Wie gehts?! I’m back!
Today I have a pretty full update of stuff from the past week or so. Culture, school, work… all things kinda on my mind.
First, I want to say how great last weekend was. Saturday was amazing. Three weeks ago, I met Sven at the Record Label Market I attended. He is a Croatian man, who happened to be in a band who’s tape I bought in high school. It was released on a label from Boston that I am very close friends with. It was crazy because I had no idea who he was before, and I was completely shocked when he mention his band in conversion when we met. He was in Berlin because he was here on artist residency for three months. I think he was a painter or something. He’s also an architect… Anyway, we met up at another show about a week later, and he invited me to his going away party at the place he stayed at with other artists. I had to come through. Fast forward to Saturday, and I walk into a kitchen where this Croatian man, who I just befriended weeks prior, is making goulash for his friends, the other artists, and myself. There were people from Croatia, Serbia, Iran, South Korea, Venezuela… it was nuts. Everyone was so nice, and the goulash was amazing. It really does not get old meeting people from new places. It does not get old learning about the cultures of others. Here are some pictures of Sven and the artist residency. Sorry goulash is not pictured. (Out here being over friendly, so I run into little Croatian men who are phenomenal cooks… ain’t a bad gig. I am not a big selfie guy and I look so dumb… but the moment is captured… you’re welcome.)
Right after dinner, I went over to a public viewing of the Germany vs Sweden game. It was raining out, but this place was inside, so it was perfect. I had never experienced a sporting event like that. It was different then a Super Bowl party, or a bar, or a stadium experience… the Germans really loosened up and embraced each other (complete strangers) and cheered on their country. Deutschland did not play very well this tournament but it was cool to see the end of the Sweden game with all of those people. Kids were running around with whistles, people were hugging, beer was spilled everywhere. It was fun, especially because they were embarrassed by Mexico about a week prior. All fun was short-lived, though because South Korea kicked them out of the World Cup on Wednesday. I personally am a little upset because I wanted to experience a historical run in the World Cup from the German national team… but whatever.
**Fun Fact: The Pitt Alma Mater was written to the German national anthem. I heard that tune twice, and it hit me. It’s legit. I promise. Wikipedia**
Over the past week or so, it also hit me that I do not want to pursue marketing any further in my studies at Pitt. This position at Derdack is my fourth professional opportunity in marketing. Out of my classes, my professional experience, and my record label, I have found most of the things to be self taught (mainly through running a record label for two years). It is incredibly interesting and fun, but I think I can make more out of my student loans by taking on topics that I do not know as much about / want to know more about. I feel like I will continue to build on Crafted Sounds in terms of branding, PR, event promotion, SEO, and more. I personally feel I will learn more by running the label, than completing the major. I am leaning towards Supply Chain Management as a replacement as I see some nice overlap with Information Systems (my other major) and my Digital Analytics Certificate. I feel confident with this change, and I am looking forward to my last two years at Pitt.
Work has been slow. I complete my tasks rather quickly, and I spend a good amount of time brainstorming, and presenting new ideas or updated content to the CEO. The people in the office are getting friendlier. I was just given a key, which was nice. I had to knock for someone to let me in for a month. It is funny because I asked about it twice, and no one had anything to say. Also I am pretty sure I was “patient zero” in the office because the two women I sit next to have a cold now after I was sick recently. Lots of passive aggressive jokes are being made, but I will take it. I am the American intern. I was built for this.
**I gotta say it is interesting how much the Germans know about American politics. I had a very thorough conversation with Matthes (CEO) today about the previous election and current issues in the States. He was very educated, and considerate of different perspectives that are shared in the media. He also explained his skepticism from media that stems from his East German upbringing. He talked about how he reads a lot into politics because he just does not trust the media. In conversation said, “I am just used to being lied too. So I really do not believe everything I see.” That was a very real moment that I think I will never fully understand as a millennial.**
More updates to come.
Tschüss!