Expat Life Lessons – Page 2 – Berlin Lubells: Stories of Life in Berlin from an American Expat Mom's First Experience Living Abroad

Eight Years Old

Ben turned 8 last month and to celebrate, we had an epic weekend of activities. Being a lover of bagels, books and Coca-Cola, we took the boys to brunch at Fine Bagels located in Shakespeare and Sons book store in the Friedrichshain neighborhood. http://www.finebagels.com/# The Bagels were great, but so were the rugelach and cinnamonContinueContinue reading “Eight Years Old”

From Soup to Nuts

Ben’s school handed out report cards today. For him, it was nothing but an excuse get out early, as they don’t start receiving grades (1 for highest achievement, 4 for lowest – most kids strive for ones and twos) until next year in third grade. (We recently discovered during a meeting with his German teacherContinueContinue reading “From Soup to Nuts”

Haircuts

When you move somewhere new, it seems to always take forever to get settled. You have to get the internet hooked up, go to the DMV for a new license plate, find a pediatrician. Amongst a laundry list of other things. Imagine getting settled in a place that does almost all of its official businessContinueContinue reading “Haircuts”

Morning Commute

Dave was stuck in Lisbon last night coming home from Morocco, so despite being sick, I was tasked with getting both boys out the door and to school together. On time. Gulp! We usually take them separately, as Ben’s school starts at 8:10 and Issac must be at his by 9:00. And things just goContinueContinue reading “Morning Commute”

Thanksgiving in Berlin

As with every year since we’ve been an item, I’ve spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws. This year was no exception. John and Martha, Dave’s folks, as well as his brother, Sam, and future sister-in-law, Barbara, arrived the day before in order to spend the holiday together. With trips to the school for a party, museums,ContinueContinue reading “Thanksgiving in Berlin”

Safety

People ask us if we feel more or less safe here in Berlin. In Germany. I do. Hopefully not blindly. While there have been a few cell phones taken from coat pockets left in cloak rooms in our older son’s school, it doesn’t compare to the sinking feeling of sadness and fear that I feelContinueContinue reading “Safety”

Flu Shots

Last week, I found myself traveling on the U2 with a syringe filled with a flu shot. While at our doctor’s office the day before, Dave picked up a flu shot form for me, as I had an appointment with them the next day to check my Vitamin D level and to get the fluContinueContinue reading “Flu Shots”

Voting

With heated mid term elections this November back home, Dave and I are exercising our right and are making sure that our votes are counted. We are voting via absentee ballots this year. This week we sat down together to hash out and research the amendments and referendums that are on the ballot in theContinueContinue reading “Voting”