.

That’s why parents wanted to make sure to let her know just how grateful they are for her creating such a wonderful and peaceful learning environment that sparks the imagination of their children every single school day. The 10-year anniversary party this past Saturday was full of surprises. From special speeches to a video full of memorable moments and special dedications.

In our interview, Ilka Sternberger shares with us how she started Rainbow Garden preschool 10 years ago, and what an impact this had not only on her life but on so many others as well. [Read more…] about Ilka Sternberger and Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool celebrate 10th Anniversary – (Interview)

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.

A New Look For CaliforniaGermans.com

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We are changing the look and feel of our website!

It was about time for CaliforniaGermans to finally get a ‘facelift’. Well, we are so excited to let you know that we finally did it!!  We will be changing to the new layout over the next few days.

Should you encounter any problems loading our site or not find what you are looking for, please let us know. Send us a quick note via our Contact Page!

With the new design, we hope to make it eventually easier for you to find what you are looking for. It’s a work in progress and even after the design-switch we will still continue making several updates to our site. Please have patience with us!

As always, we welcome your input and suggestions and would love to hear what you think of our new look. Let us know in the comments 🙂

Celebrate with us the new face of CaliforniaGermans!

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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?

Three Languages, Two Schools, and The Great War

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Three Languages, Two Schools, and The Great War

Guest Post by Lenni Elbe
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Have you ever been on a film set where you heard German, French, and English all around you? Students from GPSSD and SDFAS have!

For a very special project students (9-17 years old), parents, and teachers from both schools got together and worked on an entry for an international history competition, which challenged them to create a high-quality film about “Peace and the Great War: From Trenches to the Project of a United Europe.”

The teams came from German Pacific School San Diego (GPSSD) and San Diego French American School (SDFAS). Their project started with a script-writing workshop. The students then developed their interest in the topic by researching aspects of World War I. The whole movie making process was student-directed.  [Read more…] about Three Languages, Two Schools, and The Great War

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