I was feeling something odd last Wednesday. For the purpose of getting to my point, I'll mention that last Wednesday was July 8, 2009. It wasn't my birthday, nor was it the birthday of anyone I knew. (Well, at least I hope it wasn't.) But I was feeling celebratory for some reason, and it only occurred to me when I looked at a folder I've kept with me for quite some time.
The reason why July 8, 2009 is very special is because it is exactly a year after the date when an essay I wrote was first published. My essay, which was published under the title "The reading room," (and which is linked to the title of this blog entry) was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer's Youngblood section. It had been written originally for my Civil Welfare Training Service (CWTS) class the summer after my freshman year in college. Our professor had told us that after we submitted the essays, she would choose a handful to send for publishing to the section.
Here's what I did. Before I submitted my essay to our professor, I already sent the essay to Youngblood for possible publishing, and just as well, since I didn't get picked for publishing in the first place.
Fast forward to July 8. 2008. I remember getting a text from one of my high school friends, asking if I wrote something for Youngblood, before telling me that I got published. After I got the text, I was in a hunting frenzy and searched for any copy of that day's Inquirer. I was able to get one, and I told my mom about it.
After adding that article to my resume, I got the courage to email Bounce Magazine and apply as a freelance writer. They texted me on the 31st, and since then, I've called myself a freelance writer. I've had a couple of articles under my belt already, and I'm looking forward to seeing myself as a regular, and as something else that I'm too shy to divulge because apparently, if you show people that you're ambitious, some of them just get the energy to hate you and hurt you.
Anyway, here's to us, Youngblood! Thanks for opening a door for me and for showing me another way to gain some experience, have fun, and earn a little cash. I've met a Singaporean band, eaten free food from my favorite hangout place in UP (Long Island!), and experienced a little commuting on a Saturday morning. Here's to more life experiences in the future.
:)
The Movie Geek, now signing off.
1 high fives:
hi..
I am glad for your success as a writer, having just finished "the reading room" i realized that we are all actually optimists deep down inside but the daily challenges and struggles we face mask us into becoming hardcore pessimists just to survive..
~wishing you all the best from Saudi Arabia
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