Hi, I am Annika and I come from the lovely neighbouring city of Leverkusen. I have been part of the SK-Office Deutschland GmbH team since August 2019 and have not regretted that decision so far. We are a very young team in which solidarity is writ large, which is rare in today's dog-eat-dog society. As I have a strong sense of justice, this matters a great deal to me in working life too. I like to spend my free time with friends and family; I find it difficult to be alone for longer periods because I am not used to it. I was lucky enough to grow up with two siblings – there was always something going on at our house. For me there is nothing more important than spending time with my loved ones and creating memories.
Among my friends we share a passion for football – I discovered it in childhood through visits to the stadium with my father. Today I follow Bayer 04 Leverkusen matches from the stands with my friends, and we travel not only across Germany but all over Europe. One of my favourite trips was when we played Tottenham at Wembley Stadium in London in the Champions League. Far more important than the match are the shared moments; defeats quickly become a side issue. I have already been able to share this pleasure with colleagues too – although there the defeats get brought up for rather longer 🙂 Besides football I enjoy watching tennis live; what appeals to me there is that a match can turn around in no time and anyone can beat anyone. Travelling is another of my passions: I love discovering other countries and cultures. It matters to me not to spend the time in a hotel complex but to mingle with the locals and see countries and places from their point of view. The odd tourist hotspot must not be missing, of course, but the insider tips are what really let you get to know a country. To the dismay of my travelling companions I prefer to do this on foot and happily do without public transport – the journey is the destination 🙂
For some years now I have been giving free rein to my creative side by sewing my own clothes. That has taught me to appreciate quality and also structured work, which benefits me in working life too. What appealed to me was creating a one-off piece myself; that was particularly practical for special occasions such as the school leavers' ball, where you knew that nobody else was wearing this dress that evening. When there is a new arrival among friends, the new citizens of the world – or, as my husband would say, the juniors – are each welcomed with something home-sewn. Most recently a colleague who became a mother in February was able to enjoy that.
For a year now we have all been more or less restricted by the coronavirus pandemic. As an optimist I always try to see the positive in every situation, even if that is slowly getting harder – the uncertainty torments us all. If I can take anything positive from it all, it is that it has affected every stratum of society equally and that truly everyone has had to suffer under the restrictions. The pandemic has also revealed many weaknesses and problem areas in individual societies, which will hopefully be tackled in future and not simply be forgotten again. I miss the time with my friends, going to a restaurant or travelling to other countries. Planning a wedding during a pandemic is no fun – speaking from experience – but it does teach you to appreciate everyday things again.