Everything but news

It was not priestly wisdom.

Instead, he was referring to whiskey.

We were informed that in the rare event that alcohol proved ineffective, we should go with God.

The Holy Spirit would be the only spirit to help us then.

A smiling Iana Seales greeted us in the shuttle to take us to Newsday’s El Socorro location.

When everyone was seated, she realised that someone was missing.

In under a minute Elizabeth Bissessar showed up, Matrix fashion, out of thin air. During the commute, I was transported back to secondary school, with familiar chatter that belied the notion that we were strangers.

We arrived “behind God back,” at Patraj Trace, to meet the NYLO co-ordinators, senior journalists and to start training.

After three days, we braved the newsroom like eager beavers and were put into departments.

Nerve-racking work aside, in a news room, everything happens with an unmistakable degree of comedy that is difficult to find elsewhere.

In comparison with the few other places that I have worked, Newsday was indubitably the best. I have never felt as much joy at the end of a hard day’s work and somehow, I managed to wake up everyday, excited about what I would do next.

Now, I will let TT in on some of the memorable moments because they were just plain funny.

Ethan Maynard and I met the features editor, Debra Ravello Greaves, who assigned us stories immediately.

My first story was written too much like a news story and lacked human interest, the editor said. I soon realised that I had to be more emotive to succeed.

Eventually, I got it and it was published as the lead story for the section. Another highlight of the experience was going to the Queen’s Park Oval, Portof- Spain to interview cricketer Dwayne Bravo with feature writer Melissa Doughty.

My fellow interns were also entertaining.

After attending a news conference, a certain intern expressed his love for a notorious trade union leader known for his outrageous negotiating antics.

“He reminds me of that guy from the French Revolution that isn’t Bonaparte. I like him.

he’s so charismatic,” he said.

When the union leader’s name was mentioned, the entire office broke into laughter and people were trying to catch their breaths. The same intern explained that he was not black, but dark white. I almost choked again.

As Doughty says, “In creative industries, talents tend to overlap.” There are photographers who do graphic design. There are writers who can sing and the feature writers who love to sing, but can only talk in Nigerian accents.

One of them made my stay most enjoyable. She constantly sang soca and danced. One evening, while singing, she even told me to look up an Angela Hunte song called “Mon Bon Ami”.

I truly appreciated her career advice and the joy she brought to the office. She was off to karaoke that evening and from what I have been hearing, she is quite talented. On another occasion, one editor walked into our department to discuss Olympian Marisa Dick. She spoke of past Olympics gymnasts, gleaming as if we knew her favourite athletes.

Our editor alone knew what she was referring to and they almost immediately chimed in, “That’s how you know we’re young!” Then, there was Damian Jones, the graphic designer supervisor and professional comic.

He related an incident involving ice cream and laxatives, which he put in his food to nab a suspected food-thief.

The suspect had to take an entire week’s sick leave to recover afterwards. I learnt why getting in between a man and his food is always bad.

Thoroughly entertained, I smiled coyly. On the inside, I was rolling on the floor laughing.

Although rolling on the floor would have been inappropriate.

NYLO revived my passion for journalism. Meeting people my age who are interested in journalism was refreshing.

Working with professionals in the field was rewarding.

The warmth and zeal has made my life richer. I will never get over being in a national newspaper or forget my experience here. I hope future projects succeed.