English VIP's (otherwise called Angels)

I now pay tribute to just a few people who have made my walk in the UK memorable and comfortable. These are just a few of those people... there are some others who I do not have photos of!



The McIntosh Brood
I was blessed in that during the very first week of being in Norwich I contacted the minister of the SDA church to find out how to get to church. When I told him that I was Jamaican he indicated that the First Elder and family were also Jamaicans and he gave them my details. They turned out to be Peter, Pat, Peta-Anne and Jodi and they have really bouyed me up while being here. From taking me to find the 1st Tesco that I could find Excelsior water Crackers to the calls and texts to ensure that I was fine, not to mention being there to support me when I get so extremely lonely and the sabbath lunches...Thanks guys!

L-R: Jodi, Peta-Anne, Peter and Pat


The King Clan

Just wondeful folks! I also met them at church. Serenna has Jamaican roots and is just a sweet soul. With Richard(husband) and the 2 boys Jakob and Rueben, who graciously acted as my own boys surrogates, I will fondly remember those great dinners that she is famous for. I continue to pray for them and the soon to arrive addition to the family!


L-R: Richard, Rueben, Jakob and Serenna


Gail and Gennette

Gail, my 'mate' from UWI law has really been a tower of strength for me from the embryonic thoughts of coming to the UK to study. She is and continues to be my sounding board, shoulder to cry on, editor for the courseworks and London guide! How can I repay you G? I will be your first child's Godmother! Gennette is Gail's sister who has played hostess to me on some of my London trips..importantly my first night in September 2007. I can recall bunking with her in March when I went to the tribunal and let me tell you...she pack a lunch for me you see... and it sure came in handy! Did I tell how expensive London is? Thanks girls!
Gennette going out on the town!

Gail and I at the Employment Tribunal in London


Ann
This girl is a saint! Always encouraging and advising me from the get go of this journey. She played hostess to me at my first London visit in February 2007 and many of the lessons and the provisions she made for me then are still working for me ...like my Oyster card and mobile phone chip! Thanks so much girl...I appreciate you!



Ann and I at the Jamaican High Commission

James, Few and Sounds
What can I say about my Cousin James? He is a peach. I can always depend on him to give me a call or text every now and then. He is now working here as a chef in a swanky London Hotel. He linked me to his cousin and hussie Few and Sounds.These guys are really truly blessed folkes and I am indebted to them in many many ways. They have made me feel like family. Harsleden has become my haunt on trips to London to get Jamaican food and supplies. They also give me great encouragement and support and never make me feel like a burden...Blessings guys!King Sounds himself! At his Earth strong March 1, 2008Auntie Few looking Fab at the same event.
Cousin James, hanging out


Mr. & Mrs. Riley
I met these guys years ago when I assisted them in a legal transaction in Jamaica. Who would have guessed that I would be in the UK and they would have been standing in the gap for me here? I can expect a call at least once a week to find out if I am doing ok...and beleive me there are days that makes such a difference...

Nellis & Jerome Riley and me at their church: Stoke-Newington (Stokey)SDA in London


That's it for now...need the photos for the other guys but I cannot fail to mention my classmate from high school Gordon. He proved invaluable to my settling in process and would you know that since September last year I have not seen him? Will have to try and work on that!

Until next post guys...PEACE...OUT!

Who is watching?

On my last trip to London, I became very aware of the fact that there were cameras (CCTV) almost everywhere. I was in my friend's kitchen looking out and it occurred to me that there was a camera in her back yard! I got to thinking; how many cameras are there in London and who is really watching us? In the short journey to my friend's office I saw the cameras in the bus, at the stop lights, and at strategic places on the streets. There were cameras in the tube and train stations...just everywhere. I was told that on average during a regular day in London you may be captured about 200 times by CCTV and that the city has the most public surveillance worldwide. There are cameras all over the highways especially in slower speed areas and if they catch you speeding you will find a traffic ticket coming to you via the post! The only good thing is that in many areas there are signs posted that there is CCTV in operation so at least you know.One of those signs giving notice, right beside the big No Smoking sign. As of July 2007 smoking is prohibited in all enclosed buildings in the UK. Cameras at the Train Station
Cameras in South Kensington near Musuem RowCameras on the bus (London transit)
Outside my friend's window... the camera in her backyard!





In Norwich it is the same ... only to a lesser degree I suppose because the city is smaller...on Campus cameras are everwhere.Outside my Campus residence
One of those signsCameras for my protection... Really?



This gives new meaning to that old Jermaine Jackson song..."I always feel like somebody's watching me, and I have no privacy" Only unlike the song nobody's playing tricks... There really is someone watching. The question is who is it? And what are 'they' really doing with all that video footage?

Norwich skipped Spring and went straight to Summer

Yes friends, I was watching this weather pattern because I thought that Spring was here... but it appears what has really happened is that we have skipped the spring bit and went straight to summer as the sun has really come out. For the past week the sun was out in all its glory and it is getting hot! Do you guys remember that tree from one of my first posts? Well in 2 days...I kid you not...all the leaves came out! It was May 3rd and 4th and believe me it was amazing. One day there were no leaves and the next day there was! Oh the wonders of God's universe! Day 2

Day 1

Well I must tell you that with the change in weather there has also been a change in the mode of the native's wardrobe and decorum around here. Everywhere I look people are wearing shorts, sleaveless tops, short skirts and what I describe as the 'dreaded flip flops'. I mean men women and children are wearing slippers... everyday and to everyplace. It is frightening! I do not think I need to describe the scene any further just picture it for yourself. The other thing that has started is real sunbathing. It is amazing to see students just sitting out in the middle of the lawns all around campus and studying with as little clothes as they dare to wear. As for me, yes the place is warmer but it is really only as cool as Mandeville and you know how we Jamaicans complain how that is cold! The problem now is that I never did bring any clothes for this kind of weather so as it gets warmer I have less and less clothes available. You see the dilemma! Well I will be home soon, so I will make do until then.

Visit to ACAS

On April 29, 2008 I went to London and visited ACAS. This acronym means the Advisory Conciliation Arbitration Service. It stands as a testimony of impartial, efficient and timely dispute resolution in the employment relations field since 1975 when it was established. Prior to this, its activities resided in the government's employment department, much as it still does in Jamaica. They undertake conciliation of both individual and collective distutes, provide a mediation service as well as aribtration if requested by the parties. Importantly it offers an advisory service through its telephone helpline and other means such as its website to employers, employees, trade unions, indeed any person seeking information on how to settle employment disputes. I met and interviewed Mr. Conrad Almeida, ACAS' International Programmes Manager who gave me a wonderful understanding of how ACAS works, its success rate and how it affects the workload of the Employment Tribunal, the other arm of the dispute resolution mechanism. The visit was quite facinating giving me insight and of course instantly had me comparing the Jamaican equivalent. This will be a major plank of my thesis comparison. At home employment disputes relating to individuals and their employers are not presently allowed access to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, rather these person must seek redress in the courts, with its attendant challenges. In relation to the ACAS jurisdiction, there is also no formal conciliation procedure available in Jamaica for individual workers disputes. Thus what inevitably happens is that the workers that need the most protection are the ones who are denied it. Well, the work will soon begin in earnest for that disseration...more anon! I think I will attempt to get an interview with someone at the Employment Tribunal Service as well. That should make the paper even more rich with cogent information. We will see how that goes!ACAS' Head Office in LondonThe Sign! The Certification Office and Central Arbitration Committee are also housed in the same building (will tell you more about that later)
That is me... on the day!