Two Lessons

Part un: 

Up until this point I had not really grasped any illustration of personal growth due to my 13 months in Australia.  This weekend I took the coastal train down to San Diego to visit my friend Becks.  She came and visited me in Australia for a month and she kept mentioning how she felt she had grown even in that month away from the states.  Sorry to divulge your feels Becks, but she feels more independent and a generally stronger person.  I thought I hadn’t changed.  I thought I was still that same person from high school and then college to now.  Turns out I am wrong.  At one point in the weekend Becky and I talked about how we are thankful for the fact that we got out of LA for college.  I didn’t get into UCLA and at the time I remember feeling pretty bummed because I thought I would be unhappy if I didn’t live close to my family.  When my mom first dropped me off at Berkeley I cried, but I am so thankful that I ended up there.  In any case, when it came time for Australia I didn’t feel scared at all.  A year away from home, psh, I can do that.  I went without knowing a soul and yet I remember feeling happy and comfortable almost instantaneously.  One of my friends gave me four letters that I could open at different points in my year there and they were labeled “when you are homesick and just want to get on the next plane home” to “wanting to move to Australia forever” (or something to that degree).  In that 13 months, I opened all of them but the intense homesick one (which I opened at the end just for kicks).  My long winded point is that I really feel that I did grow in the past years and I am only now realizing it… hopefully my next adventure will be just as rewarding!

Part deux:

I have been an intensely shy person.  Not to the point of social crippling but definitely to a strong degree.  Yesterday, I proved that I am growing out of this and again, I have Australia to thank.  Becks and I stopped at the beach yesterday before I got on the train and we not only met, but chatted to (for over 30 min) these two guys from Spain.  The exchange started with the usual “can you take a picture for me” question which really can be the ultimate ice breaker if used correctly ;)  I complimented one of the guys on his California sweatshirt, written in the Coca Cola script, he mentioned that he got it in San Francisco, and we launched straight in.  We talked about Nor Cal vs So Cal (he agreed Nor Cal rocks, reminds him of Europe) and then talked about Spain and travel and the El Camino walk (he was very impressed with my Spanish knowledge).  Thirty minutes or so later, we were exchanging phone numbers so Jose could give me a call when he moves to Hollywood (his dream) and starts making music.  Pre-Australia there is no way I would have started a conversation with someone and given out my number.  AND to top it all off, I started another conversation on the train ride back with a guy from LA that was reading Orwell’s 1984.  My my, look how I’ve grown! :) 

I guess these adventures out of our comfort zones are the best medicine/ learning experience that can ever be discovered.  I am sure all you adults know all this stuff, and I am sure my family told me this would happen, but it is nice to learn all this stuff alone!  Again, next big adventure- BRING IT!!  :-D  

Workin' Gal!

After a relentless 3 weeks (big whoop I know) of looking for a job I have landed a Digital Marketing Assistant position at KNOCK KNOCK, a company that designs and manufactures office and general organizational materials.  Their motto is “we put the fun in functional” and I have to say, the office resonates that motto.  (Check out their amazing stuff here).   With bright orange walls, a magical never-empty pretzel container and two dogs underfoot, it is hard to think of the place as a conventional office.  Of course the Venice Beach location doesn’t hurt and the people in the office embody the laid back vibe of the town.  Of course we all get work done (but in a fun setting; just as work should be).  Lunch time is always a unpredictable event.  On Thursday, three people had an in-depth conversation about “soggy” vs. “moist” and which foods/ objects fall under each word. 

What does a Digital Marketing Assistant do? To summarize my job: I am compiling a list of their current media contacts, will find more contacts and then pitch our products to them.  Common advice from established business people is often “learn how to sell” (yourself, a product, etc), and I am starting another step in understanding how to brand myself and the products/ company I am endorsing.   Another aspect of my job will be public outreach through social media like twitter, facebook, blogs etc.  I think that the company has an amazing product but has not yet learned how to really establish themselves (especially in the websphere) and that is where I will come in.  I have a few innovative ideas about how to get the ball rolling and I will slowly feed them to my boss, Krista. 

Well the downside of this job (outside of the minimum wage which will barely cover gas money, kidding… sorta ;) )  is the drive.  It is in Venice and LA traffic is a terrible, unpredictable beast.  Last week was a veritable mix of hit and misses and I hope by the time Dec 15^th rolls around (my last day) I will actually have a good sense of the area and how to get around in the least amount of area possible. 

Things I have already learned: there are two Starbucks close by and I have written down the bathroom key code for each :) (very necessary).  I have a new website I am obsessed with: google analytics, which compiles tracking information for Knock Knock to see how their visitors find out about them.  I have learned the back end of the site and managed to take down products as necessary.  I have discovered that Venice Beach is actually a very cool part of Los Angeles… but still does not compare to my beloved Bay Area ;)