I am a:
- Mother of three married to a British, book-mad, bikeboy
- Freelance writer and editor, currently writing a novel
- Reader, of books and blogs
- Cook, baker, inventor of fabulous salads
- Traveller, dreamer, optimist
- Recent convert to the joys of the gym
- Transplanted South African living in Germany, land of rules, orange tans and cheesecake
I love:
- Reading books in the bath; blogs in the kitchen with coffee
- Mornings, especially sunny ones
- Journeys to places new
- Kissing my children
- Chocolate for breakfast
- Yoga, particularly the tree pose
- Silence and being alone
- Where I am from
- Where I am going
I loathe:
- Fundamentalism and the patriarchy
- Victim mentality
- Unsolicited advice and hearing “you should”
- Being bored by people who lack the edit gene
- Feeling trapped
- Excess (though not of champagne)
Hi,
I came across your blog while Googling instructions for making a Schultüte (ended up buying one — so much easier!). I had to laugh when I read your “10 things I find weird” list. (I’m sad that I don’t have a baby in the house anymore, but at least I no longer have to put up with busybody old women scolding me for my children being “underdressed.”) And I share your astonishment that religion is a school subject here. If any country would separate church and school, you’d think it would be Germany. But we’ve been through four religion teachers at four different schools by now, and our experience has been that they teach Bible stories and songs, not beliefs. (Well, one teacher was a little dogmatic, but our daughter knows not to take seriously anyone who warns against Harry Potter.) I’ll be thinking of you on Saturday when our youngest also starts 1st grade. (Incidentally, I blew off the Elternabend last night. I think 8 PM is an annoying time to start a parents’ meeting, and all the ones I’ve been to drag on foreeeeeeeever. Hope yours are more enjoyable.)
Jennifer (near you in Heidelberg)
Hi Charlotte,
I have very much enjoy reading your blog. My wife (Doree) and I are contemplating the expat thing and you provide a window into that strange world. Thank you.
Regards,
Thomas’s Friend Mike
thank you very much I am this “smelly” teenager from heidelberg.Does not matter maybe you send me an email tavin15@gmail.com
thx
Thank you very much for having such a great blog.
Hi Charlotte,
I am moving and starting my new job in Frankfurt in February. Are you living in Hessen region? I was hoping to find a reliable property agent, any recommendations?
Cheers
Christina
Hello
I’ve just found you by following the links from Lesley at Peregrinations with the ‘I am from’ meme…
I’m also South African…living in France…
I loved your ‘I am from’ post and am moved to do my own.
Hi Charlotte, I just spent another wonderful hour browsing your web – I have nominated you for a thinking blogger – BUT I SEE YOU ALREADY ARE!!! lol OH well I guess you are a double thinker now. Cheers Lynda
Just came across your blog. Beautifully written and funny too!! Thanks for sharing your family and your thoughts.
hi, you have done a great job, i gotta accept this,that you are a good writer.you have got a great send of using the words.i just want to know that how much time have you taken to write the whole thing?
Hi again,
I’m new to your blog and am looking forward to reading through more of it.
I have a question about your randomizer: if you are hosted at wordpress.com, where did you find that widget? Was it custom-made? Can’t seem to find anything labeled as such in the widget box of the dashboard. Apologies for the tech-iness of this query.
oh! I just saw you on Buzz Balls and Hype–! I was like, “oh! I know her!” Excellent question.
I don’t have children, but I think I’m going to utilize Dr. Sue’s answer to do an assessment of my time management and goals.
Sounds like a good life!
Nice.
Seasons Greetings from Singapore
The bikeboy is linked to http://http//theotherthomasotter.wordpress.com/
Please correct
Cheers, Kishore.
Still @ SAP
We have lived in Germany for 2 years and it would be nice to see your list of favorite “Journeys to places new”
Our best trips have been
1) Neuschwanstein in all seasons
2) To Bad Antogast ( http://www.artofliving-foundation.de/BadAntogast/BadAntogast.htm )
Dear Charlotte,
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ebuzzing UK Community Manager
Ah… didn’t mean to comment that… meant to email it. Do excuse me, and please delete if it bothers you!
Cheers,
Dan
Have a nice day !
HI there..I found your website when I typed in “living in Germany and hating it.”
Hmm..I guess you know a lot already…lol
I came here to marry my sweet German husband…but as a US citizen I find this place restrictive, controlling, totalitarian. I won’t go on with that, because I DO have a lot of details but it will be so very negative…I can’t wait to get back to the US..one thing this place made me understand and appreciate my own country so much more!
Take care…
I have only recently started blogging and I would like to thank you for your informative and fabulous blog! I came across your blog when, (due to my husband contemplating a move to the Vaterland), out of desperation I searched for ‘South African living in Germany’. I wanted to find out all I could about the day to day living in Germany but from a South African’s perspective and I thank you for giving me an insight into what may await us as a family.
Greetings!
I’m an 18 year old American girl who loves to travel and was fortunate enough to come across your blog. As someone who has lived abroad, I am greatly inspired by the way in which you examine the many cultural differences that exist in our small world. I was especially moved by one of your most recent posts, “A Cold Comfort”. While America’s problems are much different from South Africa’s, I feel strongly connected to the emotions you described: eternal love for your birth land, a native’s understanding of its potential, a deep sadness at its current state, and a knowledge that you can never go back. While it must have been painful to write, your words are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Incidentally, I have a very lovely, no-nonsense German boyfriend and will soon be travelling to Baden-Wurttemberg to meet his lovely, no-nonsense family. Your many anecdotes about the German way of life have kept me laughing, and I look forward to collecting some of my own!
Thanks again and best of luck,
Rose
Hi,
I really appreciate what you have written about Half a Yellow Sun. I am leading a book discussion about it tonight, August 4, 2008 and it gave me a great perspective. You are very articulate. I will share your insights with my group of women -all over 60.
I am a professional artist in the USA. I live in Pennsylvania. I have work on Myartspace as well as on my website.
Again, great commentary on Half of a Yellow Sun. Now I will check what you have to say regularly.
Joan
Hey there,
I was looking around in technorati for travels and things to do in Germany and came across your blog.
I’m living here for the next 6 months and I must say what you’ve written about Germany has given me a lot of ideas how to spend my time here.
Bernard
Dear Charlotte
I think you’ve saved my life. I too am a South African and moved to Germany ten months ago, to Schwelm, a little dorp between Dusseldorp and Dortmund. The first 6 months were exciting and, as much as I’ve tried to ward it off, the last four has felt like being sucked into the thick wet clay of my garden soil. I’ll definately be a reader of your site. There’s so much there that resounds with me. Congratulations on your awards.
I’m also hoping you could assist me: do you know of any other South Africans living in Germany who could possibly assist me with some gardening questions?
Regards
Shaan
been away from home friends become so very important.
good job! keep up doing so.
Charlotte,
I am new to the world of blogging. I came across your blog under books and am so enthralled with your blog that I shall become a regular reader. I am now motivated to create my own blog. The issues with the potty training and just child rearing are to be treasured, as they soon will be grown. It seems like yesterday my boys were wearing diapers, yet thirty years has quickly passed.(now its jockeys and boxers I hope) Have a blessed day. You are very creative and a delight to read.
Hi Charlotte. Your blog is fantastic, and I am enjoying it very much. One side of my family is German, the other South African (moved there from Germany after the war), so I have relatives in both countries and can relate to much of what you say. Of course, I also enjoy your anecdotes on motherhood, as I have two of my own. Please keep writing!
Hello! I am researching German culture for an American TV show filming there in July. I’d love to chat with you. Could you please email me? carrie@tremendousinc.com
Thanks!
Carrie
Hi Charlotte,
I am writing from a British production company and am producing a documentary about Lego for the BBC. I see from the SAP website that you were involved in an intiative with the First Lego League in Soweto. I would really like to talk to you about this as we are trying to find people all over the world who use and love Lego. I am on a bit of a tight deadline…so would be great to hear from you as soon as possible!
Thanks,
Laura