Andy's Blog

Heya,

well I've been awful at writing my blog and seeing as Joanne has completely shamed me this year by being twice as efficient and informative, I thought I'd try and redeem myself.


I suppose you are all waiting for me to suggest a nice website for suitable music to accompany my usual monologue, well I ain't going to disappoint ya: (please remember to right-click and select "open in new window") http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=614791120 This is a new-ish song by Gemma Hayes, rumour has it that she is writing a new album and could be touring again at some point.

So I spose you might be mildly interested in what's going on with me? (If you've made it thus far I am impressed)

Well... hard to say really, lots is happening, like Uni is really a challenge for my small brain, planning a wedding is fun but difficult considering the 108 miles between Anna & I, I am continually broke (but that’s kind of invigorating in a way), I am applying for a summer job in Pitlochry (Perthshire, Scotland) and finally my dissertation is finally underway.

Well that’s a lot to take in I spose, so I'll distract you with some family news first:

- Lizzy has had to move work to Ashford, which is making life relatively awkward at the moment. Charlie is learning to drive and Liz's says he really is getting very very good at it and Alex is an incredible intelligent and active young boy as reflects the Emmott in him. We'll be seeing Liz & Alex at Cefn Lea next week for Easter with the Lay Community of Saint Benedict.

- I managed to catch Rob in B'ham the other day and had a fantastic Italian meal with him and a canoeing friend. He is looking for ideas for a canoeing dvd he is going to make for their StormFest (Might have got the name wrong). He, Sue and the children will be on holiday for a short spell on the mainland this summer. Katie recently won a lot of medals/trophies in the Harris competition, Finlay is attempting to climb the Sport's centre climbing wall 100 times and both Rob and Amy have a b'day coming up in April.

- Rachel, Sam and Nancy are still in Canada (which is an odd statement I think, but hey, typed it now!) Rach has gotten crazily involved in the Canadian National Netball tournament in May and so is all geared up for that. She also has her medical thingy for her immigration this week. Sam, Nancy & Lickers are all well.

- Helen, Richard and Matty (closest sibling geographically) seem well, albeit a little tired. Matty had an adventure up at Garth that went a bit wild, however Hels and Rick now know how long it takes to get an ambulance in Sedbusk now. Helen's also been on a few courses recently and is extra keen to be locking people up again soon.

- Pete has recently moved abode to Milton Keynes, and works round the clock at his job. He and Fran went on holiday in Feb Half Term and spend most of their weekends together.

- Mum and Dad are still up and down the country flitting between L'pool and the Yorkshire Dales. Mum's partway through 6months working in Catterick and is quite enjoying the walks at lunchtime, although she is quite tired by the change in routine. Dad is as studious as ever and has started getting his Gardens in order for the spring/summer. He had a short respite the other week when he visited Liz and went to see Porgy & Bess in London.

Well that’s a huge deluge of information and if you are one of my siblings its probably a little thin on details (especially about yourself). So hopefully you've warmed up and might be ready for a few of my recent events:

- Dave Matthews came to Manchester and George and I went to see him, as we do! Hehe. We were absolutely blown away by the additional appearance of Tim Reynolds on Guitar and we got to sit only six rows from the front (http://picasaweb.google.com/andyeatscake/DaveMatthewsManchesterApollo2007).

- In concrete news I made a whopping 125 cubes in 3 days for my dissertation testing and will complete the last of the crushing tomorrow. I have selected some fine photographs for your perusal (http://picasaweb.google.com/andyeatscake/CubePhotos). I especially like the ones where you can see some of the recycled aggregates used, where brick and glass are visible.

- Anna and I have been developing a wedding list using whattogive.com and after a few initial arguments about tableware and cutlery we are getting along nicely. We went climbing to the new bouldering place in Sheffield the other week (http://www.climbingworks.com)and Anna is improving rapidly, although she is still a little scared of falling off, but had her first fall and recovered well. We have also picked out some nice wardrobes and drawers from Ikea for what will become 'our' bedroom in the flat. We're going to see Kate Rusby after Easter and are quite looking forward to her Barnsley wit (www.katerusby.com). Jenny Yates is getting married on the 14th April and so the Yates' are all geared up for that, afterwards we'll be working on the wedding invites and such, just for those of you who were wondering when that'll happen.

- I've been asked to go for an interview for the caravan & campsite in Pitlochry so I am going up on 10th April. Its all very exciting. (http://www.blaircastlecaravanpark.co.uk/location/setting.asp)

- Loughborough has become a little more urban in recent months; we had out first shooting at the union, but a student from Nottingham of all places! There have been a few assaults and in general we seem to be losing our "small market town" appeal. The SMASH youth group I help lead at church however is going really well, and we had a very good chipathon with the seniors last week where we sampled the chips of no less than 6 establishments. We also had an egg drop where 7/12 eggs didn't make it. George, Myself and Pete Ev went for a cycle through the Leicestershire countryside the other evening and had some really nice food in Swithland, reminding me how nice it is to be able to escape so quickly was fun.



- Uni: well this is the last push really; I crush my last 12 cubes tomorrow and then its all in the write-up and analysis of the results. I am still a little unsure as to the direction of my hypothesis but I am sure I will get there, I am banishing myself to Garth house for a majority of the vacation as the greatest distractions there seem to be the view and cheese. I went to see a lecturer the other day and discuss my grades in regards to getting a 2:1, although there is hard work ahead it seems that if I can average greater than 56% for the year I will get it. (My current average so far for the year is 60%)

Well I've written on and on for ages so I think I'll leave it there, as its lent I've been going to the Stns of the cross at St Mary's which has been fun, and at this week's dramatized version by the youth they are crucifying me. I've also been getting a lot out of praying with some of Elizabeth Wang's Paintings such as the one below entitled (We can only find intimacy with God in prayer, if we approach him through the ‘door’ of humility.)



So I hope you all have a very blessed Easter, enjoy yourselves with eggs and laughter, look after yourselves too, otherwise no-one will ever read my blog anymore.

Andy

xxx

Well theres been a dry desert of creativity in my blogging, and I apologise to those of you who are vaguely interested in whats new with me. I hope to get better.

Following the norm, and for you regulars you'll have turned off your iTunes in anticipation, I like to allow for a bit of musical delight to appease your other senses also, so please right-click and open in new window (http://www.matthewmcavene.com/index.php?s=1), Matt MacAvene is quite good and he is quite arty too.

Well I am now old...and I relish the ability to say this as this means ALL of my siblings must be getting towards the requirement of zimmer frames and food prepared in a blender. Obviously my parents have found the fountain of youth as they seem to be as flighty and full of joy as some of my beloved neices and nephs, well that and an odd combination of ryvitas and tea.

23...23...23...well I've managed to complete a fair few of my dreams so far, I have learned and continue to learn more and more about concrete, I've visited Skye and walked among the Red Cuillins, revisited Kerry as a grown up, travelled to Canada under my own steam, worked as a semi-professional in a number of different construction projects and eaten sushi.

You'll be glad to know that i've already expanded some of these dreams to encompass: revisit the Grand Tetons(http://www.jeffrichphoto.com/images/web%20site%20images%20at%2072dpi/teton%20close%20reflection.jpg), camp by loch Coruisk (http://www.simon-caldwell.co.uk/photos/scotland/skye/coruisk/coruisk04.htm), sail a boat on the sea, lead climb outside in the uk to a respectable grade, complete the pennine way, get married, have children, chat to Pete for longer than 20mins (hehe), graduate, put up Anna's shelves and finally... never eat sushi again.

I've not much more to tell you guys really, I'm back in Luf for my final yr and am just about surviving. I enjoy more and more spending time with my housemates, although I miss Anna a lot.

I've just been running a Youth CAfE course at St. Mary's in Loughborough (http://www.youthcafe.org) and its been mildly successful, we'll just have to see if it was any good. I'm being allowed to run the seniors as well at the moment and I'm not making too much a mess of it.

I've a few site visits planned in the near future to Nottingham, Meadowhall and the Recycling quarry at MountSorrel.

A few thanks givings recently for Kath's Mun's miraculous recovery in Canada, and for the improvec health of Richard's, Sister's baby.

I'll love you and leave you all for now as I eat my tea, as always I remember you in my prayers and appreciate yours.

Taraa

Andy

Good morning, afternoon, evening and even wee hours of the day or night,

following a usual theme and my inability to remove music from anything I do, which may be some kind of fear of silence, or an attempt to hear it all at least once before I die....

please get comfortable, get all your squirming and fidgeting done now, even have a good stretch and if you would like, simply click (http://www.bebonorman.com/enter.html) and then minimise the window, not that I am not encouraging you to explore the website of this insightful Christian vocalist, but that here and now is the 'meat and bones' of the matter, and that is the optional pudding.

Well it must be May....I see some of you nodding, yes the weather has warmed, yes our churches have gone 'Mary' mad all over again but more simply the reason I can tell is that the shorts have come out to play, not only my own nobly knees but the return of Andy Mansell's somewhat miraculously shaped legs, accompanied by the trunk-like supports of Big George walk out daily into the sunshine for all and sundry to see. I think I will leave you to decide if this should be a joyous occasion or a reason to call the Environmental Health Board, I am open minded like that...

I've spent a somewhat active day being completely unproductive: we at New Ashby Rd started the day with a simple coursework hand-in at 9am at Lboro's esteemed Dept for Civil and Building Engineering building (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/ug/dept/cv/index.htm can you spot Andy M in the picture, we are very proud) which was slow, laborious and thoroughly British. To explain we queued up early, having arrived in the rain, to be greeted by blank looks from the reception as to why we were there and "what module code did you say", there followed a search for lecturers and they eventually conceded that we might have been set coursework but it was still and inconvenience. We then wandered back to the wee hoose and drank tea as we changed into suit trousers and shirts (Andy M very kindly ironed mine for me yesterday, what a guy) and processed (sadly without hymns and candles) to our presentation of Motivation within Construction to our peers and lecturer, it was amazing that we all got A's indeed, and I don't doubt it had a great deal to do with Steven's amusing and frantic last hope in the Our Father just before as well as Laura's exceedingly tall shoes (much to say that she walked there and back in her trainers). There followed the obligatory few pints...burger and chips and construction banter in the EHB bar (http://campuslife.lboro.ac.uk/food/catering/location/the-ehb-bar/) with Steven and George. Retiring to the hoose at about 1pm I chatted for a while on MSN messenger to a beautiful young lady called Amelie from Bretagne and to the equally beautiful Natalie Higgins from Cambridge (Ben North's better half)until the urge took me to venture out into the wet and explore some more of Leicestershire’s amazing, rolling countryside (http://www.alanstark.com/images/landscapes/charnwood/woodhouse.jpg) and in particular to scope out some crags where climbing might be undertaken in more favourable weather. I even made a friend scrabbling up the face at Woodhouse Eaves, and we managed to conquer the face easily, although somewhat wet and grubby, it was a minor victory none-the-less. I then returned home via Pocket Gate Quarry where I set up a brief abseil (only 30ft) in the wet to keep myself active, and I even managed a conversation with Anna as I descended, oh the beauty of hands free technology.

So there we have it, a day well spent, and ending now with a small glass of Caol Ila (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caol_Ila) and some blogging.

I can imagine you are envious of my day so far and I am loathed to make you greener but I have to share with you the best musical experience of my short life to date:

Saturday 13th May: Birmingham Carling Academy: Myself and 499 other people (inc George): DAVE MATTHEWS LIVE

Well for those of you who have little to no knowledge of Dave (I think we are on first name terms now, I mean he was only 30ft away, tops) then I feel like I should explain;

Firstly - go here NOW (http://audio.musictoday.com/audio/dmbweb/audio/digaditch_clip.mp3)

To follow - Dave Matthews is a great musician, and infamous (in true Three Amigos Style)in America, however we (meaning the British) have never really warmed to him, much preferring a more selfish and money-orientated music where people become rich and albums get worse.

So what makes Dave different? - The majority of his profits go into charitable works (http://www.davematthewsband.com/bama/charities/), and he really does enjoy playing music, heavily talented in both singing and the guitar his three UK gigs this May sold out their 500 tickets in less than 24 hrs, and it was just him.

Okay so I see you making that face...yes another of Andy's fads, crazy enthusiasms...and yes you are right and as each person has defining features in their life Dave has been a big one...and so seeing as you've come this far and will probably not leave just yet I'll peel away one more layer and let you see what I get out of it too.

Well picture the location - Packed into the Carling Academy, and I am a short guy so I obviously end up behind some huge Goliath of a person.
Picture the emotion - excited, hungry, expectant (a little assertive as I am going to keep this little space of floor so I can enjoy the gig)

And then.... being short I hear the response before I see Dave, so what do I do, I close my eyes...and wait for the "Thank you very much" as always in the America/South African lilt...and then the strumming of the guitar brings the first song ( and a little whoop from me)

The gig was amazing and I could re live it for you I am sure, but that's not the plan... here's what I took from it:

The first song "Bartender" the lyric in a room full of now chilled and joyful people

"Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground"

Next he barely breaks before launching into an amazing acoustic version of "Grey Street" and the words ring out again

"How she wishes it was different
She prays to God most every night
And though she swears it doesn't listen
There's still a hope in her it might"

He sang another song a little later, a brand new song about his Sister with lyrics based on
"Couldn't get through it without you...and I cry when you cry..."

and obviously It made me think about my own three sisters and how they are all completely connected to the way I have become me (Helen Clare's always helped me to know that I am loved, lots of cuddles when I was young have made me become someone who doesn't seek out affection from other people, knowing I have an amazing family. Rachel Anne's always shown me that you can do amazing things with you life, that nothing is impossible and that you can always rely on your family if things go wrong, helped me in a way realise that there is the possibility to do things hiding within 'me' of all people. Elizabeth Mary, well our Liz, when I go to the pub and drink only bitter, not because of peer pressure (in fact the opposite at times) but because I enjoy it, when I sing and remember nights spent at redwing around the piano, when go anywhere as my car is the biggest bit of trust and charity anyone has ever given me, and its all down to her.) so basically I have three amazing sisters and so that was a good song Dave Matthews, a good song...

All in all it was a good gig and it’s been a good few days.

It’s never easy to ask this but I get a lot out of prayer and so you might also, give it a try, you've not lost anything if nothing happens...

Andy M's friend died very recently and it'd be wonderful if some of you could pray for him and the Family. We had our own bereavement in Mary's family the other week and so prayer for the Spink Hill Emmotts would be greatly appreciated.
Exams, well not only us in the hoose but anyone between 15-24 has exams in June so please think of them as you labour day in day out at your Mickey mouse jobs (just kidding).

Taraa for now, if you are still looking for entertainment I suggest that you try some of the following to keep you amused:

A puzzling game of heroism and ...well...Bears...(javascript:OpenPortalContentWin(296606,%20500,%20700,%20'296606_wb.swf',%20'Warbears',%200); )

There is little you can't do with these little men, obviously there is an aim to the game but I had lots of fun anyway (http://www.foon.co.uk/farcade/hapland/)

More about me (http://spaces.msn.com/concretecave/)

Pictures and a Quiz (http://andy_bits.bebo.com/)

Welcome again to this tiny window into my life.... I hope you enjoyed your journey. Please make yourself comfortable and I'll tell you a tale. To make you relax a little please open a new window (Ctrl + N) and visit (http://www.watermark-online.com/) which will play you some beautifully arranged contempory Christian music by this married couple.

I've just had a fabtastic few weeks, the ominous Easter Vacation this year was much needed. I left Loughborough at the end of March exhausted and a little drained from a huge structural design coursework my housemates and I undertook. We designed an Aircraft Hangar for RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, no small feat.

Then I threw myself back into the preparation of the Lay Community Of St Benedict's Easter Celebration(http://www.laybenedictines.org/), being held for the first time somewhere other than Worth Abbey (www.worthabbey.net), in Wales -Cefn Lea Park, nr Welshpool (www.cefnlea.co.uk). I'd been a little over enthusiastic and offered to co-ordinate the hospitality of the 175 guests, with their accommodation in Chalets, Caravans and Tents. All in all it went okay, me being me upset some people but I'm sure it'll be right. I'm not going to say much about Easter as I'd like to keep you intrigued and those who know me know how much it took over my life this year, all I would say is that it has slowly opened my eyes to how special individuals are and I've been very privileged to serve the community over Easter, it'd be a very interesting life if we could all embrace the wisdom of good ole St Ben "A guest comes, Christ comes".

Having completed a lent without chocolate, alcohol and cake I feel that it is time now to enjoy, moderately the pleasures of a fine single Islay malt, some home made Easter Cake (Thanks to the Norths) and a few bits of Cadbury’s eggs. I've managed to ween myself off having sugar in tea and coffee and will probably keep up the yoghurt and fruit tho.

As always there is news within the wealth and breadth of the Emmott Clan, Liz's having some fun with her motoring, although hopefully she will have things sorted soon. She, Alex and Charlie are having a great Deal of fun, despite the hard work and struggle that life is.

Those Hebridean Emmotts och aye, well Rob had a wee jaunt to the Outdoor Show in Brum in March and George, Andy and I made a wee house trip to see him and get show freebies. My wonderful God Daughter Amy had her birthday the other day and I hear she doing fine, as are Katie and Pirate Finn.

Rach, Barry and the kids over the pond...well what to say, they are definitely loony, however it seems Sam and Nancy have better handwriting than their mum now (thanks for the card btw) and the snow has retreated somewhat. We miss them over there and rarely a day goes by that we don't think about them and their Pancake shop, hearty laugh and breezy smiles.

Our Helen is a socializing machine over in Sheff, making friends and lunch for all it is a great achievement and we are glad that wee Matthew is growing at a rate of knots, Richard however is hoping to keep Helen from the cars as she has been making them die recently, I did suggest that more petrol and less milk for the cars would help.

Peter Francis is definitely a fruit, mango at his best. he has an amazing blog (http://spaces.msn.com/soberpete/PersonalSpace.aspx?owner=1&vv=400) I'd say that he needs some support too as he's trying to do a sponsored walk to raise money for a trip to Lourdes with the Arundel & Brighton Diocese, please email him and pledge money (pete.emmott@gmail.com)

Mum and Dad seem to have enjoyed their Easter and although Dad thinks he is falling apart physically his wit and humour are only things that his children can aspire too, so brilliant are they. Mum never stops and I wonder if it were not for the daily showing of Due South at 7pm on ITV3 if she would never sit down.

Joanne and Adam are also well and their Charlie is huge, quite likely to eat me next time I go round. Jo has learned how to ween him onto home cooked stuff none of this jars of baby food, although she is a little foxed by the butternut squash, as always Sue is the font of all knowledge on such matters.

Well there is little more to say really except to wish you all a very Joyful and Happy Easter, to challenge you to pray for me, the family and those in need. If any of you fancy a trip climbing just email and we'll sort a date.

Taraa and enjoy a hench cuppa after reading the above saga.

Hello there,

Well it seems that there has been much happening since my last entry so I'll try to share it all without missing anything.


To set the scene I invite you to go to (http://www.verticalhorizon.com/) where there is some free music to be listened too, a little rocky but good stuff none-the-less.

Here in oor wee hoose on the New Ashby Rd we are a mixture of noise, annoyance, activity, relaxation and chaos...this is due to the craziness of revision. Funnily enough we are quite relaxed overall and although the pressure seems to be building and George's assassination attempts on the Uni's Structures Staff we are more tranquil than could be expected. This must be due to the presence of the Holy Spirit (no not Glenfidich) which myself and I assume Andy are praying for daily.

We're old hands at exams (to put it in the terms of Stalky & Co), the cribbing less easy as we are handicapped without the presence of a geeky Beetle and all fancy ourselves as Uncle Stalky. (This last may be lost to those of you whose knowledge of Kipling is inadequate, however I am happy to lend my tomes to any who wish to enlighten themselves in the infinite wisdom which can be gleamed from the apparent nature of English Schoolboys of that time).

Onto the more exciting news; I've been blessed with another nephew (Matthew Richard Arden). I am going to take a liberty at this point, it seems that this new member of the Emmott Clan has inherited a handsomeness that even Pete and I are bereft of. Attempting to appease all (as is my way) I mean that Alex is more interested in trains than looks, Sam quite shocked at there being "pink soap in the boys washroom" and Fearless Fin the Pirate seeking an eye-patch the fourth and youngest of my nephews has no Emmott ears and will surely go far. Helen and Richard are obviously over the moon, but its all okay as I've contacted NASA and a rescue has been organises in haste so that they can be around to ensure the cat's don't starve and suchlike. I'll keep you posted on that one.

To let you all share in the joy of the new babies which have arrived recently I have set up photos at (http://andy_bits.bebo.com/) unfortunately I haven't separated the new babies from each other so you will have to guess who is who from their Parents. Included are Joanne's little one, James and Louise's boy and little Matthew.

I feel I almost need to include a section on my current modes of transport in this entry too as some exciting and cringe-worthy moments have appeared in my life. The first being that Liz is very kindly going to give me her Primera in the next few months, and my finances just reach enough for me to have it parked in Lufbra, donations for petrol so I can go places in it are much appreciated, and if you gift aid them then even Tony Blair might chip in also (hehe). The second and almost countering the first point is that I was in such an enthusiastic mood to paint one of our gateposts last Saturday night that instead of the usual methods I just went and applied the paint using the left hand wing, door and handle of Anna’s car, causing such a noise to awaken George from his sleep, much damage to the car (which I DID NOT expect) and amusement for approximately the next 3-40 years for my housemates. In short I have pulled another doozey!

I have observed that Bro James has a blog and thought some of you may be interested? (http://brojames.blogspot.com/) I certainly was, his website is very interesting too. And onto such subjects I went to mass yesterday evening and got clobbered to arrange a Taize evening in March so any people have any ideas that's be brilliant. I've also been reading some of Henry Nouwen's stuff this month as can be seen from my little bit of writing (see the whiteboard section - http://andy_bits.bebo.com/).

People have been asking me about the wedding developments? Well we've booked a church, reception and seminarian, as well as Marie Yates is going to make Anna's dress, her sisters will be bridesmaids and Pete is my best man (a fail safe really as Anna is beginning to think like, if anything goes wrong will all just shuffle up a bit, I mean he'll be dressed the same and we look similar!), but in slightly more interesting news Anna's sister Jenny has gotten engaged to Jim (who plays in two awesome bands - primarily Diego Garcia http://www.toxicpete.co.uk/diegogarcia1.html)and they are to be married before us in 2007. We're over the moon for them both as it really is exciting, they will sound out Mr Yates on all ideas and provide him with the "Worcs Wedding" making all happy and providing us a good frame of reference for our own festivities.

Finally reminding myself of the tiramisu I had for breakfast I'd like you all to remember that "cake makes you strong" and if you are my siblings "I will have enlightened you children with this theory sooner than you think!". I've been making scones and they are no-where as good as my mum's but they are edible and the hoose are tempted from time to time. Although they contain fruit I would like to pint out it is the very cake-ness of the scones which has been providing the sustenance, Oh who am I kidding...it was the cheese and jam!

God Bless and take care

PS- Laing O'Rourke are playing in Lpool again (http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/bb_wm_fs.stm?nbram=1&news=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nol_storyid=4637996)

I've been told that my blog gets a bit serious, and I'm sorry to admit that this entry isn't particularly going to be the comical...

Before the holidays Anna and I went to see Delirious? (http://www.delirious.org.uk/) live at the Liverpool Academy where the warm-up act was a surprisingly brilliant, auburn haired lady called Kendal Payne (http://www.kendallpayne.com/), who I would recommend to anyone as a feisty bit of easy listening, good for the car. I had never seen anyone with such ability, just her and a guitar entertained the entire place until we nearly forgot we'd come to see Delirious at all, her lyrics are based on some real passion that's hard to miss.

Anna and I finally made it out climbing after work one day last week and I was overjoyed at her enjoyment of this good, clean source of fun. If only the prices at Liverpool's only indoor climbing centre we less extortionate (http://www.awesomewalls.co.uk/). Then maybe we would do it more often; I reckon I'd be able to convince her to go to Pex Hill some time in the summer tho.

Back in the midlands I'm preparing to face the joy of exams, not meaning that in a sarcastic way as I love learning my subjects, that's why I am here and after a while it does become a joy...this does ease the stress factor of the exam dates tho. I've got an appointment with the dentist tomorrow at 9am as well, and anyone would struggle to see the fun in that, hehe.

It’s been an interesting weekend all in all, some major ups and some confusing downs. So I'll begin with the ups...fun first and all that, I was overjoyed when James and Louise let us know yesterday evening that their long awaited son had finally chosen to join us. I was gutted to have been on my way home to Loughborough when we found out, but Anna has had the joy of having a ten second hold of him today and has already told me a million times that he is one of the most gorgeous babies she has seen (obviously this doesn't include the inherent beauty of my nieces and nephews of whom we have no favourite as they are all blessed with the Emmott charms), she even had a manly conversation with his Uncle Ben as he seemed to be taking the feminine baby cooing with unreserved fear. Anna has pointed out that of out three pregnant couples we knew only Our Helen and Rick are left, so no rush sis, you take your time.

The low points were finding out that my old choir master at SFX is being investigated for the possibility of possessing indecent pictures of children, something which will definitely ruin the reputation of a man who has given me personally a brilliant bank of memories that I cherish of singing in cathedrals up and down the country and on the continent. We'll see how it turns out and pray for him.

As an upside to leave you guys with as I attempt to organise my life before a busy week of revision, I attempted to make some scones today and apart from their thin like quality, they weren't half bad, with mixed fruit as well so they are healthy anyways. I've helped George with the task of finishing the cake his dad made for us, under protest I hope you understand, having had a piece for breakfast, lunch and mid lunch snack.

Taraa for a bit, cold idn't it!

Howdi folks,

If you'll just take your seat please Mam we'll get a’ going.

Well I've not that much to report at the moment so hopefully this'll be short, I do however have some small morsel of news, and that is that Joanne L Emmott finally had her baby, we're are all over the moon that there is now a wee Charlie Dylan, 9 pounds 5 and a half ounces in weight. It was a long labor but apparently she didn't kill anyone in the hospital so there's another silver lining for us all.

Jo and Adam have just moved into a lovely house in Mansfield and their baby boy is very lucky to have such fantastic people for parents. Saying that, as Emmotts we've all done okay for family, so we can all give ourselves a pat on the back.

Its all been a bit pressured here in Lufbra these last few weeks I can tell you, and that's not due to the large amounts of Heinz products consumed in the house, or that it is easier to break into a concrete box than it is to coax our front door into opening, seeing as it has swollen with the damp. I'll tell you why shall I, seeing as I can see its not interest but morbid fascination that you return to my blog time and time again;

a) The absolutely stupid timing of the new housing lists in Lufbra meant that we have had to decided if we will be moving from No 417 or staying, there's been hushed conversations, arguments about rent prices and even the odd argument about condensation before we decided, much to our relief that we'll be staying here till 2007, we wondered if it was the cheap rent, numerous bathrooms or just the enticingly tiny living area that's captivated us...Och well, who cares, we're staying!!

b) The rush of the end of term has brought about the evil words such as coursework, deadlines and "we've run out of hobnobs I'm afraid Mr Emmott." The latter bringing me to my knees in tears in the middle of sainsbury's last week. All things considered, the customer service lady was definitely heard uttering the words "I wasn't trained for this" & "wouldn't bourbons do?".

Suddenly noticing that this is getting a little cynical I think it might be worth some of the joys of the last coupla weeks,

ADVENT - has started, I even fashioned a beast of a candle/wreath thing for the kitchen, I was not expecting the George-sized candles that we have, but they are getting daily use, and most people are not offended by my wee reflections on this special time of year (I'll add them at the end) We also have a calendar and a scary assortment of fairy lights, which make the kitchen look more like an Indian take-away than the home to brilliant English cuisine that it is! hehe. We have even sent Laura into her scrooge mode, on Sunday I was overjoyed when she emerged from her room, walked into the kitchen, looked at the lights and said "Festive, Festive...la-di-da...Bloody Festive!" accompanied with such a gnashing of teeth that even Job would have been envious of! The expletives Andy got when he opened his door into the kitchen at breakfast with Christmas music blaring from his Hi-Fi were magical.

Today is the 6th of December, St Nicholas' day, kids nowadays know him as Santa Claus (San Nic-Claus) hehe, maybe next year I'll give everyone a present on the 6th, to make the point.

Anna - well the Mrs is fantastic and I miss her like crazy when I am here, so I cannot wait to see her on the 16th, woo hoo, I also have tickets for delirious on the 17th and have invited myself for lunch at George's in Sheff on 18th, his dad's gonna make one of those fantastic cakes too! Yay!

Anyways Taraa for today

here's the advent reflections, bit naff, but then they are a-la Moi!



First Sunday of Advent

Time to wake up

The novelty of being back in Luf is behind us; the workload has shot up, signalling the beginning of the holiday season in the world around us. Yet today’s good news should be that we are in a tine of anticipation. Let’s call it a time of watchful waiting, of preparation or keen awareness. The hard bit is to hold off the holidays for a bit, to tune in to the reason we get a holiday, to prepare our hearts for the scary history that Jesus was born. Lighting one of the red candles we have light to see the work we have to do.

Second Sunday of Advent

Take a deep breath

Okay so we’re waiting for something to come along, might just be so we can bugger off home..maybe so we can see missed friends, maybe just so’s we can take a load off. Jesus to be born was well expected. A prophet, called Isaiah seemed to know something we didn’t, some 2700yrs ago he said; ”The Lord we await, the Lord we are promised, is one who, like a shepherd, feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms.” He wasn’t going to be a big man in the world of finance, he wasn’t big in more or less anything we measure big today. Jesus was going to be born for the daft things that make a person worth being a friend, for giving, loving and helping. He’d be a good addition to the house methinks. Again we light a red candle this week to light up our days so we can be that little nicer, brighter and warmer.


Third Sunday of Advent

The path is clear

Being without light is one of the most unsettling of experiences for those of us who have become accustomed to living with the gift of electricity. To be in the dark is to be disoriented, without a sense of direction. So lets get that purple candle lit, and lit quick so we can have some light. This week we have all three candles going and should be in good cheer, because today is the Joyful Sunday. The holiday’s hopefully going to be full of gratitude, hope and goodness, that’s the plan. The last week of term, we know the plan so lets get going and do it in a cheerful way.


Fourth Sunday of Advent

What message do we hear?

So well done if you are still here to get this far. This week is a week of messages, a day when Jesus’ existence is announced to the world, today it would be the cheesiest text message circular yet. If everyone in the world could pin-point the day, week, month that they found out their best, best, bestest news there’d be special cards in the shops for it. There must be something for each of us that makes us happy inside, like when Boss 1st heard about DMB, when Laura first heard about coffee, Liam’s first footy match, Andy’s First cuppa. Do we ever tell anyone what was so bloody special about it in the first place. So we’d light a red candle and think, that was a brilliant idea, nice one!

Heya

Well this should be a short little extract of my life, because I want to get some snoozing done before my big day involving lectures and a trip on the Nottingham Tram tomorrow.

I'd like to highlight that you can access this blog, my calendar, inspirational reading, photos and much more all through the fantastic medium of Andy's Coolio Concrete Cave (http://spaces.msn.com/members/Concretecave)

Secondly I have had a wonderful spirit-filled day that I’d like to share. I woke up this morning and attempted to go to my 9am lecture, to find that it had been cancelled.

Oh, the joys of being able to wake up with a proper bowl of cereal, a Mug of espresso and good company. Our kitchen really is a haven of tea, coffee and the smell of pesto. Our poor wee extractor fan works so hard, praise God.

I had a relatively productive day where I had coursework group meetings and even managed to listen to a tape of Fr Stan Fortuna on "Freed by who? For What?" (http://www.francescoproductions.com/) and if you have never heard of this amazing rapping Friar of the renewal then now is a time to get better acquainted.


We had evening prayer in the Chaplaincy with some of the other Catholic students, Fr Peter (see Intro Blog) which was good, some would argue that it would have been better attended if we had remembered to add the day as well as the time to the circular email, however I prefer to think that it was an opportunity for the four of us to get closer and sure we got a lot out of that.

I met my friend Chris in Herbies bar on campus at about 7pm, (slowly being ruined by the infamous IMAGO, the conglomerate, money-grabbing, quality-slashing side to the University Estates) and we walked down to St Mary's, where we were unsure how many people would turn up for a presentation on the Fabtastic youth resource "Youth CaFE" given by the lovely Emily Davis (http://www.youthcafe.org/) and I would suggest it with a passion for people who are looking to spark interest or attempting Evangelism using a quiet parish or school.

Then I have come home and am ready for bed that is the place for sleepy Andys who need to be strong for the day’s excitement with rail and road tomorrow.

One final thing I might add tho, there is a section of mybriefcase (http://uk.briefcase.yahoo.com/cvaje) that I have added today, its a prayer list, a newish idea as a way of sharing with people who I am praying for at the moment, so I'll leave an open offer, I will always pray for anyone who asks, and that I invite you if you have a moment (and if the link works) to spend a moment offering one of the names on this list up to God.

I finished my previous Blog kind've swiftly and without saying what I needed to I fear, so I'll leave you today with the optimism that there'll be more entries and that it may take a lifetime to understand another person, I'm game if you are!

A Mille Gratias

Well here we are, I am trying to leave it a suitably long enough time between entries so that you can have something to read, as well as the fact that anticipation of something interesting is half the fun.

Its mid-November, and I love this time of year. I have a birthday on the 4th Nov and have very nearly perfected the art of avoiding people and zero fuss. This took a long time in achieving, my fiancé Anna is wonderful and always wants to make a big thing of birthdays. I have often felt that I was letting people down, when all I ever wanted was to have a day without being the centre of attention and everyone else seemed to want the opposite. I had a fantastic revelation when explaining this to my housemate Laura, who understood completely without my needing to explain at all. So here's the thing, some people, do not like being the centre of attention and don't particularly want huge presents or fuss. I don't really associate birthdays with the need for anything, and so I had a fantastic day.

I went to my 9 o'clock lecture on Water Engineering and then at 10 o'clock, Anna and I were in the little blue Polo, destined for Edale (http://www.edale-valley.co.uk) in the Peak District. After some faffing and my absolute stupidity of leaving my Waterproof on my bed in Lboro, we ventured off into the rain and the grey towards Hope, over Hollins' Cross and via Loose Hill (http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/hopev/hope.htm).

After a nice walk we stopped in a pub in hope and ate a ravenous lunch of mini cheddars and ready salted walkers crisps (http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/62/6200/Old_Hall_Inn/Hope) I had a lovely coffee and Anna had a beer. The train back to Edale was not like the photo here (http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/publictransport.htm) and more like a sopping wet, cold wait for an hour with little to do but eat the fair-trade cake Anna had thoughtfully brought along. I would like to think that my shorts and mud-caked legs were a glimpse of hope and humour to our fellow passengers but I couldn't be sure.

We drove from Edale, through Chinley to Bury. Chinley was a fascinating place in the dark, with wonderful grit-stone houses and hills that Anna and I felt that we would drive through it twice in a round-a-bout way aiming towards Gloucester (http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/chinley/chinley.htm).

In bury we visited possibly Tom Dobson, no further introduction needed except to say, it is my opinion that if you do not know someone in your life who you know is meant to be your friend for a lifetime then I would begin your search as soon as possible. Tom is a friend from Worth, not that place in Sussex but that little part of me that I carry around everyday and try to share with everyone. We had a fantastic meal together in his room at Fairfield General Hospital where he has a job as an auxiliary nurse. Our joy in seeing him was equalled by his fear that the kitchen down the hall might have the power to eat him as well as the mess it seems to have been eating for the last year.

Two pint and hip flask of whiskey later Anna slept in the passenger seat and I drove over the Woodhead pass towards Sheffield and then down the M1 towards that distant continent ... Leicestershire (http://www.hiddenengland.org). I was chatting with the wonderful Paula Bailey who works for the Nottingham Diocese about how she became involved in formation, and Fr Ken chipped in that he had become a priest to be a missionary, some went to Africa, some to Asia, but he came to Leics.

There are a few other bits of news this month. Sadly my great Aunt Ellen died on 26th October; she was the last of my Granddad’s generation. I will always remember that feeling of satisfaction (although that is not the right word, I mean things being absolutely as they should be) at her funeral that there is no better way to say farewell to a loved one.

I'd best describe it properly... On Thursday night as I journey down to Kent by train to stay with my sister in Deal, as many as were able of my cousins, uncles, aunts and siblings gathered at Holy Family Church nr Maidstone, there they welcomed the body of my Aunt Ellen into the church, to rest there with Jesus, they began to thank God for the gift of her life, with hymns and prayers. They then went home to my Aunty Pauline's house where they will have spent the evening chatting and resting, happy together in their faith that God held Aunt Ellen now, where we could not. I arrived in Deal with my brother-in-law Charlie and stayed at Liz's house, we sat up chatting till about 2pm, about family, friends, life. Liz described the service to me by saying "it was lovely, there were lots there, nice hymns" no need to describe the service or the emotions, they were a comforting constant of our faith. The service the following day was a real celebration of Aunt Ellen's life, the eulogy during the mass by Pauline finished with the biggest expression of faith " so I ask God to bless her, it was an honour to know such a loving a giving Mum/Nan and we will miss her" We gathered as a family to say that, to say that we loved her and we know she is in a better place, our grief is not that we have lost her but that she was such a wonderful person it is sad to see her go.

Well hello,

decided that my siblings have all started using the msn blog, and I had to be different.

Bit about me (this being my first entry)

My name is Andy Emmott,

I am a student studying Civil Engineering at Lboro Uni(http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/cv) and I am currently living in Loughborough.

I am a Christian (practicing catholic) and my parish is St Mary's, Loughborough (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/stmarys.97) although I have a strong link with the University Chaplaincy (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/chaplaincy), Fr Peter and the other chaplains who are so friendly and supportive. I am also a member of the Lay Community of St Benedict, who originate from the Worth Abbey Lay Community and

I am engaged to the most beautiful woman I have ever met (The fabulous Dr Anna Yates) and there is so much I could say here about her, however remembering that your deluded selves have arrived here on some insane quest to see what my life is like I'll move on, with a smile.

I have the best family anyone could ever wish for, five individually amazing siblings(Elizabeth, Robert, Rachel, Helen & Pete), two very patient parents (Michael & Margaret) and the wonderful gift of a plethora of Aunts, Uncles and cousins, each with their own miraculous lives. Together we form what the Scots would call a Clan, but us tea drinking Brits, calling a spade a spade, simply realise that a Family is much much more than a blood relationship it is the foundation on which you stand to reach out to the world. Last but never the least I have six nieces and nephews (Katie, Finlay, Samuel, Alexander, Amy & Nancy). My sister Helen is pregnant and her baby will take the number up to seven of the little darlings, each one a miracle.

I am... me, a pragmatic, enthusiastic young man. I may lack application but make up for it with exuberance. I am friendly and will always welcome anyone needing a cuppa or a piece of cake. I firmly believe that "Cake makes you strong" and am attempting to convert my friends, family and anyone I come into contact with that this is the only way to live. I like music (mostly a range between Kate Rusby, Dave Matthews, Christian Contemporary and Garth Brooks) I have never said that anything was rubbish but do have a deep resentment to the genre of music whose melodies are atonal or minor so as the depress the soul, give me the dancing rhythm of a whistle or pipe any day. I love to travel, and have seen much of europe and some of the US and Canada, this has made me realise that on our wee Isle we have everything we will ever need to enjoy life. The mountains and dales of the UK never fail to impress me, I love nothing more than to climb them and explore their secrets, the views are better than anything foreign for the one pure and simple reason "they are ours". So at the moment, I spend my nights dreaming of the Hebrides or Skye(http://www.lochalsh.com/webcam.html), Hellvelyn and the Fells, Wensleydale and the Pennine way.

I work for Laing O’Rourke Northern Ltd (http://www.laingorourke.com), a construction company based in the Uk, originally I worked for Laing Construction and since then it has changed into LO'R much to my financial benefit and interest, it needs to be said that I do have some fascination with concrete. Yes I said concrete, the grey stuff made of stone, sand and cement, mixed with water. So that's why I am in Loughborough. LO'RN sponsor me £1575 a year during my University course, on my graduation I owe them this money back or 12 months employment as a site engineer, the latter being my current choice.

I volunteer with various groups both at home in Liverpool and in Loughborough. As I mentioned before I am involved with the Uni Chaplaincy and help with Cathsoc, I also help with St Mary's youth club for seniors called SMASH on a Sunday evening 7-8:30pm about twice a month. Whilst in Liverpool I am an assistant scout leader with the 3rd Allerton scout troop (http://www.stpeters-woolton.org.uk/groups/older_youth/3rd_allerton_scouts.html). I was a scout there when I was younger and will never be able to repay the gift of knowledge and understanding I got out of it(http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/citysouth/woolton/scouthut.html), the outdoors are one of my passions, I love to rock climb, hike, run and will never tire of it.

I have some amazing friends not only in Liverpool and Loughborough but throughout the UK, they may never know how happy I am that they share their miraculous lives with me but I am trying; one-by-one to tell them all. Its not always easy but that is how I always feel.