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!