Wednesday, July 4, 2007

The audacity of hope

Hi been busy lately!

Anyway, lots of things have been going on in my head.

Firstly, I just want to announce that I am in NTU! All glory to God! My journey towards being a journalist has officially begun!

Secondly, God has really been speaking to me about stuff. In the area of relationships, now is really not the time. Got to focus on my calling first. I just need to go out there and develop my character and know more people. The world’s my oyster! I’ve also been rethinking my desire to be a CGL. It seems that I’m always wavering with regards to this area, going both extremes. One moment I was on the verge of calling it off, another moment I feel like anything’s possible. I will be seeking God regarding this area. I can’t be so indecisive.

The Appeal Letter

To: Assoc Prof Ang Peng Hwa
Chair
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information


RE: Final Appeal For Entry Into Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

Greetings! My name is Terence Lee, application number A00022***, stubborn prospective student of NTU. I was called down for an interview to SCI some time ago, but found out that I was rejected. Subsequently, I filed for an appeal, but so far I’ve not heard of the outcome.

I’m not here to beg or cause a rukus. I’m here to argue my case.

I believe that SCI’s mission is to educate and nurture communication and information professionals and academics, to advance knowledge, and to serve society. I can help SCI to fulfill that mission.

It is my passion and desire to be a top reporter, not just in the local scene, but on the international stage as well. I have a knack for the English Language and a deep-seated desire to search out the truth of any matter. I prize integrity; it is what defines my being. I am persistent in the things I do.

I have gained valuable experience working in media-related fields. I was the editor for my unit’s ORD magazine during my NS days. After coming out of the army, I became a freelance writer for several publications. It is through these experiences that I discover what I want to do as a career.

I realize that I may be a little too late. After all, the deadline for the acceptance of offer is on 27th June, 2007, which is 7 days from now. Perhaps administrative restrictions will prevent this appeal from succeeding. But I believe in the audacity of hope. Yes, maybe I didn’t create a good enough impression during the interview. Maybe I fared poorly for the test. Or maybe it was just plain stupidity for a small tiger like me to contend with a posse of dragon babies.

But I believe in not giving up. I believe in learning from my mistakes and failures. I’ve asked myself this: since I already have a place in NUS, why would I bother to appeal into SCI? And the honest answer? I believe SCI is the best place in Singapore to learn the ropes of journalism.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton once said, “Journalism is popular, but it is popular mainly as fiction. Life is one world, and life seen in the newspapers another.”

I have never believed in that. And I believe I do have something to offer to the world of journalism.

Anyway, I do hope you will seriously consider my appeal, and I really look forward to hear from you soon!

Sincerely Yours,
Terence Lee