last lap-July 25 2009

So this is the last lap. the count down begins to the handing in of thesis in sept. during this process i will document my ups and downs as i think this will help me through the process.

1. First down..........migraines coming on like wow without warning.

2. First Up..........while i thought it was a down, my info collection is going on ok just one more place to get stuff from and "mi good to go"

I also said goodbye to my dear friend who left for home on thursday. we had a little last drink and posting pics of it.

europe trip/human rights boot camp june 7-13

Take a bus filled with 50 young, robust enthusiastic mature young adults, place them with an equally fun bus driver and drive them through 5 countries in 7 days and what do you get? yes a road trip.

But this was not just any type of road trip, it was an academic tour for masters students studying LLM and MA in International Human rights law who were eager to see what they read in books and heard from lecturers. So the plan was to visit human rights institutions and NGO's in France, Netherlands and Switzerland over a 7 day period, rubbing shoulders with esteemed practitioners, advocates and judges grasping whatever knowledge and tips that will guide as along our career path. But without going into details of the 7 day adventure as this would take up more blog space than imaginable. I will highlight a few lessons learnt from this trip while highlighting some fun times. They are not in any particular order

1. Coach filled 50 persons +euro-tunnel=fun fun fun

2. Sitting for 15 hours will cause your feet to swell like an elephant's

3. Allowing persons to bunk in a room will either cause them to hate each other's guts or cement and create friendships. I haven't heard of the former happening on the euro tour.

4. Having to wake up from 4:30am, leave one country [and traverse the countryside of Germany] to another (i.e Switzerland) and have sessions with esteemed practitioners with little time for a break is on the verge of a boot camp

5. Don't let the word hotel fool you, apparently, the designers omitted the 's'. Also if there are two beds in a room, it means it is for 3 persons not two. Also if you wish not to share a bed with a man, say that it is against your religion (inside joke)

6. Geneva is a beautiful city, if you have heard it being said, it is true. It is equally expensive Mont Blanc pen for CFS3000? u must be crazy

7. The Netherlands is a very progressive country..............progressive if you think regularising weed and prostitution is progressive. I would like to see if a study has been done on the effectiveness of such a move. Has it affected human trafficking issues? health issues (both the weed and the prostitution) Imagine my 'shock' when i passed through the red light district

8. When you request a tour of the Palais de nation, please ensure that no other conferences are taking place or you will get a half of a tour.

9. being apart of the Essex mafia is a great thing. if you thinking of a uni to do masters in human rights, University of Essex is the place to do it.

Update update 5 more months to go

So its been a while since I have blogged. This can be due to many things. Either I have been slacking off on my blogging commitment or I have been really working hard. Well it is between these two. But many things have happened since the last time I have blogged. There have been deaths and births and interesting happenings. The most interesting one to mention is the visit to the palace. Yes yes Buckingham. Without going to the details of how I got there, it is the fact that I went there...............not as a 'regular tourist' but I went to represent Jamaica along with fellow young persons at the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth declaration which is noteworthy. It was a memorable occasion. Moreover after watching Young Victoria it was good to be able to see some persons from the royal family, see the paintings and other things that was mentioned in the movie or from my readings on the family.

I have attached a pic of my outfit. Unfortunately I was not able to take any pictures inside, but if i do get my hand on any official pictures I will blogg about it.

Well I have an exam to study for and then dissertation and then it will be over by the time you say "who live yah"

cheers

Term two part two (looking better so far than term one)

So if you have been following my blog, you would notice that my first term started off badly....in fact I do not think badly is a word i can use to describe it. The sickness, the stress, and then I went home which was a good move; do not regret it one bit. Prefer to be broke and sane than insane and money in my pocket

Anyway I have been very negligent in keeping up with the blogs because of the work I have to do. This term is the killing term. We have a research paper to do and i decided to take on the whole Caribbean to analyse in relation to human trafficking...............bad move, but trying to collate the information and present in a very objective way and not to focus on Jamaica.

Orchard Baptist has been good thus far, the people are very nice and encouraging and the pastor's and elders sermons 'sell off' each week.

My grades came back finally, and I must thank the lord for seeing me through and for making me do well even when i doubted myself and worried everyday. Stepping into faith that the others will be good and even with trials ahead I will prevail.

Term Two

[THE BIPOLAR WEATHER>>>]

So it is now week 17 and term two has officially started. I have alot of reading to do while trying to keep sane and active in many areas of uni life and social life. So far I have been able to go to church and keep that commitment. I have even had company as my classmate who came once last year loves the church and has decided to be a regular with me.

I have choosen my courses for this term and my topic for my research paper. Hope to have regular updates on the blog but so far things have been normal. The weather is still bipolar but I hear Essex has the best weather in the Country so imagine that. Uploading pics of the bipolar weather last week in fact this was what happened in just one day, sun, fog, and then sun and fog.