She entered the room, dressed to impress, because, hey she
was assigned in the Lifestyle department of a prominent newspaper in the
country. It was barely nine in the morning, writers, editors and staffers are
not yet around.
Until one photographer, a renowned artist, came to her side,
made small talk and shared that they share the same alma mater and were member
of the same university publication. It was a gleam of relief, to think that the
aspiring writer was timid and unconfident. But the photographer was dressed
down in t-shirt, sneakers and in almost tattered jeans. She looked down to
herself and felt unwelcomed.
Embarrassed by her superfluous get up, she decided to take
off her neon necklaces.
“So that I feel I belong,” she thought to herself.
She was shy, well she has always been. She was insecure, not
confident with her writing style and if she can pull off the demands of a
journalist on call 24/7. She has weak a body, petite frame that could still pass
as a high school student. Hence her mother has always been doubtful if she can
make it through the day, more so become a journalist/writer/editor someday. Her
emotional sensibilities, in addition, are not stable—she cries more often than a
normal person requires and easily takes pity on herself.
Barely a year after graduation, although she bagged a Latin
award, she was not that ready yet, to face the real world. Sometimes, she feels
the urge to enroll for her Masteral or another degree just so she could go to
school again. The thoughts of school,
assignment, classmates comfort her.
She just sat there, timid, staring, hearing chatters of names
she could barely remember. It felt like
forever, but it was just three hours ago after the famous photographer talked
to her.
Then there she was, her editor, clad with clothes she bought
on the way to the office. She looked smart (she is anyway), stood confident,
and possessed vitality—characteristics opposite of the newbie.
Then the unthinkable happened, out of boredom, she stormed
inside the room of her editor to ask for some assignment, the nerve to do that!
Right there and then, in a snap, her wish was granted in an instant—a hotel
coverage that would take place two hours after their meeting.
“This is it!” she thought.
Sadly, however, her article was not published the next day
after.
“It’s okay,” she said to comfort herself. Of course it was
okay but it could have been better if her first assignment was printed. At least,
she knew what it feels like to cover a PR story. At least, there were some
memories and experiences she learned before the day ended, and it were the
words of her very mentor:
Always think outside the box. Never
be shy to ask questions and interview people. Make a draft even before the
event happened. Everything will come easy
if you know the elements of your story.
She could definitely have done better. She knew that, at
least she has her second day (and other days, months and years) to prove herself
and hone whatever skill she thought she possessed.
