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Life 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

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

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.

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

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

What’s Next? – Celebrate Spring with German Events

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Check out what’s happening in the German community next!

Its’ Spring and you’ll find festivals and celebrations everywhere inviting you to the outside to enjoy the warmer weather in the company of your friends and family. The German community in CA has been busy to plan some spring events for you. Check them out below:  [Read more…] about What’s Next? – Celebrate Spring with German Events

German Summer Camps 2018 – Deutsche Sommerferien in California (Updated)

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German Summer Camps 2018 –

It’s time to get serious about thinking and planning for a summer camp. We had posted some of the camps in February, so this is a re-post with a few new updates.  Look through our list and find your favourite pick!

Most popular German summer camps up and down the California Coast. 

[Read more…] about German Summer Camps 2018 – Deutsche Sommerferien in California (Updated)