Why?
Hi everyone, thank you for the response to my first blog. It is really heartwarming to know that I’ve been missed anchoring on Channel NewsAsia. I can’t respond to everyone but I will try my best in this blog.
I guess the most pressing question is why I decided to transfer to Shanghai to be a correspondent. Let me try to be as succinct as possible. Upon graduation from Boston University, like every idealist fresh graduate, I thought I could be the next Peter Jennings or Tom Brokow. But as things always turn out, that was not meant to be. You have to work very hard to achieve what you truly want. So I waited on tables in New York at a restaurant in Soho called “Penang” (my friends tell me it’s still there – check it out the next time you visit Manhanttan, it serves the most authentic Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine) while waiting to get an interview with the various TV stations in the US.
Unfortunately nothing happened and my parents were getting annoyed that a graduate like me was waiting on tables and getting a “salary” from tips alone.
They were kind to me, and only hauled me back to Singapore after a year of living in New York. They figured if their daughter gets a job at the TV station by the end of the year, she’ll be happy. If she doesn’t, then it’s long enough to be idling for 12months. I guess they were right because the longer I stayed in New York without a job at a TV station, the more disillusioned I became of the city.
Although I have to say that waiting on tables in New York made me realize that I can multi-task rather well without being distracted. Plus, surviving on tips alone and relying on the charity of friends, makes you a humble person.
When I joined then TCS (Television Corporation of Singapore) I did a year of producing at Current Affairs and another year of local reporting before I jumped at being an anchor when TCS launched the weekend morning programme called “AM Singapore.” I enjoy anchoring very much but also felt that I wanted to explore all aspects of journalism. And after almost 8 years of anchoring, I thought I’d should do field reporting while I am still young. So I hurdled, somersaulted and after a lot of convincing of my bosses, I applied for the Shanghai posting. Correspondent positions, like anchoring, don’t avail themselves very easily. Once you make a name for yourself, you hardly want to relinquish.
I am still young and healthy so what better time than now to run around getting stories, relocating to a new country where I get to challenge myself. It’s the perfect opportunity.
I love challenges and this is the perfect challenge for me. My friends tell me I am very fortunate to have known at an early age that I wanted to be a journalist. And after 10 years in the industry, I am still in love with journalism. So why not explore what else journalism has to offer?
So here I am in Shanghai as a correspondent. And it is more than just reporting from the field. You need to manage other aspects of being in-charge of a bureau. There are so many responsibilities which forces you to learn other things besides just reporting. I also have to learn accounts, administrative work and managing staff.
Please make no mistake, I love anchoring and will eventually go back to anchoring, but for now I need to scratch this itch first.
And I invite you to enjoy this journey with me. You’ll get to read my trials and tribulations of challenging myself in China. Instead of watching me anchor the news, now accompany me as I explore China.
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Good for you…to be able to reinvent yourself, even if ever so slightly, is an impressive feat. Hope you like Shanghai. I’ve always loved Shanghai for short trips but never wanted to actually live there, even though my brother has been there for some years and shows no signs of ever wanting to come back to Singapore!
dizzydee
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Hi Glenda, welcome to Shanghai, I am a Singaporean working in Shanghai for the past 8 years and this is a great place to understand China. And trust me, after a while, you will find love certain aspect of this city. Enjoy your stay here !
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
HI Glenda, welcome to China. I am a Chinese boy in Hubei provice. Now i watch channel news asia every day.i want to learn English well. I hope you could find what you are looking for in China. Look luck!
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Hi Glenda,
I see u have transfer . miss u on the news , i like yr style of delivering the newslah. anyway hope to see u on tv again. best wishes
mohamad
July 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am
hi Glenda
Although missed seeing you daily on the local news channel, but am glad you are happily reporting from China. Never been to Shanghai, so always delighted whenever you brought on news from afar…its refreshing seeing your updates wherever you are! All the best!
July 4th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
How do you do? I am Japanese and I watched your Primetime News
from Japan. It is regretful I can’t see you there now.
And I often watch TV news in the USA from Japan and recently I have
re-confirmed that the US is a country which cannot move economics
without gasoline.
I have an idea that there is a possibility the US cannot maintain
her power of nation in the future. China has been getting much money by
selling products to the US and if the US lost her power of nation, China
cannot sell products to the US anymore.
I think you are in a Good Position to see the world in the next decades.
I hope you will give us various news there in this blog.
at 2:14pm on Friday July 4th, 2008
Toshi Takayama
Tokyo, Japan
July 4th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Hi Glenda, you have lots of talent, and have definitely set new standards for the local media. Hope you enjoy the time spent in Shanghai. Take good care and have a Happy 4th!!!
July 4th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Hi
I’ve heard of the “waiting-on tables” phase of your life long ago. But, to actually hear you recounting the experience, it definitely sheds a different light on the matter altogether.
Seriously, take all the times you need to “scratch the itch”. I don’t expect the rest to agree with me. But, I strongly believe, the recent changes in your life will do you much good in the long run.
Trust me when I say that, I know it’s not easy for you to simply share the personal side of your life with the world at large. I for one, am so appreciative of the fact that I am blessed to be able to read a thing or two about the personal and somewhat hidden aspects of your life.
p/s: You’re way better than Peter Jennings or Tom Brokaw. But, Melvin Yong will always triumph over you. Hahaha! Just kidding!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Still not convinced about why you choose this foreign post…
Leaving Singapore and all the glamour behind.. why?
July 8th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Glenda, so happy to hear that but really hope to see you back in Singapore anchoring Prime Time News again. Your reporting is unique, hope it will bring on to your new postings. Indeed, we everyone in Singapore has alot to learn how to survive well overseas and emerge as a champion in it. U will be missed by all viewers watching Prime Time News. All the best
July 9th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Hey Glenda,
First of all, congratulations as you are doing what you want to do! I could still remember watching you on CNA, presenting the morning news with Jack (if i dont remember his name wrongly). CNA has come a long way and I have also grown with it. Having left Singapore a year ago to further my studies, I could relate to your rental and paper work issues. But, everything will fall into place after that! Wish you every success! I hope to see you on CNA in the future as I will be returning to SG soon!
July 14th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Hey Glenda
Bingo….Yes, Shanghai China is 1 of the good destinations to explore for career experience and further networking. Great thinking!
I have watched your talent grew over the years. You have that intangible “X” factor and the future is in your hands.
I was on the same track as you except I started earlier (I am a lady, not as young though. HAHA!) and in different field.
While working in my beloved homeland, Singapore, I had the opportunity of a posting to HongKong. It was at the latter that I made my way into China. First at Shenzhen and then Shanghai to spearhead the new office. During my 4 years there, I gained lots of knowledge & personal growth. I got fortunate with another job offer and moved to New York (cum managing the operations at San Francisco). Now, I am speaking from London. There are plans of my posting back to Shanghai, this city has proliferated tremendously since the day I left and is the Shining Star…I missed my days there.
Please, do not envy my career paths, regardless whether they were all luck, opportunities, god’s gifts, diligence, perseverance…whatever, one has nothing to lose, BUT everything to gain. Nothing that could have been taught to me academically, it was a special learning from real life experiences.
Most importantly, it is also humility, especially when you are in foreign land.
You simply need ALL the support, guidance, care & warmth extended to you ” a newcomer”, by the locals & veterans…with sound intentions.
Your humbleness & modesty will lead you well.
Glenda, Best wishes to you!
Duo Bao Zhong !
July 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Hi Glenda,
I believe you must have miss your diving for sure since you transfer there.. But if you have any good place to dive at China, please share!
Take care! Good luck & Cheers!
July 14th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Hi Glenda,
I travel to China quiet a fair bit, to city like Bejing, Shanghai, Dalian and Nanjing….you will grow to like it. Looking forward to hear from you on those reports about China. Cheers.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Hi Glenda,
All the best to your new posting! Hope you will achieve your DREAM in Shanghai!
Fyi, I have always enjoyed your News Reporting. It always amazes me how your look on TV changes now and then. Is that your idea or the image consultant in MediaCorp experimenting with different styles?
Cheers,
Jerome.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
so how’s your doggy glenda? did you bring it along with you?
show us some pictures please.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hey Glenda,
Can’t wait to see you back on screen (in a different time-zone)
Abdillah
July 20th, 2008 at 10:55 am
No more blogging?
July 21st, 2008 at 1:12 am
Hi Glenda,
miss seeing u on CNA on a regular basis. i like your style alot.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Hi Glenda, Hope you enjoy your work! Miss your news.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Hey glenda,
congratulations on doing something that you like.
not many people can actually do that.especially with work.
And most of all, we viewers can still get what we want…to still watch u in news!
see you on tv soon!
(p.s. do you speak eng or chinese over there?)
July 25th, 2008 at 4:04 am
hi glenda,
love tp read your blodg, congratulations to you, as your wish you have been posted to shanghai as a CNA correspondent, i wishyou all the best. After reading yor blog, i felt that you are quite flank in your personality. I love to read your blog. I hope that you can continue present your latest and fun presentation in your way of presenting the blog brodcast.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Hi glenda,
I really miss your brodcast at channelnewsasia station, so when are you coming back to singapore.
July 26th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Hi Glenda
it has been years since we met at the Caldicott Hill studios and each time you appear on TV here I wondered where was your base–now I know it’s in Shanghai which my wife keeps saying we must visit one day and not just HK every time!
Enjoy your Shanghai attachment and who knows one day we cd meet there again !
July 26th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
we will surely missed you in singapore.Anyway all the best!!
July 30th, 2008 at 4:48 am
The blogs.channelnewsasia.com is amazing site, respect, admin.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:17 am
Hi Glenda. Welcome to China. I have been in Shanghai for the last 5 years and fully comprehend the ups and downs one goes through in settling here. Channelnewsasia ranks as one of the top news channel that I frequently view. Apart from this, I think this fairly recent appointment of yours will lead to bigger and brighter things. China , especially Shanghai with its ‘warp-speed’ development holds many interesting news and stories that viewers around asia (esp south east) will enjoy.
I hope you enjoy your time here as I did. Ignore the small details (you may know what i mean) and you should enjoy yourself. Cheers.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:44 am
Glenda,
Sad that you’re no longer anchoring - you were the perfect highlight to the end of a day of rushed work with clear, succinct delivery of the news with, sometimes, a flash of that beautiful smile.
Good luck in Shanghai. Hope you enjoy the golf there.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
HI Glenda,
I am glad you have taken the lead to move into areas you want to develop. Fantastic, tho’ I do miss your anchoring on CNA. No problem, catch ya on the China segments. I was also in BU years ago… SMG.
Be well and take care of the not-so-great air quality.
Cheers.
September 27th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Hi Glenda,
I must profess I am a great fan of you- both your personal style and anchoring on CNA. I used to tune in regularly when you anchored the 11pm news.
I’m glad that I found your blog, albeit slightly late. I’m sure you are enjoying your correspondence posting in China. CNA viewers would benefit from your quality reportage as a correspondent, as they did from your anchoring on TV.
In all, thanks for sharing this blog with us!