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Budget versus comfort when travelling: impressions of Brazil

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Thursday 20 August 2015

We were budget travellers. The team was most important and their accommodation was priority. Supporters had three choices of package – gold, silver and bronze. They paid all their expenses and many chose the more expensive gold and silver packages. Staff, volunteers, and some supporters took the bronze package.

This might sound like boring detail but I have a reason for telling you this.

Whichever package you chose determined what your impression of Sao Paulo was.

Competitor's dealing with stress

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Saturday 15 August 2015

World Skills New Zealand

Competitor wisdom

The opening ceremony was an ordeal for a number of the competitors. They had a long day with a start at 5.30am, the school visit, and preparation for the opening ceremony, which meant a late night.

Messages from home to the team at Sao Paulo

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Saturday 15 August 2015

The competition is now the full focus of the competitors. There is no distracting them. As I wander around, observing them, I can see the fixed concentration on their faces. Many of them are so focused they do not see us, or if they do they shoot us a quick smile, then get back to thinking about the task ahead.

Home is a tremendously long way away but there is no time to think about that. However, some of them have brought home with them and set up their stations accordingly.

The Opening Ceremony of the 43rd World Skills international competition

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Friday 14 August 2015

Last night, over 20,000 supporters of competitors from around the world gathered at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium to see their teams march in the opening ceremony of the 43rd Worldskills International competitions.

There was a block of over 20 kiwis in one part of the stadium surrounded by at least 200 Chinese beside and behind us and over 200 Russians in front of us.

As each team marched in, I found myself getting quite emotional. These young people represented the best of the best in the world and NZ was among them.

A haka encore at a school in Sao Paulo

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Thursday 13 August 2015

World Skills New Zealand

The environment

The Facilities at the international World Skills Competition

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Thursday 13 August 2015

World Skills New Zealand

Up-date Number 5

Daily up-dates on the World Skills New Zealand (WSNZ) team’s experience as representatives of 15 trades at the World Skills competitions in Sao Paulo. Seventy four countries are competing in 49 skill categories.

World Skills New Zealand

Up-date Number 5

 

A tour of the facilities

A Trip To Rio de Janiero

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Monday 10 August 2015

From August 6-19 Suraya is travelling to Brazil, with her husband Bruce, to the world competition for Trades Apprentices (Worldskills NZ). Bruce Howat is the CEO and Suraya Dewing is reposnible for press coverage of the event.

Competiors have to be no older than twenty three years old when they enter.

Each day, as part of this trip Suraya is posting daily reports for Worldskills New Zealand which they are distributing through their media and social media networks. These will also be posted on The Story Mint's social media and website.

Lessons we learn as we write

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Wednesday 5 August 2015

I am enjoying working with our writers from India. There are many reasons for this. I remember how I was when I started…when I thought writing was easy, until I tried to give it to other people to read and they told me truthfully, what they thought of it.

I recall some very painful moments throughout that process. But they were turning points. They made me work on my writing until I feel confident that what I write is worth reading.

Quiet please - don't say a word

Submitted by Ray Stone on Friday 31 July 2015

I just finished a re-edit of one of my books and was given some sound advice on a whole list of things that agents are looking for in order to reject your work. Don’t get me wrong. They are still looking for that book that will be a gem. It is much easier, though, to look for pet hates. If they’re there, it normally means a one liner rejection note.

So what is it they are looking for on the hate list? I’ll pick a few.

Ever heard of a writer’s crutch?

How do we give a character personality?

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Thursday 30 July 2015

I was working with a writer this week and I asked him to add details to a character so that it became more recognisable. I often find that writers assume we know their character simply through what they say.

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