awkward

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.