Sine-Cosine, Sorta.

I've resolved to update this space more regularly even though nobody might visit. It's still my space, so I'll write whenever the feel for it comes by.

Just a quick heads up, I think I messed up big time at SPH's interview session last Friday. I'd be lying if I say I didn't feel a wee bit defeated even before I made my way there. It was my fourth trip there and I couldn't help it, really.

What makes me think that the print side would want me when I don't even have any experience in print? After all, the digital side didn't pick me even when I've got some solid articles to show. Rational and logical calculations aside, it's no wonder that I felt crappy even before the interview ended. And I'm pretty sure the interviewers felt those defeated vibe wafting out of me profusely. I wouldn't blame them for being confused for the (kinda) desperate me even threw out a crazy suggestion on the interview floor.

Ugh. Why is it so difficult to be a beauty writer? :(

Truth be told, I hate interviews.
Interviews suck.
They almost always make me feel like dump.

.
.
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On a brighter note, I'm still alive and still looking around for opportunities in the most unlikely of places. The thought of just signing on with the armed forces popped up in my head, in case you're wondering. They pay pretty well, too! But I don't suppose I'm at that stage where I'm ready to give up my freedom, pretty clothes and pink IC to battle bugs, lizards and whatever other unfriendly creatures that are out there in the wild yet.

Anyhow, I felt strangely excited when I finally took a leap of faith and applied to be a teacher. I've never considered teaching as a career path that I'd embark on so I really really don't know where that excitement stemmed from! It sounds nice if I can impact on others' lives positively though. Ah, that Aquarius trait in me.

Alright, I'm getting out of here! Gonna grab dinner with daddy soon and exercise. Will try to sleep early tonight since I gotta be up crazy early tomorrow. DXO's psychometric test starts too early?


Love,
Denise

Denise is back.

Hello,

This came as much as a surprise for me as it is for you. I never thought I'd be writing in this space again having left it in the lurch for such a long, long time. Well, 5 years is a pretty long hiatus, no?

What's going on in my life? Nothing much except the fact that I finally found my calling one year after leaving NUS.

I don't want to just write. Writing things that I love gives me a sense of gratification like no other. It is, of course, a bonus if my written works help any single soul out there in any way possible.

I've learnt so much about the power of words - how words can shape one's opinion so easily, how putting words out of context can create the kind of hurt or pain unknowingly, how some words can be comforting while others can tear you apart. Words are never just words.

To be able to pursue something that I've loved since I was a kid is an incredibly rewarding privilege. And I'm trying to be as hopeful as I can be right now. It may not command the kind of salary that high flyers in other niche industries are getting, nor the kind of respect that doctors and lawyers get, but still, it is an honest profession in its own right. Apologies if I sound defensive and all. I just feel... defeated.

The struggle is real. I am only armed with a portfolio consisting of journalistic works I've done for The Smart Local, some fashion-based content I'd created at my previous workplace, and a handful of freelance articles.

It hurts to know that I was so so so so so close to getting my dream job but they picked somebody else because that person has experience in both print and digital. Now, how am I suppose to gain more experience in digital and/or start gaining experience in print when publishing companies wouldn't give me the opportunity to?

What else can I do?

• Slog over underpaid freelance digital articles? Am doing it now though the monetary reward is close to non-existence. 
•  Do an internship again? I'd love to but who's gonna pay my bills and ridiculous shopping tabs? Nobody. 
• Start a professional blog and write about the things I fancy as suggested by a friend of mine? Hmmm, I could consider it I suppose? 

Anyhow, in case you're wondering, nope, I didn't drop out of school. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and I majored in Economics. I'm genuinely curious how my life will unravel from now on. I really am.

p.s. Denise feels very blessed and thankful to have family and close friends care for and love her the way she is. :')


Love,
Denise