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Well, hello there! Or should I say, Guten Tag! That's a little formal, though. How about just hallo? Hallo! I'm here! And I brought you two Pfannkuchen! It's New Year's Eve, after all, and that's what Germans eat on New Year's Eve. Jelly doughnuts, that is. Ooh, and these ones are the best. Handmade, filled with sticky plum jam or a tart berry jelly, and light as a feather. You can have both! Go on, then. I don't even mind.

Oh my goodness, I've missed you so much. Yes, you, dear reader. And you, and you, and you. I missed you! Oof, I cannot ever go that long without blogging again. But I have a good excuse, I do. Let me tell you, transatlantic moves? Not for the faint of heart. Not even for the sturdy of heart. Transatlantic moves are a kick in the pants. No, a kick in the head! I do not recommend them, no sirree bob, not unless you enjoy a little bit of existential torture.

In addition to being responsible for a million forms being signed and faxed and emailed and who-knows-what-else, you have to sell your furniture (well, most of it anyway), which can be a little gnarly if you're like me and attached to the pieces that you painstakingly bought over the course of many years and that seemed to fit just so into many apartments, then you have to watch two pleasant enough dudes come and pack up what remains of an entire life, let's face it, and you aren't even allowed to help because then the insurance wouldn't apply, and then after saying goodbye to your friends and your streets and your city and that life I just mentioned, you still have to arrive. You know? I mean, actually get off the plane, adjust to the new time zone and realize that you don't have a return ticket. Ahem.

So I guess that's where I've been. Adjusting, unpacking, looking for an apartment, dealing with the absolute hell that is understanding bureaucratic German, buying health insurance, opening bank accounts and trying to quell the heartache I feel for just a moment every single time Jay-Z and Alicia Keys start singing about New York on the radio, the jerks.

And now here we are, just a few hours, in Berlin anyway, from a new year. And before we leave this old one behind us, I just had to write, to check in and let you know that I'm still here and that I cannot wait to get back to work. For the one thing that remains constant in this incredible, wonderful upheaval is you and this space. And let me tell you, I could cry when I think about what joy and peace that gives me.

So, don't let me keep you too much for now. It's a big day, after all. Make sure you have enough Champagne or Prosecco chilling in your fridge and enough loved ones around you to squeeze tonight, and then at some point today or tomorrow, or a few days from now, whenever you have a chance, remember that there's a girl in Berlin who is very, very grateful indeed that you're in her life. Thank you. And Happy New Year!

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105 responses to “The Arrival”

  1. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    Happy New Year, Luisa! So glad to see you back and looking forward to reading all about your Berlin adventures. Alles Gute!

    Like

  2. Jennifer S Avatar

    Welcome to your new home, Luisa, and Buon Anno! I’m glad your move is going forward, and that your spirits seem good, considering the hassle factor. 🙂

    Like

  3. The Leftoverist Avatar

    Welcome “home” to this virtual space, and I hope your new life starts to feel like home really, really soon.
    Happy New Year!–Sarah.

    Like

  4. Kristin T Avatar
    Kristin T

    Happy 2010 – glad you’re “back”!

    Like

  5. Marie Avatar

    Here’s to getting through the yucky stuff as fast as possible! Happy New Year!

    Like

  6. Magen Avatar
    Magen

    Glad your back.

    Like

  7. Nathalie Avatar
    Nathalie

    Hi Luisa, hope you had a great time ringing in the new year. I wish you and yours all the best for 2010 and I am looking forward to reading you soon.

    Like

  8. evy Avatar
    evy

    Happy New Year Wednesday Chef! Looking forward to reading your blog in 2010!

    Like

  9. Fromcooktotrainedchefandbeyond.blogspot.com Avatar

    Hi Luisa and happy new year from the UK.
    Just discovered your blog have have spent a good while trying to play catch up with all your content! Great stuff and will be a regular reader through 2010 and beyond. All the best with life in Berlibe!
    Dylan

    Like

  10. Reuben Morningchilde Avatar

    Well, what can I say – welcome to Germany and have a happy, inspired and fulfilling 2010!
    And should you ever come anywhere near Kassel in the heart of Germany, you’re most cordially invited to drop by and be our guest.

    Like

  11. Grace Avatar
    Grace

    You’re back! You’ve been missed. Happy New Year! May 2010 be a magical year for you.

    Like

  12. Diane Turley Avatar
    Diane Turley

    I was happy to check in a see a new post…Best wishes for a happy new year. I am looking forward to learning more about Berlin!

    Like

  13. cj Avatar
    cj

    Happy, Happy New Year! May it be filled with excitement and good cheer!

    Like

  14. eloise Avatar

    Dear Luisa,
    Great to hear from you, that you hadn’t forgotten your blog-fans, happy to provide global continuity!
    Chin up during the settling-in time, keep posting the treats, even if it does lead to inter-regional debate (welcome back to Europe!)
    Happy 2010 😉

    Like

  15. Brettne Avatar
    Brettne

    Ah, there you are! Welcome back, Madame. And a very happy and healthy 2010 to you. xo

    Like

  16. Rowdy Chowgirl Avatar

    Prosecco does indeed make for a Happy New Year.
    Looking forward to reading about your continuing adventures in 2010!

    Like

  17. janet Avatar
    janet

    Cheers to the New Year Luisa! Thanks for sharing your celebration, looking forward to your new adventures.

    Like

  18. Tea Avatar

    Happy New Year to you, my dear. I cannot wait to see what it has in store for you. I have a feeling it’s going to be big!
    xox from the New World. We miss you out here already.

    Like

  19. Lauren Z Avatar

    Happy New Year to you as well! Good luck in settling into your new life, can’t wait to read all about it and all the new kitchen adventures that go along with it!

    Like

  20. CattyinQueens Avatar
    CattyinQueens

    Forest Hills is missing something now! But I’m happy to hear you’ve arrived and adjusted and are back in the business of blogging. Looking forward to reading about your experiences in the new year!

    Like

  21. la ninja Avatar

    hooray! happy happy happy 2010 (punctuality’s never been my strongest quality but hey…)
    it’s all probably been said/written by now but all the best in berlin and your new life, luisa.
    p.s. I’ve had my cava and grapes in barcelona this year but have to say I’ve missed oliebollen a bit 😉

    Like

  22. Maeve Avatar
    Maeve

    Happy New Year Luisa!! I wish you an amazing and renewing New Year!!!

    Like

  23. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Hey Luisa,
    welcome in Berlin, you’ll settle in and then you’ll have a wonderful time in Germany, I’m sure you will!
    Greetings,
    Liza

    Like

  24. Mélanie Avatar

    Happy New Year Luisa! May 2010 be a great german year for you!

    Like

  25. gemma Avatar
    gemma

    You’re back online at last. I tried calling the german authorities in the hope that they would make german bureaucracy a nightmare for you so you would come scampering back here on the first flight home. But darn it, you seem to persevere. Your readers write some lovely stuff but can’t they spare a thought for the friends you have left behind in new york. we have a great big void in our lives that can’t be filled:(

    Like

  26. Lisa-Marie Avatar

    Luisa, Happy New year!
    I look forward to drooling over your recipes in the next one, and hope that it is wonderful to you! xxx

    Like

  27. The Food Hunter Avatar

    Happy New Year and good luck to you in Berlin.

    Like

  28. kathleen Avatar

    Wishing you everything of the best in 2010 as you start your new life in Berlin and pursue your dreams! Looking forward to reading all about it x

    Like

  29. merle b Avatar

    Happy New Year!
    I’m so glad you landed safe and sound…

    Like

  30. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    happy new year!
    good luck with the move and your new adventure, etc!

    Like

  31. Gemma Avatar

    Happy new year Luisa! Have a wonderful 2010, looking forward to hearing all about Berlin as it is a city high up on my must visit list.

    Like

  32. Char Avatar

    HAllo Luisa, I am NEW to your Blog…just been directed over by Brian.
    I can relate…but came the other way…Europe to Canada.
    HAPPY NEW YEAR…it doesn’t have to be forever, and looks like you have tremendous support!
    Your blog is wonderful…I will be back.
    Char

    Like

  33. michela Avatar

    i like your new header.

    Like

  34. Jill Grossman Avatar
    Jill Grossman

    So glad you made it safe and sound and are back to the blog. We missed you! Can’t wait to hear how life in Europe turns out for you. Salutami Italia se ci vai!

    Like

  35. Lecia Avatar

    Cheers to 2010 and new beginnings!

    Like

  36. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    Happy New Year Luisa!! Missing you over here but am glad to hear that you are slowly settling in. I know that 2010 will be a wonderful year for you! Sending lots of love.

    Like

  37. maria Avatar

    Hey Luisa, just discovered your blog and as a German girl I wanted to say Hallo and wish you a good start in the new city..As you probably know..it is a fantastic city….and I hope you find many great inspirations for your book.

    Like

  38. Dawn (KitchenTravels) Avatar

    Luisa! It was so wonderful to see your post when I randomly checked online New Year’s Day. But alas, I only had my Blackberry, which would not cooperate long enough to let me leave a comment. We spent NYE in New York (SoHo), having a relaxing, lovely, delicious, cozy dinner downstairs at a place you recommended – Peasant. Thank you so much, it was exactly what we needed in the middle of a crazed – but fun – weekend of family wedding activities (my sister’s, not mine). Hopefully the next time we visit NYC, we will have time to see more of that wonderful city. Missed you! Glad to hear you have arrived safe and sound in Berlin, and am looking forward to reading about all your adventures there. xo, Dawn

    Like

  39. Raquelita Avatar
    Raquelita

    Luisa, it’s so good to be hearing from you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your life with so many people you don’t know from Adam (although you have made us feel like we do know you, through your willingness to be so vulnerable), even in the midst of limited time and a multitude of stress, uncertainty and adjustments. On the days when borrowing under the covers seems safer than facing a cold, oversnowed reality, please know that all over the world there are people who are rooting for you, whose days are made by your beautiful blog posts. All the very best with the transatlantic settling-in.

    Like

  40. Kaffeebohne Avatar

    Hi Carolin,
    in southern Germany they are called ‘Berliner’ and here in the Rhein-Main-Area around Frankfurt they are called Kreppel. There are also areas where they are called Krapfen. But in Berlin they are definetly called ‘Pfannkuchen’ and what you know as Pfannkuchen (crepes) are called Eierkuchen in Berlin.
    Happy new year!
    Katja

    Like

  41. notyet100 Avatar

    lovely post,..wish u happy new yr 2010 ahead,..

    Like

  42. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    I moved countries (continents) 5 years back and it is hard hard hard hard hard. But golly, the new adventures waiting.. Happy New Year!

    Like

  43. tastaturen Avatar

    Happy new year! I liked these Pfannkuchen. I would be a lot grateful to you if you could share the recipe. These can make a wonderful birthday breakfast treat!

    Like

  44. Penny Avatar

    Happy New Year Luisa! I look forward to following your new life in Berlin. All my best wishes for finding your niche there.

    Like

  45. intxaurtsu Avatar

    Good luck!!! you must be filled by emotions…some good ones and some others not so good…beginnings are hard…but you learn so much…and that’s what makes all it worth…
    Happy new year and new life

    Like

  46. Jen Avatar

    What a lovely post. 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading about your German adventures!

    Like

  47. Michael Cavinta Avatar

    Oh my goodness! Thank you very much for posting one of my favorite desserts of all time! Jelly donuts! I tried making this the other day and it was really delicious. It really went well with my coffee too. Great pics too. Happy New YEar!

    Like

  48. Suzanne Quinn Avatar
    Suzanne Quinn

    Lovely to hear from you. Welcome home, good luck hunting for your nest.

    Like

  49. Julie Avatar

    Welcome to Berlin! I made that transatlantic move a year and half ago and I don’t even want to think about doing it again any time soon. If you ever need any help from a local fellow expat and cook, feel free to ask!
    Julie
    PS – you are so lucky you were in Berlin for the New Years celebration – I missed it this year 😦

    Like

  50. Jessica Kanat Avatar
    Jessica Kanat

    I have found a new idol. Every sentence, picture and recipe I have experienced thus far has only confirmed my desire to be a food writer. Thanks for the inspiration. And don’t worry, whenever you miss the concrete jungle, know that someone here is pursuing their dream just like you have, and we are ALL connected through food. Good luck and Cheers!

    Like

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