Final days in England

So now that the paper has been finished, I have a few days to sort myself out and get back to the real world. I did a couple of things in a few days; never knew one could pack in so many things! After handing in the dissertation on the 10th, it was a worldwind to get out of the rabbit hutch. Thereafter I went to London with two large suitcases...a sight to behold! But God as always was good and I made it in one piece. Next day, I was on a train to visit my friend Candiece in Birmingham. She is in a beautiful stage of pregnancy! I had a good time, but it was hectic heading back to Norwich for church on Saturday. Man, I got into Norwich at 1 am!!!! But it was really worth it.

Can't say you have been to Birmingham and did not touch the Bull!

Candiece and company, it's barely visible but there...Love you girl...praying for a safe delivery.

I had my last days at Norwich Church. It was quite poignant as these people who took me in for the past year are now history. I will endevour to keep in touch. These are some of the best people in the whole world! Next it was off to Serenna's for a sumptious lunch....mmmm; enough said! I will miss the quiches. Then it was off to London saying goodbe to Norwich courtesy of the Rileys...Thank You guys!

Last pic at the entrance to church. Hope to return...someday

Back in London and bunking with Ann, I was able to finally link up with Gordon Lewis, my classmate from high school in Jamaica who now lives here. He was the one who really set me up with my supplies when I first got here as well as transported me down to Norwich. Imagine I did not see him again for the whole year! Such is life in this country where things move at a very rapid pace.

Gordon and I finally in the same picture!

On Sunday September 14, 2008, Ann's aunt Lorna and her Mom Joan, had a barbeque in my honour to celebrate the completion of my course. They managed to get my two cousins, Alicia and James to come which was a very pleasant surprise. Save to say I am thankful to them all for the effort put out for me and it has made me all the more grateful for the friends and family that God has provided for me during this journey.The yummy spread at the barbeque. New found friend Debbie in the foreground.Ann the blessed...I thank God the day that we met and for your friendship and concern.

Alicia
Me and Auntie Lorna

It is time for me to head home. Much awaits me there and by the grace of God I am hopeful that all this experience has been worth all the sacrifices that have been made. Before departing I will hopefully to do the London tour... who knows when I will be able to get to this end of the world again, right?

Dissertation submitted: It's all over!

Well everyone, it's all over! The dissertation is bound and delivered! That is it! I have to say it was a bit of a pressure cooker in the end. It is true what they say... the darkest hour is just before dawn and in the last week I have often wondered if I was going to make it through, but again God came in right on time and took over my thought to get a paper worthy of a good mark done. So I handed it in and then the reality of this whole thing has just hit home....it's really over...punto finale....period.... finished, done. Now I have to wait for results in November. But I am happy to go home to my family. I guess it will take some adjustment to life back in Jamaica.

Handing it in!

Bound, seal delivered...Behold, the 'Strength of 'one'!

On another note, doesn't it always amaze you how you are able to accumulate things in small spaces? Now that I am packing to vacate the rabbit hutch I cannot believe all the things that I have found myself with...books, papers, even dried flowers... remember my valentine roses? Well have to rationalise what to take, what to give away and what to throw out. So it is off to London to sort myslf for the journey home... see some of you soon and bye bye to the others!

Coming up for air

Cromer Pier

This is a beach I am told

Beside the big red post box

High Street , Sheringham

Not the Little Theatre I know!

Life boat Station

On the pier

Looking out....

It is getting to the end of my sojourn... but can I tell you it is tough! I just sit here at this desk from day to day writing, reading, crossing out and writing again....but whatever happens it has to get finished by Friday of this week. Last sabbath the guys from church took me to get some fresh air in the sea-side towns of Sherigham and Cromer. It was good to just have a breather and the sourroundings were not too bad. But I want to get to a real beach... you will see what I mean. I just want to finish! Doing my best and leaving the rest to God! Here are some pics from the trip.

I AM JAMAICAN!!!!

1, 2, 2...counting order change!!

Over the past two days, who would not be proud to be Jamaican? You cannot believe what a boost it has been to me, the only Jamaican here on campus...I am sure all around my dorm people must have been wondering what was happening with that girl for all the screaming I did yesterday!! Usain Bolt has lifted our heads high by his scintilating performance ...world record and olympic champion. Sorry about Asafa but there is hope for relay gold. And what can I say about the girls? They just brought it home! 1,2,2!!! I don't think that has ever happened in the olympics not to mention how the american were shut out! I am so happy! Let us just take this good news to raise our country higher...we little but we talawa!

That girl, that girl Shelly Ann!

The Bolt himself!!

Pray for all the other athletes that the achievements of the previous ones will inspire them to pull out all the stops and produce our best olympic result ever!

HOPE

Beautiful!!!


Yesterday while I was about to cook dinner, I looked out the kitchen window and saw my first Norwich rainbow. It was there just for a few moments then it was gone. But what a blessing those few moments were at that very point in time. It reminded me that I am not here alone....that there is indeed hope. I will complete my task because God says so. I am closer than I think to the end than I was at the beginning!

Last Lap

Trying to get something on screen... I will be very happy when I don't feel tied to a computer!

In the new 'rabbit hutch' trying to distill thoughts from all these papers and books!!

It really is the last lap. I am just about done! It seems though that the closer it comes the harder it gets. The dissertation has had me going. My thoughts are varied... going in many directions still not too concrete. That is the hardest part, watching the time go by without finding my way. I keep hope though because I believe that God is with me and he has brought me to this place and is more than able to finish the good work that he has started in me.

If you guys recall I am doing a comparative analysis of the employment dispute resolution mechanisms of the UK and Jamaica. This will look at methods used in collective disputes (those involving trade unions and employers) and individual disputes involving non-unionised workers and employers. The position in the UK is that trade union representation has dwindled in the wake of hostile government policies between 1980 - 1997, the Thatcher years. That in turn has led to less usage of collective mechanisms simply because there is not so much need for them and the perennial ethos of volunteerism in British Industrial Relations is still strong. Concurrently there has been the extraordinary growth of individual employment rights given to workers by statute and the provision of the Employment Tribunal system for enforcing these rights. This has eclipsed the role of the trade unions to a great degree while putting tremendous pressure on government resources to provide them.

In Jamaica we have almost the direct opposite. Our Industrial Relations is built on Trade Unions which are of course umbilically linked to politics. Like the UK the Jamaican government provides assistance in resolving collective disputes in the form of conciliation and arbitration (IDT) and there is still a strong emphasis on volunteerism in Industrial Relations. Unlike the UK, however there was no conscious government effort to thwart unionism. Yet in the wake of capitalism and globalisation their power and influence has waned. Thus though the collective mechanisms exist, and their usage by the unions remain, the segment of the working populace that has the benefit thereof is diminishing. Importantly while non-unionised persons in the UK have been granted protection by more and more legislation giving employment rights, Jamaica has remained stagnant. True there are certain basic rights provided by statute but the crux of the matter is there is no dedicated dispute resolution mechanism provided for the enforcement of these rights rudimentary as they are. The IDT is not accessible to non-unionised persons, only unionised persons may approach. Where does that leave that 80% of Jamaica's non-represented workforce?

Well let me get back to it... and try to make all of what I just said coherent! Remember to keep praying for me and all of us trying to finish work like this. I am really ready to get done and go home right now.

Celebrating Jamaica's Emancipation & Independence - London Style

Friday the 1st August was a holiday in Jamaica - then we celebrated the date when slavery was abolished back in 1834. On the 6th August we will celebrate the birth of our nation, Jamaica's Independence day. It will be the 46th anniversary of the date. A church service of praise and thanksgiving was held at the St. Martin-in-the-Field church, Trafalgar Square in the heart of London on Saturday August 2, 2008, which I had the pleasure of attending. It was a 'sold out' occasion whith the church which has a capacity to seat 825 having standing room only. We were priviledged to receive the Prime Minister's Independence message 4 days early, read by High Commissioner Burchell Whiteman. The sermon was excellent delivered by Reverend Jennifer Thomas, who was born in Jamaica. There were melodious songs from the London Seventh Day Adventist Male Voice Choir and the National Pledge said by children of the diaspora all bedecked in Bandana outfits. I also had the honour of showing my patriotism by being an usher/volunteer. I am so blessed to be a part of a warm country...I keep praying that the situation at home will improve... very soon.

Me with the JDF Cadets who were the flag bearers; they did an excellent job.High Commissioner and Mrs. Whiteman with the children of the Diaspora

On Sunday August 3, I also attended a Funday at Chrystal Palace which was in aid of the Jamiaca Basic School Foundation. It was also again a blessing to see so many people identifying with being Jamaican and I 'buck up' a few friends and family... I pray that this gives me some impetus to really get going on the dissertation that so far has been eluding me...again your earnest prayers are requested. Anneke, Adenekie and the Nigerian Chika...all attending LSE.The Cast of The Harder They Come - the musical was in attendance and performed .... I plan to go and see it before I go home in SeptemberMe, Gail and 'wiggle'...yes she in happily in the 'family way' The lovebirds Anneke and Andrew

Fate... I saw David Fraser and his brood. Aren't they tooo cute?Enjoying some cotton candy on the fair grounds

Church Boat Outing to Blakeney

And so it was on July 27, my church arranged a boat trip out to the Norfolk coast to see a colony of seals. It was a great day out very sunny and we were able to do a picnic. We also visited the lighthouse station and went to the 'beach'. Now this place does not hold a candle to even the worst Jamaican beach... no white sand and no palm trees, just lots of stones and cold water. Needless to say I did not venture in! Here are the highlights. Kids at the beach... see the stones and gravel!Me ... with the lighthouse station in the backgroundMe on the boat ....it was cold by my standardsOur boat crew

Some of the seals.... they were fun to look at.

Norwich - Dog Country

Whoever coined the phrase ' dog is man's/woman's best friend' must have been a resident of Norwich. Man! Since I have been here I have seen a proliferation of Dogs; it appears that almost every household has at least 1 dog ...not being racist but I mean white household for I have yet to come accross a black family with a dog. I wonder why that is? Anyway I have seen all types and breeds, those I only see on TV to ones I never knew existed, like a Newfoundland....have you ever heard of that one? So I have seen poodles, dalmations, bearded terriers, chiwawas(?) labradors, St. Bernards just to name a few. Now this has been an easy task because just outside my school of study is a public park...Earham Park that is the treat for a dog and his owner. I have seen many people being walked by dogs and not the other way around! Having a dog is no cakewalk though, as the dogwalking session has to be fit into the daily routine or you will find your house in a real state of distress. It has been quite interesting watching it all. There are many concessions made for them like aisles in supermarkets dedicated to their wellbeing and parlours for hygeine. Along with having a dog comes the responsiblity of cleaning up! For that reason alone I would not go for that animal comradry, but I will occcaionally pet one when given the opportunity! A man and his pooch taking a walk on a beautiful summer day in Earlham Park, just outside the Law school.A sign in the park heralding the responsibilities of dog ownership.Yep...you gotta bag its and stow it properly....Or you will pay!
When in Rome, do as the romans do! Here I am petting my english classmate Helen's Labradodle WALTON (yes he is a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle) on my first visit to her home for 'tea'. He was just 6 weeks old back then in November. Now he is a huge beast!

The Final Coursework

Well, well! It has come to this. I can vividly remember during the orientation process the Head of school and employment law LLM course director Gareth Thomas telling us that we had no exams but rather would proceed through assessed coursework. We had to undertake 3 courses during the year and write 6 pieces of coursework, with a 5,000 word limit on each over a 10 month period (2 for each course). I was happy to a point about this because I am not a great fan of exams. But as time went on I realised that maybe exams were not so bad after all. When you have to do papers there is so much more that is expected and the research aspect is very rigorous; hours and hours of reading and distilling thoughts. You may read a 30 page article and only get 1 point... but alas, that is the way it goes. For me, submission of the final coursework was delayed as I was afforded an extension since I trekked home. So it had to go in on the 16th July by 3p.m. Can I tell you that it seems this was the hardest one? But then again each one seemed harder than the previous one. I was up all night... and even until 10 am on the day I was still not done. But I finally got it! I know that the hand of God was there typing away with me because of my own strength I would have most surely failed. Thanks especially to Paul and Timmy for thier prayers and support. All that is now over and the great challenge is firmly on the path before me... the 15,000 word dissertation then it will be all over. That is due for submission in September. Will keep you posted!!!

The paper is complete! Practical Employment Law Coursework# 2

Heading to law school from the library to submit my 'labour of love'

Campus Family

For those of us who lived on campus you must admit that there are people who you drew close to and became attached like a real family during those times. There was the crazy brother, the sisters who you could talk to and of course the 'Mom' who just made even the worse day feel better. Well it was no different for me here at the UEA. I am grateful to God for sending me folkes who helped me when I was down and who I have been able to share with.

The Family at our final dinner together...minus Julie (in Mauritius)

L-R: Eduardo, Naima, me, Kevin... mom in the front.

While I lived in Hawthorn House in the UEA Village, there was Naima Besta from Tanzania who lived on my flat. We shared so much together as she was a Phd student with a family back home just like me (3 Children). So we talked and encouraged each other. She has now gone home to do pilot research but she will return in Sept 2008 to present her position paper and then go on to do substantive reasearch. She is a kind woman and very intelligent (recipient of a Ford Foundation Scholarship). I also learned about a new religion too, as she is a Muslim.

Naima looking Fab!

The mommy is Adelina Vandombembwa. She is from Angola. She is also a Chevening scholar. From the first time I met this lady I know she was special, very welcoming and warm to all she meets. I have learned a lot from her and lean a lot on her. I am especially happy for her as she makes sure that I eat well at least once a day as she never fails to cook a good meal... she does not want her kids to eat 'junk food'! That means bread and the like. I now have some new recipies to try when I come home for good!!

Mommy...coming from church!

The Brother is Eduardo Langa. He is from Mozambique and a Chevening scholar too. ( I am in the presence of greatness!!) He is quite mischievious and loves all things Jamaican especially Bob Marley music and pepper! He too has a family back home including a newborn son that he has not yet met and an elder daughter about 3 years old. He can always be depended on to run errands and of course wash dishes....although in recent times he is doing some cooking too!

Eduardo and the food!!! You see the pepper sauce, the locks and the red green and yellow necklace? Yes, it is rice and peas and curry chicken in a dutch pot! (I cooked that day)

Eduardo and Julie.. the clean up crew!

Our baby sister is Julie Hanta...this is not her full name but it too hard to write or pronounce! She is from Madagascar and also on a scholarship. Cute and cuddly and soft spoken she is a little treasure. She went off to do research in Mauritius for 2 months in April and has just returned. ...Oh yes her last name is RAZAFIMANAHAKA!!! (I told you it was hard)

Julie at the dinner table!

Finally our brother who lived away on the other side of campus is Kevin Crooks. He is American but we found out that both his parents are Jamaican. He is doing PHD work on small farms. I have been privilged to have helped him to make contact with RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Agency) in Jamaica so he is currently in JA doing his research. Quiet to a fault but with big dreams he has learned how to cook everything Jamaican so many times he came to the Village and lymed with us.

Kevin lyming with us!

So there you have it! my campus family. These guys hopefully will remain lifelong friends. Long will i remember those days at the dinner table with talk about world politics, family and of course the travails of school!